Eliminating errors the key to Wallabies chances

Updated October 16, 2012 06:45:43

Kurtley Beale has acknowledged the size of the test facing the Wallabies this weekend, saying that the All Blacks were looking in 'unbeatable' form heading into the final Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane.

However Beale says the Australian team has to cut out the errors that have bedevilled them to have any chance against the mighty New Zealand side on Saturday night.

"If we are going to give these guys a good crack we've got to execute really well," Beale said on Monday.

"That's what let us down in the first two encounters.

"Obviously they are in awesome form at the moment, they're looking unbeatable all the time.

"(But) there are a few weaknesses there we want to exploit, so it's just a matter of us turning up from now until game day (training) and knuckle down and get the job done."

Beale has had a disrupted season, and was dropped after some poor performances for the Wallabies at full-back.

However he has had another chance at five-eighth replacing the out-of-favour Quade Cooper.

He received praise for his performance in Australia's win over Argentina in Rosario in the final Rugby Championship game.

"I'm feeling pretty confident, the win against Argentina was a great win to be part of," he said.

"There's a lot of belief in the team now, being on tour has really got the boys together.

"I'm enjoying myself at the (five-eighth) position at the moment and it's exciting playing with the guys around me - they're making my job a lot easier.

"I feel a lot better - I feel a lot fitter and stronger than I did earlier in the year."

Beale said he was starting to enjoy playing the game again after a difficult period.

"When you're trying to get back to your best, it takes a lot of time," he said.

Beale's Melbourne Rebels' team-mate, Nick Phipps, will get to play New Zealand for the first time on Saturday night.

Phipps said it was exciting to get the opportunity to test himself against the best.

"It's a big occasion, that's lost on no one," he said.

"We had a big morning - Sharpy (Nathan Sharpe) stood up and a few senior players stood up and spoke to what it means to them (to play New Zealand).

"The boys are fully behind them and committed to this weekend, (to) giving the best performance we have out there."

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

First posted October 15, 2012 19:37:27

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Ashley-Cooper, Palu return for Wallabies

Updated October 16, 2012 16:58:19

The Wallabies have made four changes to their line-up for the final Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday.

The injured Digby Ioane (knee) is replaced by Adam Ashley-Cooper while Wycliff Palu returns to the number eight spot in place of the rested Radike Samo.

Scott Higginbotham earned a spot as the starting blindside flanker ahead of Kane Douglas, with Sitaleki Timani starting in the second row.

Up front, Benn Robinson replaces James Slipper at loosehead prop in the only other change from the starting side that defeated Argentina in Rosario.

The Wallabies kept their five-two interchange bench, with Drew Mitchell returning from what was first thought to be a serious ankle injury.

"They're both proven Test performers so it is good to have them back," Deans said of Ashley-Cooper and Palu.

"Adam has been cleared after the head knock he suffered in Pretoria.

"He brings with him all-round skill but also a lot of voice in terms of on-field communication, which will be important with a lot of younger players around him."

The All Blacks, who have already retained the Bledisloe Cup, are seeking their 17th successive Test victory which would equal the record for top tier rugby nations.

Deans's team was the last side to beat the All Blacks, at Lang Park, less than two weeks before the start of last year's World Cup.

"The All Blacks are the benchmark and proved it again through the Rugby Championship," Deans said of the world champions' run.

"They are a step up from where we've been, but the guys have shown a lot of resilience over the last two months, and they're excited about the opportunity ahead of them on the weekend."

15. Mike Harris, 14. Nick Cummins, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Pat McCabe, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 4. Sitaleki Timani, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Tatafu Polota Nau, 1. Benn Robinson.

Reserves: 16. Saia Fainga'a, 17. James Slipper, 18. Kane Douglas, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Liam Gill, 21. Brett Sheehan, 22. Drew Mitchell.

ABC/Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 12:28:24

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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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Ioane may be latest injured Wallaby

Updated October 14, 2012 20:38:18

The Wallabies' most potent attacking weapon, Digby Ioane, is in doubt for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash which is being viewed as anything but a dead-rubber by the trans-Tasman arch-rivals.

Destructive winger Ioane is struggling with a lingering knee problem following the 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario and is a serious concern for an Australian outfit desperate to end the high-flying All Blacks' 14-month winning streak.

New Zealand heads into the Brisbane encounter aiming to equal its record of 17 consecutive Test victories by continuing a roll which started after the last trans-Tasman clash in Brisbane.

That night the Wallabies triumphed 25-20 to claim the Tri-Nations but fortunes have wickedly reversed since and injury-ravaged Australia will start rank underdog against an outfit near the peak of its powers.

Despite being without more than half of his best side, coach Robbie Deans refuses to accept it is mission impossible and says his players are buoyed by a "great" opportunity to upset the world champions.

