Wallabies 30 defeat Italy 20
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The winning score by the Wallabies looks far more convincing than the actual win for Australia who won 30-20 against an Italian side that were unlucky to lose.
The Nick Mallett inspired Italy side were at times the clearly better side but lack of polish and brilliance of Wallabies rookie Quade Cooper got Australia over the line.
With scores locked at 20-20 with 10 minutes remaining Quade Cooper made an evasive 30metre run to beat four Italians to score. Cooper’s try clinched victory for an unconvincing Wallabies.
Deans will not take away any positives from the encounter and has lost his star Berrick Barnes for the rest of the tour and Timana Tahu who played well to a hamstring injury.
On a positive note Ben Alexander in the front row had a promising first run on test appearance and Matt Giteau was perfect with his kicking.
The Wallabies have lots to do to defeat England this weekend.
Meanwhile Mallett will be disappointed the Italian side could not qin the match but will be proud of their efforts.
Checkout the video highlights below from Fox Sports.
Wallabies to play in Canberra in 2009
The Wallabies will play a test in Canberra for the first in nine years as the Wallabies will play Italy in a two test series and France in a one off test before the Tri-Nations.
The Wallabies will play Italy in the opening international of the season at Canberra Stadium. The Wallabies will play the second test against Italy on 20 June in Melbourne at Telstra Dome.
Saturdsy 27th June will see the Wallabies playing for the third week running against a full strength French side that will be keen to make amends for their poor showing this year.
George Smith wins 2008 John Eales Medal
George Smith has won the John Eales Medal for the second time after a sensational international season where he was a standout in every match he played for the Wallabies.
George Smith is the only player to have won the award twice after winning the inaugural award in 2002.
George Smith finished first on 205 votes, beating Wycliff Palu on 184 and Matt Giteau on 183 votes. Rocky Elsom and Stirling Mortlock came fourth and fifth respectively.
Peter Hynes was announced as the Rookie of the Year.
All Blacks and England to play for Hillary Shield
In a move to commemorate the late Sir Edmund Hillary, the All Blacks and England will play for the inaugural Hillary Shield when they take on each other at Twickenham on 29 November.
The new Hillary Shield could one day develop a reputation like the Bledisloe Cup contested between Australian and New Zealand in Rugby?
Brumbies commence 2009 plans
The Brumbies commenced their 2009 season yesterday with a team gathering where all current Wallabies attended and the new recruits were unveiled.
New coach Ansy Friend taking off the reigns from Laurie Fisher in 2009 unveiled his plans for 2009 with a video detailing snippets from the Brumbies performances in 2008 and detailed how he wanted the team to play in 2009.
The team for 2009 were full of excitement yesterday as a new phase in the rebuilding of the Brumbies commenced with new jerseys being handed out in the team planning day.
The Brumbies minus their Wallabies stars commence training next week.
Watson selection could cause Boks to Boycott tour
Luke Watson’s recent anti-Springbok comments have put the focus on other players within the Springboks and the potential for a number of players to boycott the end of season tour.
The Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag, revealed players in Durban, Gauteng and Cape Town may be ready to withdraw from the Boks if Watson was selected after his vomiting comments about the Boks jumper.
The paper reported that angry players asked captain John Smit to relay their comments to the heirarchy.
Watson’s comments are currently under investigation by the SA Rugby board.
All Blacks training group announced
The All Blacks have announced a 25-man training squad ahead of the end of season tour of the northern hemisphere. THe All Blacks will name their team next Sunday after the Air NZ Cup final and a number of players will be jockeying for positions.
The All Blacks training squad is;
John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Ben Franks (Tasman), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Adam Thomson (Otago), Brad Thorn (Tasman), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), Ali Williams (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour).
Heineken Cup Round 2 Results
The second round of the Heineken Cup was played over the weekend. Several teams have started to establish a nice lead in their groups after the second weekend. The Leinster, Munster and Leicester wagons roll on undefeated. While the Cardiff Blues, Toulouse, Stade Francais and Harlequins are the other undefeated teams;
Results from Roudn Two;
Sale 16 Munster 24
Montauban 19 Clermont 24
Leinster 41 Wasps 11
Castres 6 Edinburgh 13
Treviso 16 Leicester 60
Ospreys 15 Perpignan 9
Stade Francais 37 Scarlets 15
Harlequins 42 Ulster 21
Glasgow 16 Toulouse 22
Bath 13 Dragons 9
Boarritz 41 Calvisano 10
Cardiff Blues 37 Gloucester 24
Could Sonny Bill Williams play for the Barbarians?
It has been reported that Sonny Bill Williams has been called up to play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies on 3rd December by Eddie Jones.
Sonny Bill Williams will require a clearance from his side Toulon and is likely to play subject to fitness. Should Sonny play this could be a springboard to potential higher honours in rugby and will certainly put him on the international stage.
Argentina aim for Tri-Nations inclusion in 2011
The Argentinean Rugby Union (UAR) have revealed plans to seek inclusion into the Rugby Tri-Nations in 2011 according to president Porfirio Carreras.
The current Tri-Nations configuration of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is locked into a series of arrangements with broadcasters and so forth until 2010 thus the likelyhood of Argentina being included anytime sooner is unlikely.
Argentina who had a sensational World Cup in France have disappointed subsequently and will be keen to impress in the coming weeks to demonstrate what they can offer to the big Tri-Nations teams.