Reds' semi a Bledisloe trial for Quade

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Cooper will need to improve on his patchy effort against the Waratahs. Source:Getty Images

QUADE Cooper has been thrown a playoff duel against Kiwi kingpin Dan Carter that will be an all-instincts gauge of his readiness for a pressured Bledisloe Cup rematch.

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Reds playmaker Cooper insisted there was no chance he would be distracted by the Carter head-to-head when this Saturday night's sudden-death final in Christchurch had to be won.

Playing a Crusaders side laced with up to a dozen All Blacks on hostile turf in a Super Rugby playoff is the best examination possible for Cooper's game with so much riding on his steadiness, his decisions and his risk-taking.

It is also exactly what the rugby public need to witness to work out how wholeheartedly they will trust the fly half to steer the Wallabies against the All Blacks in Sydney on August 17.

"The Crusaders have a lot of All Blacks and put pressure on like the All Blacks but no way am I looking at this as a rehearsal for anything," Cooper said.

"I don't let my mind wander to down the track.

"This is solely about the Reds, going to Christchurch to beat them and our whole campaign which is built around winning the Super Rugby final."

Cooper admitted the Reds would have to find "a 20 per cent improvement'' on their 14-12 display to beat the NSW Waratahs for a fifth consecutive time on Saturday night in Sydney.

"After a month since our last game, it felt like a trial match at the end of preseason in some ways with guys coming back from different teams, the break and working on combos again," Cooper said.

"There was a lot of blowing off rust and ticking over kilometres in the legs so even though it was scrappy, it was a very good hit-out to get back a rhythm and build for a playoff."

No team has won more often over the Crusaders than the Reds (three times) over the past four seasons and that is a tangible weapon for the Queenslanders.

"The Crusaders are an excellent team but we are not frightened of playing our natural game against them, which is very important," Cooper said.

"To scramble in defence and stick with teams really shows our attitude. Like against NSW, we have been able to come out on the right side of tight results even without always playing our best footy."

Cooper has just two Test wins over Carter-led All Blacks sides to show for plenty of trying moments between 2010-12, but is 3-0 for his last three starts when up against Carter and the Crusaders.

"Dan Carter is a class act. He wins games by doing the things he does very well without trying to be too flashy," Cooper warned.

"Whenever he is in a Crusaders team, they pick up a gear purely because of the mindset and confidence he creates. We know how tough that makes them this weekend."

No Queensland side has won in Christchurch since 1999, which is history that Cooper welcomes rather than shies away from.

"Nothing good comes easy, as they say. There's a lot of history there and it would be great to rectify that record," Cooper said.

"It has been motivation all through these last few seasons to knock off teams we have never beaten or win at stadiums where we haven't won.

"I doubt there will be much love for the Reds in Christchurch but it will be a packed house and all the boys want to get that win for the Reds."

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Beale arrival to lift Foley's game

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Bernard Foley ... vows to lift his game with the impending arrival of Kurtley Beale. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

BERNARD Foley has vowed to lift his game with the impending arrival of Wallaby star Kurtley Beale to the Waratahs for next season, but will happily play off the bench for the good of the team.

Foley was a revelation as the Waratahs' playmaker this year and should be persisted with, but the expected signing of Beale and re-signing of fullback Israel Folau will create enormous competition in an all-international backline.

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Beale is primarily used at five-eighth or fullback, and was NSW's No.10 before he left for Melbourne in 2012, but seems certain to return home.

"It's exciting, for me personally it means I've got to lift my game," Foley told the Telegraph.

"You've got that competition – like I had this year with Ben Volavola nipping at my heels the whole time, and Berrick Barnes coming back.

"If Kurtley comes back it will be beneficial for the entire squad.

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"Maybe it means I'm on the bench. Whatever happens it's better for Waratahs rugby going forward."

Also joining the Tahs is Rebels and Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps, who has developed a strong combination with Beale, although Foley has also spent time playing with the No.9 in Sevens and for Sydney University.

Foley is confident that with a second pre-season of refining coach Michael Cheika's game-plan the Waratahs will be a finals threat in 2014.

