
Rugby: Aussies bring the credit card
The Wallabies will relish their trip to New Zealand this week as it will, if nothing else, allow them to fit in a bit of shopping.
The Wallabies will relish their trip to New Zealand this week as it will, if nothing else, allow them to fit in a bit of shopping.
The Wallabies have harnessed the strike-power of fullback Israel Folau to surge to a 52-17 win over Argentina and avoid the Rugby Championship wooden spoon.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie is giving no guarantees Will Genia will regain a starting role for the Rugby Championship wooden spoon clash against Argentina.
The Wallabies proved little more than a speed-hump for South Africa who are on their way to a Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand.
Stepping into the boots of arguably the best halfback in world rugby would be a daunting experience for most rugby players.
Frustrated coach Ewen McKenzie will look to "dumb down" the Wallabies' game after an embarrassing record thumping by South Africa at their former Suncorp Stadium fortress.
Late-blooming Wallabies forward Ben Mowen's amazing ride just gets better.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie believes test rugby will see the best of Israel Folau now that his head has been cleared of contractual worries.
Cagey Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie is keeping his selection cards close to his chest.
Code-hopping star Israel Folau is set to play for the Wallabies through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup after signing a two-year deal.
No one wants to be arrogant or complacent about these things but Australia are not the foe they once were.
The Wallabies are putting the blinkers on about who will wear the vacant All Blacks No 10 jersey, saying they are only focused on improving their own game.
The Wallabies believe a win over the All Blacks in Wellington will buy them time they need to fulfill their potential under new coach Ewen McKenzie.
I am not prepared to change course on my thinking that this is a Wallaby squad of great potential, writes Andrew Slack.
Pictures from the Bledisloe Cup match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on August 17, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.
When David Kirk casts his inquiring senses across tonight's transtasman duel, he favours the All Blacks and in particular their forwards to make the damaging inroads.
Mark Ella was a useful five-eighth, which is a bit like suggesting Bradman could hold a bat.
What chance of another Dipak Patel moment or, for those with longer memories, a John Beck chapter in tonight's start to the Bledisloe Cup series.
The feel-good factor sweeping through Australian rugby is not without foundation - there's plenty of evidence to show that new international coaches often enjoy instant success.
The Wallabies haven't held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002. They've won only five of the past 27 cup encounters, and at tonight's venue, they've tasted success just twice in seven matches against the All Blacks.
If the Australians needed further metaphorical motivation for tomorrow's opening Bledisloe test against the All Blacks, they could have found it in the lobby of their swanky downtown Sydney Hotel in the form of a glass ceiling and a Vera Wang bridal shop.
First-five Matt Toomua will make his debut for Australia while Quade Cooper was named on the bench for tomorrow's opening Rugby Championship match.