Thursday May 23 14:08 AEST

Rebels' O'Connor stays on sidelines

Melbourne Rebels have decided not to risk playmaker James O'Connor in Friday's Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs.

2012 paypack: Brumbies to exact revenge on Blues

June Tests: No Pietersen, Steyn for Springboks

England centre: Hipkiss announces retirement

Quade Cooper (L) and Robbie Deans. (Getty)

Deans' excuses about Cooper 'flimsy'

Robbie Deans has gone to great lengths to explain Quade Cooper's absence from his squad, writes Andrew Slack.

Irish warrior: O'Connell to help Lions

Crusaders boost: Dagg back in starting side

Kiwi clash: Chiefs tweaks for Crusaders clash

Wallaby Ioane in doubt for Lions series

Wallabies flyer Digby Ioane has undergone knee surgery and is in doubt for the Lions Test series.

Still hope: Genia backs Cooper's chances

SBW: Folau deserves Wallabies call-up

Waratahs boost: Barnes returns in centres

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland. (Getty)

Lions big, fast and sharp, warns coach

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has sounded an ominous warning to the Wallabies.

Rare chance: Wallabies debutants buoyed by tour

Still hope: Welcome news for Smith, McCabe

Quade Cooper in action for Queensland. (Getty)

Cooper has become predictable: Deans

Robbie Deans says Quade Cooper needs to share playmaking duties because he has become predictable.

Wallabies squad: Call-up could see Folau stay

Barnes warns: Waratahs building momentum

Drought over: Rebels' confidence is up

Quade Cooper (L) with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. (Getty-file)

Cooper no defensive worry, says McKenzie

Ewen McKenzie has defended Quade Cooper after Wallabies coach Robbie Deans left him out of his squad.

Standings: Super Rugby ladders

Wallabies squad: O'Connor to relish No10 role

Europe's best: Another award for Wilkinson

Experts

Wayne Carey

AFLTalk is cheap in football, there's only so much a coach can do. Andrew Slack

UnionRobbie Deans' excuses about Quade Cooper are flimsy
at best. Ayrton Woolley

AFLSomething has to change, umpiring has hit a horrible new low. Andrew Johns

LeaguePenrith Panthers really rattled the Storm with big defence.

More union headlines

Luatua to miss Brumbies Super Rugby matchNeck and shoulder problems have ruled in-form Blues flanker Steven Luatua out of their Super Rugby match against the ACT Brumbies. Jones, English re-sign with Super RebelsThe Melbourne Rebels have re-signed promising young players Luke Jones and Tom English for a further three years. Injured Hipkiss announces retirementFormer England centre Dan Hipkiss has been forced into retirement by a shoulder injury, he announced on Wednesday. No Pietersen, Steyn for Boks' June TestsJP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Duane Vermeulen and Andries Bekker are not in a Springbok training squad for rugby Tests against Scotland, Italy and Samoa. Brumbies to exact revenge against BluesThe Brumbies will be out to exact Super Rugby revenge against the Blues on Saturday after the men from Auckland ended their 2012 campaign. Dagg back in Crusaders starting sideAll Blacks fullback Israel Dagg is back in the Crusaders starting side to face Super Rugby leaders the Chiefs after a spell on the bench. Rennie tweaks Chiefs for Crusaders clashChiefs coach Dave Rennie has made two changes to the team which beat the Hurricanes 17-12 last week for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Crusaders. Deans must forgive Quade: SlackWallabies coach Robbie Deans must forgive Quade Cooper and forget last year's toxic attack if he wants to keep his job, according to Andrew Slack. Rowntree tips O'Connell to help LionsIrish warrior Paul O'Connell is set to be a calming influence on young Lions captain Sam Warburton during the upcoming tour to Australia. Barnes in the centres for WaratahsNSW coach Michael Cheika has rewarded Berrick Barnes by picking him at No.12 and dumping Rob Horne for the Waratahs' clash with the Melbourne Rebels. Genia backs Cooper's Wallabies chancesWill Genia has backed Queensland Reds halves partner Quade Cooper to use Robbie Deans' critique as motivation and seal a belated Wallabies spot. Smith, McCabe still a chance for LionsBrumbies pair George Smith and Pat McCabe are still a chance of playing the Lions after news their knee injuries aren't as bad as initially feared. Folau deserves Wallabies call-up: SBWAll Blacks World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams says he expects Israel Folau to represent a significant challenge for the British and Irish Lions. Wallabies debutants bouyed by Lions tourBrumbies captain Ben Mowen says his selection in Robbie Deans' 25-man Wallabies squad was the perfect news to help him bounce back from the Waratahs loss. Toovey fuming after Storm drawManly coach Geoff Toovey was fuming about a lopsided 6-1 second half penalty count in their 10-10 draw with Melbourne Storm, claiming it wasn't a fair result. Manly, Storm deadlocked after extra timeGolden point has failed to split the Storm and Manly who finished with a 10-10 draw in their NRL clash at AAMI Park.

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Warner remorseful over Twitter rant

Morris backs Ferguson for Origin

Essendon CEO Robson resigns

Huge one-handed putback dunk

Kevin Durant’s monster dunk

Wade makes powerful surging dunk

Folau admits Wallabies shock