"We were changing mentalities and old habits, for us to have a second year, three or four months of pre-season as well, Cheik came in late last pre-season, we hit the ground running but it's not ideal for preparation," Foley said.

"This time we've got five or six months preparation before the first game, hopefully we can play a style that entertains and gets results.

"It's exciting how we've tried to play the game, a lot more running, a lot more ball in hand, and that's proven by the statistics.

"It's just lapses in games that have let us down in games this year.

"Once we rectify that and put it together for 80 minutes on the park consistently we will win more games.

"I think the squad's mentality has changed, this is the first year we've tried this style and it has had a lot of benefits, but we're still ironing it out. There is a lot to improve on."

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No regrets against Man Utd: Ange

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No regrets ... Ange Postecoglou's message to the A-League All-Stars. Source: Matt King / Getty Images

ALL-STARS coach Ange Postecoglou will drum home a single message to his patchwork squad this week, that they must leave "no regrets on the pitch" by the close of Saturday's showpiece encounter with Manchester United.

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Conceding that there is limited tactical effect to be had on such a disparate group, Postecoglou will emphasise the need to make the most of the experience of facing the Premier League champions in only their second game under new manager David Moyes.

The All-Stars had their first serious training session on Sunday under Postecoglou's tutelage, with the seconded Victory boss "pleasantly surprised" at the levels of fitness among a group still in the early stages of a lengthy pre-season.

"To be honest, the key message is about making the most of the experience," Postecoglou said. "It's a consistent theme I want the players to take on board, not to reach the final whistle on Saturday night and have wasted a second of what is a unique occasion.

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"Really, if you get sidetracked from the football by the atmosphere or who it is you're playing then you won't be likely to create the sort of moments that hopefully will live with you forever, and that would be a huge regret.

"So far the players are in good spirits and in decent shape too. If I had one concern in advance, it was how the players would shape up given the different stages of their pre-seasons they're all at, but I'm happy with where they're at."

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Postecoglou insisted that having such a short time to work with a collegiate squad "is part of the challenge and the excitement. If I could make a huge difference in a week, it would kind of make a mockery of what I've done in the rest of my career.

"What's in our favour is there are some excellent footballers in the group, and a lot of good experience, so they tend to pick things up a bit quicker."

With his opposite number arriving in Sydney yesterday under a little extra pressure in the wake of a defeat in Thailand, Postecoglou warned that David Moyes's ascension to the post held for so long by Sir Alex Ferguson could present a unique challenge.

"Certainly Sir Alex had the highest standards and there wouldn't have been any risk of complacency.

"There's no doubt Moyes and the players are under a high level of scrutiny with the change of manager and the whole world watching to see how they go. I have no doubt their motivation will be huge."

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Live: First Ashes Test, day five

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James Anderson leads the celebrations as England go 1-0 up in the Ashes. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

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CAN Australia pull off a miraculous win, or will England do the business?

Either way, the first Ashes Test is set for a thrilling finish, so make sure you follow all the action and get the best reaction, opinion and analysis with our live blog!

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Carlton keeps finals hopes alive

Kruez-control ... Matthew Kreuzer clears the ball during Carlton's big victory. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

STEPHEN Milne's return to AFL was marked by a chorus of boos, two goals and a 36-point defeat by Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Playing his first match since being charged with rape last month, St Kilda forward Milne kicked two third-quarter goals in his side's 16.14 (110) to 10.14 (74) loss.

2.2 (14)	Q1	5.1 (31)
5.5 (35)	Q2	10.1 (61)
11.6 (72)	Q3	14.3 (87)
18.9 (117)	Q4	17.3 (105)

Jonathan Brown 3	Drew Petrie 5
Pearce Hanley 3	Aaron Black 3
Sam Mayes 3	Robbie Tarrant 3
Ashley McGrath 3	Ben Cunnington 2
Brent Staker 2	Ryan Bastinac 1
Joshua Green 1	Brent Harvey 1
Ryan Lester 1	Aaron Mullett 1
Daniel Merrett 1	Daniel Wells 1
Dayne Zorko 1

His every touch was booed loudly.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	14	11	0	3	129.86	44
4	Sydney	14	10	1	3	131.58	42
5	Fremantle	14	10	1	3	125.89	42
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	14	7	0	7	109.95	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	14	4	0	10	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	14	0	0	14	52.21	0

Blues forward Lachie Henderson starred with four goals, Sam Rowe and Jeff Garlett booted three each, while Carlton midfielders Kade Simpson and Chris Judd were outstanding.

