One of the true gentlemen of world rugby, Keven Mealamu is New Zealand’s most-capped Super Rugby player of all time. 

The RWC final between NZ and Australia will be the last game for All Black - Keven Mealamu.

Check out these 12 facts you may or may not have known...

1. He was a standout performer in the All Blacks RWC 2011 success, turning out in six matches in the Tournament and captaining the side against Japan. 

2. Keven has been wearing the black jersey since 1995, when he turned out for New Zealand Under 16. Despite the long career his passion for rugby and the respect with which he is regarded by teammates and opponents remains undimmed.

3. Mealamu took on a new leadership role in 2006, captaining the Blues through a challenging Rebel Sport Super 14 campaign.…more

When the great Richie McCaw plays his final game for New Zealand on Saturday, the debate over his standing in the pantheon of All Blacks greats will intensify. The current All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen, has already put him on a pedestal, but John Hart, coach of the 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning side, had a different answer when asked in 2013 whom he believed was the greatest player ever to pull on the famous black jersey.

"To me, clearly, Michael Jones," Hart said. "Without peer, a man who played all three loose forward positions, and with the skills to play in the midfield. A freak on the field, and a gentleman off it."

Talking to Jones is an unexpected experience: His calm voice and gleeful persona seem at odds with the notorious physicality of his playing days. When he stood in the All Blacks back row, he had the nickname Iceman, partly due to the brutal injuries he sustained but also due to his cold demeanour.

Like McCaw, he never really put fist to face.…more

The Pacific Islanders treated us to some breathtaking rugby and won a lot of plaudits for their attacking play during the tournament. Here are some of their best bits.

Rest in peace legend. Parra's #1 fan @tufftimmy8 battled through the hard times with a smile. As his body lay to rest n spirit makes it way to heaven I want to send my love and prayers to the Jelacic family @nicolejelacic you and your husbands strength for your little man is courageous. Was a blessing to do what we could for the little man n to help with his bucketlist along with @tim_cahill @chriscahill_ @tim_mannah @theparraeels love n prays from America

Former NRL star and San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne has paid tribute to “Tough Timmy” Jelacic, a young Parramatta Eels fan who died this week after battling cancer.

The eight-year-old was diagnosed with epenymoma cancer when he was just two years old and spent much of his young life in and out of hospital for surgery and radiation as tumours continued to grow in his brain.

Timothy shared a birthday with Hayne and Eels veteran Tim Mannah, and was a huge Parramatta fan

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2016 today. Five inductees were selected from a list of 25 finalists.

The Class of 2016 includes Charles "Charlie" Teetai Ane, Jr. (Samoan ancestry), Rockne Crowningburg Freitas (Hawaiian ancestry), Troy Polamalu (Samoan ancestry), Vai Sikahema (Tongan ancestry) as player inductees, and Albert “Al” Lolotai (Samoan ancestry) as a contributor.

The inductees were chosen by a selection committee made up of past head football coaches Dick Tomey (Chairman), LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride and Dick Vermeil, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NFL player personnel expert Gil Brandt, past NFLPA president and inaugural inductee Kevin Mawae and Hawaii sportscaster Robert Kekaula.

The Class of 2016 will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, scheduled for Jan. 29-30 on Oahu.…more

The Samoan Rugby Union squad are all too aware of the importance of their impact as a team and individuals on the youth of today. Here Stephen Betham and his team take time out from the World Cup to spend time with local students and share their thoughts about the importance of making a difference to young people at home.

This film was made by young people of The Reporters’ Academy, a media production company run by young people. Tasked with the mission of reporting behind the scenes of team Fiji, Tonga & Samoa across the Rugby World Cup.

Classic All Blacks haka in Toulon just after a very moving minute's silence for Jerry Collins and Alana Madill

Toulon have beaten an All Blacks legend team 68-21 in a memorial match for Jerry Collins. Great effort from both sides.

The North Queensland Cowboys have won the 2015 NRL Grand Final 17 to 16 in a thrilling showdown.

Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

Much of the attention before and after the match was on Cowboys’ captain Johnathan Thurston.

Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

October 15, the brother Joseph Parker takes on Kali Meehan!

Who will take it out?

How will Joseph Parker cope against the reigning Super 8 champion Kali Meehan...
Plus the Buttabean rematch, welterweight wonder Jeff Horn and KO King Izu Ugonoh

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Jospeh Parker My World

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Samoan management have banned it's players from eating at the McDonald's and KFC restaurants near their hotel.

Even though their Tongan brothers were taken under the wing of their local Nando's, the Samoan team unfortunately will have to make do without the fast-food until after the tournament. 

Flyhalf Tusi Pisi said: "All I can see are the fast food restaurants across the road (but) coach barred us from there."

Tonga on the other hand visited Nando's 10 days in a row, with some players going more than once a day - making the restaurant in Exeter their second home.

"The team, which has been based in Exeter, Devon, got ready for their second game of the tournament with several peri-peri binges" reported The Mirror.

This news follows reports of the Candian team eating the World Cup organisers out of house and home, when the team's kitchen staff had to scramble to get more food after consuming 22lbs of roast beef in 15mins.