Rugby

Quade Cooper could be back in contention for a Wallabies' recall in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after being thrown a lifeline by the Melbourne Rebels.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is desperately scouting for a new outside centre after Reece Hodge was ruled out of the spring tour with a fractured ankle.

The finalists for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup and Mitre 10 Heartland Championship finalists have been confirmed.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and his assistants have the full backing of the Rugby Australia board, which has vowed to leave no stone unturned in the Wallabies' quest for 2019 World Cup glory.

Canterbury are through to their fourth straight provincial rugby premiership final after beating Tasman 21-16 in Nelson.

Wallabies loose forward David Pocock has been named the Australian rugby player of the year.

England can be the team to stop the All Blacks winning a third successive Rugby World Cup, but pressure could weigh them down if they do not get positive results in the autumn internationals.

The former Hurricanes loose forward Blade Thomson has been named in the Scotland rugby squad for next month's internationals.

Former All Black now Toulouse flanker Jerome Kaino has been banned for five weeks for a shoulder charge that knocked out Wales centre Jamie Roberts.

England have lost another player ahead of the November rugby internationals with Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw ruled out after having knee surgery.

Veteran loose forward Matt Todd has been given the green light by New Zealand Rugby and his Japanese team to join the All Blacks.

The Auckland flanker Dalton Papali'i is the bolter in the All Blacks 32 man squad for their end of year tour.

Wellington have sealed their place in domestic rugby's Premiership semi-finals with a 34-10 win over Taranaki in their final regular season match in New Plymouth.

Taranaki's Jarrad Hoeata and Canterbury's Daniel Lienert-Brown have received five-week suspensions, ending their domestic rugby seasons.

Sports Call - The Wallabies may not have had the best results under his guidance, but the intense and emotional Michael Cheika deserves his place, writes Barry Guy

The All Blacks flanker Sam Cane is up and about after an operation on his neck in South Africa.

The All Blacks flanker Sam Cane fractured his neck in yesterday's 32-30 win over the Springboks in Pretoria and will have to remain in South Africa.