Rugby: Beale talks up Wallabies

Kurtley Beale think and believes the Wallabies are on the road to becoming a 'really great' team and insists it's only a matter of time before they turn the tables on the all-conquering All Blacks.The Wallabies produced a great improved performance in Saturday's 20-10 loss to the All Blacks in Christchurch, but it wasn't enough to avert a record-equalling ninth consecutive loss to the in-form Kiwis. The Australians get the chance to gain success against the All Blacks in Sydney on September 11, but first they face the daunting prospect of consecutive games against the Springboks in Pretoria and Bloemfontein on August 28 and September 4."The boys feel a little frustrated because we feel as though it's only a matter of time and it's only a small step away that we can really complete and turn opportunities into points on the field," said Beale, who was the guest of honour at the finals of the 2010 Indigenous U16 championships at Sydney's Forshaw Rugby Park on Monday. He said, "I don't know what it is (that's holding us back) but it's definitely going to come.""We're only one win away to becoming really great so hopefully in the next couple of weeks against South Africa we can do that and hopefully continue it." Beale is adamant the Wallabies remain a united camp and defended under fire playmaker Matt Giteau. Matt Giteau faces an uphill battle to retain his spot in the run-on side in South Africa after Anthony Faingaa impressed in his run-on debut in Christchurch."He's a world class player and he can handle that (criticism)," Beale said. He said,"Everyone's on the same page, everyone's disappointed and everyone's on the hot seat so to speak. We've just got to stick together as a team now and they're a good bunch of guys and we'll get through this little period."He also said,"We won't get overwhelmed and Robbie's (coach Robbie Deans) done a fantastic job of keeping us close together ... we'll stay together, we'll work hard together and over these next couple of weeks we'll be ready to show everyone what we're really about.""If we can't be No.1 in the world at the moment, we're trying to aim to be No.2, and it all starts with our two-week tour in Africa and we'll try really hard to get over them."Beale said.Meanwhile, Beale plans to make the No.15 jersey his own after an impressive showing on Saturday.The 21-year-old former flyhalf made the most of his elevation to the run-on side after a season-ending injury to Rob Horne forced first choice fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper to outside centre."I'm just very happy to have the opportunity and I'm very grateful that Robbie and the selectors have shown faith in me and believed in me and I'm really appreciative of it," he said.Beale, who scored his side's only try of the match and was one of an unprecedented four indigenous Wallabies alongside Matt Hodgson and Saia and Anthony Faingaa on Saturday, added when asked to assess his performance: "It was probably one of the best challenges on the weekend playing against the All Blacks."He said,"Dan Carter was punching corners, he's obviously a very smart kicker and I was pretty stoked to be able to receive and gather his balls and be there at the right time and be in position well.""The nerves were kicking in at the start of the game obviously

Rugby World-Expectations are beyond our control, says NZ coach Henry

NZ coach Graham Henry tried to hose down expectations on Sunday after his side retained the Bledisloe Cup and all but secured the Tri-Nations title with their win over Australia the night before.New Zealand need just one point from their final two games to clinch their fifth Tri-Nations title in six years, and have firmed as run-away favourites for next year's home World Cup after showcasing a fast but brutally confrontational style that has delivered 13 straight wins."I think we just try to be our best every time," Henry told reporters on Sunday. "That's all we can do. We can't control the uncontrollable."He also said "I just think we are always just trying to be better and to raise the bar. We could get smashed in South Africa"

Rugby: SANZAR reserve judgment until Monday on Peter de Villiers charges of misconduct

