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LIVE: Wallabies v All Blacks

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 17 Agustus 2013 | 18.49

All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu tries to break the tackle of Wallabies rival Christian Lealiifano. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

LIVE BLOG: THE Rugby Championship kicks off tonight, and you can follow it all here as the Wallabies take on the All Blacks at ANZ Staidum.

LIVE STREAM: Watch the Wallabies v All Blacks

Join in the Bledisloe Cup I discussion in our live blog below.

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Spirited Cowboys keep season alive

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4 Tries 2
Gavin Cooper 4'	David Mead 8'
Kyle Feldt 28'	Kevin Gordon 50'
Kyle Feldt 59'
Glenn Hall 73'
3 Conversions 1
Johnathan Thurston 5'	Aidan Sezer 52'
Johnathan Thurston 30'
Johnathan Thurston 60'

In a spirited Queensland derby, the Cowboys overcame the brief loss of Matt Scott (corked shin) to move within striking distance of the top eight with their third consecutive victory.

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In the process, they delivered a major jolt to the Coast, whose finals hopes weren't aided by second-half injuries to utility Luke O'Dwyer (knee) and NSW enforcer Bird (lower back).

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The Titans could still finish the weekend eighth on 24 competition points, but Canberra (24), the Broncos (23) and Cowboys (22) are lurking and the Warriors (22) will join them if they beat Penrith on Sunday.

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Compounding their plight, the Titans face a nightmare final fortnight with road trips to face the Roosters and Storm after this Saturday's home clash against the Warriors.

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But the one certainty is the Cowboys are still breathing after partners-in-crime Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen combined to orchestrate a four-tries-to-two triumph.

The hosts led from start to finish, with Thurston and Bowen creating two tries apiece as the Cowboys staved off the Titans after leading 12-4 at half-time.

Maroons prop Scott left the field in the 54th minute but eventually returned as winger Kyle Feldt (59th) and Glenn Hall (73rd) scored second-half tries to sink the Coast.

The Cowboys are now just one win adrift of eighth spot and could charge into the playoffs by winning their final three games against the Knights (h), Sharks (a) and Wests Tigers (h).

Entering the clash clinging to eighth spot, the Titans received a boost on match eve when in-form fullback William Zillman was cleared of a groin injury, pushing David Mead to the wing.

But it was the Cowboys who started with greater verve. Buoyed by his masterclass in last week's 36-4 thumping of Penrith, Thurston maintained the rage and orchestrated the first points in the fifth minute.

Attacking the Titans' right edge, Thurston went to the line and linked with Gavin Cooper, who charged through a gaping hole to give the Cowboys a 6-0 lead.

But the Titans hit back quickly, narrowing the deficit to 6-4 after eight minutes when Mead touched down in the corner after good lead-up work by centre Brad Takairangi.

The hosts had something the Titans lacked - match-winning class. First it was Thurston. Exhibit B came in the 28th minute. With field position see-sawing as both sides coughed up the ball, Bowen delivered brilliance amid the blunders.

Playing for his career, the former Maroons ace chimed into the attack and threw a superb cut-out ball for winger Feldt, who crashed over for a 12-4 half-time lead.

The second half became a battle of wills. But when Bird was carried off in the 45th minute, the Cowboys went for the jugular.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 22 (K Feldt 2 G Cooper G Hall tries J Thurston 3 goals) bt GOLD COAST 10 (K Gordon D Mead tries A Sezer goal) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Alan Shortall. Crowd: 12,003.

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Red-hot Kangas pile misery on Dons

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YOU would swear North Melbourne and Essendon had traded places on the AFL ladder.

The Kangaroos honing their skills and drills in preparations for the finals series while the tired Bombers strived to keep their season alive.

1.3 (9)	Q1	2.3 (15)
4.8 (32)	Q2	7.6 (48)
6.12 (48)	Q3	13.10 (88)
9.16 (70)	Q4	17.13 (115)

Jake Melksham

Daniel Wells

Tom Bellchambers

Drew Petrie

Alwyn Davey

Robbie Tarrant

Kyle Hardingham

Ryan Bastinac

Nick Kommer

Ben Cunnington

Sam Gibson

Nathan Grima

Jamie MacMillan

Lindsay Thomas

Sam Wright

While practically, the situation is the opposite, the brutal reality is that right now the Kangaroos would make a far better fist of Essendon's guaranteed finals spot.