Young forward Tom Lee booted three goals for the Saints.

In a feisty, physical contest which started with a melee in the centre of the ground and featured regular spotfires throughout, both teams swapped the lead throughout the first and second terms.

The Blues took a nine-point lead to halftime.

But Milne's two goals were vital in keeping his side in the contest as the Blues threatened to take control of the game at times in the third term.

The teams traded goals for the rest of the quarter, and Carlton held an 11-point advantage at three-quarter time.

Substitute Eddie Betts added plenty of life for Carlton when he came on and created an early final term goal for Judd which gave the Blues the breathing space they needed.

Then Henderson added his fourth soon after to send the Blues on their way to a comfortable victory.

Carlton move to a 7-8 win-loss record, boosting their finals hopes.

The Saints are 3-12.

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Video: Bell gets ton but Poms all out

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Ian Bell celebrates after reaching his century during day four of the first Ashes Test. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

THE fight appeared to be draining from Australia as Ian Bell scored the most substantial century of his career.

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Already behind in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Australia had such a modest start to the fourth day that it was suddenly faced with an uncomfortable piece of history.

England set Australia 311 to win, a formidable target with no team chasing more for victory at the ground than the 284 England made against New Zealand in 2004.

By lunch Australia was 0-28.

Resuming at 6-326, 261 in front, England extended the lead to 291 before the villain of day three, Stuart Broad, was caught behind for 65 pushing at James Pattinson once too often.

If Steve Harmison set the tone for 2006-07 with his famously wayward opening ball that flew to Andrew Flintoff at second slip then Mitchell Starc appeared to set the tone with his first ball on day four.

A shoulder high full toss wide of Bell almost skittled captain Michael Clarke at slip on the way to the boundary for five no balls.

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Two deliveries later a lower full toss was guided by Bell between slip and gully to the boundary and he moved to 99 with Australia recklessly conceding runs that will be so hard to come by batting last.

More wasteful runs came three deliveries into the second over when Broad edged a ball from James Pattinson between Michael Clarke at first slip and Shane Watson at second.

It was catchable height but sailed unimpeded to the boundary as the fieldsmen looked at each other, giving Broad his 10th Test half-century.

In the following over Bell pushed a ball from Starc to point and a diving Ashton Agar could not gather it cleanly, offering the single that brought up three figures.

It gave Bell his 18th Test century but none have been more significant. He came to the wicket with England just 66 ahead and guided his side into a strong position at the start of an Ashes series.

Broad went for 65 caught behind off Pattinson pushing outside the off stump once too often, and Bell was caught behind for 109 after spending almost six and a half hours at the creased batting Australia out of the match.

The tail feel quickly, with Graeme Swann (9) edging a ball from Peter Siddle into the slips.

This time Clarke and Watson both want for the catch, with Clarke taking the ball in front of his former vice-captain.

Jimmy Anderson bunted a simple catch to Phil Hughes at short mid-wicket, giving Siddle three wickets for the innings and eight for the match.

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North blows another huge lead

Inspirational ... Jonathan Brown salutes the crowd after kicking a team-lifting goal. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

BRISBANE were once the Kings of the AFL jungle.

They are now the Comeback Kings after another last-quarter surge handed the Lions a stunning 12-point victory over North Melbourne at the Gabba last night.

