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."

Wallabies look for new twin peaks as Ella hands over baton

The baton will officially be handed over this morning when Saia and Anthony Faingaa receive a pep talk from Wallabies great Mark Ella before tomorrow night's Bledisloe Cup Test. Meanwhile they are the first twins to play for the Wallabies since the Ellas.Ella has offered his assistance to the Wallabies in their bid to become the first Australian side to win in New Zealand since 2001. ?He will meet coach Robbie Deans before addressing the team.Australia's most illustrious five-eighth could not have picked a better time to impart his advice. Standing before Ella this morning will be a pair of brothers preparing to start their first Test together - something Mark and Glen Ella experienced almost three decades earlier.The Ellas played for Australia in 1982-83 to become the Wallabies's second set of twins. The 1st twins were Stewart and Jim Boyce in 1964-65. The Faingaas were yesterday unaware they would be meeting Mark Ella this morning, but shortly after the Wallabies team was announced they made a point of mentioning the importance of the Ella family to Australian rugby.''To be even considered as half as good as the Ellas would be an honour,'' Saia said. ''They've done a lot for their country, and hopefully we can do the same. They were magnificent ambassadors for Australia and .. they represented their family well.''

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.

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell to face SANZAR judicial hearing

Qantas Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell will face a SANZAR judicial hearing on Sunday morning after he was sent off in the Bundaberg Red Tri Nations/Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.Mitchell was ordered from the field in the 43rd minute by referee Craig Joubert after being issued with a second yellow card.SANZAR Judicial Officer Peter Ingwersen will hear this matter.The Australian was initially sin binned in the first half under Law 10.4 (e), a late and dangerous tackle.He was sent off for a second yellow card for an alleged breach of Law 10.2 (a), intentionally offending.The hearing will take place at 10:30am Melbourne time.

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

"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.

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.