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers will learn Monday whether he'll be sanctioned following his misconduct hearing Friday.De Villiers was charged by SANZAR, the governing body for South Africa, New Zealand and Australia's combined rugby competitions, for criticizing the performance of Tri-Nations referees and implying a conspiracy to boost the All Blacks' popularity for their home World Cup next year.SANZAR judicial officer Jannie Lubbe led the hearing in Cape Town. The hearing will held at the South African Rugby Union offices. SANZAR said in a statement he expected to announce his judgment Monday.De Villiers immediately left the hearing and did not speak to reporters.Following two great thrashings of the Springboks by the All Blacks in New Zealand, both refereed by Irishmen Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland, de Villiers questioned their rulings on Fox Sports' 'Rugby Club' program in Australia. That program was held on July 21."I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and maybe I can't say it in public, but we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year," de Villiers said.He clarified the remarks two days later. "My comment during the Rugby Club interview was based on the general view that part of the success of any World Cup event rests on the fact that the host nation has a winning team," he said in a statement."Nevertheless, I regret that this may have created the wrong impression and raised undue concern for SANZAR and the RWC 2011 organizers." he also said. This week, SARU president Oregan Hoskins called the SANZAR charge "a declaration of war by Australia and New Zealand against South Africa," and promised to defend de Villiers "to the hilt."The Springboks' next outing is against the All Blacks on Aug. 21 in Johannesburg.

Rugby: Wallabies vow to silence the critics

Ravaged by injury, condemned by critics and staring a dreaded piece of history in the face, the Wallabies have resorted to brainwashing themselves into believing they can beat the All Blacks.Defeat in Christchurch on Saturday night would extend Australia's sorry losing streak to a record nine matches against their trans-Tasman rivals and hand the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup bragging rights for an eighth straight year.Not one single player in the Wallabies can boast of toppling the All Blacks on New Zealand soil. Only five Wallabies in the starting side - Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe and Benn Robinson - have ever beaten the All Blacks anywhere.And after last week's 21-point losing in Melbourne, it is hard to find any evidence whatsoever that the misery will end this weekend.Except from the mouths of the Wallabies, who defiantly continue to talk the talk."There's a lot of statistics around but what's most important to us is that we have a game to play and whoever is most willing on Saturday night will probably win that match," Elsom said after his Captain's Run at AMI Stadium on Friday."So that's something we can focus on and that's what the guys are excited about. We believe we are ready." he said."We've been pretty clear and concise with what we want to do this week and I feel like we're in a pretty good head space going into the match."The confidence comes from Robbie Deans filling his charges with hope since virtually the minute they shuffled, heads bowed, into their Etihad Stadium dressing room after last Saturday night's debacle."It's surprising how good the mood is, and I think a lot of that has got to do with Robbie and his positivity," Ashley-Cooper said."It's a shame to lose eight in a row because we know that the margin between us is so minimal, but we know we were off our game last week and we're lucky to have another opportunity." he said. The Wallabies will once again be without suspended gamebreaker Quade Cooper, along with several other influential performers like Wycliff Palu and Ben Alexander, but Ashley-Cooper says the terrible injury toll is "not a valid excuse".Genia concurs."We have a good enough group to do it," Genia said."Believing is the first part of winning. If you don't believe, I don't think you should turn up to be honest." he said."If you go into a game not believing you can win, then you've already lost. So I just think we've got good enough quality players to do it."Tired of the All Blacks testing the laws at the breakdown, Elsom has instructed his forwards to take matters into their own hands to ensure the Wallabies get their fair share of the ball."Last week that was definitely an issue for us, just bodies around the ruck. If you look at it, it slows down our attacking ball," the big flanker said."Anything that takes the sting out of your attack is not going to help. We've got to be able to play our ball and play it efficiently." he said."You've got to move those bodies as best you can. Whether they're on our side or attacking the ball, we've got to make sure that space is clear for Willie to get out and do what he does best."