Only briefly early in the second quarter was North Melbourne headed at Etihad Stadium tbefore gradually pulling away to a 45-point win to maintain that faint hope of September participation.

The manner in which Essendon succumbed to a fourth consecutive loss was emphatic and painful. Killed by turnovers, lacking dare and dash and with no spark and energy.

What seemed to point to a total team breakdown after a season of off-field distractions was the fact that these players tried their darndest. But the intensity was false and the negative mindset very real.

Brendon Goddard tried hard to impose his hand and foot efficiency, captain Jobe Watson as usual ran himself to the point of exhaustion and others, like Jake Melksham never stopped fighting for the ball. But the Bombers' collective work was disjointed and a stark contrast to the Kangaroos' class.

This contest was crying out for someone to light the way. And up stepped experienced Roos Daniel Wells and Drew Petrie.

The second half was only 20 seconds old when Wells burst from the middle and ripped a team-lifting goal on the run.

Petrie, who had worked tirelessly up and down the ground, added two goals in three minutes with those deadly set shots and the pair had split the game wide-open.

Then Wells made it worthwhile for the Kangaroos' supporters to venture out late on a Saturday afternoon.

The gifted on-baller ran hard on the city wing to accept a handpass and took four bounces in a 100m dash to spear through his fourth goal.

Essendon lacked energy and intensity. But those hesitant Bombers finally did display imagination with a coast-to-coast goal from a kickout that was finished off by Alwyn Davey in the third quarter.

And there were glimpses of the future with young forward Joe Daniher's marking prowess. Alas, the teenager's polish reflected his team's demise he tarnished the strong work with four misses from set shots inside the forward 50.

It was a ugly contest littered with errors, as evidenced by a subdued crowd in the first half. For far too long, no player seemed eager or even capable of imposing himself on the contest.

Wells, for instance, was lively in the opening term with one of his trademark snapshots on the run to get the Kangaroos rolling on the scoreboard.

But even the brilliant Roo disappeared for long patches until he bobbed up to spear through a long shot from right on 50 midway through the second quarter.

Essendon just couldn't take a trick. Onballer Dyson Heppell, the Bombers most prolific with nine disposals in the first term, limped to the boundary line with a right foot injury late in the quarter.

After treatment in the rooms and testing the foot by jogging along the boundary line, Heppell was subbed out of the game just two minutes after the resumption.

North Melbourne finally found space and range with goals from Sam Gibson, Petrie and Wells in the second quarter to skip to set up the first scoreboard buffer of the game.

But the mistakes continued even as the Roos edged ahead by 15 points. This time Levi Greenwood was overanxious to return to the action and the resultant interchange infringement gifted a momentum-halting goal to Bombers ruckman Tom Bellchambers.

The Bombers strangled themselves by coughing up the ball, those damning turnovers playing a part in each of the Kangaroos' seven goals in the scrappy first half.

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Fifita miracle try slays Dragons

Andrew Fifita celebrates a Sharks try. Source: Matt Blyth / Getty Images

IN his remarkable breakout season, Andrew Fifita beat Dragons fullback Jason Nightingale in a photo finish to become the hero of a thrilling southern derby.

Fifita showed his pace to chase a kick and touch down in the final minute to pinch a game the Sharks needed in the quest for a high finals finish.

It was a cruel end for the brave Dragons who dominated from the start.

A simple dropped ball from Sharks prop Sam Tagataese triggered a remarkable start from the Dragons who jumped out to a shock 12-0 lead following a double dose of brilliance from Jason Nightingale.

Standing in for injured fullback Josh Dugan, Nightingale pounced on Tagataese's mistake and raced 80m before scoring under the posts two plays later. He backed that up just two minutes later with a sublime pass that put winger Brett Morris over untouched.

Cronulla needed to steady the ship and not surprisingly it was Todd Carney who took control by producing a second-man play that allowed Ben Pomeroy to score untouched in the 15th minute.

Carney's sideline conversion into a stiff wind reduced the deficit to six points.

The Sharks were denied a try to Paul Gallen by the video referee in the 22nd minute when it was ruled the Cronulla captain had benefited from an illegal obstruction.

The Dragons positioned themselves for a nomination for the most unconventional try of the season, when Morris came up with his second.

Adam Quinlan's pass ricocheted off Beau Ryan, into Charly Runciman's head and into the hands of Morris who happily planted the footy inside the corner post.

