#CONRAD SMITH

Despite the World Cup drawing to a close many southern hemisphere stars who lit up the tournament will be staying on European shores. The French Top 14 and England's Aviva Premiership are set to be flooded with household names, with many looking for a well-paid swan-song to end a glittering career. Here are some of the best names staying on the…

The All Blacks have been the dominant team of world rugby yet again in 2012. With their season having drawn to a close, it's now time to rate each players performance. Israel Dagg: 7.5/10 Dagg looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, was lethal on the counterattack and very good under the high ball. He was also outstanding in clearing the…

It was no surprise to find Conrad Smith, on the morning of the recent Bledisloe Cup match in Melbourne, in the company of the man with whom he formed what is widely regarded as the best centre combination in the history of rugby, Ma'a Nonu. Along with ex-All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, Nonu had wowed a sell-out audience the night before at Bells…

Pierre Spies is the best No 8 to have played in Super Rugby, writes Mark Keohane, who picks his all-time Super Rugby XV. I was privileged to report live from the ground on 14 of the 16 South African Super Rugby matches in Australia and New Zealand in 1996. The reason I couldn't be at all 16 was because of the schedule and of being in Australia on…