Advantage ABs: It's swagger v stagger
Robbie Deans has the All Blacks right where he wants them. Confident. In form. Firing. And, if they're not careful, primed for a Ned Kelly-sized ambush at the Battle of Brisbane on Saturday week.
Tahu has Deans on side to tackle defensive frailties
EVEN if Timana Tahu is one of the casualties of the Wallabies' biggest Test defeat and loses his starting spot for the Tri Nations decider against the All Blacks next week, he will not be cast adrift.
McAlister not returning early
Former All Black centre has quashed speculation he's homesick and
ready for a return to New Zealand.
Even tougher: Lote
Winger Lote Tuqiri insists the Wallabies will face their toughest Test of the year in Saturday week's Tri-Nations rugby decider against New Zealand, after already receiving beatings from the All Blacks and Springboks.
Out of the woodwork, Flutey ready for All Blacks
Soon-to-be England rugby international Riki Flutey has told Martin
Johnson he has no qualms about facing the All Black haka in
November should he be required to go up against his former home
country.
Game is up for Somerville
Greg Somerville will play his last test at home for the All Blacks
on Wednesday night and he could be playing his last test when they
tackle the Wallabies in Brisbane next week.
On the ball, All Blacks ready to trap Wallabies
The All Blacks believe even a five per cent shift in form can
produce the 45-point hammering South Africa dished out to Australia
in Johannesburg.
McCaw to miss Samoa clash
All Blacks coach Graham Henry is confident Richie McCaw will be fit to front Australia in next week's Tri-Nations final after his injured skipper along with wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and lock Brad Thorn were left out of the side to play the test against Samoa on Wednesday night.
Nightmare for Deans
Robbie Deans' honeymoon period with Australia rugby is well and truly over after overseeing the Wallabies' worst ever test loss.
De Villiers booed by own fans
The Springbok coach was booed by the Durban crowd as fans tried to
come to terms with their side's slide.
Elsom faces judicial hearing
Wallabies flanker Rocky Elsom will learn his fate at the SANZAR judiciary in a few hours (7pm AEST Monday) after he was cited for dangerous play in Australia's 27-15 win over South Africa on Saturday.
No spring in step of lumbering Boks
THIS time last week, we were anticipating a Springboks victory in this year's Tri Nations tournament to go with their Rugby World Cup triumph last year.
Defeat stirs the beast
WHILE the Springboks have been tagged the "Bumbleboks" after being overwhelmed by the All Blacks at Newlands, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has warned his players to beware the wounded beast.
Boks' back-to-back mission to block out Blacks
World champions South Africa will be seeking back-to-back wins against arch-rivals New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday to stake a claim for their third Tri Nations title.
Boks circus is in town, and Kiwis keep well clear
CAPE TOWN: Ali Williams summed up in three words the vibe of the New Zealand camp since the All Blacks arrived in South Africa.
Villains of the piece: coach cries foul on All Black cheating
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers says New Zealand cheat in the set pieces and wants referee Matt Goddard to strictly rule on that part of the Tri Nations match on Saturday.
Wallabies dump north for Kiwi tour
THE All Blacks playing a full-strength Waratahs team at the Sydney Football Stadium next season is being planned as a way to overcome the northern hemisphere disease of sending their B-grade line-ups here every June.
Lineout tactic staying
Wallabies set piece coach believes inaccuracy behind lineout
meltdown against New Zealand.
Ice is hot again - Toeava called into ABs
Auckland utility Isaia Toeava has been recalled to the All Blacks for their Tri-Nations trip to South Africa after management decided he was the best way to cover injury problems and the mix of their touring squad for the test with the Springboks.
NZRU make double-check on legalities as axe falls on two
A final check to ensure all documentation will stand a legal challenge, a grace period for communication and a chance to let the revamped Air New Zealand Cup get a slot in the spotlight are behind the NZRU's decision to keep the two teams to be sacked for the new 12-team tournament secret for now.
Super comp needs SA, say Aussies, NZ
Australian and New Zealand administrators distanced themselves yesterday from a mooted radical revamp of representative rugby union and reiterated their commitment to an expanded Super tournament retaining South Africa.
Ghosts of Marseille follow Wallabies all the way to Eden Park
THE toheroa soup was off and the kiwi fruit had blemishes as the All Blacks monstered the Wallabies 39-10 at Eden Park on Saturday night, New Zealand's biggest winning margin over Australia since the 50-21 victory at Sydney in 2003 when the NZ assistant coach was a certain Robbie Deans.
ABs props cover hooker for Boks
Prop Tony Woodcock, the two-try hero of the stunning Bledisloe Cup win, will be asked to cover lineout throwing duties as the All Blacks gamble with their hookers for the trip to South Africa to face a Springboks side forwards coach Steve Hansen rates as Tri-Nations favourites.
Long dark cloud breaks for Kiwis
WHAT hope did the Wallabies have? Apart from confronting a militant All Blacks unit, revved up by their rendition of the throat-slitting Kapo O Pango haka before kick-off, they were also facing four million disturbed Kiwis.
It'll make us tougher, vows Giteau
DESPITE an exasperating 44-point turnaround, the Wallabies have vowed that their inability to win on the road will end when they head to South Africa this month for a tough two-Test tour.
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