Digest: Outhalf Dan Carter was named the International Rugby Players Association player of the year yesterday and his all-conquering All Blacks the team of the year. Carter was inspirational in New Zealand's 3-0 series win over the Lions.
The All Blacks also won the Tri-Nations and their European tour could end with a Grand Slam if they beat Scotland tomorrow. Carter was the clear winner from a short list that included team-mates Richie McCaw and Tana Umaga, and Springbok duo Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield.
The same five players are shortlisted for the International Rugby Board player-of-the-year award, to be announced on Sunday, which Carter is also expected to win. Habana was named newcomer of the year after a series of impressive displays on the wing for South Africa.
WALES v AUSTRALIA: Australia coach Eddie Jones recalled prop Matt Dunning to an otherwise unchanged starting team for tomorrow's Test against Wales in Cardiff.
Dunning, who missed last week's 30-14 defeat of Ireland after injuring his neck playing against England, replaces Greg Holmes for the final game of Australia's tour. The only other change to the squad is the recall of Chris Whitaker to the bench in place of Matt Henjak as cover for George Gregan. Gregan will captain the Wallabies for the 50th time, in his 118th appearance.
The Australian scrum has come in for criticism following their seven straight defeats before Lansdowne Road and Dunning will expect another expected squeeze from the Welsh scrum that has so far been their only shining light during a bitterly disappointing series.
ENGLISH LEAGUE: England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson will be out of action for up to a month after groin surgery, his club Newcastle said yesterday. "Jonny is in London and will have the operation later on Thursday," Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"He damaged his groin last week and the injury is more commonly known as a sportsman's hernia, which is the same thing Alan Shearer had a few weeks ago . . . we hope to have him back for the Premiership game against Leeds on December 27th.
The injury is the latest disappointment to befall Wilkinson since he kicked the drop goal that secured the 2003 World Cup - his last appearance for England. Neck, shoulder, arm and knee troubles, as well as an inflamed appendix, have kept him out of contention for an England recall, although he appeared for the Lions in New Zealand before that adventure too was cut short through injury.
England play the last of their three November Tests against Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday.
AUSTRALIA: C Latham; M Gerrard, L Tuqiri, M Turinui, D Mitchell; M Rogers, G Gregan; M Dunning, B Cannon, D Fitter, H McMeniman, N Sharpe, J Roe, P Waugh, G Smith. Replacements: T Polota-Nau, A Baxter, M Chisholm, S Fava, C Whitaker, L Johansson, W Sailor.
ITALY (v Fiji): E Galon; S Pace, M Bergamasco, G Canale, L Nitoglia; R Pez, P Griffen; M Aguero, F Ongaro, M Leandro Castrogiovanni, C Antonio Del Fava, M Bortolami, A Zanni, M Bergamasco, S Parisse. Replacements: C Festuccia, C Nieto, V Bernabo, M Zaffiri, P Canavosio, L Orquera, R Wakarua.
FIJI (v Italy): N Ligairi; M Luveitasau, E Ruivadra, S Bai, K Ratuvou; N Little, M Rauluni (capt); J Bale, S Koto, A Nagi, I Rawaqa, K Leawere, A Doviverata, A Ratuva, S Koyamaibole.Replacements: B Gadolo, S Gavidi, J Qovu, K Salabogi, M Volavola , A Vata, M Kunavore.
SCOTLAND (v New Zealand): H Southwell; C Paterson, M Di Rollo, A Henderson, S Lamont; D Parks, M Blair; G Kerr, S Lawson, B Douglas, C Hamilton, S Murray, J White (capt), A Hogg, S Taylor. Replacements: D Hall, C Smith, A Kellock, K Brown, M Blair, P Godman, S Webster
SOUTH AFRICA (v France): P Montgomery; B Paulse, J Fourie, J de Villiers, B Habana; M Bosman, M Claassens, Os du Randt, J Smit (capt), CJ van der Linde, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, J Cronje. Replacements: G Botha, E Andrews, A van den Berg, D Rossouw, B Conradie, D Wet Barry, C Jantjes.
