Wallabies

Polota-Nau answers coach's SOS

The 33-year-old was playing with Leicester in England when he received a surprise phone call from Australian coach Michael Cheika urging him to give the international arena a final shot.

A few grey hairs are among the few clues that Polota-Nau is now one of the most seasoned players in camp, with his 89 Test caps qualifying him to return from overseas to play for the Wallabies under Giteau's Law.

Brad Thorn's challenge revitalises Wallabies star Samu Kerevi

The Wallabies centre admitted he had Queensland coach Brad Thorn to thank for forcing him to make the move inside to No.12 in the off-season last year.

It was a shuffle that became the catalyst for career-best performances for the Reds and a spot at the top of the Test selectors' lists in a World Cup year.

Kerevi was a regular at inside centre for Australia under Michael Cheika but had not set the world on fire in a losing Test side. When Thorn suggested he make the switch at Super Rugby level before the start of last season he was set against it.

James O’Connor set for Wallabies return six years after last test

O'Connor flew into Brisbane with the Wallabies on Monday night and could be named in the test side to play the Pumas at Suncorp Stadium, capping a fairytale return for a player almost universally maligned when he played his last test in 2013.

McCaw expects Wallabies to contend for World Cup

Speaking at an event looking ahead to the tournament, McCaw, a two-time World Cup-winner, said he expects Michael Cheika's team to come good at the tournament, despite having won just four of their 13 games last year.

"Knowing Australians like I do, they are competitive, hugely competitive and they will get themselves in good situation to compete," McCaw, who led the All Blacks to victory over the Wallabies in the 2015 final, told Reuters.

"They have got ability to win games now against everyone so you don't want to write them off at all.

Wallabies in line to receive bonus for making Rugby World Cup final

The team will reportedly pocket $25,000 each should they win a semi-final and qualify for the World Cup final and stand to gain $100,000 each if they manage to win the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1999.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Wallabies players receive a $10,000 match payment if they are nationally contracted while non-Rugby AU contracted players take $12,000 a match.

Test return would be hard to top for Lealiifano

When announcing the Wallabies squad last week, coach Michael Cheika was quick to stress that Lealiifano’s selection was entirely based on his form for the Brumbies this year - music to the playmaker’s ears.

“It'd (a Test comeback) be right up there. It's something I never thought would happen again,” he said.

“Obviously, to even play footy, but to be back in the squad is something I'm really proud of and grateful as well, that they haven't picked me just because I'm back and healthy again, they've picked me, Cheik said, on form and the way I've been playing.

Australia lose Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley to Japan

It has been no secret Foley, one of the Waratahs' favourites sons who kicked a famous penalty in the 2014 Super Rugby final,has, like a number of his countrymen, been exploring options abroad after the World Cup in Japan.

Foley is set to join Kubota Spears in Japan's Top League, with a deal yet to be announced by the club.

While the 29-year-old had a brief stint in the Top League before the 2016 Super Rugby season, this will be a longer deal that could keep him abroad until 2021.

James O'Connor flies to South Africa to join up with Wallabies

O'Connor was given the chance after winger Marika Koroibete was allowed to remain in Melbourne for the imminent birth of his second child.

Rugby Australia says O'Connor, who wants to return ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup, will join the squad on a train-on basis only.

It's understood 29-year-old O'Connor's contract talks with the Queensland Reds are progressing well and a deal is likely before the opening Rugby Championship test against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday week.

Rugby World Cup 2019: Wallabies want more money than the All Blacks for winning title

 

As negotiations on the four-yearly bonus structure reach the 11th hour, The Sun-Herald understands the players are proposing they be rewarded for winning a quarter-final and a semi-final, with an extra cherry on top for bringing home the Webb Ellis Cup.

While neither the Rugby Union Players' Association nor Rugby Australia would comment on precise figures, it is understood RUPA's total proposed per-player bonus, excluding match payments, would see them pocket up to $200,000 - more than the All Blacks - for winning the World Cup.

Banks ready to fill Folau void in Wallabies backline

With the Brumbies the only Australian team to make the Super Rugby playoffs, the 25-year-old Queenslander has had the perfect stage to impress Wallabies coach Michael Cheika with his rivals for the number 15 shirt left on the sidelines.

A couple of Banks line-breaks helped set up two of the Brumbies' tries in their 38-13 quarterfinal win over the Sharks in Canberra over the weekend and he will look to sustain his strong form against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Friday.