The great Noel Kelly retired from rugby league in 1970 after what Americans would call a Hall of Fame career and, 43 years later, the suburb of Goodna in the Queensland city of Ipswich honoured their famous son by naming a street after him.

Israel Folau is not your typical rugby league superstar, or Aussie Rules hero for that matter.

It is a match-up even Warren Gatland would pay to watch but as far as the Australians are concerned, taking George North out of the equation would not dampen the excitement generating around Wallabies Test debutant Israel Folau.

After posing serious questions of the British & Irish Lions' defence in Brisbane on Saturday, there was undisguised relief in the camp when the management learned that Quade Cooper would not be facing them during the Test series with Australia.

New Zealand World Cup winner Brad Thorn admitted he is eager to get involved with Leinster as they continue their quest for Heineken Cup and RaboDirect PRO12 glory.

Leinster have finally ended the longer-than-expected process of bringing Brad Thorn to Dublin by signing the Kiwi World Cup winner on a three-month contract that shores up a gaping hole in their second-row.

Reigning European champions Leinster have announced the signing of New Zealand World Cup winner Brad Thorn on a three-month contract.

News emerging from the Leinster camp suggests it is only a matter of time before All Black legend Brad Thorn arrives at the province.

PREVIEW: Biarritz v Munster

FOR the first time in its history, Munster Rugby will have a French international on its books after Lille native Julien Brugnaut signed on the dotted lines for the two-time Heineken Cup champions yesterday.

TONY McGAHAN says Munster will not be signing Australian rugby league star, Karmichael Hunt.

THE negotiating powers of Munster coach Tony McGahan are being put to the test as the Aussie bids to lure his one-time high school rugby union protégé, Karmichael Hunt to Ireland.

IT HASN’T been easy keeping track of Brad Thorn’s unique and fascinating career but the man himself can rattle off his bewildering array of career stats like most of us can our mobile phone numbers.

European champions Munster have named Tony McGahan as their new director of coaching following Declan Kidney’s departure to take over Ireland.

Dual-code Australia international Wendell Sailor will return to rugby league after agreeing a deal with St George Illawarra Dragons.

IF HE’S not careful, Tony McGahan could end up as the next Ireland defence and backs coach when the new coaching ticket is pieced together.

The appointment of Wayne Bennett as New Zealand Rugby League coach moved a step closer today when officials met with the veteran Brisbane Broncos boss for face-to-face talks in the Queensland capital.

WALLABY fly-half Berrick Barnes was a wide-eyed schoolboy when Jonny Wilkinson broke Wallaby hearts with the extra-time drop goal to win England the 2003 World Cup.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) bosses have hit back at Wallabies winger Wendell Sailor’s claims that his two-year drugs ban was “grossly unfair“.

JERRY FLANNERY and Alan Quinlan have followed Paul O’Connell by agreeing terms that will keep them with Munster, respectively, for three and two years.

Munster have appointed Australian Tony McGahan as their defence coach.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has emerged as favourite to lead the Kangaroos to the 2008 World Cup following the sudden resignation of Wayne Bennett.

Wayne Bennett has sent shockwaves through the Australian rugby league community by announcing his resignation as Test coach.

Australia today re-appointed Wayne Bennett as national coach but kept alive the debate over the Kangaroos captaincy.

Bath back-row forward Scott Gray will earn his first cap for Scotland in the Staffware Challenge match against the Barbarians on Saturday.

Australia scored 13 tries and they equalled their biggest ever Test win as they overcame some poor handling early on to destroy Romania 90-8 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Steve Hansen believes the stage is set for Iestyn Harris to cement his name as one of rugby’s biggest cross-code successes after he played a standout role in Wales’ opening World Cup victory over Canada.

Veteran lock Olivier Brouzet has been ruled out of France’s World Cup opener with Fiji in Brisbane on Saturday.

Australian legend Allan Langer has decided to hang up his boots for the second time.

Graham Henry can expect an Australian Rugby Union apology following a beer-spraying incident after the Lions’ tour opener against Western Australia in Perth.

Bradford Bulls skipper Robbie Paul has pinpointed Allan Langer as the danger man to the Challenge Cup holders in Sunday's semi-final against Warrington.