All Blacks lose Carter for Wales clash

Updated November 24, 2012 10:50:58

New Zealand fly half Dan Carter will miss Saturday's Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium and has been replaced by Aaron Cruden after failing to recover from a leg injury.

"Gutted not to be playing with these boys in this stadium tomorrow," Carter said on his official Twitter account.

Carter, the leading points-scorer in Test rugby, pulled up in training on Thursday and looked to be in discomfort.

Cruden, 23, has won 18 caps.

He was called into the All Blacks squad during last year's World Cup as replacement for the injured Carter, who damaged his groin during training.

Cruden went on to start the semi-final victory over Australia, and then started the final against France before he was forced off just before half-time with a knee problem.

"It is disappointing for Dan, but the next guy will come in and we will try to give him some good ball to operate with," captain Richie McCaw told the All Blacks website.

"Aaron has played a few Tests, some pretty big games.

"Dan is hard to replace, but we've got to get on and have belief in the next guys," he added.

Carter, 30, produced a virtuoso display to lead the All Blacks to a 51-22 demolition of Scotland in their opening European tour match before being rested for last week's 42-10 victory over Italy.

New Zealand has not lost to Wales since 1953 and is unbeaten for 19 Tests going back to last year's loss to Australia in Brisbane.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, wales, new-zealand

First posted November 24, 2012 10:50:58

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Ioane out of Bledisloe Cup clash

Updated October 15, 2012 22:52:19

The Wallabies have received a serious blow to their hopes of winning the final Bledisloe Cup match on Saturday, with the news that winger Digby Ioane will miss the game with a knee injury.

Ioane was ruled out on Monday night of the Lang Park encounter with the high-flying All Blacks.

The destructive 31-Test winger copped a bad cork on the joint against South Africa more than a fortnight ago but managed to back up the week after when he scored the match-winning try in the Wallabies' 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario.

The problem flared up again during the long flight back from South America but Ioane is expected to recover in time to be available for next month's end-of-season tour of Europe.

His absence robs the Wallabies of their most-potent ball-runner as they attempt to end New Zealand's 16-match winning streak.

Coach Robbie Deans has the option of replacing Ioane with returning utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper or specialist wingers Dom Shipperley or Drew Mitchell.

Ashley-Cooper would prefer to stay at outside centre, which would come at the expense of Ben Tapuai, but he did play on the wing in the first Bledisloe Test in August when Australia lost 27-19.

Mitchell hasn't played since he re-injured his ankle in the 22-0 second Test loss but has made a remarkable comeback after initially being told he required surgery.

Deans has said he would be considered for an immediate return but rookie Shipperley would be the more match-hardened choice.

In positive news for the home side, number eight Radike Samo has been cleared for selection after overcoming a biceps problem.

The injury-depleted Wallabies know the enormity of their task as the All Blacks have not lost since the 25-20 defeat in their last Brisbane visit 14 months ago.

Both Ashley-Cooper and five-eighth Kurtley Beale rated the world champions a more fearsome, in-form unit than when they swept through last year's World Cup.

One more victory will equal New Zealand's own record 17-match winning streak.

Meantime, cautious Wallabies skipper James Horwill has undergone precautionary scans to ensure his rehabilitation from hamstring surgery is continuing on the right track.

Lock Horwill still holds genuine hope of returning to action in the four-Test tour of Europe.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 15, 2012 22:52:19

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Greyling suspended for Wallabies clash

Updated September 16, 2012 18:53:46

Springboks prop Dean Greyling has been suspended for two weeks for a forearm smash to the face of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in their Rugby Championship match in Dunedin.

Greyling will miss the Springboks' next match, against Australia in Pretoria on September 29.

He admitted hitting McCaw in the 64th minute of Saturday's clash, which was won by the All Blacks 21-11, when he appeared before SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully on Sunday.

"Greyling, whilst in the process of cleaning out at a ruck, recklessly used his forearm such that he made contact in a dangerous way with the head of New Zealand player Richie McCaw," Tully said.

"Although there was no injury complained of, the action had potential to cause serious injury."

Lock Eben Etzebeth, who was banned for two weeks for a headbutt in their previous Test against Australia, will be back for the return match.

Springbok's coach Heyneke Meyer apologised to McCaw after the match and said Greyling's behaviour had cost them the game.

"We're a team that prides ourselves on discipline and we can't afford these things in games," Meyer said.

