Nathan Charles was just 2 when his dream to become a Wallaby first sprouted in his mind.

He believes in the Wallabies more than ever, but that hasn't stopped Adam Ashley-Cooper delivering a sobering word of warning to teammates ahead of tomorrow's showdown with the All Blacks.

All rugby trains heading west from Sydney early tonight will carry carriages chock full of Wallaby hopes.

The Wallabies plan to test the nerves and credentials of rookie centre Malakai Fekitoa after the 22-year-old was summoned to stand by for Conrad Smith in a pre-Bledisloe Cup setback for the All Blacks.

Think Wallaby five-eighths, and your memory turns up glorious attacking episodes of constructive rugby.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has fired the first psychological shot ahead of the Rugby Championship.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has finalised his bench for tomorrow's Rugby Championship opener, omitting Western Force loose forward Ben McCalman for the clash with the All Blacks.

He's the Wallabies' main man again and says he loves getting his hands on the ball, but Kurtley Beale also knows his job is more about creating opportunities for others.

Telling James Horwill there was no room for him in the Wallabies squad for Saturday's Rugby Championship opener was a very unpleasant move for coach Ewen McKenzie.

All the tremors came with the selection of the Wallaby backline, writes Wynne Gray.

Herald columnist and former All Black Justin Marshall looks at key issues in the Rugby Championship.

Daniel Richardson looks back on five notable tests between New Zealand and their transtasman rivals in Sydney since the turn of the century

Prop Paddy Ryan and uncapped winger Tom English have been added to the Wallabies Rugby Championship squad, with hamstring injuries set to rule out Laurie Weeks and Joe Tomane for the first two matches against New Zealand.

There might be a few players from the Crusaders who will have extra motivation in the All Blacks' camp this week.

When the All Blacks take the field against the Wallabies on Saturday, they'll know they stand 80 minutes away from a landmark 18 successive wins.

Australians are irrepressible. Admirably so. This time 12 months ago rugby was the black sheep of their respective football codes - scarily close to oblivion.

After the disarray of last year - a series defeat to the Lions and the sacking of coach Robbie Deans - the Wallabies seem to be tracking in the right direction.

Forget the All Blacks' attempt to break the world record for most wins in succession, Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie plans a record of his own.

There's a Rubik's cube inside the test selection labyrinth for Wallabies coach Ewen "Link" McKenzie.

I have been on holiday in Australia for a couple of weeks where I got the impression there's a fair bit of confidence brewing.

The Wallabies and their new coach Ewen McKenzie avoided Daniel Carter last season.

It would be the Wallabies who stand in the way of the All Blacks' world record search for consecutive test wins. They've had a habit of interrupting those attempts in the last two decades.

It was their lowest winning score in 87 years but the Wallabies took an important step in Melbourne on Saturday night in their quest to be a "team for all seasons".

The Blues have secured their spot in the 2024 Super Rugby finals, beating the Brumbies 34-20. Video / Sky Sport

All eyes will be on Michael Hooper, the youngest Wallabies skipper in 53 years, when he leads Australia for the first time tonight.

The rugby world has turned upside down. Australia, with its history of scrum woes.