Australia

?New Zealand will be without the services of centre Ryan Crotty and wing Rieko Ioane for the second round of the Rugby Championship to be played against Australia in Auckland next weekend.

Australia full-back Israel Folau will miss the second round of the Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand at Eden Park following an injury.

New Zealand came up with a strong second-half performance as they kick-started their Rugby Championship title defence with a 13-38 win over trans-Tasman rivals Australia at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

Australia have been dealt another injury blow ahead of the Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand scheduled on Saturday in Sydney with replacement prop Taniela Tupou ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Australia head coach Michael Cheika has named Waratahs prop Tom Robertson in the starting line-up for the Rugby Championship opening game against World Champions New Zealand scheduled to be played in Sydney on Saturday.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has left out Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo'unga for the Rugby Championship opening clash against Australia set to be played in Sydney on Saturday.

Australia fullback Israel Folau insisted that he will not change his approach of being aggressive during the upcoming Rugby Championship opening game against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.

Australia international Will Genia believes winning the Bledisloe Cup against All Blacks will be a greater recognition than even lifting the World Cup.

New Zealand coach has confirmed a trimmed 32-man squad that will be in contention for the opening Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Sydney on next Saturday.

New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster admitted that the All Blacks' defeat to Wallabies in October last year is still hurting the team as they head into the Rugby Championship 2018 opener against the same opponent on 18th August in Sydney.

Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper has committed his future to Rugby Australia after signing a new five-year deal for $6 million.

Rugby Australia will be making their bid to host the 2021 edition of Women's World Cup with the port of Newcastle and surrounding Hunter region being the proposed venue for the showpiece event.

Australia have received a much-needed boost ahead of the Rugby Championship opening game against New Zealand with skipper Michael Hooper declared fit.

Australia warmed up for the Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand with a comfortable 50-12 win over Super Rugby Selection side in a trial game at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney on Friday.

Australia head coach Michael Cheika has named a 36-man squad for the Bledisloe Cup opening clash against New Zealand to be played in Sydney on 18th August.

Wallabies halfback Will Genia believes Matt Toomua has returned back to Australia as a better player following the trial game in Sydney on Friday.

Matt Toomua will be in contention to feature for the Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand in Sydney on 18th August after he has signed a new deal with Rugby Australia and Melbourne Rebels.

Queensland Reds prop James Slipper will return to action after a two-month ban after he was selected for the Australian Super Rugby Selection side to take on Wallabies in a trial game ahead of the Bledisloe Cup.

Australia fullback Dane Haylett-Petty said that Wallabies are desperate to end the Bledisloe Cup drought when they face their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in this year's Rugby Championship tournament that kicks-off in August.

Australia will step up their preparations for the Bledisloe Cup opener as they are set to face an Aussie Super Rugby Selection side next Friday at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.