Final crusade looks unlikely

Robbie Deans may well be cut loose if he gets the Wallabies job, writes Jamie Pandaram.

McGrath weeps over 'conspiracy'

Peter McGrath withdraws nomination for the IRB and stands aside.

Beale living life in the fast lane

Kurtley Beale to become target of a bidding war between the codes in '08.

McKee: Rays and Rebels fuelled by strong spirits

BONDING, as opposed to brilliance, is apparently the key to success in Australian rugby's newest tournament.

Rebels with a final cause

Underdogs Melbourne Rebels defeat minor premiers Western Sydney Rams.

Farmer's narrative arc demands happy ending to personal journey

A CATTLE farmer as tough as a tractor is seen as the man to steer the Central Coast Rays to the ARC grand final.

Ugly truth liberates flying Rays

"We are not as good as we think." That was the realisation of Central Coast Rays players.

Fat boys put their hands up

GLAMOROUS back-line stars may be attracting the eyes and headlines, but the Western Sydney Rams' forward pack will be hogging the limelight in tonight's crucial match against Canberra.

Tahu will not Ram into side

Parramatta star Timana Tahu is no certainty to walk into the Western Sydney Rams side should the Eels be knocked out of the NRL finals prematurely, Rams coach Brian Melrose said.

O'Driscoll's a sook: Umaga

Forget the favourites, let an underdog have its day

One team will capture everyone's hearts, writes Jamie Pandaram.

Winning not good enough for ruthless Rams

A BONUS-point win took the Western Sydney Rams to the top of the table but the mood in the dressing rooms told a different story.

Mates square up as Rebels meet Fleet

PLAYERS appearing in tonight's clash between Sydney Fleet and Melbourne Rebels could have easily switched uniforms had early contract offers been taken up. Up to seven Fleet stars rejected requests to join the Rebels, while a number of Melbourne's players were in the wider group of the strong Sydney franchise but wanted a better chance of starting matches.

Rebels bank on wise old heads

Veterans are leading the charge to secure rugby's newest piece of silverware - for Melbourne.

Sea Eagles swoop to sign union's Sonny Bill

One of the best young rugby union talents in the country has defected to rugby league.

Little takes big step back

When Arthur Little walked away from his Waratahs contract two years ago, he knew he would return to rugby one day.

Beale adds a third to five-eighth equation

LET'S end the speculation now. Kurtley Beale will be playing at five-eighth for the Western Sydney Rams in the Australian Rugby Championship this season, making the race for the NSW No.10 jersey a three-horse race.

Palu is re-armed and dangerous

It's a big opening night for the ARC and Wycliff Palu, writes Jamie Pandaram.

Uni seal title hat-trick

Easts were better, and Sydney University knew it - which is why they were able to win a third straight club rugby title despite trailing at half-time and having a man sin-binned at a crucial stage of the Shute Shield final on Saturday.

Halangahu has sights on Waratahs No.10 jersey

Despite leading Sydney University to the Shute Shield premiership with a brilliant individual display from fullback, Waratahs star Daniel Halangahu declared he still coveted the five-eighth role for NSW in next year's Super 14.