Quade Cooper’s irresistible Super 14 form has him leading the contest for Australia’s chief playmaking role, according to former Wallabies inside back Rod Kafer.

In the final moments of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, the match, which had see-sawed for almost 100 minutes, was finally decided by an ice-cold Jonny Wilkinson field goal.

Wallabies 2007 World Cup scrum anchor Guy Shepherdson’s chances of making the 2011 tournament have sunk dramatically after being dropped from the Brumbies squad.

Julian Huxley expressed a desire to regain his Brumbies and Wallabies positions after making an accomplished return to rugby on Sunday, two years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

In 12 months time, the best rugby nations from around the world will venture to New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The question is, who’ll be world champions?

Australian rugby has suffered without a notable goal kicker. Matt Burke held down the fort for years before Elton Flatley steered the Wallabies into a World Cup final.

Rugby Union’s international governing body will pay $US2 million ($A2.2 million) so Argentina can play in an expanded Tri-Nations tournament from 2012.

On June 12, the Wallabies go up against England at Subiaco in Perth and a week later at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend is adamant that former Wallabies utility back Julian Huxley is in line to make a dramatic return to the Super 14 this season.

Continuity of phases was a cornerstone of the last great era of Australian rugby, and with the help of new rule interpretations at the breakdown it can be again.

Later this year will see the third edition of both the Junior World Cup (JWC) and Junior World Rugby Trophy (JWRT). The JWC being held in Argentina is the one that, as Australian Rugby supporters, has more relevance to us.

Wallabies fullback James O’Connor will get the chance to prove himself at five-eighth in a rejuvenated Western Force outfit for Saturday’s Super 14 clash with the unbeaten Chiefs in Perth.

It’s hard to argue that Robbie Deans is not the master of change. Seven Super rugby titles is evidence enough. Dean’s first two seasons at the Wallabies have not been as successful as we all might have hoped, but he has developed a wealth of talent that will hopefully be paying dividends come 2011 RWC.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans still has some worries about Australia’s depth, but expects his huge investment in youth to pay-off in a defining period heading into next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says referees have got the interpretation of rugby’s contentious breakdown area “very close to perfection” in the early rounds of the Super 14 tournament and hoped the northern hemisphere nations would follow their lead.

While reading Jim L’Estrange’s responses to questions tabled by my fellow Roarers, I noticed something unusual when it came to anything we are provided by those who administer our game.

It has long been argued that to win a Rugby World Cup, you need at least five players who would make a World XV. Eighteen months out from RWC 2011, and only two games into the Super 14, it is safe to say that there is plenty of rugby to be played.

Wallabies lock James Horwill must spend the rest of 2010 rebuilding his horrifically-injured knee in a devastating blow to the Queensland Reds Super 14 campaign.

Star Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau will take part in the Brumbies’ two-match Super 14 tour to South Africa despite suffering an injury scare at training.

Wallabies fullback James O’Connor has put his hand up to take on the Western Force’s five-eighth role as the Super 14 team’s injury woes continue to mount at an alarming rate.