Rugby: Jamie Roberts keen to claim a major scalp

Jamie Roberts has said that victory over a Tri-Nations superpower will be the minimum requirement when Wales kickstart their World Cup build-up in November.Wales, the Grand Slam champions in 2008, have won just two of their eight Tests so far this year, including back-to-back tour defeats to New Zealand in June.Gatland's men tackle the All Blacks again at the Millennium Stadium this autumn, along with Australia, South Africa and World Cup group rivals Fiji.Roberts will have to watch from the sidelines after undergoing a wrist operation but he knows Wales cannot afford a string of gallant defeats with the World Cup so close."It's a very big year for us leading up to the World Cup and I'm sure we will be firing in the autumn," said the Cardiff Blues centre."It's a great testing environment for us and we're at that stage now where we need to get results, not just give performances, and it's important we look to win some of these matches in the autumn." he said. Wales last beat a Tri-Nations team in 2008, when tries from Shane Williams and Lee Byrne helped them to a 21-18 victory over Australia. Wales have not beaten the Springboks since 1999.And New Zealand's winning streak over the Welsh stretches right back to 1953."It's a great opportunity against the top three sides in the world and Fiji who are going to be in our group in New Zealand next year," Roberts added.Roberts was one of the stars of the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour but, hampered by the wrist injury.Roberts suffered the injury in the second Lions Test and played the whole campaign without the full use of his right hand. After going under the knife last month, Roberts vowed to come back better and stronger in time to play a key role in Wales' Six Nations and World Cup challenge."I will be out for five months which is disappointing but every player has been through it and now it is my turn," Roberts said."You have to treat it as a lesson in disguise and come back fitter, faster, stronger than ever and look to lay down my marker for the Christmas derbies for the club." he said.Although Wales have to find significant improvements on the field, Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis insisted everything is in place off it to ensure a successful World Cup campaign.Gatland and his management team used this summer's tour to New Zealand to scout out the training and hotel facilities they will encounter next autumn."We are so looking forward to the World Cup next year," said Lewis. He was announcing a sponsorship deal with travel agents Thomas Cook."We travelled across New Zealand to make sure the guys are familiar for next year and we are going into it in great shape and with fantastic preparation and a spring in our step." he said.The WRU have also confirmed Wales' touring schedule for the next nine years. it includes full tours to Australia (2012), South Africa (2014), New Zealand (2016) and Argentina (2018).During the Lions tours of 2013 and 2017, Wales will travel to Japan and the Pacific Islands respectively.There are no June tours in World Cup years (2011, 2015 and 2019) but Wales will arrange warm-up Tests nearer the time.

Rugby: French coach Lievremont in awe of All Blacks

France coach Marc Lievremont admitted on Monday that the Six Nations champions have a lot of work to do if they want to challenge the All Blacks at next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.Lievremont said he had watched all four Tri Nations matches to have been played so far between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and had been highly impressed by the standard in each one."To play such rugby at such speed, four matches at such a level and with such an intensity -- it is a new trend in the Tri Nations," Lievremont told French sports daily L'Equipe."Certainly it is a result of the new application of the rules that prioritise ball possession. The kicking game is uniquely for attacking." he saidThe All Blacks top the table having beaten South Africa twice on home soil and, on Saturday, demolishing Australia 49-28 in Melbourne - three performances that have left Lievremont purring about their rapid short-phase passing game."They have not hit this level since last November in Marseille against us (when New Zealand won 39-12). To produce this style of rugby in three consecutive matches is extremely rare," says Lievremont."They play a game of three pass phases maximum except when they can complete the action. The ball-carrier looks for the contact." he also said,"They are always going forward, always looking to release the ball, always trying to play while defending. The smallest error from the other side is immediately punished."In spite of seeing France shipping 40 point defeats to both South Africa and Argentina during the summer tour, Lievremont is happy to see the All Blacks style of winning through in the tournament over that of the world champions."South Africa are not good at the moment," he says."They settled on a very pragmatic game, a massive physical engagement and they walked over everyone. That this kind of rugby has been overpowered doesn't worry me at all.""Of course, the All Blacks method is the one which we will try to put in place - although I don't like to admit it."he said"What hurts most is the technical quality of the New Zealanders in every department. Everything stems from that. Our difficulties over the last three years essentially come from that." he also said. Lievremont, who says he is still "bitter" about the disastrous summer tour, believes that France will now be playing catch-up if they have any realistic hopes of repeating their surprise quarter-final victory over the All Blacks in the last World Cup four years ago.Lievremont said, "We have to move towards players who are very strong in contact and support, capable of breaking defences.he said,"If we want to rival this kind of rugby then we have some work to do because apart from the physical shortcomings we noticed big gaps in June.""After the physical preparation we will have workshops on individual technique. We will eat and drink it! From there we will try to catch up.Lievremont will get a chance to see if his players are closing the gap on the Tri Nations teams when France meet Australia in Paris on November 27.

