LONDON, August 5, 2008 (AFP) - Newport Gwent Dragons appointed former New Zealand hooker Tom Willis as their new captain on Tuesday.

Former Waikato star Willis, 29, recently joined Newport on a two-year contract and takes over from former skipper Colin Charvis, who has moved into a coaching role with the Dragons.

DUBLIN, August 5, 2008 (AFP) - Ireland head coach Declan Kidney confirmed Tuesday he has recruited former Saracens and Munster rugby director Alan Gaffney as backs coach.

Australian Gaffney, who led Saracens to the European Cup semi-finals last season, will combine his Ireland role with a coaching position he recently took up at Leinster.

JOHANNESBURG, August 5, 2008 (AFP) - Central Cheetahs wing Jongi Nokwe will earn his first Springbok cap when he faces Argentina in a one-off Test here at Ellis Park on Saturday.

SYDNEY, August 5, 2008 (AFP) - The Australian club of runaway rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams on Tuesday won permission to serve legal papers against the backrower in its bid to prevent him playing in France.

LONDON, August 4, 2008 (AFP) - French legend Raphael Ibanez has been appointed as captain of Premiership champions Wasps following Lawrence Dallaglio's retirement.

Ibanez is one of the sport's all time greats after winning 98 Test caps and leading France to the 1999 World Cup final.

MARSEILLE, August 3, 2008 (AFP) - New Zealand back-rower Sonny Bill Williams, a star rugby league player in Australia, will be in Toulon on Monday or Tuesday to finalise his contract, the French club said.

The president of the Toulon club, Mourad Boudjellal, said everything was on course for him to sign for the club and make his debut in a friendly on Friday.

JOHANNESBURG, August 3, 2008 (AFP) - World Cup stars Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn and Gurthro Steenkamp, and promising wing Odwa Ndungane have been axed from the South Africa rugby squad.

The World Champions will play Argentina in a one-off Test at Ellis Park here on Saturday before turning their attention to the Tri-Nations and home matches against New Zealand and Australia.

WELLINGTON, August 3, 2008 (AFP) - South Africa remain Tri-Nations rugby title favourites but the All Blacks have kept their destiny in their own hands, New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen said Sunday.

New Zealand pulled off a remarkable turnaround in fortunes Saturday, hammering Australia 39-10 just a week after going down 34-19 to the Wallabies in Sydney.

SYDNEY, August 3, 2008 (AFP) - The Wallabies' response to their crushing 39-10 loss to the All Blacks will be important if they are to revive their Tri-Nations title hopes, coach Robbie Deans said Sunday.

AUCKLAND, August 2, 2008 (AFP) - The All Blacks burst the Wallabies' bubble with an crushing 39-10 win to storm back into contention for the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup here on Saturday.