Wing novice James O'Connor is being viewed as Australia's Achilles heel but he will have an All Blacks record-breaker on edge on Saturday night.

New Zealand-born photographer Scott Barbour has been banned by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) from covering the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup build-up after he deliberately exposed the team's game plan.

Giant lock Andries Bekker dealt another blow to South Africa's Tri-Nations hopes when he was ruled out for the rest of the year with a back injury.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans hopes Quade Cooper's two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle has a discouraging effect on other players looking to try similar tactics.

Australia will be without Quade Cooper for its Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday night after the exciting playmaker lost his appeal against suspension.

Master coach Rod MacQueen has branded Saturday night's Test the Wallabies' most significant match leading into next year's World Cup, as they will measure themselves against an All Blacks outfit on the "verge of greatness".

New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen has slammed the taking of a photograph of the All Blacks' playbook as a breach of trust by the media.

Young Australian half-backs Michael Bond and Dane Haylett-Petty have signed for Biarritz Olympique, the French Top 14 rugby club confirmed on Tuesday.

Robbie Deans has dismissed fears of a dangerous Docklands surface and stressed the Wallabies would happily play on asphalt to avoid their worst trans-Tasman streak in 63 years.

New Zealand has recalled scrum half Jimmy Cowan to replace new father Piri Weepu and welcomed back winger Joe Rokocoko from a hamstring injury for the Tri-Nations game against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

Matt Giteau will shift to fly half with Berrick Barnes named to start at inside centre for the Wallabies in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations clash with the All Blacks in Melbourne.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) officials have met the curator at Docklands stadium to seek assurances about the surface before Saturday night's Test against the All Blacks.

The Wallabies are sick of being one-hit wonders and want back-to-back victories when they host New Zealand in Melbourne in their Tri-Nations rugby union clash on Saturday night.

The Wallabies will appeal Quade Cooper's two-match ban ahead of their Tri-Nations rugby union clash with New Zealand in Melbourne on Saturday night.

In-form All Blacks half-back Piri Weepu is no certainty to start against the Wallabies in their Tri-Nations Test on Saturday after his arrival into Melbourne was delayed until Tuesday due to the birth of his first child.

After seven straight defeats to the All Blacks, Robbie Deans knows the Wallabies must beat their "devious" arch-rivals upstairs first to succeed in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The Wallabies' Tri-Nations campaign has been dealt a double blow, with Quade Cooper suspended for two weeks for an illegal tackle and Digby Ioane ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury.

South Africa captain John Smit lamented his side's discipline lapses in a 30-13 defeat by Australia on Saturday, saying the Springboks only had themselves to blame for the disastrous start to their Tri-Nations campaign.

After being told to show more "mongrel", the Wallabies bared their teeth in more ways than one at Lang Park on Saturday night.

Australia has left South Africa's Tri-Nations title defence in tatters with a 30-13 win over the ill-disciplined Springboks at Lang Park.

Cornered winger Drew Mitchell has been tipped to fire under pressure in Saturday night's Tri-Nations clash, a fortnight after being dumped from the Wallabies squad.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has attempted to defuse a row over comments he made about referees favouring the All Blacks in the first two Tri-Nations Tests for the benefit of next year's World Cup.

After losing its opening two Tri-Nations Tests, South Africa has been urged to get back to basics and refocus for its must-win match against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Former Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon is in hot water for branding Springboks coach Peter de Villiers a "clown" and a puppet over his latest outlandish comments.