Skipper Jean de Villiers also said Greyling would face internal action.

"We'll never condone playing dirty," de Villiers said.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, south-africa, new-zealand, australia

First posted September 16, 2012 18:48:33

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Carter ruled out of Springboks clash

Updated September 09, 2012 16:22:00

Dan Carter will not be considered for New Zealand's Rugby Championship match with South Africa next weekend to allow him to recover completely from a calf strain.

Carter had been struggling with the injury as the All Blacks prepared for their match against Argentina in Wellington and was initially named in the starting XV.

He was later withdrawn from the team that defeated Argentina 21-5 on Saturday.

"We have made the decision he won't be playing next week," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"The type of treatment he needs, it will take the pressure right off and give the calf the opportunity to come right.

"We're trying to, I guess, take him off his legs so he can concentrate on getting it better rather than trying to get it better to play."

Hansen says the early decision on Carter's availability for next week had been made to give clarity to the team, and young five-eighths Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett, as they prepare for the Springboks in Dunedin.

The 30-year-old Carter is expected to travel with the All Blacks for their final two matches in the Championship against the Pumas in La Plata on September 29 and against the Springboks in Soweto on October 6.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted September 09, 2012 16:22:00

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Moore ruled out of Boks clash

Updated September 06, 2012 20:23:10

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore will miss Saturday night's Test against South Africa after injuring his hamstring at training in Perth.

Moore sustained a low grade strain in his right hamstring at training on Thursday and his place in the starting XV will be taken by Tatafu Polota-Nau, who is elevated from the reserves bench.

Queensland rake Saia Faingaa has been called in the 22-man matchday squad as the reserve hooker.

Prior to the withdrawal of Moore, prop Ben Alexander claimed the Wallabies preparations would not be disrupted in the event of a front row change.

"We've been practicing a lot at training with lots of different combinations, we very rarely pack more than a couple in a row with the same guys," he said.

"We're always changing props, changing sides, changing hookers."

Moore is the latest in a long line of injury concerns for the Wallabies throughout the Rugby Championship.

In the lead-up to the Wallabies' last-start loss to New Zealand in Auckland, Moore was promoted to the starting XV after Polota-Nau pulled up sore after the Thursday training session.

Moore was preparing for his 73rd Test and he would have overtaken Jeremy Paul as the most capped Wallabies hooker of all time had he taken the field at Subiaco Oval.

AAP/ABC

Tags: rugby-union, sport, perth-6000

First posted September 06, 2012 16:46:25

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Pocock in doubt for second Bledisloe clash

Updated August 19, 2012 18:41:16

Wallabies captain David Pocock will wait on the opinion of a surgeon but is likely to miss Australia's return Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Auckland.

The openside flanker suffered damage to the articular cartilage of his right knee in the first half of Saturday night's 27-19 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney.

Scans on Sunday confirmed the injury and a consultation with a surgeon on Monday morning will determine Pocock's rehabilitation period.

The signs do not look good for the Australian skipper, with a return against South Africa on September 8 in Perth tipped to be the best-case scenario.

Adding to the Wallabies' injury pain, Ben McCalman has been ruled out for three months after undergoing surgery on his forearm on Saturday night.

Without Pocock, Australia's main threat at the breakdown, Deans anticipated things could get tough in Auckland.

"The All Blacks are the best in that area. They produce a lot of pressure," he told Grandstand on Saturday night.

"And obviously that was a big part of their game tonight."

He said half-back Will Genia would lead the side next Saturday if Pocock was unavailable.

Deans reported no other injury issues arising from Saturday's game.

Asked if he would recall five-eighth Quade Cooper for next week's game, Deans said "obviously he'll be considered."

Deans said he had no doubt Australia would perform better in Auckland after Saturday's mistake-ridden performance.

"We probably gave the All Blacks a leg-up with some of our unforced errors, which was out of character for a couple of blokes," Deans added.

"So if we alleviate those... and set-piece tries, they shouldn't happen. That is just [missed] one-on-one tackles."

Deans was not putting the poor display down to a lack of match intensity in the build-up to the opening encounter.

"[The squad] has had a lot of opposed work," he said.

"Credit to the All Blacks in terms of how they created pressure.

"But some of it [the mistakes] was inexcusable regardless of the circumstance."

