Wallabies

Rona handed dream debut against All Blacks

Rona has transformed from a Super Rugby rookie into a Wallabies winger in just seven months, having made his debut for the Force against the Waratahs back in August.

But Dane Haylett-Petty's bicep injury, combined with Rona's sustained, superb form for Dave Wessels' side this season, has made him a firm favourite of Michael Cheika's.

The Wallabies coach has been complimentary of Rona's approach at training and his abrasiveness will be seen as a blunt weapon when the Wallabies square off with the almighty All Blacks on Saturday night.

Wallabies need to strike attacking balance

Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau will be reunited on Saturday night, and it didn’t take much for the fullback to show exactly why Beale’s return is so anticipated by Australia.

One of Australia’s most prolific Test finishers can’t wait to have his Waratahs teammate back,  just for the flow-on of confidence the utility has in a side.

“You grow that extra leg when you know you have him beside you. He brings a lot more confidence to your game and it’s exciting,” Folau said.

“Guys like KB they don’t come around too often.

Polota-Nau focused on Wallabies

Polota-Nau is one of six Western Force representatives in a 34-man Wallabies squad who are still coming to terms with the Australian Rugby Union's decision to axe them from Super Rugby. 

Although RugbyWA has launched an appeal in the Supreme Court of NSW, the thought that the Force could cease to exist next year has impacted players privately. 

Wallabies settle in the west

Staying in Penrith for the first part of the week, the Wallabies are removed from the usual Moore Park surrounds of other Sydney weeks, a change skipper Michael Hooper is enjoying.

“The facilities are fantastic out here, so we're able to stay and walk to our grounds and really have that focus on footy and connect with the people out here,” he said.

Though they’re out of the inner-city bubble, things are starting to get real fast for the Wallabies and Hooper, for one, can’t wait.

Kerevi keen to combine with Beale

Kerevi's 2016 Wallabies debut came at a time when Beale was out injured, prior to his departure for Wasps.

That crossing of stars has left the pair with very little on field time together but that will, in all likelihood, change this year with Beale back on deck and Kerevi in career best form this Super Rugby season.

The star outside centre was cut down by injury in the Reds' loss to the Blues but prior to that he was the clear standout 13 in the competition and that was recognised this week, when he was named in the Super Rugby Team of the Year.

Cheika makes final call on Bledisloe Cup squad

Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has played little part in training after a neck injury, with Uelese's impressive showing in camp putting him right into Test contention.

Uelese is one of five Rebels in the camp, with the Waratahs having nine representatives, Queensland seven and the Brumbies and Force six.

Kurtley Beale, likely to be the first-choice 12, is set for a Wallabies return, though Cheika has kept on all bar one of his squad centres for the first Test

Wallabies to target Retallick and Whitelock

The formidable duo of Retallick and Whitelock has been one of the great strengths of the world champion All Blacks' forward machine in recent years and both are used to winning against the Wallabies.

Whitelock has tasted defeat just three times in 20 games Tests against Australia and Retallick once in 15.

Rising Wallabies lock Rory Arnold acknowledged getting an edge over the duo was key for his team.

"They've been world-class locks now for a number of years, so if we want to dominate up front we know we've got to go at those blokes," said Arnold.

Kerevi backs Cooper to rediscover form

Kerevi made his return to the Wallabies fold this week after missing the June series with an ankle injury, but it was without his long-time Queensland teammate, who was a high-profile absentee from Michael Cheika’s Rugby Championship training squad.

Cooper’s omission was an that surprised players and fans alike, coming after a challenging year at the Reds.

The 70-Test Wallabies flyhalf has taken the chance to head on an overseas holiday while the Wallabies are in camp and Kerevi said Cooper was staying positive despite being overlooked.

Gregan helping Wallabies leaders

Though Gregan’s on-field quality is undisputed, his advice has been attitudinal in nature, helping players with leadership and their mentality.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said Gregan was an invaluable resource to have.

“He’s going to do a bit of work, just our off-field stuff with some of our lads,” he said.

“There’s no one better - he’s the number one around his attitude, leadership, work ethic, he’s got all those things.

Hunt out, Cooper still unwanted

Hunt, who started at inside centre in all three of Australia's June tests, was a notable absentee at training on Monday in Newcastle. 

The 30-year-old will spend about two months on the sidelines, putting him in doubt for at least the Wallabies' first four matches of the Rugby Championship. 

Although Hunt has played mostly in the midfield, the Wallabies are low on playmakers and many assumed Cooper would return despite being overlooked last week in Cheika's extended squad.