Daily Telegraph | Rugby Union

AUSTRALIA overcame a wretched build-up and some dogged French resistance to maintain an unbeaten record on their European tour with a nailbiting victory.

New Zealand on Saturday scored a 20th consecutive rugby victory over Wales stretching back 55 years, withstanding a ferocious first-half from the home side.

Rugby world champions South Africa rounded off their 2008 campaign in style with a record-breaking 42-6 thrashing over England at Twickenham on Saturday night.

THE Wallabies have overcame a wretched build-up and dogged French resistance to maintain their unbeaten European tour record with a nailbiting victory.

NSW Waratahs whiz kid Kurtley Beale has opened up about almost going off the rails during the Super 14 off-season due to a string of frustrating injuries.

MARK Gasnier has categorically ruled out ever returning to the NRL and laughed off the suggestion he could choose France over Australia to become a dual international.

HUNTING a third consecutive spring tour win for the first time in the professional era, the Wallabies are wary of again succumbing to the dreaded "yo-yo" effect against France.

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont has slammed ARU boss John O'Neill as "condescending" for threatening to boycott future tours of Europe.

HE is the giant former rugby league winger primed to shake the new-look Australian sevens rugby side out of their slumber when their international campaign kicks off.

ARMED with a new Buddhist spiritual outlook, injury prone rugby union star Jonny Wilkinson says a return to the England team is no longer high on his priority list.