Rugby Union

Rugby Championship

Genia happy proving critics wrong, even his wife

Will Genia crosses for a try with Argentina's Tomas Cubelli in pursuit in Perth on Saturday.

Wallabies halfback Will Genia has proved a number of critics wrong in recent weeks with his sparkling form and a man-of-the-match performance against Argentina but has revealed he took more delight impressing another vocal critic; his wife Vanessa.

A win is a win, but Wallabies backline still needs work

Marquee match: Quade Cooper played just about his best game as a Wallaby number 10 in Brisbane last weekend.

Some years ago, a group of us, including the former All Blacks coach Fred Allen, were chatting in the stands after New Zealand had scrambled to a win over South Africa. A good old boy sidled up and said to Allen: "An unconvincing win, Fred, don't you think?" The great man looked at him in the pitying manner people adopt when they are confronted with invincible ignorance. "Son," he replied, "a win is a win."

Wallabies should be happy to be in top three

Putting in maximum effort: Drew Mitchell attempts to break away as Bernard Foley hurdles clear against the Boks.

In a parallel universe, the Wallabies are locked in a battle with the All Blacks to be the world's best team. In the real one, there are far more similarities with England, South Africa, Wales, Argentina and Ireland.

Springboks make two starting changes

Vincent Koch will play his fifth Test in place of prop Lourens Adriaanse.

South Africa have freshened up their engine room, making two changes to the tight five to face the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship Test in Christchurch.

What it's like to referee the All Blacks

"Where they sometimes infuriate the greater rugby fraternity is the manner in which they test the referee and his team, ...

Without sounding arrogant, I'm probably in a fairly strong position to be able to offer an opinion on refereeing the All Blacks, their franchises and refereeing in New Zealand.