The GAA and AFL are exploring the possibility of an International Rules Test in New York next October.

The boom in Australian buy-to-let mortgages that has helped fuel record household borrowing could be the next driver of bank bad debts rather than corporate defaults.

Indonesian officials said they will reject an Australian offer to swap prisoners as part of a last-ditch attempt to save the lives of two Australian drug smugglers expected to face a firing squad within days.

Paul Earley has lifted the lid on Ireland’s International Rules preparations over the last two years, revealing intriguing team talks from Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and an Australian hockey legend.

Indonesia has postponed the transfer of six convicted drug smugglers to a prison island for execution.

GAA director general Páraic Duffy has forecasted a return to large crowds for International Rules games in Ireland on foot of Saturday’s competitive test.

Paul Earley expects the Australians to try and make next month’s test in Perth an intimidating one for his players after Ireland’s last two series successes by considerable margins.

Australia’s spy agency offered to share information about its own citizens with foreign intelligence partners, according to leaked files, sparking calls for an inquiry.

The Australians’ attitude towards the International Rules series has again come under the spotlight with reports some of their players caused early morning disturbances in the team hotel in Clare.

Ireland’s new International Rules manager Paul Earley admits that the series has lost some of its sparkle because the Australian have curbed the physical aspect of their play — but he expects a tougher challenge this time around.

Australia secured their place in the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 with a 17-run Duckworth/Lewis victory over West Indies after rain curtailed play in Colombo.

International Rules Series: Ireland 50 Australia 29

BECAUSE EVERY reader of this column is an intelligent cosmopolitan with his or her finger on the zeitgeist, you are all no doubt aware that next week sees the release of the new movie in the multimedia phenomenon known as the Twilight series, New Moon.

ELEVEN days of talking about reducing CO² emissions, involving 15,000 politicians and officials from 180 nations began in Bali yesterday.

Taj Aldin al-Hilali attracted controversy instead of friends, said senior Muslim leader Rehin Ghauri.

Ireland 31 (0-7-10) Australia 69 (3-15-6) - Agg - 79-109

MEET Renee Campbell. An Aussie born and bred, like her parents and grandparents, she owes her place on the Australian women’s International Rules team to Gaelic football and not to Aussie Rules, which she has never played.

ANDY ROBINSON and scrummaging guru Phil Keith-Roach attended a pre-Test meeting with referee Joel Jutge to ensure the Frenchman is fully briefed on the ‘tricks’ England expect Australia’s forwards to employ in today’s clash at Twickenham.

KEVIN SHEEDY has vowed that there will be no let up in the intensity that helped Australia to a 36-point belting of Ireland in the first international rules test last Friday night.

TAKE a moment to scrutinise yesterday’s slaughter. Ireland may have been tactically tuned, but it’s hard to avoid the conclusion the visiting Aussies committed a cardinal sin by eschewing the brute force that won them the last two Series.

Australia coach Eddie Jones may have branded New Zealand cheats but All Blacks coach Graham Henry has been nothing but complimentary to the Wallabies.