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: More hard work ahead for All Blacks

The tackle bags look set for more punishment from the All Blacks this week. New Zealand has gained the Bledisloe Cup for another year after last night's 20-10 win over the Wallabies in Christchurch. However, the match was more of a war of attrition than a try-scoring spectacle. The All Blacks led 17-10 at halftime with Mils Muliaina and Conrad Smith scoring tries while Kurtley Beale dotted down for Australia. The points dried up for both sides in the second half though, with a Dan Carter penalty with nine minutes to play the only addition to the scoreboard for the entire 40 minutes. The Wallabies tried a lot. The visitors had the lion's share of possession and hammered away at the All Blacks defensive line, but could not break through. In the process, they forced New Zealand into a whopping 110 tackles in the match. But the All Blacks are not totally satisfied with their game. Lock Tom Donnelly says the win was not as convincing as they hoped for, because they put pressure on themselves by making silly mistakes. He says as a result there was far too much time spent on defence, rather than controlling the game with the ball in hand. Coach Graham Henry is a little more charitable in his summation of the game, praising his players for their monumental defensive effort. He says the Bledisloe Cup is hugely important to the All Blacks and their fans so his team should be proud of their victory. The All Blacks need just one point from their final two fixtures to secure the Tri Nations title.

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.

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:

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.

"No surface tension".

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has announced the state of the playing surface a non-issue ahead of Saturday's trans-Tasman showdown with New Zealand, insisting his players would play on 'asphalt' if they had to. An intense Deans was forced to deflect a barrage of questions on the controversial Etihad Stadium pitch shortly after announcing two personnel changes to his starting side for the crucial Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup encounter.Berrick Barnes will line up at inside centre for the suspended Quade Cooper with Matt Giteau shifting to fly-half, while experienced rake Stephen Moore comes in for young star Saia Faingaa."I have no concerns about it, it's a level playing field for both sides," said Deans. "We'll play on asphalt if we have to, it doesn't matter." He said "It's a Bledisloe Test match happening in Melbourne this weekend and that's fantastic. It'll be a great occasion, a great game, it'll be great theatre and there'll be an awful lot for people to enjoy." The AFL Players' Association threatened a boycott of matches at Etihad Stadium on Monday before the league and stadium management agreed on a series of improvements to the ground which will also host two AFL matches this weekend.But Deans is adamant the shifting surface won't be a problem come Saturday night. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the Kiwis would put longer studs in their boots and hope for the best." I've heard there's a bit of talk about the surface but at the end of the day we can't change it, we've just got to get on with it," McCaw said."I guess one thing is that with the roof shut it won't be wet so that's a positive. I'm sure it will be fine."he said.