An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant and ended with his injury-enforced withdrawal from the remainder of the Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

An eventful few hours in the Australia camp began with wing Digby Ioane being issued with an arrest warrant.

An arm injury sustained in the first-Test victory over Australia has placed Paul O’Connell’s Lions tour in jeopardy.

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.

The importance of George North to Warren Gatland’s plan for the British & Irish Lions to beat Australia in Saturday’s first Test was underlined by the relief that greeted his clearance to play in Suncorp Stadium.

He’s been Australia’s “Mr Fix It” for many seasons, but now Wallabies back Adam Ashley-Cooper is ready to face the might of the Lions from his preferred position.

Adam Ashley-Cooper insists Brian O’Driscoll remains as dangerous as ever as the rivals prepare to meet for the first time in Saturday’s opening Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions.

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

After two false dawns in terms of competitive opposition, the Lions tourists should finally get a taste of what Australian rugby has to offer at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane this morning.

“Hopefully going forward, if we’re going to take the Lions seriously, we need to make sure there is enough preparation to make a fist of it”.

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.

Brian O’Driscoll fully expects to see mercurial out-half Quade Cooper trot out to stare down the Lions in Australia although the prospects of Kurtley Beale doing likewise look less favourable given the Melbourne Rebel has been suspended again.

Robbie Deans has brushed aside comments by David Campese that he has “destroyed Australian rugby,” but admitted he understands criticism of his regime.

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

Argentina 19 Australia 25

Australia 23 Argentina 19

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

Australia 19 New Zealand 27

Sonny Bill Williams made a triumphant return to ANZ Stadium as New Zealand claimed victory over Australia in the Rugby Championship opener.

Quade Cooper’s appearance in Queensland’s elimination final hinges on the outcome of today’s SANZAR judicial hearing after he was put on report for a high tackle during the Reds’ victory over the Waratahs.

Australia 27 Wales 19

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.

CONNACHT signalled their future intent this week with the re-signing of two of two of their hottest prospects.

HE only arrived in the country last month on a short-term contract and after being cut by the Queensland Reds.

SUNDAY’S World Cup final was a pleasure to behold for many reasons, not least the honesty of endeavour and the sportsmanship on display from both sides.

STRANGE in a way that what has been a fantastic tournament has produced a paucity of real individual star quality.

MUNSTER’S new signing Will Chambers has received glowing references from two of his former Queensland Reds team-mates, Will Genia and Digby Ioane.

IS IT possible that the Tinkerman will have the last laugh?

NEW ZEALAND head coach Graham Henry hailed the All Blacks’ 20-6 destruction of Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi-final as “outstanding”.

New Zealand 20 Australia 6

IF THERE is one thing the All Blacks appreciate more than any other aspect of the game, it is the importance of controlling the breakdown.

THERE’S a nastily parochial feeling in this part of the world that none of the northern hemisphere nations can manage to win the three games on the trot that would allow them to take home the big chocolate box.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has told his players their record against South Africa is meaningless at a World Cup.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans admits the Wallabies’ injury crisis has forced him to be “creative” in his team selection for tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Russia (3.30am Irish time).

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans was happy with the progress made in the win over the United States, but there was also cause for concern as the Wallabies’ injury toll mounted in Wellington.

Australia head coach Robbie Deans was happy with the progress made in the 67-5 win over the United States tonight, but there was also cause for concern as the Wallabies’ injury toll mounted 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.

WHEN the late Warren Zevon wrote “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me”, I’m thinking he wasn’t referring specifically to the Ireland rugby team of 2011.

James O'Connor has been recalled by Australia for Saturday's clash with Ireland at Eden Park.

Australia winger Digby Ioane has been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup clash with Ireland because of a fractured thumb.

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

ITALY coach Nick Mallett isn’t holding out much hope for victory against Australia tomorrow.

Italy coach Nick Mallett believes his side have been handed the toughest opening assignment of any team at the World Cup as they prepare to face Tri Nations champions Australia in Pool C on Sunday.