Torrential rains and strong winds left one man dead and forced thousands to flee their homes on Australia’s eastern coast, officials said today.

Russell Crowe is planning to get baptised, aged 43.

FIVE newcomers are included in the 31-man Australian squad for next month’s four-nation European tour, during which the Wallabies will face Ireland.

Australia’s dismal run of injuries continued on Friday when NSW Waratahs prop forward Matt Dunning failed to complete training.

Australia’s rising injury toll has forced head coach Eddie Jones to bring in four new faces to his 28-man squad for the final Test of the Tri-Nations, against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday September 3.

Morgan Turinui, a try-scorer in yesterday’s 34-13 victory over Scotland, has been dropped from the Australia squad to take on England in next Saturday’s World Cup final rematch.

Australia coach Eddie Jones has called up ACT Brumbies reserve scrum-half Matt Henjak into his squad for the Wallabies’ first Test against Scotland on June 13 to replace the injured Elton Flatley.

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has become a father after his wife, Danielle Spencer, gave birth to a baby boy.

THE battle lines were drawn yesterday for Saturday’s World Cup final as England and Australia named their sides.

AUSTRALIA coach Eddie Jones insisted yesterday that Saturday’s World Cup final against England was just another stepping stone in the Wallabies’ development.

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.

George Gregan today warned New Zealand that the French spirit of 99 is alive and kicking in the Australia camp on the eve of their World Cup semi-final.

BERNARD Laporte last night insisted there would be no mind games from France in the run-up to the World Cup semi-final showdown against England.

Bernard Laporte today insisted there would be no mind games from France in the run-up to the World Cup semi-final showdown against England.

Australia coach Eddie Jones has admitted his selection of Lote Tuqiri on the left wing for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Scotland represents a major gamble as it gives the Wallabies a back three composed entirely of former rugby league players.

Wales lock Brent Cockbain was born in Coffs Harbour – 400km north of Sydney - and his brother is Australia lock Matt Cockbain, but the 29-year-old is as proud to be Welsh as any man who has pulled on the famous red jersey.

WALLABIES’ defensive coach John Muggleton is tipping England’s ageing pack to come unstuck on rock-hard Australian grounds at the Rugby World Cup.

CHAMPIONS Australia plan to play their strongest team in every match at the World Cup, according to coach Eddie Jones.

The All Blacks have begun their final World Cup warm-up at a snow-bound training camp in the south island of New Zealand.

AUSTRALIA’S World Cup preparations nearly ended in tragedy when winger Lote Tuqiri’s was forced to sidestep a saltwater crocodile.

DRY track or not, the Wallabies aren’t expecting the Irish to stray from the game plan that has seen them win 10 of their past 11 Tests and start throwing the ball around at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Gladiator star Russell Crowe married his girlfriend Danielle Spencer in a lavish ceremony in the family chapel at his Australian country ranch today, his 39th birthday.

Australian full-back Chris Latham has been officially ruled out of the November tour to Argentina, Ireland, England and Italy today, just two days before the squad is due to fly to Buenos Aires.

FORMER train driver Garry Mulligan, 33, who was paralysed when he broke his neck while swimming during a holiday in Australia, had just proposed to his girlfriend before the accident, the New South Wales Supreme Court was told in Dublin yesterday.

Legal history was made today when an Australian court sat for the first time in the Republic of Ireland to hear how a train driver was paralysed during a holiday swimming accident.

AN Irishman left paralysed from the neck down following a diving accident in Australia is seeking €3 million in compensation.

IRISH legal history will be created next month when an entire Australian court will sit in Dublin to hear a negligence action taken by an Irish holidaymaker who was seriously injured in a diving accident in 1999.

SOUTH AFRICA are showing a new self-belief as they prepare to face New Zealand in their first Tri-Nations clash of the series in Wellington tomorrow.

A judge in eastern Australia today cleared two men of attempting to blackmail Oscar-winning film star Russell Crowe.

A jury was sworn in today for the trial of two men accused of attempting to extort money from Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe.

The trial in Australia of three men accused of trying to blackmail film star Russell Crowe over his alleged role in a fight was postponed today after claims of prejudicial media coverage.

He’s a sell out in New York and a hit in Los Angeles, but Oscar winner and part-time musician Russell Crowe isn’t too big to support his local bar in Australia.

Anton Toia, The Lions' liaison officer for the tour of Australia, has died from a suspected fatal heart attack on a beach close to the squad's hotel.

Lions hooker Keith Wood is expected to be fit for next Saturday’s first Test

Lawrence Dallaglio today put a brave face on his Lions injury agony and admitted: ‘‘The right decision has been made.’’

Darren Morris tonight underlined the Lions’ determination to erase memories of a disastrous week by declaring: ‘‘This is a squad of winners - not losers.’’

Andy Robinson today defended the Lions from stinging criticism fired by Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen and New South Wales boss Bob Dwyer.

Dan Luger this evening faced up to his Lions heartache, and admitted: ‘‘It is one of the worst things that has ever happened to me.’’

British and Irish Lions chiefs have drawn up a provisional list of 67 players who have been asked to confirm their availability for this summer’s tour to Australia.