Wallabies vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper says their Eden Park disaster is a timely serving of "humble pie", but has vowed to use his own personal heartache as World Cup motivation.

Quade Cooper's tempestuous relationship with Eden Park continued when he was shown a yellow card in the 48th minute of Saturday night's Test for a high shot on Aaron Smith.

Arrogance from Aussie players never goes down well here, but Cooper made the added mistake of targeting the saintly Richie McCaw.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika claims he was unaware of the hostility directed at Quade Cooper in New Zealand.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that "Quade Cooper is set to start for Wallabies against All Blacks". OMG. I muttered, again.

Quade Cooper's surprise selection is one more talking point in a build-up to a test which isn't short of them.

World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson insists the path for England, Aus and Wales to the knockout stages of this year's tournament is the toughest in history.

The Polynesian factor is working its magic in Australian rugby, and it's why the All Blacks' dominance will never be the same again, writes Chris Rattue.

Blindside flanker Scott Fardy says the Wallabies will be working hard to improve their lineout for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup decider at Eden Park.

Australia, for the first time since 2011, beat the All Blacks and they beat them well.

No, not the Bledisloe - the one you've hidden, writes Andrew Mulligan, one of the few people in the world who still remembers the DHL Cup.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika insists he's nowhere near reaching any mountain tops, but the rugby fan in him is looking forward to his first crack at conquering the code's equivalent of Everest.

Former captain James Horwill looks set for a lucky recall after the Wallabies' lineout general Rob Simmons was ruled out of Saturday's Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks.

Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper will be free to play against the All Blacks on Saturday.

This weekend's clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies could be the last time we see two of the world's best players go head-to-head.

The bigger picture of the World Cup is constantly in the background but the most important thing about next weekend's game against Australia is winning.

Wycliff Palu and Matt Giteau return in the 31-man Wallabies squad chosen to prepare for next week's Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks.

How Michael Hooper went from facing a two-week suspension for striking another player to being free to face the All Blacks.

Suggestions "scathing" column by Herald sports writer was behind Aussie player's expletive-filled outburst on Twitter.

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has threatened to sue the Australian Rugby Union and demand "millions" in compensation.

The Wallabies will be without three players for their clash with Argentina due to injury.

Chris Rattue writes: Cooper is as crazy as ever and will lose more games than he wins for the Wallabies.

Michael Cheika has stressed there are "no gambles" in his Wallabies side for tonight's Rugby Championship opener against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.

A new dawn beckons for the Wallabies and lock Rob Simmons believes a strong first-up performance against South Africa would be the first step in convincing critics that Australia can be a credible....

When defeat cuts the gizzard out of Australian sport they move quickly to another topic.

Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and George Smith are all available as the Wallabies target the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup trophies.