"We will give it everything," he said.

"We respect them as a team but we also respect what we're doing and it's something that really excites the group and we're looking forward to it.

"It's important to us.

"(New Zealand) will obviously be very proud of (their streak) but it's not a motivation for us - we've got reason enough."

The potential loss of Ioane would be a major blow as he is the line-breaking threat the All Blacks would fear most.

The 31-Test flyer - who crossed for the match-winning try against the Pumas - saw out the match in Rosario but pulled up sore after carrying severe bruising into the game from a heavy knock in the 31-8 loss to South Africa the week before.

Ioane will be fully assessed Monday and the report could determine where stalwart utility Adam Ashley-Cooper returns to the backline after overcoming his sickening head knock against the Springboks.

Ashley-Cooper's availability makes for a welcome selection dilemma as rookie trio Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins and Mike Harris all performed strongly against the Pumas.

Forever a Mr Fix-It, Ashley-Cooper would prefer to stay at outside centre - which would come at the expense of Tapuai - but did play both wing and full-back in the opening two Bledisloe losses - 27-19 in Sydney and 22-0 in Auckland.

"We're waiting to hear on Digby and then we'll go from there once it comes clear," Deans said.

Dom Shipperley and the returning Drew Mitchell (ankle) would also be in the frame to start if Ioane fails to recover.

Like the unexpected prospect of rushing back Mitchell, Deans did not rule out selecting number eight Wycliff Palu, who last played in the three-Test whitewash of Wales in June.

AAP

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

First posted October 14, 2012 20:38:18

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Fiji triumphs as Aussies crash on Gold Coast

Luke Pentony

Updated October 14, 2012 20:57:27

Fiji defended its Gold Coast Sevens title with a 32-14 win over New Zealand, while Australia departed Robina empty-handed.

The host nation went through its pool play undefeated on Saturday but came unstuck in the Cup quarter-final via a 21-14 loss to Kenya.

The defeat saw Australia demoted to the Plate competition, effectively the consolation prize for the beaten Cup quarter-finalists.

But the hosts exited in the Plate semi-finals following a 17-14 loss to Argentina, which clinched victory with less than 30 seconds on the clock when Santiago Cordero scored a runaway 80-metre try.

The Australians could be forgiven for wondering "what might have been" after seeing Fiji advance to the final.

Australia had defeated Fiji 15-14 on Saturday night to top Pool B but the Pacific islanders showed they can play clutch Sevens by progressing through the knock-out stages with the scalps of Samoa (19-7) and South Africa (21-10) en route to the tournament decider.

Amid light drizzle, Fiji started what was a replay of last year's final in positive fashion by forcing a scrum five metres out from New Zealand's goal line inside the opening minute of play.

The excursion deep inside New Zealand territory eventually saw Fiji cross out on the right flank through Ratu Raitini to establish a 5-0 lead.

New Zealand, however, showed why it has won 10 of the 13 Seven World Series contested by immediately striking back with a converted try to Tom Mikkleson to move ahead 7-5.

Another entry into Fiji's 22 handed New Zealand an excellent scoring chance but a turnover of possession gave their opponents the opportunity they needed.

Fiji swiftly moved itself down into New Zealand's red zone, allowing Levani Botia to post a converted try before it rounded out the half with another five-pointer to Raitini in the right corner.

The conversion attempt from out wide was missed, leaving the score at 17-7 in favour of Fiji at the break.

Raitini added a third try to his tally in the opening minute of the second term, a blistering run from inside Fiji's 22 helping to extend the margin on the scoreboard to 15 points.

A fifth try, scored by Joji Raqamate, sealed the victory, and a sixth registered by Ilai Tinai simply added the icing to the cake.

The two tries were interrupted by New Zealand crossing the stripe through Kylem O'Donnell with Jamie Verran converting, although this simply served to add respect to the scoreline.

In the other finals, Scotland collected the Shield with a 40-5 rout of United States, Spain upset England 19-14 in extra time to win the Bowl and Argentina claimed the Plate by beating France 14-7.

South Africa, beaten by Fiji in the semi-finals, gained some consolation by defeating Kenya 41-7 in the play-off for third.

Australia entered day two in a buoyant mood, courtesy of its unbeaten record.

It seemed the Cup quarter-final was going according to script when Matt Lucas darted over to score under the posts and convert to set up an early 7-0 lead.

Australia, though, was becoming its own worst enemy via several turnovers of possession inside the Kenyan half.

Kenya needed no invitation to capitalise on Australia's mistakes and it levelled the score at 7-7 when Oscar Ouma finished off a 90-metre movement to score and Willy Ambaka added the extras.

The score remained deadlocked heading into the second term before Australia edged in front again with Pama Fou exploiting a lack of numbers in the Kenyan defensive line.

