Wallabies

One Percenters: Indigenous jersey a hit with players and pollies

Fans and former players took to twitter to voice their support for the initiative, including centurion Matt Giteau, who shared a pic pre-game of his whole family donning the special kit.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika took the chance at the post-match press conference to speak of the significance of wearing that jersey.

“Dennis (Artist Dennis Golding) came in and explained to us the meaning of the jersey itself and I think that the team has been instrumental," he said

Wallabies down All Blacks in Brisbane

The third Test of the series might have been a dead rubber but Michael Cheika's men had a point to prove to their trans-Tasman enemies - and they did it, ending a run of seven straight defeats to score their first win over New Zealand since August 2015.

Australia scored three tries to two, showing new-found grit to close out the match as New Zealand mounted a late rally in front of 45,107 supporters who braved constant rain.

Two crunch second-half penalties from Reece Hodge - in the 64th and 78th minutes, both from beyond the halfway line - iced it for the Wallabies.

'Selfless' Moore earns home Test farewell

Moore will say goodbye to Australian fans in a hometown Bledisloe at Suncorp Stadium, a ground that has been a familiar one for the Queenslander.

He recalled on Thursday travelling to the old Lang Park with his father from Rockhampton, snatching up cheap World Cup tickets with uni mates to watch the 2003 World Cup at the then-brand new Suncorp Stadium and ultimately facing off against the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions on the Brisbane turf.

Cheika names veteran lock in Bledisloe 15

Rookie Rodda was ruled out of the rest of the season this week to undergo shoulder surgery, and the 77-test veteran Simmons will partner Adam Coleman in the second row.

Hooker and former captain Stephen Moore has been named on the bench and is sure to farewell home fans at Lang Park as he winds down his valedictory season.

Prop Tetera Faulkner has been replaced by Tom Robertson in the reserves, with blindside flanker Ned Hanigan also coming back into the matchday 23 on the bench.

All Blacks wary of improving Wallabies

The All Blacks have already secured the Bledisloe Cup, backing up the 54-34 trouncing in Sydney with a series-clinching comeback in Dunedin.

But after that narrow escape, and having witnessed Australia's draw in South Africa and win in Argentina since, Hansen and the side have arrived in Brisbane wary of how far the Wallabies have come.

"They've been pretty good, they keep developing and they're a confident side aren't they?" he said.

Quade Cooper to face Wallabies

A Wallabies regular until the Rugby Championship this year, the five-eighth will skipper the invitational team at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on October 28.

Jones, a former Wallabies coach, tweeted the announcement on Wednesday and interviewed the 70-test veteran on his 2GB radio show.

Cooper has been playing for Brisbane City in the NRC this season while the Wallabies have played New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.

The 29-year-old said he would be out to entertain rugby fans with a focus on attack.

Foley finds radar after Dunedin "hiccup"

Foley has slotted 15 from 15 in the two Tests since the second Bledisloe, a performance skills coach Mick Byrne simply categorised as an off night.

"I think it's faith, especially when you have a hiccup," Byrne said.

"It's like in any sport - golfers are a classic one.

"We look at (Marc) Leishman, he's just won the (BMW) tournament but you go back to a tournament he had before, he wasn't hitting the ball really well there.

"You just have those moments at the top end of games.

Cheika backs place for Forrest

Forrest outlined plans on Wednesday for his Indo Pacific Rugby Championship, a 10-round competition that will run between August and October next year concurrently with Australia's National Rugby Championship. 

The billionaire has plans to lure Australian players back from overseas, creating a competition where some of the nation's best can earn a quick dollar that won't burn a hole into the pockets of the Australian Rugby Union. 

Wallabies star cops backlash for gay marriage tweet

Folau tweeted: "I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage."

He was immediately inundated with dozens of replies criticising him for his stance.

Folau is believed to be the first high-profile sportsperson to have publicly announced their opposition to same-sex marriage.

It comes after numerous sporting organisations - including the Australian Rugby Union, the NRL, Cricket Australia and Football Federation Australia - declared their support for a 'yes' vote in the government's postal survey.

Cheika's selection surprise

Cheika has made four changes to the Wallabies starting side for their match against the Springboks with hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, prop Sekope Kepu, second-rower Adam Coleman and winger Reece Hodge all returning. 

Named on the bench, Melbourne Rebels rookie hooker Uelese is in line to make his test debut despite having played less than half an hour of Super Rugby. 

Many will see it as a gamble against a formidable Springboks pack, but Cheika is hellbent that Uelese, a standout at U20 level, is made of the right stuff.