Australia Center Rob Horne Ruled Out of Tri-Nations With Elbow Fracture

Australia center Rob Horne will miss the rest of rugby’s Tri-Nations championship after scans revealed a small fracture in his right elbow.The 20-year-old, who made his sixth appearance for the Wallabies in a 49-28 defeat to New Zealand in Melbourne, also has ligament damage, the Australian Rugby Union said in a statement.Horne will require surgery for the injury, which also includes ligament damage, and is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Wallabies said Sunday.“It’s bad luck for Rob, but he’s made an encouraging start to his international career, starting in every Test that we’ve played this year,” Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said in the statement. Horne’s place in the 24-man Australia squad has been taken by Queensland Reds loose forward Scott Higginbotham.Ben McCalman, and winger Cameron Shepherd have been added to the squad to play New Zealand on Aug. 7 in Christchurch.The All Blacks lead the championship with 15 points after three straight wins. Australia has four points from two matches, while South Africa has lost all three of its games.

Rugby-Hard referees better than soft, says NZ coach Henry

Graham Henry, New Zealand coach, has praised Craig Joubert's hard-line refereeing that resulted in three yellow cards and left Australia reeling with 14 men during its 49-28 loss to the All Blacks on Saturday.Joubert sin-binned All Blacks prop Owen Franks and Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell for seemingly innocuous tackles in the first half at Docklands, then red-carded Mitchell two minutes after the break for deliberately holding up play."I think it's good they're strict," Henry said."Okay, there might be some debate about some of the decisions, there's always going to be some debate about the decisions."he also said. "What you don't want is referees being soft and therefore you get a game that doesn't flow and there's a lot of illegal stuff happening at the tackle.""If he's grey at the tackle area or he's grey on people throwing the ball away when the other side wants it, you've got a shambles on your hands.He said, "So I think it's good that he's strict and he sticks to what he says he's going to do."Henry says his team played "exceptionally" well in the crushing win that delivered the All Blacks their eighth successive victory over their trans-Tasman rivals and propelled them 11 points clear of the Wallabies on the Tri-Nations table."There were some dull patches and some mistakes and we'd like to eradicate those if possible but you have to be pleased with seven tries," Henry said.The All Blacks head to Christchurch this week for their next Tri-Nations match against the Wallabies.There is only one fitness concern clouding half-back Jimmy Cowan, who came off the ground early with a rib cartilage injury."Apart from that I think we're pretty good," Henry said."I think it'd be a miracle if (Cowan) played next week. He'll probably be right for South Africa (on August 21)."Cowan's injury could open the door for Blues half-back Alby Mathewson to be recalled to the squad for the Christchurch encounter where the All Blacks could possibly seal their fifth Tri-Nations title in six years.

Mitchell escapes without further punishment

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell has escaped further sanction after being sent off in Saturday night’s Tri Nations thrashing by the All Blacks.Mitchell had to face a judiciary hearing on Sunday morning after being marched in the 43rd minute for his second yellow card offence during the 49-28 defeat at Etihad Stadium.However SANZAR judicial officer Peter Ingwersen obviously felt missing almost half the match was penalty enough as he decided no further penalty was required.Mitchell had earlier been sinbinned for a late, no-arms tackle on All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and was red carded by referee Craig Joubert when he slowed down play by knocking the ball from Kiwi fullback Mils Muliaina’s hands as he gestured to take a quick throw-in.