The Sharks' shocking completion rate - it was just 50 per cent at halftime - told the story with their inability to build pressure. Not surprisingly the Dragons led 18-6 led at the break.

The Dragons refused to go into their shell after the break and with their tails in the air, they continued to pepper the Sharks.

After defending stoutly, the Sharks took advantage a Dragons error.

It was experienced halfback Jeff Robson who showed some classic footwork close to the line before finding hooker Isaac De Gois in support and he crashing over to bring the gap back to six points with just over 20 minutes left.

CRONULLA 22 (I De Gois A Fifita B Pomeroy B Ryan tries T Carney 3 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 18 (B Morris 2 J Nightingale tries C Stanley 3 goals) at WIN Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Luke Phillips. Crowd: 11,853.

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TEAMS: Mitchell dropped, Hill back

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 16 Agustus 2013 | 18.49

Gary Rohan set for a long-awaited return. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

GARY Rohan is set to return to the Swans' line-up after almost 18 months out with a broken leg, while the Hawks regain three stars for their clash against the Pies.

Hawthorn v Collingwood, Friday 7:50pm (AEST), MCG

Hawthorn
B: B.Stratton, B.Lake, B.Guerra
HB: S.Burgoyne, J.Gibson, T.Duryea
C: I.Smith, S.Mitchell, B.Whitecross
HF: L.Hodge, L.Franklin, J.Gunston
F: L.Breust, J.Roughead, C.Rioli
Foll: D.Hale, B.Sewell, J.Lewis
Int: G.Birchall, B.Hill, S.Savage, P.Puopolo
Emg: K.Cheney, M.Bailey, J.Simpkin

In: L.Hodge, G.Birchall, L.Franklin
Out: J.Simpkin (Omitted), M.Spangher (Omitted), S.Grimley (Omitted)

Collingwood
B: N.Brown, N.Maxwell, H.Shaw
HB: B.Macaffer, L.Keeffe, T.Goldsack
C: H.O'Brien, L.Ball, J.Thomas
HF: S.Sidebottom, Q.Lynch, J.Elliott
F: D.Beams, T.Cloke, B.Reid
Foll: B.Grundy, S.Pendlebury, D.Swan
Int: J.Blair, B.Sinclair, S.Dwyer, M.Williams
Emg: B.Hudson, B.Kennedy, P.Seedsman

Unchanged

Richmond v Carlton, Saturday 1:45pm (AEST), MCG

Richmond
B: S.Morris, A.Rance, D.Astbury
HB: B.Houli, T.Chaplin, R.Petterd
C: S.Grigg, T.Cotchin, D.Jackson
HF: M.White, D.Martin, B.Ellis
F: L.McGuane, J.Riewoldt, T.Vickery
Foll: I.Maric, B.Deledio, N.Foley
Int: S.Tuck, R.Conca, N.Vlastuin, D.Grimes
Emg: M.McDonough, B.Helbig, L.McBean

In: R.Petterd, D.Grimes
Out: C.Newman (Ankle), R.Nahas (Omitted)

Carlton
B: J.Bootsma, M.Jamison, L.Henderson
HB: Z.Tuohy, A.McInnes, B.Gibbs
C: C.Yarran, M.Robinson, K.Simpson
HF: E.Curnow, A.Walker, T.Bell
F: B.McLean, L.Casboult, H.Scotland
Foll: R.Warnock, E.Betts, M.Murphy
Int: D.Armfield, N.Graham, T.Menzel, J.Waite
Emg: J.Cachia, K.Lucas, S.Rowe

In: L.Casboult, M.Robinson, A.McInnes, T.Bell, N.Graham
Out: C.Judd (Knee), S.Rowe (Omitted), J.Garlett (Glute), J.Cachia (Omitted), M.Watson (Foot)

Port Adelaide v Gold Coast, Saturday 1:40pm (ACST), AAMI Stadium

Port Adelaide
B: C.O'Shea, A.Carlile, C.Heath
HB: M.Broadbent, J.Trengove, T.Jonas
C: Bra.Ebert, T.Boak, K.Cornes
HF: R.Gray, J.Westhoff, A.Monfries
F: C.Hitchcock, J.Schulz, C.Wingard
Foll: M.Lobbe, A.Moore, H.Hartlett
Int: N.Blee, S.Colquhoun, J.Pittard, O.Wines
Emg: T.Logan, J.Neade, A.Young

In: C.Hitchcock, C.Heath, T.Jonas
Out: D.Cassisi (Hamstring), K.Mitchell (Omitted), J.Butcher (Hip)

