Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has compared Australia’s stunning World Cup semi-final success against New Zealand with a batsman moving into form.

Wallabies boss Eddie Jones tonight paid tribute to the “exceptional” coaching ability of his World Cup final rival Clive Woodward.

Australia prop Ben Darwin has been ruled out of the World Cup final but hopes to be well enough to attend next Saturday’s game.

Former Australia coach Bob Dwyer today urged Eddie Jones to axe captain George Gregan and make six changes for next week’s quarter-final against Scotland – or face surrendering the World Cup without a fight.

Ireland captain Keith Wood retains his place for today's Pool A World Cup showdown with Australia, with a quarter-final place against Scotland up for grabs.

THE major talking points about the Australian team to face Ireland are the omission - from both team and subs bench - of Stirling Mortlock and Chris Latham, the man who ran in a world record five tries against Namibia last Saturday), and Alastair Baxter’s replacement at tight head prop by Ben Darwin.

Australia coach Eddie Jones has resisted the temptation to select five-try hero Chris Latham and made just one change to his first-choice starting line-up for the match against Ireland in Melbourne on Saturday.

Chris Whittaker will lead Australia for the first time after Wallabies coach Eddie Jones made the expected sweeping changes to his starting line-up for his team’s World Cup pool match against Namibia in Adelaide 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.

Veteran flanker Owen Finegan was the biggest omission from Australia’s World Cup squad announced in Sydney today.

Chris Latham’s international season went full circle on Wednesday when he was re-instated to the Australia side for this weekend’s Tri-Nations Test against South Africa.

Phil Waugh has replaced George Smith as Australia’s openside flanker for Saturday’s international against Wales at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney.

Ireland go into tomorrow’s Test against world champions Australia in Perth brimming with confidence despite a brewing selection row.

THERE was some speculation last night in Perth that Australia may have flouted IRB regulations with regard to their selection of replacements for Saturday’s Test.

FORMER NSW turned Ireland flanker Keith Gleeson says the Irish are ready to match it with the rugby powerhouses of the southern hemisphere.

WHETHER Munster win this season’s Heineken European Cup or not, coach Alan Gaffney is adamant he will strengthen his squad for next year.

IRELAND wing Denis Hickie has been passed fit to face Australia at Lansdowne Road tomorrow after recovering from a wrist injury.

He may have an Australian accent, but Ireland flanker Keith Gleeson insists there will be no regrets when he goes into battle against the Wallabies on Saturday.

The Wallabies have named three uncapped players in their squad of 27, for the November tour of Ireland, Argentina, England and Italy.

Australia blew open the 2002 Tri-Nations title race, and retained the Bledisloe Cup once again, as Matt Burke rediscovered his kicking boots.

Wendell Sailor has been dropped from Australia's squad for the Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand.

Injury worries forced Australian selectors to name an expanded 26-man squad for the opening Tri Nations clash with New Zealand in Christchurch on July 13.

Australia winger Ben Tune is hoping to finally overcome the injury woe which has plagued him for the past two years and recapture his place in the Wallabies Test team.

Coach Rod Macqueen today named uncapped props Nick Stiles and Ben Darwin in a 22-man Wallabies squad for Saturday’s first Test against the Lions.

Australia have announced a squad of 31 players for the three-match Test series against the Lions this summer.