Genia said the Wallabies simply needed to be more clinical if they were to have a chance at knocking over the powerful New Zealanders.

"The first half we let ourselves down with simple execution errors," he said.

"We couldn't have been more poor in terms of our accuracy in terms of what we wanted to do."

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted August 19, 2012 11:14:28

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Cooper to miss Sharks clash

Updated July 17, 2012 08:44:51

Super Rugby champions Queensland will weigh up the risk versus reward elements of an appeal after losing playmaker Quade Cooper to suspension for Saturday night's qualifying final.

The Reds suffered a major jolt to their title defence with Cooper ruled out of the sudden-death clash against the Sharks following a marathon judicial hearing on Monday evening.

The Wallabies five-eighth was found guilty of a dangerous tackle after collecting New South Wales centre Berrick Barnes high in the Reds' 32-16 final-round win over the Waratahs last weekend.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing first contact was on Barnes' chest, but SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully found the blow justified a one-game ban following a four-and-a-half hearing.

"It's something I didn't want to hear," a gutted Cooper said after the hearing at Ballymore.

"I felt we had a very strong case.

"We're disappointed with the outcome but at the same time I'm sure my teammates will get through this week.

"There's contact with the head all throughout the game and whether it be initial contact, which we disagree with, it was more chest on chest.

"It wasn't anything intentional or anything malicious."

Barnes was forced from the field in a groggy state but Cooper also pointed out another high tackle in the match was only dealt with by a penalty.

The star number ten, coach Ewen McKenzie and defence lawyer Mark Martin will discuss the option of an appeal over the next 24 hours but Cooper hinted they were wary about adding more weeks to his ban.

If the Reds beat the Sharks then Cooper will be free to return for the semi-final against the Chiefs in Hamilton next week.

"Obviously with an appeal there's an opportunity for the one week to become anything from two to three weeks and you run the risk of missing the remainder of the competition," he said.

Back near his best form following his recent return from knee surgery, Cooper's loss is a significant blow to the Reds and an added frustration to the 35-Test playmaker.

"Sitting on the sidelines is not an unfamiliar place but it's one I'm very gutted about," he said.

McKenzie must now choose between utility back Ben Lucas and goalkicking inside centre Mike Harris to start at five-eighth against the Sharks.

Lucas started at number ten in the last match the Reds played without Cooper, a rousing 42-27 win over the Chiefs, who finished as New Zealand conference winners.

Cooper's blow follows similar bad news for the Sharks who were forced to leave rising Springboks star Patrick Lambie at home in Durban due to an ankle injury, while late-season recruit Frans Steyn is ineligible.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, qld

First posted July 16, 2012 19:10:29

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Reds lose Lucas for Brumbies clash

Updated May 25, 2012 17:47:01

Queensland has lost key utility back Ben Lucas to injury on the eve of Saturday night's vital match with the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium.

Lucas sustained a groin injury in the second half of the Reds' 34-20 win over the Lions at Lang Park last weekend and was given until Friday to prove his fitness.

But Lucas was ruled out, meaning Luke Morahan will take his place at full-back and fly half Dallan Murphy earns a recall to the reserves bench.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie predictably selected Beau Robinson at blindside flanker to work in tandem at the breakdown with fellow openside specialist Liam Gill.

The breakdown has been identified as the crucial battle ground on Saturday night with the Brumbies boasting another of Super Rugby's form openside flankers, Michael Hooper.

Robinson's inclusion as a second 'scavenger' sees Jake Schatz demoted to the Reds' 4-3 (four forwards, three backs) bench.

The Brumbies lead the Australian conference on 44 points, eight ahead of the second-placed Reds.

Reds squad: Luke Morahan, Dom Shipperley, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Beau Robinson, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes

Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jake Schatz, Nick Frisby, Dallan Murphy, Chris F'Sautia

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted May 25, 2012 17:47:01

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Brumbies make changes for Reds clash

Updated May 24, 2012 14:19:34

Brumbies coach Jake White has rested in-form number eight Fotu Auelua for Saturday night's crunch match against Queensland at Canberra Stadium.

Auelua suffered a head knock during the Brumbies' 37-25 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington last Friday night and his place in the starting XV has been taken by Peter Kimlin.

Kimlin has been named at blindside flanker with captain Ben Mowen moving back to his preferred number eight role for a match that could go a long way to determining who will win the Australian conference.

