John Mitchell will take the reins of South Africa-based Super 15 franchise Golden Lions after being granted an early release from the Western Force.

The Western Force is tipped to cut ties with long-time coach John Mitchell this afternoon.

Australia's women's rugby team missed out on a chance to play in the World Cup final after a 15-0 loss to England in the semi-final at Twickenham Stoop in London.

Wallabies medical staff are confident star centre Matt Giteau is in no doubt for this weekend's Tri-Nations Test against South Africa after he rolled his ankle at training.

The Wallabies have overhauled their starting pack for Sunday morning's (AEST) Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein.

Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie will attempt to combat an expanded Super 15 with a rotation policy that may extend all the way to dynamic duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper.

A former colleague says there is no doubt Robbie Deans' move from the Crusaders' winning culture to a struggling period in Australian rugby has been a "big eye-opener" for the Wallabies coach.

A week after receiving a public ticking off for going skiing, Sonny Bill Williams appears likely to make his long-awaited New Zealand first class rugby debut on Friday.

Promising star Aaron Cruden will start at fly half in place of the the injured Daniel Carter for New Zealand's final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on September 11.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has made one change to his starting line-up for the Tri-Nations Test against Australia on Sunday morning (AEST).

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has thrown his support behind accused murderer and Bulls rugby prop Bees Roux.

Big-hearted Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper has taken blame for last Saturday's shattering Tri-Nations Test loss to South Africa.

A South African rugby player charged with the murder of a Pretoria police officer has been released on bail, officials said.

Frustrated and annoyed, the Wallabies are itching for another crack at South Africa and believe the holy grail of a win at altitude is achievable in Bloemfontein this weekend.

All Blacks star fly half Dan Carter should be fit to play in their Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Hong Kong in October, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said Monday.

Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe says he was devastated to have to watch the Australian side's line-out fall apart in Saturday night's heartbreaking loss to South Africa.

The exasperated Wallabies admit it was the same old "stupid mistakes" which cost them the chance to end their long Test match drought at altitude in South Africa.

Australia's women booked their first ever semi-finals appearance at a Rugby World Cup with an emphatic 62-0 victory over South Africa at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford overnight.

The Wallabies twice led by 14 points but wilted in the second half as the Springboks claimed a 44-31 Tri-Nations win in Pretoria.

The Wallabies will hope to bring a little bit of Brisbane to the South African highveld when they attempt to break their duck in Pretoria in a high stakes Test match against the Springboks on Sunday morning (AEST).

Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom has backed returning five-eighth Quade Cooper to put the drama of his contract negotiations behind him for Saturday's (1:00am Sunday AEST) Tri-Nations Test against South Africa.

Rugby World Cup organisers in New Zealand admit Australian ticket sales for next year's showpiece have been disappointing.

Still undecided about his future, Wallabies linchpin Quade Cooper has broken his silence to declare his headspace "sweet" for Saturday's (0100 Sunday AEST) Tri-Nations showdown with the Springboks.

The Western Force have signed Eastern Suburbs outside back Pat Dellit and Australian under-U20s representatives Paul Alo-Emile and Phoenix Battye for the 2011 Super 15 season.