Watch the red car of Mitchell:

Rugby: Players dig in over Cup pay

Rugby players want more money from the Rugby World Cup and are not going to agree to play unless they get it.This issue is not new - it has flared at the past two World Cups. But this time it has produced an unusual situation. Tickets are being sold; stadiums are being finished; and even Party Central has just about been sorted; but New Zealand's World Cup is in danger of not securing any players.At the heart of the feud - as always - is money. Leading national unions want a bigger part of the profits while the players want a bigger portion of funds directly allocated to them.Leading nations dispute the draconian terms of the IRB's participation agreement and no player is going to sign it unless there is a big change. At the last two World Cups, the IRB was at war with the players right up to the deadline, only for the latter to cave in because they had no real choice.Unlike other major World Cups such as football and cricket, the participating players in rugby are not get reward directly. The participating unions are - and then it is up to them to determine how much they give the players.In New Zealand's case, the collective agreement has been locked in at paying every All Black squad member $100,000 if they win. In comparison, the All Whites received, on average, between close to $100,000 for just getting to the Fifa World Cup, let alone winning it. Senior hands in the All Whites pocketed about $200,000.There is a growing sense among rugby players that they are not being treated fairly and properly; that their contribution towards the World Cup's continued commercial growth is not recognised.Some players end up out of pocket as a consequence of playing at the World Cup even they are not paid by their clubs while they are away and receive little from their national union.The various players' associations are pushing for the introduction of a payment that is assigned directly to those players involved.This could be a participation fee, prize money or some form of revenue sharing agreement. Predictably, the IRB are refusing to budge. They are in talks with the leading national unions and will no doubt argue that, if they assign more revenue to the tier one unions, then it will be up to them to make sure a greater share of that goes directly to the players.In New Zealand's case, that will happen anyway. The collective agreement means that about 36 per cent of all New Zealand Rugby Union revenue goes into the player payment pool.But the players want acknowledgement of their contribution as much as they want financial reward.Under the existing financial model, the IRB effectively uses the majority of its World Cup booty - the hosting fee of £48 million, broadcast and sponsorship rights - to fund development of the game. Established unions such as New Zealand receive about $500,000 a year to help fund development programmes, about a $6 million handout in the year of the tournament and a token fee of between $300,000 and $650,000 depending on how far they proceed. It might sound generous but it does little to offset the costs incurred. A rough estimate suggests New Zealand loses out on about $15 million of revenue every World Cup year. The Tri Nations has to be truncated - which is factored into the broadcast deal - and while arguably an intangible cost, it does make it hard for local sponsors to commit to the domestic provincial competition in World Cup years.Players also have to be paid for seven weeks at the World Cup, along with all associated costs."I don't think it is any secret that we [tier one] nations are talking to the IRB about this," says New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew. He also said,"The money we receive is effectively to compensate us for loss of income but that gap is getting ever bigger.""There is some work going on to determine the true cost of participating and we are asking whether the current financial model is the right one."The national unions are the IRB and have an automatic seat at the negotiating table. The players don't. Their participation agreements don't have to be signed until the World Cup squads are named.The battle continues.