The inclusion of Kimlin gives the Brumbies added line-out presence against a Reds XV that will contain at least three primary jumpers in captain James Horwill, Rob Simmons and Scott Higginbotham.

The Reds may also play specialist openside flanker Beau Robinson in the number six jersey, meaning they would be without a secondary line-out target in Jake Schatz.

"Kimo adds a little bit more as far as experience and height at the line-out are concerned, and he's been the number one six flanker," White said in a statement.

"So Benny Mowen moves back to the back of the scrum and we will work from there."

In other changes, Nic White returns to start at half-back in place of Ian Prior as part of the Brumbies' rotation policy.

The Brumbies lead the Australian conference on 44 points, eight ahead of the second-placed Reds.

Brumbies squad: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Zack Holmes, Nic White; Ben Mowen (captain), Michael Hooper, Peter Kimlin, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander

Reserves: Anthony Hegarty, Ruaidhri Murphy, Leon Power, Ita Vaea, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, canberra-2600

First posted May 24, 2012 14:19:34

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Lucas set to recover for Brumbies clash

Updated May 21, 2012 14:57:00

The Queensland Reds are confident utility back Ben Lucas will shrug off a groin problem to play in Saturday night's crucial Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies.

Lucas was injured in the Reds' 34-20 victory over the last-placed Lions on the weekend just after he moved into five-eighth in the second half.

Renowned as a versatile attacker and a reliable tackler, Lucas started at full-back against the Lions but defended in the front line instead of returning playmaker Quade Cooper.

The 24-year-old was assessed by Reds' medics on Monday morning and was set to be restricted to light duties at training for the start of the week.

But coach Ewen McKenzie expected Lucas to be available for Saturday night's pivotal match at Canberra Stadium.

The Brumbies hold an eight-point lead over the Reds at the top of the Australian conference and a home victory would all but sew up a finals birth with four rounds left.

"I'm pretty confident," McKenzie said of Lucas' playing chances.

"We might have a few blokes on light (training) duties today but I think, by the end of the week, we will have the right blokes available."

The Brumbies have their own worries with a bigger cloud hovering over influential flanker Michael Hooper who fronts a SANZAR judicial hearing at 5pm (AEST) Monday.

Hooper was cited for a lifting tackle in the 37-25 win over the Hurricanes and is in danger of missing the Reds clash, and possibility more, through suspension.

The Brumbies paid the price for not starting Hooper in their 20-13 Good Friday loss to Queensland when the Reds played ball scavengers Liam Gill and Beau Robinson in tandem.

Robinson was rested from the Lions match to ensure he will be 100 per cent to make an impact at the breakdown with Gill again in Canberra.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, qld, act

First posted May 21, 2012 14:57:00

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Hodgson set for Force-Sharks clash

Updated May 10, 2012 21:44:52

The Western Force have named an unchanged line-up to meet the Sharks in Durban in their Super Rugby clash.

Western Force number eight Matt Hodgson has recovered from concussion to take his place in an unchanged line-up to meet the Sharks in Durban in Sunday's Super Rugby duel.

Hodgson recovered from a concussion sustained in the dying minutes of the game against the Cheetahs and will retain his position alongside fellow Australian internationals David Pocock and Richard Brown.

Force forwards coach Nick Stiles said the team had put the disappointment of the four-point loss to the Cheetahs in the rear-view mirror and was keen to finish its South African tour on a high.

"It's good to have the same 22 and have that continuity with our game plan," Stiles said.

"We're starting to see some growth through our backs so we'll definitely look to attack a lot more than last week.

"Hodgson has pulled up really well. He has been step-loaded back into his training and each day he's done more and more and he'll train fully today and be a definite starter."

Stiles said the Force were prepared for a strong battle up front with the imposing Sharks forward pack.

"Their scrum is very strong. I think it's the strongest South African scrum so, up front, they're very physical," he said.

"They're very abrasive with their tackling and the work they do at the breakdown so it's a really good challenge for us with their physicality."