Gold Coast
B: T.McKenzie, S.May, S.Tape
HB: G.Broughton, R.Thompson, T.Murphy
C: H.Bennell, G.Ablett, J.Harbrow
HF: D.Prestia, J.Hall, A.Boston
F: T.Sumner, C.Dixon, A.Hall
Foll: D.Gorringe, D.Stanley, D.Swallow
Int: J.O'Meara, J.Hutchins, J.Allen, L.Russell
Emg: K.Hunt, M.Rischitelli, L.Patrick

In: J.Hutchins, J.Allen, A.Boston, J.Hall
Out: N.Bock (Leg), C.Brown (Suspension), S.Day (Hamstring), A.Sexton (Shoulder)

Essendon v North Melbourne, Saturday 4:40pm (AEST), Etihad Stadium

Essendon
B: M.Hibberd, T.Pears, K.Hardingham
HB: M.Baguley, C.Hooker, B.Goddard
C: H.Hocking, J.Watson, L.Dalgleish
HF: J.Daniher, S.Crameri, D.Heppell
F: N.Kommer, J.Carlisle, A.Davey
Foll: T.Bellchambers, J.Melksham, B.Stanton
Int: L.Jetta, D.Zaharakis, B.Howlett, N.O'Brien
Emg: N.Lovett-Murray, E.Kavanagh, D.Hille

In: L.Jetta, N.O'Brien, S.Crameri, J.Daniher, L.Dalgleish
Out: J.Winderlich (Hamstring), P.Ryder (Suspension), S.Gumbleton (Soreness), D.Myers (Rested), D.Fletcher (Suspension)

North Melbourne
B: L.Hansen, S.Thompson, A.Mullett
HB: J.Macmillan, N.Grima, S.Atley
C: R.Bastinac, D.Wells, S.Gibson
HF: L.Adams, R.Tarrant, B.Harvey
F: L.Thomas, D.Petrie, A.Black
Foll: T.Goldstein, B.Cunnington, J.Ziebell
Int: B.McKenzie, B.Jacobs, L.Delaney, S.Wright
Emg: M.Firrito, L.Greenwood, T.Garner

In: N.Grima, B.McKenzie
Out: T.Hine (Omitted), T.Garner (Omitted)

West Coast v Geelong, Saturday 5:40pm (AWST), Patersons Stadium

West Coast
B: M.Brown, D.Glass, P.McGinnity
HB: S.Butler, E.Mackenzie, As.Smith
C: A.Gaff, S.Wellingham, B.Dalziell
HF: J.Cripps, JJ.Kennedy, J.Hill
F: L.Shuey, S.Lycett, J.Darling
Foll: D.Cox, S.Selwood, M.Priddis
Int: W.Schofield, B.Sheppard, C.Masten, A.Carter
Emg: A.Embley, A.Hams, M.Rosa

In: L.Shuey, A.Carter
Out: M.LeCras (ribs), B.Wilson (Omitted)

Geelong
B: J.Rivers, T.Lonergan, C.Enright
HB: C.Guthrie, H.Taylor, J.Bartel
C: A.Christensen, J.Selwood, J.Kelly
HF: M.Stokes, M.Blicavs, S.Johnson
F: S.Motlop, J.Podsiadly, T.Varcoe
Foll: N.Vardy, J.Caddy, M.Duncan
Int: J.Corey, A.Mackie, J.Murdoch, A.Walker
Emg: J.Hunt, J.Schroder, J.Stringer

In: J.Murdoch, M.Blicavs
Out: T.Hawkins (Back), J.Stringer (Omitted)

Brisbane Lions v GWS Giants, Saturday 7:40pm (AEST), The Gabba

Brisbane Lions
B: M.Maguire, J.Patfull, M.Golby
HB: R.Harwood, E.Yeo, J.Adcock
C: S.Mayes, S.Black, D.Rich
HF: P.Hanley, B.Staker, D.Zorko
F: A.McGrath, D.Merrett, J.Green
Foll: M.Leuenberger, J.Redden, T.Rockliff
Int: S.Docherty, R.Bewick, A.Raines, R.Lester
Emg: J.Lisle, M.Paparone, J.O'Brien

In: A.McGrath, R.Bewick, M.Golby, S.Black
Out: B.Moloney (Hamstring), J.O'Brien (Omitted), S.Martin (Hamstring), J.Clarke (Shoulder)

