Australian and Western Force loose forward Richard Brown will undergo shoulder surgery, putting him out of contention for the Rugby World Cup starting in September.

Versatile forward Adam Thomson has been awarded the No.8 slot for the All Blacks' Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Wellington on Saturday .

Former Wallabies enforcer Toutai Kefu has no doubts Australia possesses the best backline in world rugby but it is winger James O'Connor he rates number one.

The Springboks arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday with coach Pieter de Villiers denying a report from home that 21 "so-called injured" players are in fact at a secret World Cup training camp.

The Wallabies have received positive injury news on game-breaker Kurtley Beale, as they begin preparations to end a 25-year Auckland victory drought against the All Blacks.

Wallabies game-breakers Quade Cooper and James O'Connor credit their strong friendship off the field for their telepathic combination on it.

Sonny Bill Williams' love for his mum and indebtedness to two coaches will influence which Super Rugby side he will play for after deciding to stay in New Zealand for another year.

The Wallabies have given the Springboks a comprehensive 39-20 belting at Sydney's Olympic Stadium to kick off their Tri-Nations campaign.

Wallabies World Cup hopeful Berrick Barnes got down and dirty in a successful comeback from footballers' migraine on Saturday.

Australian skipper Rocky Elsom has placed his Wallabies on red alert to the potent threat that Springboks sharpshooter Morne Steyn poses in Saturday night's Tri Nations series opener.

New Zealand blew off the cobwebs with a 60-14 hammering of Fiji in Dunedin on Friday to make a solid start to a season it hopes will end with a World Cup triumph on home soil.

Hundreds of mourners overflowed a Lutheran chapel in Nambour, north of Brisbane, to farewell 21-year-old rugby player Halley Appleby on Friday.

Australia's two-time Rugby World Cup winner John Eales has been inducted into the Wallaby Hall of Fame.

South Africa captain John Smit says the Springboks' Tri Nations opener against Australia is a vital part of the preparations for their World Cup defence even if their team is much-weakened by injury.

Wallabies superstar Quade Cooper sat out Friday's captain's run, as he battles the flu ahead of Saturday night's Tri Nations Test against South Africa in Sydney.

Friends and family will celebrate the life of rugby player Halley Appleby at his funeral on Queensland's Sunshine Coast today.

The Springboks are talking the talk but the Wallabies have vowed to walk the walk in Saturday night's Tri Nations Test at the Olympic stadium.

Sharks lock Alistair Hargreaves has been drafted into the Springboks' starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations opener against the Wallabies in Sydney.

The All Blacks open their World Cup build-up with a Test against Fiji on Friday, resting key players but stressing they will not fall into the same trap as Australia against Samoa.

Former Wallabies playmaker Elton Flatley believes Robbie Deans is unlikely to find room for both Berrick Barnes and Matt Giteau in Australia's 30-man World Cup squad.