Rugby

Deans delighted to let McCabe take centre stage

Greg Growden IN JUST over a year, Pat McCabe has experienced the most extraordinary of rises - from a Test blow-in to someone considered a future Wallabies captain.

Early kick-off makes for a memorable return to rugby heartland

Greg Growden Several hours before Test kick-off, Robbie Deans headed to the SCG to talk at a function. A young boy, with his face painted in national colours, was walking towards Deans.

Rugby

Welsh tactics on Pocock go unpoliced, says Deans

Greg Growden ALTHOUGH relieved to enjoy a rare series whitewash, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is concerned his captain David Pocock is being unfairly targeted off the ball, while the Australian scrum is again on...

Barnes seizes his chance to make case

Greg Growden A YEAR ago, Berrick Barnes was pondering whether he had a future in the game. Several serious bouts of concussion had put his career on hold. Many expected him to retire.

Wallabies write another chapter of Welsh woe

Greg Growden You almost expected Alfred Hitchcock to appear out of the mist from the Wallabies' dressing room last night and utter: ''Good evening.''

Tough times to continue at Tahs

Greg Growden The Waratahs have the bye this week, but the next seven days will be make-or-break for this troubled, under-performing province.

Rugby

Wallabies aiming to seize the day as they go back to their roots

Greg Growden IT IS a long time since a Wallabies Test match in Sydney has been so keenly anticipated. This is not just because the Wallabies have a rare chance to wrap up a clean sweep against the best team in...

More tensions for Tahs as Foley faces review, team boss exits

Greg Growden THE Waratahs' woes continue, with their long-standing team manager, Chris Webb, deciding to leave the beleaguered province at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Foley's Tahs fate hangs as Force weigh options

Greg Growden Whether the Waratahs make dramatic changes to their coaching staff could be determined by who the Western Force recruit as their head honcho next season.

Tourists at pains to contain Kurtley

Greg Growden WALES believe they know the secret to stifling Wallabies halfback Will Genia. Now they must work out how to contain Kurtley Beale in the third Test at Allianz Stadium tomorrow.

Davies hoping his tarantula mate will fire up Red Dragons

Greg Growden WALES second-rower Bradley Davies has tried to lighten the life of a gloomy touring party by running around attempting to scare his teammates with a plastic tarantula he bought at Taronga Zoo this...

Timani tastes life at Sharpe end

Greg Growden NATHAN SHARPE is remaining with the Wallabies until at least October, but the promotion of Sitaleki Timani to the Test starting XV shows the preparations for the future have already begun.

Rugby

Off-field woes no distraction to Beale

Greg Growden KURTLEY BEALE can concentrate on his on-field performance against Wales on Saturday as Wallabies officials made it abundantly clear yesterday that discussing his latest off-field drama involving an...

Nathan Sharpe available for Rugby Championship

Greg Growden Wallabies forward Nathan Sharpe has agreed to extend his career for another two months, enabling the 104-Test veteran to compete in the inaugural Rugby Championship which features former Tri Nations...

Self-belief and fitness lift revitalised line-up for the final surge when it matters most

Greg Growden SLOWLY but surely the Wallabies are winning the tight ones. As their coach realises, it is only when they do that regularly can they properly push for the No.1 international rugby ranking.

Union

Deans keen for Wallabies to clean sweep Wales

Greg Growden After now twice repelling a fast-finishing Welsh opposition, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said it was imperative to end the series perfectly by excelling once again in Sydney and achieve a 3-0 clean...

Rugby

Another off-field distraction, but Deans bent on picking Beale

Greg Growden EVEN with an assault charge hanging over his head, Kurtley Beale is expected to return to the Wallabies line-up at fullback for the third and final Test against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Oh, baby! Wallabies, Barnes will long remember June 16

Greg Growden At midday on Saturday, an emotionally drained Berrick Barnes was holding his newborn premature baby at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. Test football was the last thing on his mind.

Union

Charge will not prevent Aussie call for Beale

Greg Growden Even with an assault charge hanging over his head, Kurtley Beale is expected to return to the Wallabies' line-up at fullback for the third and final Test against Wales at Allianz Stadium on Saturday...