Three key areas

The haunted look on Brian O’Driscoll’s face at the final whistle said it all.

Australia coach Robbie Deans was disappointed by the presence of Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor in a fast-food restaurant in the early hours of the morning, but did not consider dropping them.

The way Paul O’Connell shook his hand after the Lions’ first-Test victory in Brisbane on Saturday night, Australia prop Ben Alexander did not imagine the Irishman had just fractured an arm.

As the British & Irish Lions prepare to fill a Paul O’Connell-shaped hole in their pack for Saturday’s second Test at the Etihad Stadium, Australia prop Ben Alexander is focusing on another likely change, to the tourists’ front row.

James O’Connor wants to continue at fly-half when Australia attempt to haul themselves back into their series against the British and Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Where the key battles will be fought.

Australia have picked James O'Connor at fly-half for Saturday's opening Test against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium with Kurtley Beale included on the bench.

Finally the ARU have shown a bit of leadership and common sense.

Australia have named Tri-Nations winning captain James Horwill as their skipper for the British and Irish Lions Tour.

Code-hopper Israel Folau is one of three new caps in Australia’s preliminary 25-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions, with in-form Reds playmaker Quade Cooper the most notable omission.

England 14 Australia 20

Chris Ashton is back to play Australia after being recalled to the England side for Saturday’s Cook Cup showdown at Twickenham.

Referee Alain Rolland was wrong not to allow Australia to make a late substitution and finish their match against South Africa with 15 men, the International Rugby Board (IRB) said hours after backing the officials’ original decision.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has brought in five players to an extended squad for the Wallabies’ next Rugby Championship match against South Africa.

Wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner have been included in Australia’s training squad as they prepare for the Rugby Championship.

Australia coach Robbie Deans will blood five new caps in the first of four successive Tests against Six Nations opponents in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

His name is Ruaidhri Murphy.

Australia prop Ben Alexander insists South Africa will take the loss of second row enforcer Bakkies Botha in their stride.

Australia bid to get their World Cup campaign back on course this morning, but anticipate fierce resistance from the United States in the Pool C encounter in Wellington.

AUSTRALIA have played down concerns about their scrum wobbles after their forwards were trounced in the 15-6 defeat to Ireland on Saturday.

IT is not often that a forward pack which has held its own against the All Blacks and Springboks in recent weeks receives a schooling, but that was the impression left on the Australians after feeling the benefits of an Irish scrummaging education at Eden Park.

Australia hooker Stephen Moore has been confirmed as another late withdrawal from the squad ahead of the clash with Ireland this morning.

AUSTRALIA captain James Horwill says his side can improve after opening their World Cup campaign with a 32-6 win over Italy at North Harbour Stadium.

Australia 32 Italy 6

Australia 39 South Africa 20

Matt Giteau's chances of playing in a third Rugby World Cup have suffered a major blow after the veteran playmaker was left out of Australia's squad for Saturday's Tri Nations opener against South Africa.

WE HAVE a lot to be grateful to Scotland for. Had they not beaten South Africa in Murrayfield last Saturday week, both the Springboks and New Zealand would return home from their respective tours of the four home unions with a clean sweep.

Stephen Moore has returned to the Australia line-up for this weekend's Cook Cup clash with England.

Australia coach Robbie Deans will place an emphasis on scrummaging this week as his side look to avoid a repeat of their front-row horror show against Wales when they face England on Saturday.

GETHIN JENKINS has claimed Wales must be “a bit smarter” as they dust themselves down and prepare for Saturday’s Millennium Stadium appointment with world champions South Africa.

Wales 16 Australia 25

Australia’s most capped Test prop Al Baxter believes referee Allain Rolland deserves most of the blame for the Wallabies’ scrum woes against New Zealand in Hong Kong.

Four members of the Australian Sevens team have been included in a 36-man Wallabies squad for their upcoming tour of Hong Kong and Europe which includes a tie against Munster.

Australia selectors have named 12 uncapped players in an extended 40-man training squad ahead of the upcoming spring tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

Winger Drew Mitchell is the most notable omission from Australia's squad for the forthcoming Tri-Nations series.

Australia have suffered yet another injury blow ahead of Saturday's one-off Test against Ireland in Brisbane after veteran lock Nathan Sharpe was ruled out with a back complaint.

Australia centre Matt Giteau has been ruled out of tomorrow's Cook Cup clash with England after failing to overcome a hip injury.

IT’S THE same question every year. As sure as Cork and Kerry will produce a draw in the Munster football championship, we speculate as to who from the home nations is capable of producing any kind of a win on the annual summer sojourns to the southern hemisphere.

Martin Johnson confirmed today that Australia's arch nemesis Jonny Wilkinson will be fit to tackle the Wallabies in Perth next Saturday.

Australia 49 Fiji 3

Australia coach Robbie Deans has handed debuts to three players for the Test against Fiji on Saturday and the contentious number 10 jersey has gone to Quade Cooper.

FOR Cian Healy, the good times just keep on coming.

Wales 12 Australia 33