All Blacks Rugby Challenge 3 has been announced, but New Zealand developer Sidhe – which created the first two in the series – isn’t at the helm.

Instead, Melbourne-based Wicked Witch Software (the AFL Live series) is developing the game, which is expected to release in the last quarter of this year on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC.

There are a number of new, noteworthy features: Rugby Challenge 3 will feature a Rugby Sevens mode, the South African Springboks and English rugby teams make their officially-licensed debut, and there’s a new player creation feature that allows players and teams to be shared online.

There’s also a new Be A Pro mode, where players join a club team as a rookie and work their way to the pros over 13 seasons.

More than 11 competitions will be available including Super Rugby, the ITM Cup, and the Currie Cup, and Grant Nisbett and Justin Marshall return to the commentary box.

“Rugby Challenge 3 builds on the success of previous games to take the franchise to a new level with the best of the best Rugby Unions.” said publisher Tru Blu managing director Sebastian Giompaolo.

“We are excited with the evolution of the new generation of consoles pushing graphics into a stunning new zone. The new consoles compliment Rugby Challenge 3 perfectly”.