Saturday Mar 20 08:44 AEDT

Brumbies lose thriller against Blues

Matt Giteau found form with a contribution of 19 points, but it wasn't enough to save the Brumbies against the Blues in Auckland.

Match stats: Super14 - Blues v Brumbies

Injury doubts: Hickey considers rotating Waratahs

Sevens squad: Aussies take youthful approach

Western Force's John Mitchell (AAP - file)

Mitchell backs Force to rebound

Western Force coach John Mitchell is sticking with the same side that suffered an embarrassing loss to Queensland.

Reds prop: Weeks signs Rebels deal

Mark Cashman: Super14 round six preview

Turinui not in Reds side for Africa tour

Former Wallabies vice-captain Morgan Turinui is a surprise exclusion from the Reds squad to tour South Africa.

Finishing surge: Hurricanes look to topple Bulls

On tour: England to play Australian Barbarians

Jonny Wilkinson at England training. (Getty)

England drop Wilkinson for France match

England have dropped Jonny Wilkinson from their starting side to play France in the Six Nations.

Irish hopes: One last Croke Park cracker

Six Nations: Latest results and ladder

Waratahs name unchanged line-up

The Waratahs have unsurprisingly stuck with the combination that thrashed the Lions in their last start.

ACT lock: Chisholm to be most-capped

Reds fire: Hardman epitomises new attitude

Super14: 2010 competition ladder

Twins start Reds retention ball rolling

Queensland have kick-started their player retention program by re-signing the Faingaa twins for the next two seasons.

Blue century: Mealamu wants job done

Player talks: Waratahs start merry-go-round

Experts

Mark Cashman

Round sixThe first thing the Force have to fix is their defence. Steve Hitstirrer

Just a wanna be?Jonathon
Thurston can
see himself
being a
Wallaby. Lance Peatey

Pleasing the fansWallabies make inroads for rugby as a spectacle.

More union headlines

Ireland captain upbeat ahead of finaleIreland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll insisted their last match at Croke Park would have no inhibiting effect on his side against Scotland. Stade put faith in Australian CheikaTop 14 rugby giants Stade Francais will from next season put their faith in Australian coach Michael Cheika, who last season led Leinster to European Cup glory. England's new captain will not changeEngland's latest rugby captain Lewis Moody insisted he would not compromise his playing style despite his new-found responsibility. Tahs won't target slippery O'ConnorNSW flanker Dave Dennis believes it will be counter-productive for the Waratahs to target Force young gun James O'Connor in Saturday night's Super 14 derby. French 'more confident' than EnglishFrance is bidding to end a six-year wait and land the Six Nations Grand Slam against the same side they beat to secure the 2004 clean sweep - arch foes England. Cooper leads playmaker stakesQuade Cooper's irresistible Super 14 form has him leading the contest for Australia's chief playmaking role, says former Wallabies inside back Rod Kafer. Ireland eye Triple CrownIreland would love to end their residency at Croke Park with the Triple Crown when they wrap up their Six Nations campaign on Saturday. Brumbies chase fourth straight victoryBrumbies coach Andy Friend says his side will have to boost their defensive effort if they are to get past the Blues in Auckland on Friday night. Hurricanes look to topple BullsHurricanes rugby coach Colin Cooper is hinting at a finishing surge as the key for his struggling side to topple the Super 14-leading Bulls in Pretoria. Toeava back from injury for BluesAll Black Isaia Toeava will return from injury to Super 14 rugby for the Blues against the Brumbies in Auckland on Friday night. Foden debuts as England axe ArmitageBen Foden is set to make his first England Test start after fellow fullback Delon Armitage was dropped from the squad to play France. Brumbies snare prop Palmer from 'TahsThe Brumbies have signed young NSW Waratahs tighthead prop Dan Palmer for next two Super rugby seasons. Hodgson to cover for WilkinsonEngland added Charlie Hodgson as cover to their squad for fly-half Jonny Wilkinson on Monday, ahead of their Six Nations finale away to France on Saturday. France to be in the moneyFrance's rugby players will earn almost 76,000 euros in bonuses should they beat England to clinch the Six Nations Grand Slam next Saturday, the French Rugby Federation revealed to AFP on Monday. Umaga to quit Toulon and return to NZFormer All Black great Tana Umaga is to return to New Zealand and leave his post as a member of the backroom staff of France Top 14 club Toulon. Dupuy gouging ban upheldStade Francais halfback Julien Dupuy has had his 23-week ban for gouging upheld by the French Rugby Federation and French National Rugby League.

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