GWS Giants
B: Z.Williams, S.Gilham, P.Davis
HB: T.Bugg, T.Mohr, A.Kennedy
C: D.Shiel, T.Scully, L.Whitfield
HF: C.Ward, J.Cameron, C.Hampton
F: A.Tomlinson, D.Brogan, N.Wilson
Foll: J.Giles, M.Whiley, S.Coniglio
Int: T.Greene, N.Haynes, L.Sumner, A.Treloar
Emg: J.Bruce, M.Buntine, S.Darley

In: D.Brogan, S.Gilham, D.Shiel, L.Sumner, N.Haynes
Out: S.Darley (Omitted), J.Bruce (Omitted), D.Smith (Hip), T.Adams (Back), T.Downie (Omitted)

Melbourne v Fremantle, Sunday 1:10pm (AEST), MCG

Melbourne

B: L.Dunn, C.Garland, D.Terlich
HB: M.Jones, T.McDonald, J.Strauss
C: J.McKenzie, J.Trengove, J.Howe
HF: J.Viney, J.Watts, S.Byrnes
F: C.Sylvia, J.Fitzpatrick, T.Davis
Foll: J.Spencer, J.Grimes, N.Jones
Int: S.Blease, D.Kent, L.Tapscott, A.Davey
Emg: D Rodan, C Pedersen, M Gawn

In: S.Blease, J.Howe
Out: M.Clisby (Suspension), D.Nicholson (Omitted)

Fremantle

B: A.Silvagni, Z.Dawson, P.Duffield
HB: T.Mzungu, M.Johnson, L.Spurr
C: N.Suban, R.Crowley, D.Pearce
HF: D.Mundy, C.Mayne, M.Walters
F: A.Sandilands, M.Pavlich, H.Ballantyne
Foll: Z.Clarke, N.Fyfe, M.de Boer
Int: T.Sheridan, L.Neale, M.Barlow, S.Hill
Emer: C. Sutcliffe, H.Crozier, M.Taberner

In: Stephen Hill
Out: Cam Sutcliffe

Sydney v St Kilda, Sunday 3.20pm (EST), SCG

Sydney

B: D.Rampe, H.Grundy, N.Smith
HB: R.Shaw, T.Richards, A.Everitt
C: J.McVeigh, R.O'Keefe, N.Malceski
HF: D.Hannebery, J.White, L.Parker
F: M.Pyke, K.Tippett, J.Bolton
Foll: S.Mumford, J.Kennedy, K.Jack
Int: C.Bird, J.Lamb, B.McGlynn, G.Rohan
Emg: H. Cunningham, T Mitchell, B Jack

IN: G.Rohan, J.Lamb
OUT: T. Mitchell, B. Jack

St Kilda

B: J.Newnes, J.Blake, S.Dempster
HB: J.Geary, D.Roberton, F.Ray
C: A.Schneider, N.Dal Santo, L.Montagna
HF: D.Armitage, N.Riewoldt, C.Jones
F: T.Curren, T.Lee, S.Milne
Foll: B.McEvoy, J.Saunders, J.Steven
Int: T.Hickey, S.Ross, S.Gilbert, D.Minchington
Emg: J. Webster, B. Murdoch, C. Shenton

In: S.Milne, S.Gilbert, S.Ross, T.Hickey
Out: J.Gwilt (Soreness), L.Hayes (Soreness), J Webster, B Murdoch

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, Sunday 4.40pm (EST), Etihad Stadium

Western Bulldogs

B: L.Picken, J.Roughead, D.Morris
HB: T.Young, M.Austin, R.Murphy
C: M.Boyd, T.Liberatore, D.Cross
HF: R.Griffen, J.Grant, D.Giansiracusa
F: L.Dahlhaus, T.Campbell, K.Stevens
Foll: W.Minson, M.Wallis, A.Cooney
Int: E.Wood, L.Hunter, D.Addison, T.Dickson
Emg: J Macrae, J Tutt, L Jones

In: M.Boyd, L.Hunter
Out: J Tutt, L Jones

Adelaide

B: R.Laird, B.Rutten, A.Otten
HB: L.Brown, D.Talia, B.Smith
C: R.Sloane, P.Dangerfield, N.van Berlo
HF: B.Vince, T.Lynch, B.Crouch
F: J.Petrenko, L.Johnston, I.Callinan
Foll: S.Jacobs, R.Douglas, S.Thompson
Int: D.Mackay, S.Kerridge, S.Shaw, M.Grigg
Emg: M Jaensch, M Wright, S McKernan

In: I.Callinan, S.Kerridge
Out: R.Henderson (Knee), M Wright

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Quake closes Cup ground

Earthquake damage in Wellington. Source: AFP

SEVERAL earthquakes in Wellington forced the temporary closure of Westpac Stadium on Friday, leaving next week's sold-out second Bledisloe Cup Test in some doubt.

