Collins apologised to Smith, reports say

Jerry Collins has reportedly apologised to Australian flanker George Smith for pulling his hair in the Bledisloe test last Saturday night in Brisbane.

News reports out of Australian quote Smith as saying he spoke to Collins after the game about the hair pulling incident, with the All Blacks flanker apologising.

Smith says he was aware of it happening at the time, but believes Collins did it in the heat of the moment.

Meanwhile, Smith could be rested out of this weekend's Tri-Nations match in Sydney against South Africa.

Phil Waugh is set to start, with giant loosie Wycliff Palu being talked up as the new number eight.

The Australians could also play both Waugh and George Smith.

The Wallabies and Springboks reveal their teams this afternoon.

- NEWSTALK ZB