Wallabies turn to Roos to get the jump on All Blacks under high ball

The Wallabies have sought advice from several AFL big guns to improve their often-flawed aerial work. Former Swans coach Paul Roos has been seen at several recent Wallabies' training sessions helping the players improve their skills under the high ball and at restarts. It's not before time, as their poor kicking and catching skills has been a main problem area for the Wallabies for some years, prompting the SOS call to the AFL experts. Roos was brought in again yesterday, working with the players near the end of their training session at Leichhardt Oval. For some time the Wallabies and AFL clubs, in particular the Swans, have enjoyed a healthy relationship. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has also developed a strong link with the Adelaide Crows assistant coach Dean Bailey. Bailey was in the Wallabies coaches' box when they defeated Wales in Melbourne this year.

The most extraordinary Test performance of the year remains Wallabies five-eighth Berrick Barnes's match-winning effort against Wales in Melbourne on the same day his first child Archie was born. Barnes had to make a mad dash from Sydney after witnessing the birth to get to the game in time. In tomorrow night's Test program, teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper said another highlight of that day was when Barnes received the players' player award after the game. ''He then took us through the week and how special it was to him to share what went on with the guys in the change room. It was probably one of the best moments I've had in the Wallabies and one that everyone in the sheds that night will never forget,'' Ashley-Cooper said.