Inspectors are investigating any possible damage to the venue, and a planned event for Saturday was cancelled.

Though it remains unlikely the fixture will have to be moved, the frequency and size of the quakes and aftershocks that rocked New Zealand's capital, ranging from 5.3 to 6.9 on the Richter scale, also make the situation unpredictable.

SANZAR boss Greg Peters told News Corp Australia that his organisation would monitor the situation and work with the NZRU should there be a need to move the match.

"At this stage it's probably nothing to worry about until they have conducted an inspection," Peters said from South Africa.

"They should do everything to ensure the safety of the spectators.

"It is way too early to be speculating on alternative venues."

Auckland's Eden Park would be the most likely venue if the game had to be moved, considering its ground capacity.

Westpac Stadium released a Twitter statement following the fifth successive large quake on Friday, saying: "Following this afternoon's earthquake, the Stadium has been closed until engineering checks can be completed over the weekend and Monday.

"This is the same process we undertook after the July earthquake. It unfortunately means that tomorrow night's paint party has been cancelled.

"However, there is nothing to suggest that next weekend's Bledisloe Cup match will be impacted at this stage. We'll keep you posted."

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Paranoid Kiwis close session

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FEARS over the "prying eyes" of Australian spies saw the All Blacks spurn ANZ Stadium for their final training session on Friday and hire a nearby gymnasium to practice sensitive moves.

The extreme measures of the Kiwis came as skipper Richie McCaw played down the All Blacks' vast superiority in Test experience over the new-look Wallabies, and admitted they would be wary of Ewen McKenzie having "tricks up his sleeve" tonight.

After stirring up mind games with McKenzie during the week, edgy All Blacks coach Steve Hansen went into anti-espionage mode yesterday for his side's final preparations for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash.
The All Blacks were booked to use ANZ Stadium from 12.30pm to 2.30pm for their captains' run, but arrived 90 minutes late after training first in a hall adjacent to the stadium at Olympic Park.

"We did a few lineouts in a gym nearby. We thought we would do it away from prying eyes," McCaw explained.

It is customary for teams to run through final moves at the venue a day before, and media are kicked out to ensure privacy.

Hansen has displayed plenty of paranoia about Australian spies in the past, however, accusing a television network of passing training footage to the Wallabies in Brisbane in 2008.

Asked if Hansen _ who himself was accused of spying on New Zealand when coaching Wales in 2002 _ had been concerned about spies in the rafters of ANZ Stadium, McCaw said: "Nah, we always do a lineout session the day before and it happened to be there was a gym right beside, so that's where we did it."

The Kiwis engaged in light kicking and some sponsor's duties for 25 minutes before hurriedly vacating ANZ Stadium to make way for the Wallabies. The two teams even crossed paths in the tunnel, and the mood was said to be friendly.

McCaw said the change of coach from Robbie Deans to McKenzie would benefit the Wallabies.

"There's no doubt that coming off a Lions (series), having a change of voice, no matter what it is, can add a bit of a zing to it," McCaw said.

"But they're the same players at the end of the day that we've played against through Super Rugby and before. From our point of view, it doesn't change things a whole lot."
With the All Blacks fielding a seasoned team and the Wallabies a new-look squad with five debutants — and five in the starting side playing their first Bledisloe Cup game — the Kiwis have an edge in experience.

The Kiwis, who have an average age of 27, have a combined 874 Test caps (average 38 per man), and Australia have an average age of 25, with 529 caps (23 per man).

But McCaw is wary of the statistic.

"The experience thing, if you go out and expect it's going to happen just because you've been here before that's when you come unstuck," McCaw said.

"You have to first of all prepare well and bring the energy and have to deal with each moment as it comes. I think one thing I have learned over time is as soon as you don't prepare as you should, you will come second, whether its individually or as a team."
McKenzie's reputation for injecting the element of surprise into his gameplans could be a factor tonight, McCaw says.