Tri Nations 2010: All Blacks smash Wallabies in Melbourne

The All Blacks have beaten Wallabies by 49-28 in Melbourne in the opening Bledisloe Cup game for 2010.Nathan Sharpe equalled John Eales record when he took the field, great player, scary eyes! Kiwi nerves were tested before the match as Carter appeared to hurt his groin in the warm up.The Wallabies had the first chance to score after a great break from Matt Giteau from deep in their 22, they were unable to score the try, but Giteau slotted a well won penalty.It did not take long for Dan Carter to draw the teams level with a penalty goal of his own.From the kick off Drew Mitchell charged down a Carter clearance kick, he regathered and crossed in the corner for the games opening try. Minutes later, Carter charged down a Barnes kick he regathered for the score, then converted for a 10-8 lead.Then Corey Jane produced a miracle kick as he was being taken into touch, Mils Muliaina picked up the loose ball and crossed for the All Blacks second try, Carter missed the conversion and the all blacks led 15-8 in the 15th minute.Giteau reduced the gap in the 19th minute. and that was second penalty goal.Owen Franks was yellow carded in the 21st minute. Despite being down to 14 men Richie McCaw picked up a ruck ball and sprinted home from 25 metre's. Carter converted for a 22-11 lead.It got worse for the Wallabies as Drew Mitchell was yellow carded for a shoulder charge in the 19th minute.Giteau slotted his third penalty goal in the 32nd minute. Two minutes later Carter restored the gap with his second penalty.The All Blacks had their bonus point for the fourth try in the 35th minutes. Corey Jane crossed out wide on the missing Mitchell's wing. Carter converted magnificently for a 32-14 lead.The All Blacks started the second half the better and couldn't believe their luck when Drew Mitchell was red carded for a deliberate foul in the 44th minute. Possibly the softest red card in est match rugby history.It did not take long for the All Blacks to get advantage as Muliaina crossed in the 45th minute, Carter converted for a 39-14 lead.The Wallabies thought the gave themselves hope when Pocock burrowed over from close range, but the TMO ruled no try.The Wallabies built tremendous pressure before releasing Ashley-Cooper to score outwide once again using his famed right hand fend. Giteau converted 39-21 to the All Blacks.Within two minutes Joe Rokocoko has restored his teams lead as he finished off a move started by the restart win.The Wallabies continued to fight and were rewarded when Rocky Elsom crashed over in the 71st minute. Giteau converted and the lead was 44-28.Any hope the Wallabies held for a comeback were dashed as the New Zealanders regained the ascendancy for the remainding minutes. The All Blacks fittingly finished the game with a Corey Flynn try.

Scorers
New Zealand - Tries: Mils Muliaina (2), Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Corey Flynn. Conversions: Carter (4). Penalty goals: Carter (2).
Yellow card: Owen Franks
Australia - Tries: Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom. Conversions: Matt Giteau (2). Penalties: Giteau (3).
Yellow card: Drew Mitchell
Red card: Mitchell (second yellow)
Teams (15-1)

Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA)

Crowd: 51,409

All Blacks banned Photographer

Photographer Scott Barbour, who was born in New Zealand has been banned by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) from covering the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup build-up after he deliberately exposed the team's game plan. The NZRU's official photo agency Getty Images, which employs Barbour as a freelancer, also angered All Blacks management after his image of coach Graham Henry holding the team's tactical move was reproduced in Australian media outlets on Wednesday. The NZRU's official photo agency Getty Images is not allowed to send a replacement photographer to the team's remaining practice sessions in Melbourne ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations match.New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has no power to deny Getty's access to Etihad Stadium as the match is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Rugby Union, though its representatives may be banned from covering next Saturday's trans-Tasman match in Christchurch.All Blacks team manager Darren Shand today confirmed Barbour was not welcome at team media opportunities. He also said negotiations with Getty Images were continuing.All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen mentioned Barbour's actions as a "breach of trust" saying he broke an "unwritten rule" by photographing the blueprint displaying moves from lineouts and scrums. Hansen maintained the leak would not jeopardise preparations or force a tactical review but that did not spare Christchurch-born Barbour from sanctions. Shand said photographers were not instructed on what to shoot at All Black sessions but it was "just commonsense" not to circulate the game plan. New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew dismissed suggestions of legal action against Getty Images - and confirmed their existing commercial agreement would be honoured. But he shared Shand's concerns. "We think it is important to be open. But at international level the margins that separate the teams are so marginal that the smallest thing can make a difference." Barbour won the prestigious award in the sport category at the World Photography Awards at Cannes, France, this year. When contacted by NZPA, Barbour asked "Is this about the picture?" before refusing to comment further. His actions have been described as unpatriotic on New Zealand-based websites, in Australia the All Blacks' reaction has been used to further illustrate the team management's apparent over-sensitivity. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans sidestepped the topic but said with a smile: "I understand it was a Kiwi photographer, so I do find that amusing."

