Become more ruthless – that’s the message from Australian Rugby Union boss John O’Neill (pictured) as he prepares to meet with the Wallabies coach Robbie Deans ahead of the Tri Nations.
His stern warning follows his concerns about the national team’s patchy form during the June internationals and record in general, which has seen them win just 18 of their 32 tests since Deans took the reins in June 2008.
O’ Neill felt it was crucial the Wallabies developed a hunger for success.
“That’s the sign of a good team. A winning team has to be ruthless,” he said ahead of his get-together with Deans and high performance manager David Nucifora.
“The All Blacks often don’t appear to be playing well, but they suddenly have 20 points on you. We’ve got to move into a space where coming second is not an option. If you want to get from a 56 percent success rate to a 70 percent success rate, you’re only going to do it by being absolutely uncompromising. And we’re at a point where the honeymoon is over.
“That’s not a threat. But the improvement in the winning percentage has to start now. You cannot say 56 percent is acceptable. It’s not.”
While he admitted injuries had affected the Wallabies, it was no excuse for their erratic form.
“It is important to look at the trends and it’s fair to say the inconsistency element is something which worries us. The draw against Ireland last year, the loss to Scotland at Murrayfield and England in Sydney, are all games we were capable of winning, and arguably [we] were the better team. We have to be capable of putting teams to the sword. That’s not quite there yet.”

BOOKIES BACK BOKS

They face a gruelling opening schedule, but the Springboks are the favourites to retain the Tri Nations their crown, according to the New Zealand TAB.
And they’re not the only ones who feel the same way – former coach Nick Mallett reckons they have the goods to go all the way this season, too.
The Boks open their account with a difficult road assignment, with tests against the All Blacks in Auckland (July 10) and Wellington (July 17) and the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 24.
But despite three away games on the bounce, the New Zealand TAB has them at $2.10 to claim their first back-to-back titles, with the All Blacks close behind at $2.25 and Australia a distant third at $5.50.
Former Springbok and current Italian coach Nick Mallett, whose side was crushed 55-11 by the world champions last weekend, also believes they will respond positively to their Australasian road trip, having proved they are capable of winning in that part of the world in the last couple of seasons.
“This is a side who’ve won a World Cup, a Lions tour, and the Tri Nations last year by winning five out of six tests,” Mallett told stuff.co.nz. “But the difference in this Bok side is that they’re so confident. They’re used to winning in Australia and New Zealand, and expect to do it. In the 1990s when we won in New Zealand [in Wellington in 1998], for a guy like Andre Venter it was his first win there after 20 or 25 attempts. They weren’t used to winning there. We’ve seen them grow and respond to challenges and now South Africa and it shows.”
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FLYNN GOOD TO GO

Recalled All Black hooker Corey Flynn has been given the all clear to join the All Blacks as they prepare for their Tri Nations clash against the Springboks at Eden Park next Saturday.
Despite a strong showing for the New Zealand Maori during their centenary campaign, the Canterbury rake – who was handed an international lifeline by All Blacks coach Graham Henry when he announced his squad for the Tri Nations on Sunday – was forced to prove his fitness after an ankle injury ruined much of his Super 14 campaign with the Crusaders.
The experienced 32-year-old replaces Waikato’s Aled de Malmanche, who has paid the price for his suspect lineout throwing.
Flynn looks set to play second fiddle to incumbent Keven Mealamu, but may also have to contend with prop John Afoa who can also slot into the middle of the front row.
The All Blacks will assemble in Auckland today to begin preparations for the July 10 showdown, where they will be looking to end a three-match losing streak against the current world champions.

BOKS SET TO UNLEASH ‘BEAST’

The recall of Tendai Mtawarira was the major talking point after Springbok coach Peter De Villiers unveiled his 28-man squad for the away leg of the Tri Nations.
The Zimbabwean-born Sharks prop, affectionately known as ‘Beast’, was in international limbo after it emerged last year he did not hold a South African passport, meaning he was classified as a foreign player.
But having secured South African citizenship, the 24-year-old looks set to return to the test arena, where he will be looking to add to his 22 test caps.
“It’s a strong squad,” said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers of his squad, which also features the return of Bulls utility back Francois Hougaard.
“We are fortunate to have so many of our frontline players fit and available, which shows that our management of the players is working well. There is a very strong core of experience in this group and there are several leaders too. The new players who have come into the set-up this season are rewarded for their good performances.”
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TURNER FOR COM. GAMES?

