Smiling assassin: Deans ready to show no mercy

Greg Growden Does it help or hinder you that the Australian provinces finished the Super Rugby season relatively early?

Rugby

Being torn by Force gave Genia strength

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent WALLABIES halfback Will Genia has credited his Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year award to ignoring a lucrative offer from the Force and remaining at the Reds.

Big deal for Pocock as Rebels try again

Greg Growden The Rebels are back in the running for Wallabies star David Pocock. Our ever reliable Melbourne snouts have told R&;M the Rebels are about to throw a ''massive offer'' at Pocock in the hope he can...

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Rugby

Turner's horror season ends on high note

Greg Growden THE Waratahs have lost the ability to win matches, but the Wallabies selectors still believe they can get something out of the struggling NSW players.

Ruck and Maul

Cheika could check in back home

Greg Growden The prospect of Heineken Cup-winning coach Michael Cheika being in charge of an Australian Super Rugby team has intensified.

Team of the week

Greg Growden Each week, Greg Growden picks the form team from the Australian conference after the weekend's matches. Number of times selected in brackets.

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Rugby

Which way will he go? Palu the key to recruiting puzzle

Greg Growden The make-up of next year's Waratahs squad won't be known for some weeks - but there's unlikely to be a spate of high-profile rugby league signings.

Team of the week

Greg Growden Each week, Greg Growden picks the form team from the Australian conference after the weekend's matches. Number of times selected in brackets.

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Trio targeted, but only one Brumby is bagged

Greg Growden The Waratahs have snared breakaway Michael Hooper, but they missed out on two other Brumbies - Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano.

MONDAY MAUL

No bull: White's men have turned it around

Greg Growden It has taken a while, but the Brumbies have to be taken seriously. For weeks, many have been waiting for this young bunch of no-names to lose their way.

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Wallabies eye Beale as new Test five-eighth

Greg Growden KURTLEY BEALE is poised to take over the Test five-eighth spot due to James O’Connor’s unavailability for the Wallabies internationals in June, while Dan Vickerman’s playing future is again clouded.

Two games, a dozen battles in fight for Test spots

Greg Growden INDIVIDUAL battles and how certain players perform under pressure in Canberra tonight and Christchurch tomorrow will have an enormous bearing on the make-up of the 35-man Wallabies squad to play...

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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Six of the best: derby clashes to determine finals hopes

Greg Growden SIX derbies will determine whether the Brumbies make the finals for the first time in eight seasons, the Reds can successfully defend their Super Rugby title and if the Waratahs just fade away.

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...

Sunday Maul

Pocock to get call-up for captain

Greg Growden Wallabies selectors are expected to rest James Horwill for the opening Test against Scotland on June 5, with David Pocock in line to lead the team in Newcastle.

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Rugby

Kurtley Beale ruled out of Wallabies squad

Greg Growden The Wallabies have suffered another major injury blow with Rebels utility Kurtley Beale ruled of the four Tests in June against Scotland and Wales.

Open door for O'Connor as uncertainty remains over Cooper's return

Greg Growden James O'Connor remains the Test five-eighth front runner when the Wallabies run around in June, due to uncertainty over when exactly Quade Cooper will return.