THE Tasmanian government expect to build a compelling business case to back what they believe are convincing moral grounds for the state being granted an AFL licence.

WESTS Tigers have suffered a blow ahead of Monday's NRL match against reigning premiers Melbourne with half-back Mathew Head ruled out due to injury.

DARREN Lockyer has been named in Brisbane's squad to play the Bulldogs this weekend after returning to the training paddock on Tuesday morning.

Australia will head into September's champions Trophy with their position as undisputed one-day world champions well intact after their series sweep of a woeful West Indies.

NEW Zealand have made two changes to their forwards pack to play South Africa in the second Tri-Nations Test in Dunedin on Saturday.

Australia discard Digby Ioane heads a Queensland XV that will tackle an Alan Jones-coached Barbarians in Brisbane on Sunday.

AN optimistic Darren Lockyer says he will make his NRL comeback against the Bulldogs on Sunday after training with the Broncos.

Australia line-out ace Dan Vickerman plans to make a welcome return from injury in club rugby on Saturday as he prepares for next week's Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Perth.

CHELSEA have rejected an approach from Inter Milan aimed at securing the transfer of England midfielder Frank Lampard to the Italian champions.

HIGH-FLYING St George Illawarra will welcome back star centre pairing Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper in their bid for a record-equalling eighth straight NRL win against Canberra on Sunday.