The Wallabies are struggling to get back to match-ready fitness for the game against the All Blacks on Sunday.

Both teams have a long list of injuries going into the semi-finals.

Sarah Honan reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Questions over Quade Coopers’ fitness following last weekend’s match have been rejected by the Wallabies’ coach.

Robbie Deans, Wallabies Coach: “He’ll be fine, he’ll bounce back. He is a resilient character, clearly he wouldn’t have been happy with his performance but everybody made mistakes.”

The two sides will face off in the semi-finals of the World Cup at Eden Park on Sunday night.

Robbie Deans says Cooper could start at fullback with Berrick Barnes at five-eighth, if Kurtley Beale’s hamstring strain doesn’t come good.

The Queensland Bulls’ first game in the Sheffield Shield series is under way.

The Bulls lost the toss and were sent in to bat, and have made a solid start against Victoria.

In soccer, the Brisbane Roar are preparing for their clash with Sydney FC on Saturday.

Recent Sydney recruit, Brett Emerton, could be a major threat.

Shane Stefanutto, Brisbane Roar: “I think it’s fantastic that Emmo’s come back now and the same with Harry, it just gives a lot of excitement to the league and as players, that’s what we want.”

Given their premier title, the Roar are keen to prove themselves this year, particularly in their next game.

Shane Stefanutto, Brisbane Roar: “Sydney’s traditionally been a big club in this league though, so it’s a great challenge for us to go down there as champions and play on their home pitch, and hopefully get a good result.”

Meanwhile, the Australian men’s gymnastics team has failed to qualify for the London Olympics. They needed to finish in the top 16 at the World Championships in Tokyo but fell two places short finishing 18th.

Sarah Honan, QUT News.