Let the good times roll

Australia will look back on this year as a pretty successful one for the Wallabies. We can look to the future with optimism and, although things can quickly change, we are heading in the right direction on the international stage.

Daylight separates sparkling south and gloomy north

The significant thing to come out of the November tours for the three southern hemisphere countries is they are dominating world rugby like never before. The balance of power definitely lies with the southern hemisphere.

Game of switcheroo

For 100 years there has been debate about which code would win a contest between rugby league and rugby union. And it's unlikely the argument will be resolved next October.

Why bother with league world cup

With league and the AFL yearning to be world games, rugby is already there. A hundred countries play it. That's the real meaning of global. I don't know why league bothers with a World Cup. The code is trying to be something it's not. It's Australia versus Australia. But one lesson rugby might take from the NRL is having coaches involved in decision-making. Every time the NRL has a forum, as it did this week, officials leave having made definite moves forward. The same cannot be said for the IRB's meetings.

Not everyone is getting a kick out of the game

I recently read Mark Ella's comments about the obsession with kicking in rugby and the unwillingness for teams to chance their arm. He also stated that rugby league has become a very predictable game. I tend to agree with what he's saying.

Rugby can learn much from other codes

Plenty at stake for players and coach alike

John Connolly: When the Wallabies embark on their November tour the win-loss column will be the greatest measure of success.

O'Neill and Kiwis need to smoke peace pipe

Whether John O'Neill likes it or not, Australia and New Zealand rugby are joined at the hip. So it makes little sense for the countries to be at war over Queensland's signing of All Black Daniel Braid under the controversial new policy on foreign players.

Pulling rank

The Wallabies have a lot riding on their end-of-season tour, writes John Connolly.

Global game has shifted on its axis

World sport has changed tremendously in the past few years. If we had a crystal ball 10 years ago, there's no way we would have believed the forecast changes that have since come to pass. In rugby, we've gone from Super Six, to Super 10 to Super 14, to Tests being played offshore.

Spring tour to plant seeds for the youth revolution

The spring tour of Europe will be a terrific opportunity for Wallabies coach Robbie Deans to spend plenty of time working with his players away from the pressure of the Tri Nations and by the time he returns to Sydney he'll make judgments on each player.

Emotionally damaged minority must be carefully managed by footy clubs

Times have changed, players haven't. The game off the field is now just as big as the game on it.

Lineouts and scrums better but gaps leak

WHAT a difference 81 minutes of football makes.

Wallabies in need of tough love

Robbie Deans and the Australian selectors will have to make some tough decisions before the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup decider.

Time to stay positive

I bumped into Peter Cosgrove, the former chief of the Australian Defence Force, after South Africa's Francois Steyn had sunk the Wallabies with that magic field goal from the touchline last year. Even though we lost, he said to me: "This team has belief - it has turned the corner."

League's grey days as Sonny shines

Rugby league and rugby union used to be so different, they were black and white. Now there's a real shade of grey.

They did us proud

Outstanding. A classic Test. Robbie Deans and All Blacks coach Graham Henry have played down their individual battle all week, but coaching is personal.

Why the Wallabies will win back the Tri Nations

The first thing that struck me when I became Wallabies coach a couple of years ago was the lack of depth in Australian rugby.

Bigger challenges lie ahead

ROBBIE Deans will be delighted with last night's win and the confidence it will give the Wallabies. But he'll also be realistic enough to know it's nothing compared to the Tri Nations.

Let's get into bed with the Kiwis

I bumped into All Blacks legend John Hart at a recent New Zealand Warriors rugby league match and he floated an idea that could help the development of the game on both sides of the Tasman.