Robbie Deans has always tried to do the right thing by club rugby, wherever possible allowing his Wallabies squad members to play in the heartland. Deans is an avowed clubman. And the Sydney club scene will now come to Deans' rescue, as it will be the route by which Kurtley Beale will return to the Test ranks. After completing the first stage of his alcohol rehabilitation process, Beale makes his playing return with Randwick in the Sydney premiership. If he does enough for the Galloping Greens, Beale is a certainty to be fast-tracked into the Wallabies squad. Deans is an unabashed Beale fan, and only the blind will believe the troubled five-eighth/fullback will not be included among the six extra names when the final 31-man Wallabies squad to face the British & Irish Lions series is announced. And don't be gobsmacked if Beale suddenly becomes the front-runner to be the Test No10.

ARU continues to annoy Reds men

Our item last week about a Queensland Reds official's interest in sounding out Pat Howard to see if the former Wallabies back now of Australian cricket officialdom was eager in being involved with his home state caused great interest at Australian Rugby Union (ARU) headquarters. An ARU official approached a Queensland powerbroker about Howard, and was told to mind his own business. More than one source argues the relationship between the ARU and certain Queensland officials has for some time been very prickly. Recent ARU snubs of Quade Cooper and Ewen McKenzie haven't helped. Queensland officials are also aware of another ARU heavy recently bad-mouthing McKenzie, telling an audience of rugby heavy-hitters at a Super Rugby match that several people near the top of the St Leonards food chain would immediately walk if "Link" were employed at the ARU.

'Rock stars' can prepare to say ta, Tahs

One of the prime highlights of the Waratahs season this year has been the Fox Sports vision from the dressing rooms showing the players preparing for matches. Some Australian teams resemble prayer groups, with the players arm-in-arm in a huddle. Not the Waratahs. Foot-on-the-throat coach Michael Cheika more often than not is in the middle of the gathering, looking as if he is giving his troops a spectacular fire-and-brimstone speech. And the Waratahs have discovered that life isn't nice when they lose. Our Waratahs snouts say Cheika's half-time "spray" during the Rebels game last weekend was "a classic", and a notable player was told by coaching staff after the match, that he was "soft and selfish". There is also a concern that several Waratahs now focused on Wallabies duties have already "left town". The team management believe some of the players have "reached the end of the line and should start looking elsewhere". A cleanout of the "rock stars" is imminent. Cheika, meanwhile, remains committed to luring Beale to the Waratahs next season. Beale, who has lost faith in several Rebels officials, appears certain to be back in New South Wales colours.

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Campo's back for Classic Wallabies

There have been some feisty battles at North Sydney Oval over the years, including the 1989 British Lions-New South Wales tour match. And there could be a re-enactment on July 4, when the Classic Wallabies and British and Irish Rugby Legends play a charity match under lights to benefit junior rugby. The Classic Wallabies already have a reasonable line-up, including Jeremy Paul, Sam Scott-Young, Garrick Morgan, Ryan Cross, Andrew Walker; even "Campo" is expected to have a run.

Sevens talk about to get nasty

Expect dramas among the Australian provinces due to the ARU's obsession with Sevens football. Once upon a time, the ARU treated Sevens as an after-thought. But the lure of the Olympics, plus much needed Federal Government funding, has dramatically changed the focus, to the extent that some ARU officials seem to love nothing better than boring everyone senseless about Sevens. It will get nasty when the ARU "cherry-picks" notable players from the provinces for the Australian Sevens World Cup team. The Waratahs and Reds are already less than enthused.

Rumours of the week

Who were the two high-ranking officials - one a winner, the other a loser - who got into trouble last weekend when they carried on the "don't you know who I am?" routine as they tried to cut in on a taxi cab line? They were told by the locals exactly where to go.

Who are the two Wallabies no longer "bosom buddies" because of a high-profile love interest?

Which ARU official has been told by a grade club to stop making public comments about them? Which regular Friday golf booking involving two major powerbrokers at a prestigious Sydney course has been "canned for the foreseeable future?"

And name the Australian coach who didn't endear himself to his players when he called in the leadership group last weekend and suggested they might have been involved in unsavoury off-field behavior. One notable player is now threatening to leave and head home, because he is sick of the "hypocrisy" at the province and the embarrassing "tired and emotional" behaviour of its team officials at functions.