Force: Pek Cowan, Nathan Charles, Salesi Ma'afu, Toby Lynn, Nathan Sharpe, Richard Brown, David Pocock (capt), Matt Hodgson, Brett Sheehan, David Harvey, Napolioni Nalaga, Winston Stanley, Nick Cummins, Sam Wara, Alfie Mafi. Res: Elvis Taione, Salesi Manu, Phoenix Battye, Lachlan McCaffrey, Josh Holmes, Ben Seymour, Rory Sidey.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, south-africa, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted May 10, 2012 21:44:52

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Tahs name Timani for Brumbies clash

Updated May 03, 2012 15:08:34

Hulking lock Sitaleki Timani has been included in New South Wales' starting XV for Saturday night's encounter against the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium.

Timani, who earned his Test debut for Australia last year, will make his first starting appearance of the season, having returned from an of-season stint in Japan.

He is the only change made to the XV that went down 37-33 to the Crusaders at Sydney Football Stadium last Sunday and returns to the venue where he helped sink the Brumbies 29-22 last season with a try in the final minute of play.

Timani says he always lifts when he meets the Brumbies, having been cut from their roster prior to linking with the Waratahs.

"It gives me more motivation to try to prove something," he said in a statement.

"I still have that motivation now, I try to prove myself against every team."

New South Wales squad:

Adam Ashley-Cooper, Atieli Pakalani, Tom Kingston, Tom Carter, Peter Betham, Berrick Barnes, Brendan McKibbin, Wycliff Palu, Jono Jenkins, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Sitaleki Timani, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson (captain)

Reserves: John Ulugia, Jeremy Tilse, Dean Mumm, Lopeti Timani, Rocky Elsom, Sarel Pretorius, Daniel Halangahu

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted May 03, 2012 15:08:34

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Reds rake likely to miss 'Tahs clash

Updated February 21, 2012 18:27:53

Queensland hooker Saia Faingaa is set to miss Saturday night's season-opening Super Rugby grudge match with New South Wales due to an ankle injury.

Faingaa failed to train with the Reds on Monday afternoon at Ballymore with understudy James Hanson now poised to go head-to-head with Wallabies rake Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Coach Ewen McKenzie wanted all his players to train at 100 per cent in the first session of the week to prove their readiness for the brutal interstate battle expected at ANZ Stadium.

The fact Faingaa, who strained ankle ligaments in the Cairns trial against the Brumbies on February 11, failed to take the field is a clear sign the 16-Test hooker must bide his time.

Hanson started just two matches in the Reds' charge to the 2011 title but his impact off the bench impressed Wallabies coach Robbie Deans who included the 23-year-old in his initial 40-man Test squad.

Faingaa's blow would also give versatile prop-hooker Albert Anae a chance to make just his second Super Rugby appearance from the bench.

Fellow Test forward Scott Higginbotham shrugged off a back complaint to train on Monday and is well in the mix to start despite failing to play in the Reds' two trial wins over the Brumbies (27-20) and Western Force

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, qld

First posted February 20, 2012 20:44:32

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Wales' Lydiate, Hook to miss Fiji clash

Updated September 28, 2011 22:10:52

Wales back-rower Dan Lydiate and utility back James Hook will miss the final Pool D game against Fiji as they race to recover from injuries before the World Cup quarter-finals, team officials said.

Lydiate, who damaged ankle ligaments during Wales's crucial win over Samoa, is on target to recover "within the next two weeks", with the quarter-final expected on October 8.

"Dan is now back running again after suffering an ankle ligament strain in the Samoa game," team medical boss Prav Mathema said.

"He has been incredibly diligent with his rehab and his self-management and as a consequence has given himself every opportunity to be available for selection within the next two weeks."

Hook is also recovering from the shoulder injury he received against Samoa and will be back in full training by the start of next week.

Veteran winger Shane Williams may make the Fiji game on Sunday after he resumed running after a thigh strain, but "the next 48 hours will be essential in determining whether he may be available to us this weekend", Mathema said.

Wales will be assured of qualifying before even taking the field if pool rival Samoa fails to earn at least a bonus point against defending champion South Africa on Friday.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, wales, united-kingdom, fiji

First posted September 28, 2011 22:10:52

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Johnson changes three for Scotland clash

Updated September 29, 2011 13:02:14

England manager Martin Johnson has made three changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown with Scotland at Eden Park.

Matt Stevens, Courtney Lawes and Delon Armitage come in for Alex Corbisiero, Tom Palmer and Mark Cueto.

The first two drop to the bench and Cueto has been left out of the match-day 22.

Lawes is back in the side at lock after serving a two-match ban for kneeing an opponent in the win over Argentina.

