All eyes on Barnes as Wallabies spot rests on clash with Canes

Greg Growden The Wallabies have tried three different five-eighths at training this week - Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas and Mike Harris - but how Berrick Barnes fares in tonight's match for the Waratahs will determine...

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...

Rugby

Deans puts his faith in newcomers and those tried and trusted

Greg Growden ROBBIE DEANS is adamant the Waratahs he has selected in tomorrow night's Test team to play Scotland in Newcastle will soon forget their provincial woes and immediately produce for their country.

Monday Maul

Tahs cohorts must forget wretched run or they will suffer against Scots

Greg Growden Robbie Deans will this week have to show that, apart from being a top-level coach, he is a master psychologist, motivator, mind reader and faith healer.

Comments 51

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.

Wallabies' Super focus prevents training camp

Greg Growden The Wallabies will not follow the All Blacks lead in conducting training camps during the early part of the Super Rugby season, instead relying on a few days of full training before the start of the...

All Blacks tactic of running early-season camps not for Wallabies

Greg Growden THE Wallabies will not follow the All Blacks' lead in conducting training camps during the early part of the Super Rugby season, and instead rely on a few days of full training before the start of...

Mitchell tipped to miss half season

Greg Growden Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell is in danger of missing half the Super Rugby season, which will force the Waratahs to play two youngsters for their opening match against the Queensland Reds in Sydney...

Rugby

Deans warns depleted Reds loom as threat for Waratahs

Greg Growden WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has issued a warning that the Queensland Reds could be an even more dangerous team without Quade Cooper this season as it will force them to become the most unpredictable...

Africans won't take no for answer on expansion plan

Greg Growden AUSTRALIA and New Zealand have discovered that where SANZAR is concerned, South Africa are ever persistent, endlessly pushing their cause on and off the field.

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...

Unbeaten and unbowed: savvy Stormers blow Highlanders away to sit on top of the heap

Greg Growden THE Stormers have certified themselves as dangerous Super Rugby frontrunners in a dramatic round that involved brawls and accusations of eye-gouging.

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.

Rugby

Call of duty for ambushed Wallabies

Greg Growden CONCERNS that the Wallabies may suffer an embarrassment similar to losing to Samoa last season and Scotland in 2009 have convinced Test selectors to force key players to back up three times in one...

Donald ducks a flying beer jug as Durban's dregs surface again

Greg Growden DURBAN was again the venue for disgraceful crowd behaviour when Chiefs five-eighth Stephen Donald was twice pelted with missiles during their dramatic 19-18 win over the Sharks early yesterday.