Australia’s maverick fly-half Quade Cooper did little to quash his status as New Zealand’s “public enemy number one” as he cranked up the pressure on the All Blacks ahead of Sunday’s World Cup semi-final.

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 67 United States 5

Australia 22 United States 5

FORMER Leinster hero Rocky Elsom has labelled Ireland’s back row as one of the most underrated in international rugby ahead of Australia’s World Cup game with the Irish at Eden Park tomorrow.

Australia and former Leinster flanker Rocky Elsom has offered an explanation as to why northern hemisphere teams are able to punch above their weight at the World Cup.

ROCKY ELSOM may wear Australia’s colours at Eden Park on Saturday but Denis Leamy credits him for having a profound impact on Ireland’s back row.

Rocky Elsom may wear Australia’s colours at Eden Park on Saturday but Denis Leamy credits him for having a profound impact on Ireland’s back row.

Criticism of his tactics, selections, birthplace or any other facet of his behaviour has been wool off a sheep’s back to Australia’s New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans.

ROCKY ELSOM insisted he harbours no bitterness towards Australia coach Robbie Deans despite being axed as captain three weeks ahead of the World Cup.

Rocky Elsom has been sensationally dumped as Australia skipper for the World Cup campaign.

South Africa 9 Australia 14

New Zealand 30 Australia 14

SAMOA produced one of their most memorable victories in international rugby yesterday, dealing a damaging World Cup blow to Ireland’s key group rivals only two months out from the tournament.

A RETURN to Leinster for Heineken Cup-winning hero Rocky Elsom has been dismissed in the province, despite reports to the contrary in his native Australia.

Italy 14 Australia 32

Australia skipper Rocky Elsom has urged South African referee Mark Lawrence to adopt a zero-tolerance policy at the breakdown when his side meet New Zealand tonight to ensure a free-flowing contest.

Australia captain Rocky Elsom claims yesterday’s last-gasp victory against South Africa was one of the best Test matches of his career.

South Africa 44 Australia 31

ROBBIE DEANS has faced pressure before, but the vultures are circling after Saturday’s disaster in Melbourne.

Australia 28 New Zealand 49

IN-FORM Australia fly-half Quade Cooper has been suspended for two weeks after being cited for a dangerous tackle during Australia’s Tri Nations Test 30-13 win against South Africa.

FORMER All Black Doug Howlett has been hugely impressed by the start Graham Henry’s side made on the Tri Nations Championship, and he believes the title is theirs for the taking.

ROCKY ELSOM has warned his Australia side that former Leinster teammate Shane Jennings could be Ireland’s secret weapon when the sides clash in Brisbane today.

England manager Martin Johnson hailed today’s 21-20 victory over Australia in Sydney as “pretty special” and the perfect way to silence the critics.

ROCKY ELSOM fears referee Romain Poite’s memory of Australia’s scrum being demolished by England will count against them in today’s (11am) second Test.

Australia 27 England 17

ROCKY ELSOM insists Leinster will bounce back in the Heineken Cup next season.

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.

THE waiting is over.

CIAN HEALY may have come to international attention with a bullocking debut run against Australia in last year’s autumn internationals, but when you sit down and talk to him, he’s happy to discuss scrummaging, as befits a loose-head prop.

WITH words of praise ringing in his ears, Kevin McLaughlin promised to repay the faith shown in him by Irish coach Declan Kidney when he lines out against Italy at Croke Park on Saturday.

IT’S mid-October and Leinster’s opening Heineken Cup defeat by London Irish at the RDS has been compounded five days later by a lengthy suspension for Shane Jennings for alleged contact with the eye area.

FROM one extreme to the other.

WALLABIES skipper Rocky Elsom has hailed the resilient quality of fly-half star Matt Giteau as he aims to bounce back from his Murrayfield torment.

ALEX GROVE insists Scotland can now “beat anyone in the world” after helping them end their 27-year losing streak to Australia in just his second Test. Worcester centre Grove, who does not turn 22 until a week today, has enjoyed a dream start to international rugby, with two wins from two matches.

THE last time Rocky Elsom played at Murrayfield, his name was chanted throughout the game and some of the crowd even donned ‘Rocky’ costumes.

ON his 100th Test appearance it was fitting that Brian O’Driscoll should produce a late, late try under the posts for Ireland to secure a share the honours against Australia at Croke Park yesterday.

IRISH guts and character made up for a series of very apparent shortcomings at Croke Park yesterday.

Australia captain Rocky Elsom expressed his disappointment after Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll’s last-gasp try denied his side the chance of Grand Slam on their European tour.

Ireland 20 Australia 20

Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll has said his team must keep the Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom quiet to give them any chance of winning their November international today.

Australia captain Rocky Elsom has targeted Brian O’Driscoll and Ireland’s back row as threats in their November international today at Croke Park.