"Courtney's playing very well. He hasn't played for two weeks but we're very comfortable with having him in the team," Johnson said.

"We're reasonably healthy which is great at this point in the tournament and we thought this was the right team."

On selecting Armitage ahead of Cueto, Johnson said: "He's played very well. We've said all the way through if Delon's playing well and with form he's a Test match player.

"Mark's injury was a factor. He's probably a game short of being back to where he should be."

England is looking for a fourth-straight win which would ensure it reaches the quarter-finals and a likely match with France.

Scotland needs to deny England a bonus point to reach the quarter-finals for the seventh straight time.

The Scots made six changes, with Alastair Kellock's return as captain most notable.

Kellock takes over at lock from Jim Hamilton, Euan Murray, who missed Sunday's 13-12 loss to Argentina due to his religious beliefs, is back at prop in place of Geoff Cross and Richie Vernon replaces Kelly Brown at number eight.

Brown suffered concussion in the closing stages of the game against the Pumas, which Scotland agonisingly lost to a try seven minutes from time, and under tournament rules he cannot play again before a full week has passed.

Mike Blair gets a start at scrum-half in place of Rory Lawson, who was captain against the Pumas and Simon Danielli comes in on the wing, with Sean Lamont moving inside to replace Graeme Morrison at centre where he will partner Joe Ansbro replacing Nick De Luca.

Scotland has not beaten England by more than seven points for 25 years and has not done it outside Scotland since 1983.\

England: Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Mike Tindall, Delon Armitage, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs, James Haskell, Lewis Moody (c), Tom Croft, Courtney Lawes, Louis Deacon, Dan Cole, Steve Thompson, Matt Stevens.

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Palmer, Nick Easter, Richard Wigglesworth, Toby Flood, Matt Banahan.

Scotland: Chris Paterson, Max Evans, Joe Ansbro, Sean Lamont, Simon Danielli; Ruaridh Jackson, Mike Blair; Richie Vernon, John Barclay, Ally Strokosch, Alastair Kellock (c), Richie Gray, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines, Ross Rennie, Chris Cusiter, Dan Parks, Nick de Luca.

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport

First posted September 29, 2011 13:02:14

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France changes two for England clash

Updated October 04, 2011 14:53:43

France coach Marc Lievremont made just two changes to his starting line-up from the team that lost to Tonga last weekend for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against England at Eden Park.

Prop Nicolas Mas returned to the pack after a missing three pool matches with a hamstring injury, while experienced loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy came into the starting line-up at number eight in place of Raphael Lakafia.

Lakafia was dropped from the match-day squad altogether with Louis Picamoles taking Harinordoquy's place on the bench in one of two changes to the replacements.

Centre Fabrice Estebanez, who featured in the match-day squad for all four of France's pool games, was not available for selection after being banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle in the 19-14 loss to Tonga.

His place on the bench went to Perpignan centre David Marty.

Morgan Parra, who started the campaign in his more usual scrum-half position, retained the starting fly half spot for the third successive match after defeats to hosts New Zealand and Tonga.

France: Maxime Medard, Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson, Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili, Imanol Harinordoquy, Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir (c), Lionel Nallet, Pascal Pape, Nicolas Mas, William Servat, Jean-Baptiste Poux.

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Barcella, Julien Pierre, Louis Picamoles, Francois Trinh-Duc, David Marty, Cedric Heymans.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, france

First posted October 04, 2011 14:53:25

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Brumbies lose Speight for Tahs clash

Updated June 18, 2011 16:15:00

Brumbies winger Henry Speight has been ruled out of Saturday night's Super Rugby clash with New South Wales because of a knee injury.

The 22-year-old Fijian has struggled with his knee since the Canberra side's home win against Melbourne Rebels last weekend.

"He's had trouble stepping and accelerating on his knee for a week and that was not good enough," Brumbies coach Tony Rea told Grandstand on Saturday.

Rea has promoted Andrew Smith from the bench to replace Speight, while Francis Fainifo moves into the matchday squad for the game at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, act, canberra-2600, sydney-2000

First posted June 18, 2011 14:06:00

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Brumbies prepare for clash with Stormers

Published:Friday, May 27, 2011 7:22 AESTExpires:Thursday, August 25, 2011 7:22 AEST

The ACT Super Rugby side is chasing a third season win against the Stormers in Canberra.

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Tags: rugby-union, act, canberra-2600

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