"They always tried to have something up their sleeve I suppose. In the last couple of years playing the Reds they bring something new each week, so you have to be ready for all that," he said.

"I think they're prepared to use the ball if they get ball on the front foot. That's what we have got to deny I suppose."
McCaw said he'd been impressed with debutant five-eighth Matt Toomua's form for the Brumbies, but still half-bit when asked if the new man was a potential point of vulnerability for the Wallabies.

"It's up to us to deny him time and good ball and put him under pressure. I guess that's one of our jobs," he said.

"Test rugby is different. But you look across the skills of those guys and there's no reason why they can't do a job if its put on a plate for them."

Though he's only played a club game and 20 minutes of Super Rugby since returning from a sabbatical, McCaw said he felt in good shape to play a Bledisloe Cup clash.

The decade-long dominance of the Kiwis would not play any part in tonight's game, the skipper said.

"You look at our point of view - the last time we played the Wallabies it was a draw and we were probably pretty lucky that we ended up with a draw," McCaw said. "That's the memory I've got. History doesn't actually matter."

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Broncos charge on as Hayne hurt

Josh McGuire (10) of the Broncos celebrates a try with team mates. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

THE Brisbane Broncos kept their faint finals hopes alive with a 22-12 win over the last-placed Parramatta Eels, who lost Jarryd Hayne to injury.

Hayne limped from the field in the 66th minute with a leg injury.

The win moved the Broncos into 10th place on the NRL ladder.

More to come.

Match centre: Game details and stats

BRISBANE 22 (J Hoffman J McGuire C Oates J Reed tries S Prince 3 goals) bt PARRAMATTA 12 (R Maitua R Morgan tries J Mullaney J Paulo goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Adam Devcich. Crowd: 24,060.

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Hugh won't shelve 'Madness' for ABs

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 15 Agustus 2013 | 18.48

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HUGH McMeniman has been attempting to temper fearless instincts that earned him the nickname of "Madness" and numerous surgical appointments.

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But after being named in the Wallabies side for a Bledisloe Cup battle on Thursday, let's just say it might pay to have an ambulance on speed dial.

Location: ANZ Stadium, Homebush.

The patient could be dressed in either a black or gold jersey.

"Test match rugby is a different story. Maybe around Super Rugby I might temper it, and everyone says to calm down a bit," McMeniman said.

"I guess I have learned a lot. Foles (Force coach Michael Foley) has shown me the way in terms of not putting myself in bad positions as much.

"But I guess you always have to go in there 110%, you can't go in 90%. I would rather go in there harder and get injured than go in soft and be seen like that.

"I don't mind a bit of pain."

Ladies and gentlemen, re-introducing Hugh McMeniman.

After playing the last of his 21 Tests in 2008, McMeniman was Thursday recalled to Wallabies at blindside flanker to take on the All Blacks on Saturday night.

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It caps a remarkable return to the top for the 29-year-old, who played in the 2007 Rugby World Cup and in Robbie Deans's first season, but left Australian rugby in 2009 to play in Japan, with no real ambition to return.

"At the time I wasn't really thinking about returning," McMeniman said.

"When it did come up was when the Reds won the Championship (in 2011).

"A lot of my mates were in that time, and watching it gave me a bit of an itch to come back. Obviously Foles gave me the chance to play over at the Force and it rolled on from there. I didn't expect to be here. I am pretty stoked."

Impressive form for the Force this season had McMeniman on the radar of Robbie Deans for the Lions series, and the abrasive flanker was called into the Wallabies squad for June after playing just one game following a shoulder injury.

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Then? Nothing. McMeniman's trademark aggression was overlooked by Deans, who didn't pick him and didn't explain why.

Asked why he had missed out, McMeniman said: "I am not sure. Maybe you can tell me."

The All Blacks' loss of rival No.6 Liam Messam will leave the Kiwis without a leader, believes the Queenslander, but Steven Luatua will be a like-for-like flanker.

The fact McMeniman and Scott Fardy, both 29, have won call-ups gives hope to old footballers everywhere, laughed McMeniman.

"There are always options and Ewen is picking form players. Guys our age is pretty exciting I guess. It's not always the young guys." he said.

Asked if he felt a responsible to bring some intimidation against the All Blacks, McMeniman bashfully replied: "I don't know if I am that intimidating. I have shoulders like a brown snake. They're not really that impressive."

For the record, the brown snake is one of the world's deadliest snakes.

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Round 21 AFL teams