With Lucas' conversion Australia led 14-7 but again Kenya struck back Collins Injera touching and Ambaka slotting the conversion with less than three minutes on the clock.

It appeared the match was headed to extra time until Kenya produced a multi-phase effort that saw Dennis Ombachi score the winning try after the full-time siren.

A deflated Australian outfit reappeared later in the afternoon for their Plate semi-final against Argentina, before again being consigned to a loss at the death.

The next leg of the World Series takes place in Dubai on November 30 and December 1.

Tags: rugby-7, rugby-union, sport, robina-4226, qld, australia

First posted October 14, 2012 17:17:35

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Aussies top pool but lose Morahan

Luke Pentony

Updated October 13, 2012 23:15:08

Australia qualified for the Cup stage of the Gold Coast Sevens by topping its pool but its title hopes were dealt a blow with Wallabies outside back Luke Morahan suffering a knee injury.

Morahan injured the medial ligament in his right knee inside the opening 40 seconds of Australia's 31-14 victory in its first match against Tonga at Robina and left the field immediately.

He will take no further part in the tournament and his hopes of selection for the Wallabies' spring tour of Europe starting next month are in doubt.

The loss of Morahan, who had just returned from Argentina on Wallabies duty, will no doubt impact on Australia's chances of winning a Sevens World Series tournament on home soil for the first time since 2002.

But Michael O'Connor's troops still went through Pool B undefeated, clinching top spot with a 15-14 win over reigning Gold Coast Sevens champions Fiji.

Fiji had led a see-sawing match 14-10 with less than two minutes on the clock but Australia edged in front when Jordan Tuapou slid across the stripe out on the left flank.

The result meant Australia will meet Kenya in the Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, while Fiji faces Samoa.

Australia captain Ed Jenkins says the victory over Fiji was just the tonic heading into Sunday's knock-out stage.

"It's a huge boost," he said.

"They were the only side we didn't beat last year so to get a win over Fiji first up is a huge boost to the confidence for the guys.

"We haven't beaten them in over a year, so a huge effort."

Samoa topped Pool C, remaining undefeated through its three matches, while Kenya made it through from the same group ahead of England on count-back.

Australia had earlier ensured its berth in the Cup competition with a solid 22-0 victory over Scotland in its second pool match.

The host nation was slow out of the blocks but after enjoying field position inside the Scottish half they were able to cross for their first try through Lewis Holland.

Holland took advantage of a lack of ruck defence to scoot over from five metres out from the Scottish goal line, Jenkins effectively setting up the try with outstanding clean-out work at the breakdown.

New Waratahs recruit Matt Lucas then added to Australia's total after breaking Scotland's defensive line following turnover ball, the try establishing a 10-0 half-time lead.

Australia put itself out of reach when Sean McMahon crossed for its third try close to the left touchline, the 18-year-old Nudgee product having held off the cover defence in a race to the goal line.

Lucas managed his only conversion of the match from wide out before former Gold Coast Titan Shannon Walker iced the win with Australia's fourth try late in proceedings.

Australia opened its account with the triumph over Tonga, scoring five tries to two.

Jesse Parahi posted a double, while Jenkins, McMahon and former volleyballer Pama Fou also managed five-pointers.

In other results, both South Africa and defending World Series champions New Zealand advanced to the Cup competition from Pool A.

South Africa earned bragging rights with a 31-21 defeat of New Zealand in their final pool match, scoring five tries to three.

It had been the more impressive team following the first two rotations of pool play, with convincing victories over Canada (38-0) and United States (33-5).

New Zealand, whose squad of 12 includes six World Series debutants, did enough to beat the US 19-7 but it was outscored in the second half in its 28-21 win over Canada.

It will meet Pool D winner Argentina in the quarter-finals, while South Africa will play France in the quarter-finals.

Tags: rugby-7, rugby-union, sport, robina-4226, qld, australia

First posted October 13, 2012 22:05:24

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Wallabies name extended Bledisloe squad

Updated October 13, 2012 10:39:47

The Wallabies have included injured trio Wycliff Palu, Sekope Kepu and Drew Mitchell in their extended 30-man squad for next Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.

Palu missed the Rugby Championship because of a shoulder complaint, while Kepu (knee) and Mitchell (ankle) have been sidelined since August with respective injuries.

Utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper has also been named, despite missing last weekend's 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario because of concussion.

Wallabies squad:

Mike Harris, Nick Cummins, Drew Mitchell, Dominic Shipperley, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Brett Sheehan, Wycliff Palu, Radike Samo, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Liam Gill, Dave Dennis, Rob Simmons, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe (captain), Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Paddy Ryan, Ben Alexander, James Slipper, Benn Robinson, James Hanson, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota Nau

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted October 13, 2012 10:39:47

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