Tri-Nations: Wallabies v All Blacks.

The teams for the first 2010 Tri-Nations meeting between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday 31 July Kick-Off 11:00am GST Live on Sky Sports 2, have been announced. Joe Rokocoko will become New Zealand’s most-powerfull winger when he plays in their Tri-Nations game against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday. He has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play his 64th Test while Jimmy Cowan replaces new father Piri Weepu at scrum half. Quade Cooper failed in his appeal against a two-week ban and utility back Berrick Barnes has been drafted in to partner Matt Giteau who has been moved to fly-half, although the last time he and Barnes played together, the Wallabies were smashed 33-6 by the All Blacks in Wellington in last year’s tournament. Hooker Stephen has recovered from a broken jaw and replaces Saia Faingaa.

Over $6 mln lotteries to fund NZ rugby world cup events.

A new 9.5 million NZ dollars (6. 9 million U.S. dollars) lotteries fund has been set up to support public events around next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Rugby World Cup Minister of New Zealand Murray McCull said that a nationwide festival would showcase New Zealand's arts, food and wine, heritage, entertainment, experiences, and lifestyle during the cup. "The New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund will support all sorts of community events associated with the festival. This could include everything from concerts, fairs, and exhibitions, to street markets and parades," Murray McCull said in a statement. Funding could be used to pay for management and operating costs, publicity, and production costs and artists' fees. It will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand.

Pressure is on Joe Rokocoko.

Joe Rokocoko,The New Zealand star, has admitted he is under pressure ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with Australia in Melbourne. He missed his side's most recent match of the competition with a hamstring injury, but is back in the starting XV for the trip to Melbourne on Saturday. However, coach Graham Henry has interested to play the most experienced Rokocoko, but he is fully aware of what is expected of him if he is to keep his place in the side.Too polite but congratulatory for his team mates, Rokocoko joked that his reinstatement was unlikely to draw unanimous cheers."I'm just used to it. I'm the man most wanted at the moment in New Zealand, they'll take my head off," Rokocoko said. "It's not only Dagg, there's another 1000 wingers in New Zealand ... This is just the first tier of guys that are coming up in their careers." "If I know I can't do the black jersey justice and play to my best, then it's a better option for me to leave and carry on." he said."Obviously the World Cup (in 2011) is going to be a major goal. The main goal is just getting on this team."Henry added: "Obviously he's under pressure. There's other guys playing well in that position. We've gone for the guy who's been there and done it and done it well in the past.""Any ball that goes behind, our eyes just light up because we get excited it's our chance to get into the game."

Australia lose Cooper ban appeal

Australia will be without Quade Cooper for its Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday night after the exciting playmaker lost his appeal against suspension.Australia's appeal against fly-half Quade Cooper's two-match ban has been turned down by a review panel.The Wallabies appealed the ban on the basis that it was a comparatively harsh punishment compared to those handed out to similar offences by two South African players.They had been hoping the penalty would be reduced to one match, but after a five-hour hearing the SANZAR officials opted to uphold the initial ban. Meanwhile Cooper was cited in the Wallabies' 30-13 trouncing of South Africa in Brisbane last weekend for a dangerous tackle on Springbok Morne Steyn.Cooper says he is disappointed with the decision.Coach Robbie Deans believes Cooper had a fair hearing."The critical message out of this for Quade is, and for any subsequent players who find themselves in this circumstance is, that once you get into this arena and you're in this predicament, you lose control of your own destiny," he said.