3.3 (21)	Q1	3.6 (24)
7.6 (48)	Q2	5.9 (39)
11.10 (76)	Q3	9.11 (65)
16.14 (110)	Q4	10.14 (74)

Lachie Henderson 4	Thomas Lee 3
Jefferey Garlett 3	Clinton Jones 2
Sam Rowe 3	Stephen Milne 2
Chris Judd 1	Nick Riewoldt 1
Matthew Kreuzer 1	Rhys Stanley 1
Brock McLean 1	Jack Steven 1
Marc Murphy 1
Zach Tuohy 1
Andrew Walker 1

The Kangaroos led by 33 points at the 24 minute mark of the third quarter but Brisbane stormed home to record their sixth win of 2013.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	14	11	0	3	129.86	44
4	Sydney	14	10	1	3	131.58	42
5	Fremantle	14	10	1	3	125.89	42
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	14	7	0	7	109.95	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	14	4	0	10	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	14	0	0	14	52.21	0

Three weeks ago, overcame a 52-point decficit to beat the Chris Scott-coached Geelong. Last night, they sunk his twin brother Brad whose side surrendered another commanding lead.

It was the fourth time that North Melbourne had given up a 30-plus ppint lead and lost in 2013.

A North Melbourne win last night would have moved the Roos to one win from the top eight but their campaign is all but over after last night's capitulation.

Andrew Swallow (shoulder), Robbie Tarrant (knee) and Aarom Mullett

(ankle) were all forced to play through pain for the undermanned Roos who lost defender Lachie Hansen in the first quarter after colliding with Hanley and the Kangaroos were forced to activate sub Brad McKenzie It was a roller-coaster final quarter.

Brisbane hit the front after goals to Brown, Daniel Merrett and Sam Mayes whipped the 18,131 spectators into a frenzy.

Petrie hitback almost immediately with his fifth goal of the night to hand the lead back to the Kangaroos and Daniel Wells put North Melbourne eight points in front soon after.

Lions sub Josh Green made an immediate impact with a major  that cut North's buffer to a solitary point.

Dayne Zorko had a quiet night but his goal with 10 minutes left on the clock put the home side back in the lead.

Brent Staker's long-range major and Pearce Hanley's party trick sealed the unlikely victory for Michael Voss' men.

Brisbane roared back into the match in the third term as North Melbourne led by 15 points at the last change.

The Shinboners were 33 points in front midway through the quarter but goals to Ryan Lester, Ash McGrath and Jonathan Brown set the stage The Lions' comeback was inspired by the brilliance of Pearce Hanley and Daniel Rich who had 12 telling touches for the term.

The Irishman kicked two goals in the term - his second major was a spectacular effort - after breaking the shackles of Taylor Hine's hard tag.

He also set-up the Brown's major late in the second quarter with a sizzling run-and-carry through the centre corridor that highlighted his ability to turn a match on its head.

The Kangaroos led by 26 points at the main break on the back of a five-goal blitz midway through the second term.

North Melbourne had a 17-point buffer at quarter-time but goals to Ash McGrath - from the same spot where he kicked the match-winner against Geelong in Round 13 - and Sam Mayes closed the margin to four ponts.

But the Kangas seized the momentum with Aaron Mullett, Aaron Black, Ryan Bastinac, Tarrant and Petrie all booting goals to hand the visitors a commanding 32-point advantage late in the second term.

Hansen collided with Hanley early in the first quarter and was in Disneyland immediately. He was subbed out of the game later in the term when the the Roos were forced to activate sub Brad McKenzie.

It was a scrappy tussle in the first half. Despite North Melbourne dominating the key stats, Brisbane managed to stay in the gritty contest.

The extra pace and class of the Kangaroos eventually paid dividends in time-on in both terms as North Melbourne stamped some authority on the match but they were unable to completely put Brisbane away.

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LIVE: First Ashes Test, day four

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Shane Watson (L) and James Anderson in action on day four at Trent Bridge. Source:AP

AUSTRALIA are up against it heading into day four of the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.

All the talk heading into play is about Aleem Dar's umpiring howler, but the Aussies will need to move on from that as they seek to pull off what would be a win against all the odds.

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AFL considering cap backflip

Rotations ... Danye Beams and Luke Ball change on the boundary line. Source: Stephen Harman / News Limited

THE AFL is considering a backflip on the proposed interchange cap for next season as player rotation numbers stabilise.

Clubs were bracing for a recommended cap of 80 rotations a game next year, but a review of recent figures has prompted a rethink. The issue was discussed at a recent laws of the game committee meeting, with some members of the view a cap was now unnecessary.

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The issue is expected to be canvassed at an AFL Commission meeting on Monday.