Lachie Turner mightn’t be able to buy a start for the Wallabies, but he could be on the verge of representing his country at the Commonwealth Games in October.
The Waratahs speedster – who has fallen behind Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and fullback James O’Connor in the pecking order during the June internationals – could be about to entertain crowds with his blistering pace at the Delhi Games after he was included in a 14-man Australian Sevens training squad for a four-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra next week.
Turner is one of six Super 14 players named in the Michael O’Conner-coached team which is looking to kick on after finishing behind Samoa and New Zealand in the after a IRB World Sevens Series.
Reds winger and 2009 Wallabies tourist Luke Morahan has also been included, along with fellow teammates Ed Quirk, Liam Gill and Kimami Sitauti. Waratahs back-rower Pat McCutcheon and Brumbies back Brackin Karauria-Henry are other squad members with Super 14 experience this year.
Despite being given the all clear to attend the July 4-7 camp, coach Robbie Deans has said the 11-test wing would still be considered for his 30-man Tri Nations squad which will be unveiled on July 8.
The sevens team will have a final 10-day training camp in Darwin before the Delhi Games in early October.

ENGLISHMAN FOR COUNTIES

Rising England prop Shaun Knight will benefit immensely from a short stint plying his trade in New Zealand, says his Gloucester academy manager Mark Cornwell.
The England Under 20 prop will be loaned out to Counties Manukau in this year’s ITM Cup as the Steelers look to shore up their shaky scrum.
“Shaun’s a great prospect and has made great strides over the past year or so,” says Cornwell.
“But there’s no better place to learn your rugby than on one of the hotbeds of New Zealand rugby. Counties have produced some great players over the years, Jonah Lomu for example, and it's a great opportunity for Shaun to develop as a player.”
Knight, who represented his country at this year’s Under 20 World Cup in Argentina, was immediately added to the Steelers’ wider training squad and will be available until October.
His signing comes after Counties tried unsuccessfully to lure Tony Penn from New Plymouth earlier this year, but the Taranaki skipper has since announced he is hanging up the boots.
Knight joins former All Black centre Tana Umaga, who will act as a player-assistant coach after a stint with Toulon."

LUCKY NUMBER 13 FOR Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny Bill Williams could begin his New Zealand first class rugby career in the number 13 jersey.
That’s the view of former All Blacks midfielder Aaron Mauger, who believes the ex-league player and Toulon star will likely see game time at centre if he is named in Canterbury’s ITM squad next week given he’s still finding his feet in the 15-man code.
"I didn’t play against him in Europe but I have seen him play and he looks a big excellent prospect. But he is still learning and second five (No 12) probably requires more tactical awareness and appreciation of the game," the 45-test veteran said.
"So 13 might be good to start with where he could have a little more space to go wide and feed the fullback and wingers."
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JACKSON JOINS REF CAMP

Glen Jackson was known for having a quiet word in the ref’s ear during his playing career, but he is about to learn some methods to deal with those on the field who think they have a better understanding of the rule book.
The former Chiefs, Bay of Plenty and Saracens’ pivot will be joining New Zealand’s premier whistleblowers at a training camp in Motueka as they prepare for the ITM and Heartland Championship seasons, which kick off in July and August, respectively.
Jackson, who announced last year he would return back home to officiate rugby, picked up a whistle seven years ago when he refereed age grade ruby in Tauranga while playing for the Chiefs and Bay of Plenty.
Since then, he has officiated club rugby in New Zealand and the UK, where developed his skills and completed his English RFU referee exams while earning a crust with Saracens.
New Zealand Rugby Union High Performance Referee manager Lyndon Bray said Jackson’s experience as a professional player would add depth and provide a new dimension to New Zealand’s professional pool of rugby referees.