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The player who captained New Zealand to World Cup glory in 1987 has declared that Robbie Deans is still the man to lead the Wallabies into next year's tournament.

Reactivated Wallabies lock Mark Chisholm must produce the game of his career against Victor Matfield and South Africa or playing at next year's World Cup will become a fading dream.

Test great Steve Larkham is certain to be on the short list to be the new Wallabies backs coach for next year's World Cup campaign because of the domino effect caused by John Mitchell's early exit from coaching the Western Force.

Western Force coach John Mitchell has been released from the final year of his contract, with the former All Blacks coach to join Super 15 rivals the Lions.

Speculation is growing in South Africa that Springboks coach Peter de Villiers could be sacked as early as Sunday.

Wallabies medical staff are confident star playmaker Matt Giteau is in no doubt for this weekend's Tri Nations Test against South Africa after he rolled his ankle at training.

The Wallabies have overhauled their starting pack for their Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein.

South Africa has made one change to their starting team to play Australia this weekend as coach Peter de Villiers chases a second successive win over the Wallabies.

James Slipper may win a starting role for the Wallabies this weekend to show how far he's come since taunts from England's front-row welcomed him to Tests.

A disappointed Wallabies side will fire up and beat South Africa by five points this weekend, Fox Sports' Greg Clark says as he previews the Tri Nations Test in Bloemfontein.

South African rugby player Bees Roux, who is accused of the murder of a Pretoria police officer, has been released on bail.

Former Australia coach Bob Dwyer says Robbie Deans's "pig-headedness" contributed to the Wallabies' demoralising loss to South Africa in Sunday's Tri Nations match.

All Blacks star flyhalf Dan Carter should be fit to play in their Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Hong Kong in October, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said Monday.

Frustrated and annoyed, the Wallabies are itching for another crack at South Africa and believe the holy grail of a win at altitude is achievable in Bloemfontein.

Irate Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom gave his players a blast on Sunday for the recurring cracks in composure which killed their best chance in 47 years to beat South Africa at altitude.

The Wallabies have failed again at altitude in South Africa, losing 44-31 to the Springboks in the Tri Nations Test in Pretoria after scoring three tries to lead 21-7 inside 10 minutes.

Captain Rocky Elsom has vowed the Wallabies will not be intimidated when a stinging South Africa fly into action at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning (EST).

Australia fly half Quade Cooper returning against South Africa in Sunday's Tri Nations match is something of a double-edged sword, writes 101-Test legend David Campese.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is backing his men to play through the lung-burning barrier of high altitude to impose their superior fitness and running game on South Africa.

Super 14 champions the Bulls say they have "no more information" about an incident in Pretoria that saw prop Bees Roux arrested after a police officer was bashed to death.