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The league was worried that interchange numbers would continue to soar, increasing the speed of the game and the risk of injury, after an average of 131.3 rotations a game last season.

According to Champion Data figures, there was an average of 91.9 interchanges a game in 2009.

But numbers have flattened out this year with only a small increase to 131.9 interchanges, prompting a view that rotations have perhaps reached an optimal level.

It has been identified that any increase above that mark can be counter-productive for a team, as more frequent changes can leave players out of position and spending too much time swapping near the interchange area.

Changes in the game to help facilitate more continuous play has also helped slow players and reduce the risk of collision injuries stemming from explosive stop-start football.

While a final decision has not been made, the re-think will delight coaches and players, with many vehemently opposing the cap over the past year.

Attitudes towards a cap in the corridors of power have softened since AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou declared in March a cap would be introduced for the start of 2014.

"The fact of the matter is, unless people have got amnesia, the AFL Commission has already passed the rule," Demetriou said.

It said at the end of the year the cap's coming in.

"There's no going back on that - that is already put in place."\

The AFL commission last year deferred the laws of the game committee's recommendation to introduce a cap to analyse more data.

The bulk of clubs routinely register between 120 and 140 rotations. Fremantle averages the most interchanges with 146. Sydney has the lowest with an average 122.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said a cap of 80 would change the type of players clubs recruited.

Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones called the proposal "irresponsible'.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said a 80 rotation cap would be an "enormous risk" to the game.

"It's a pretty dramatic change to go to 80, and no one really knows what's going to happen to the game," Clarkson said.

"Hopefully, common sense will prevail, and if they want to introduce a cap, then cap it at something sensible like 120.

"Then we can see what a minor cap on the interchange does to the game rather than take it to 80."

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Wicket adds to Ashton's party tricks

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Debutant Ashton Agar celebrates his first wicket in Test cricket. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

TEENAGE sensation Ashton Agar has continued an extraordinary debut, claiming his first Test wicket on the third morning of the first Test at Trent Bridge.

Less than a day after he blazed a history-making 98, the 19-year-old left arm spinner had England captain Alastair Cook caught at slip by Michael Clarke for 50.

By lunch England had moved to 4-157, an overall lead of 92, with Ian Bell unbeaten on 20 and Jonny Bairstow 13 not out on a slow, low pitch not conducive to stroke play.

The delivery deceived Cook with its bounce as he played across the line and Clarke leapt high to gather it one-handed.

Agar was mobbed by excited team mates as he celebrated with unrestrained joy. 

The England skipper has a poor record at Trent Bridge. It was his first half-century in seven Tests at the ground. 

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Agar's breakthrough came shortly after Australia claimed the vital wicket of Kevin Pietersen.

Resuming on 35, Pietersen had played carefully for 64, his 31st half century in 95 Tests.

However his 23rd century eluded him when the former South African attempted to punch a delivery from James Pattinson off the back foot and dragged the ball into his stumps.

Cook and Pietersen added 110 in almost four hours such was the care they took with their batting.

Pattinson thought he had another wicket when an inswinging yorker hit Bell low on the front pad.

The initial appeal was turned down and a review showed the ball clearly swinging down the leg side, leaving Australia without a review for the remainder of England's second innings. 

Agar may have been a hero with the bat but he knows his real job is with the ball.

He finished with 0-24 on the opening day when he was a surprise inclusion and had 0-29 from nine overs when England went to stumps on the second day at 2-80 in their second innings, an overall lead of just 15.

Agar's early introduction on day two was understandable given that Pietersen has a well known weakness against left arm spin and the dangerous batsman played the rookie with care.

Having been dismissed for a history-making 98 on the second day, would Agar prefer a century or five wickets?
 
"I'd like either one but it'd be nice to take five for now that I didn't get the hundred," he said before play.

Shane Watson bowled for the third day in a row despite concerns with a left calf niggle which kept the injury prone all-rounder to just four overs in the first innings.

Having bowled three maiden overs on the second day, Watson did not concede a run yesterday until the fourth balls of his sixth over, when Ian Bell opened the face of his bat and steered the ball behind point for two.

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