Former All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder is stumped by New Zealand Rugby not allowing Richie Mo'unga to play for the national team immediately upon his return

The 31-year-old has signed an 18-month deal starting next July, but won't be able to add to his 56 tests until next October - with an NPC campaign with Canterbury first.

Blackadder - who coaches Mo'unga in Japan - questions why the first five can't play right away.



It's been confirmed that Western United have been stripped of their A-Leagues licence by Football Australia.

That's left the embattled Western Melbourne outfit on the brink of folding ... just three years after winning their first championship.



And the New Zealand Breakers have completed their roster for the upcoming Australian basketball season, by signing American big man Robert Baker.