Rugby

Cooper skids into Wallabies contention

Greg Growden QUADE COOPER was fast-tracked into the Wallabies' train-on squad last night because of concerns that Kurtley Beale, the first choice Test five-eighth, might not be able to play against Scotland in...

Ioane gets tick from Moon as future great

Greg Growden BRENDAN MOON, the prince of Australian Test wingers, believes Digby Ioane has the potential to become one of the greats of the international game.

Monday Maul

That's how we roll: Foley's early taste of Tah madness

Greg Growden What a terrible initiation to the demands of the head coaching job. In a few seconds, Michael Foley, in his first game as the Waratahs coach, saw his dream of beating the Super Rugby titleholders...

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Rugby

Wounded Reds help Sharks regain bite before road trip

Greg Growden THE Waratahs woes continue to grow, with their next opponent - the Sharks - getting the required confidence boost before their road trip by enjoying one of their most spirited comebacks in years to...

Rugby

World Cup proved Samo is the man to answer Reds' SOS call

Greg Growden A HIGHLIGHT of the Wallabies' World Cup campaign last year was the unexpected sight of Test No.8 Radike Samo playing on the wing against Russia in Nelson.

Bulls gore Reds to open gate for Brumbies

Greg Growden IT WAS nowhere near as devastating as the Reds' 92-3 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria in 2007, but their 61-8, eight tries to one thrashing at Loftus Versfeld Stadium has certainly jolted the Super...

Reds on their knees after conceding 133 points in road trip from hell

Greg Growden THE Reds are trying to come to terms with their road trip from hell, which has seriously affected their aspirations of being the first Australian side to win back-to-back Super Rugby titles.

Rugby

O'Connor gets kick out of Lucas' boot feats

Greg Growden MICHAEL O'CONNOR knows plenty about pressure goal kicks - with his sideline conversion in teeming rain to win the match for NSW in 1991 among the most memorable State of Origin league moments.

Rugby

Reds get scare as Cooper's knee flares

Phil Lutton, Greg Growden THE Queensland Reds aren't concerned an aggravation to the knee of star playmaker Quade Cooper will seriously impede his comeback after he was sent for scans yesterday.

Injury crisis dampens Reds' delight at return of Ioane

Greg Growden AFTER weeks of juggling his attacking combinations, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie is delighted his Test winger Digby Ioane is back, but due to an injury crisis will still have to play him in a different...

Genia's signing fails to inspire Force, but Brumbies fly the flag abroad

Greg Growden The Western Force were unable to use the Will Genia signing to motivate them to beat the Stormers, but at least elsewhere Australian teams have gone up a level and rediscovered how to win offshore.

Heat now on Force to retain Pocock with Genia back in Reds' bottle

Greg Growden While the Queensland Reds are delighted Will Genia has agreed to a $200,000 salary haircut to remain in Brisbane, the Force have been destabilised by his about-face, adding more pressure on them to...

NSW turning attention to across the Tasman in search of utility back

Greg Growden THE Waratahs are looking across the Tasman for a midfielder who can play at five-eighth and fullback after missing out on Reds utility Ben Lucas.

Reds stars under scrutiny as Deans plans for Wales

Greg Growden THE importance of the Reds-Crusaders match tomorrow is shown by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans heading across the Tasman to watch it.

Rising Reds spell danger for Brumbies

Greg Growden The Brumbies look the real deal, but don't yet dismiss the Queensland Reds from finishing on top of the Australian conference.

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Sunday Maul

Wallabies side will need Reds faces

Greg Growden Due to a short preparation, the Wallabies selectors have no option but to select several players from left field for the season's opening Test against Scotland in Newcastle on June 5.

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Rugby

Deans keeps keen eye on O'Connor, Cooper

Greg Growden THE Wallabies selectors will know within a week whether James O'Connor and Quade Cooper will be available for next month's Test matches against Scotland and Wales.

Barnes needs storming performance to secure a Test spot

Greg Growden THE pressure on Berrick Barnes during the Waratahs' South African trip is intense. Not only must he improve his province's slim finals hopes but he is also fighting to hold onto his spot in the...