Wallabies

Former Wallaby comes out

The 32-year-old wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald of the anguish of "living the dream" as an elite athlete while being trapped in a "false narrative".

"I was incredibly frustrated, angry and desperately sad. I despised myself and the life I was living," wrote Palmer, a former vice-captain of Super Rugby side ACT Brumbies.

"Most nights, I cried myself to sleep and routinely numbed myself with a heavy cocktail of opioids.

Hoskins Sotutu to start as All Blacks make minimal changes

Coach Ian Foster has largely stuck with the team that put Australia to the sword in the second test at Eden Park, with Sotutu replacing for Ardie Savea, who stayed behind in New Zealand for the birth of his second child.

Sotutu is one of three changes to the starting forward pack for Saturday, with Karl Tu'inukuafe comes in at loosehead prop for Joe Moody, who is unavailable due to the concussion he suffered in the Auckland match.

James O'Connor ruled out for Wallabies as rookies get shot

The 20-year-old Lolesio replaces the injured James O'Connor as starting first-five and will face a baptism of fire at the Olympic stadium where the All Blacks will be bent on sealing the Bledisloe Cup with a match to spare.

Lolesio's Super Rugby teammate Simone slots into the midfield in the team named, with regular Matt Toomua ruled out with a groin injury after breaking down during the 27-7 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland two weeks ago.

A lot to work on but Wallabies are still confident says Slipper

Beaten 27-7 by New Zealand in the second Test of the series at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday, the Wallabies have to win Tests in Sydney and Brisbane to claim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003.

Prop James Slipper, one of the team’s most experienced players in the squad said the post-match mood was surprisingly upbeat.

“The good thing is that we get to play them in two weeks’ time and I guarantee it will be a better outcome,” Slipper said.

“There’s a lot of confidence in the group and we’re well aware this Bledisloe is still alive.

Rennie threatens selection changes after watching Wallabies miss 40 tackles

The Wallabies came crashing back to earth after last week’s thrilling 16-16 draw in Wellington as the All Blacks piled on four tries to one in a 27-7 rebound rout in Auckland on Sunday.

In chalking up their 20th straight trans-Tasman victory at Eden Park since 1986, no All Black was more destructive in punishing the Wallabies for their defensive deficiencies than rookie winger Caleb Clarke.

Wallabies team encouraged to learn Fijian and Tongan song

Prop Allan Alaalatoa says one of the great things that Rennie has brought forward is that the Fijians have shared a song for the team to learn and the Tongans have also shared a song as well and they are just waiting for the Samoan one now.

The Wallabies face the All Blacks at 3pm Sunday in their second Bledisloe Cup match.

     

The Wallabies star set to be targeted by All Blacks in second Bledisloe Cup test

White was a stand-out for the for the Wallabies in their 16-16 draw last weekend, repeatedly troubling New Zealand’s defence with his sniping runs from the ruck.

His clever box kicking in the swirling Wellington wind also tested the home side.

But the 30-year-old doesn’t expect to be given an inch to move at in Auckland’s Eden Park, where the Australians will attempt to snap a losing streak that dates back to 1986.

Rennie's glowing praise for former Fiji soccer prospect after impressive Wallabies debut

The 25-year-old scored a crucial try in the 16-all draw to reaffirm Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s faith in handing him a debut in the cauldron of trans-Tasman rugby.

Carrying on his superb Super Rugby AU form, Daugunu looked right at home at Sky Sports Stadium, keeping pace with fellow Fijian flyer Marika Koroibete, who was Australia’s other tryscorer.

Daugunu finished with a 108 metres from 11 runs, which was 44 more metres than any other player on the field.

His four tackles busts was also an equal game-high.

Wallabies impress, All Blacks have work to do

The Wallabies, under new coach New Zealander Dave Rennie, were rank outsiders to upset the hosts but that's almost what they did, as new All Black coach Ian Foster's reign began with a fizzle rather than a roar.

A thrilling game of to and fro ending in a 16-all draw after nearly nine minutes of injury time, in which neither side could break the stalemate.

However, it could have been very different for the All Blacks, had centre Rieko Ioane not blown a certain try.

Wallabies, All Blacks draw first Bledisloe Cup Test

Reece Hodge had the chance to snatch a win with a 55-metre penalty goal attempt after the full-time siren, but his shot hit the right-hand upright.

Play continued but neither side was able to find the winning points, with James O'Connor finally electing to boot the ball into touch and settle for the draw almost nine minutes after the siren had sounded.

O'Connor kicked a penalty in the 63rd minute to split a 13-13 deadlock and it looked like it could be enough for the Wallabies to break through for their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001.