All Blacks coach Steve Hansen this week did his best to pump up a deflated Wallabies outfit.When announcing his Rugby Championship squad, Hansen emphasised how the Wallabies would have a considerably longer time than New Zealand to prepare for the first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney on August 20.As four of the five Australian provinces were involved in early exits from the Super Rugby tournament, Hansen said they had four weeks to get ready to play a Test, compared to the All Blacks having just one week by the time we get everyone there.So thats an advantage. Theyve also brought some quality men back from overseas, and a quality coach coming in from New Zealand- Mick Byrne- and he will enhance them as well.There has been a lot of talk about how Australian and South African teams havent been going that good in the Super Rugby. I think it is farcical to think they wont turn up and create a tremendous competition in this Rugby Championship, Hansen said.Coaches love praising their opponents, as it gives them excuses when they lose. They also dont want any of their triumphs cheapened, especially if it is perceived that their rivals are second rate.Still what Hansen uttered were encouraging sentiments, even if nowhere near enough to convince understandably wary Australian rugby fans that the long running period of Bledisloe Cup doom and gloom is suddenly about to end.What brought it all back into perspective was the squad Hansen selected. It wasnt just who was in that emphasised the gap between the All Blacks and the Wallabies remains substantial, but as much who was left out.While Wallabies coach Michael Cheika the previous week named a 36-man train-on squad that included several who were there more on reputation than form, there was absolutely no slack in Hansens contingent. Here was a squad that boasted excellent options and poise in every position.It will also be match hardened, revolving around those who have either been playing semifinal or finals football, which is often a better option than a squad confined to a training paddock for weeks on end.Then there were those who missed the cut. Damian McKenzie, the effervescent Chiefs fullback, was one of the standout players of the Super Rugby tournament. He has for months provided compelling entertainment. You were drawn to that smile which is part of his unusual goal-kicking routine. You were constantly enthused that despite his relatively small frame he fearlessly tried anything and everything in attack, and usually succeeded. His unorthodox approach was a competition highlight.McKenzie is a flourishing talent, but he didnt make the All Blacks cut. Neither did Chiefs centre Seta Tamanivalu, Crusaders flanker Matt Todd and Blues utility forward Steve Luatua- all of whom would cruise into countless other international teams.Depth in numbers and talent has always been the All Blacks strength. Australian rugby has instead constantly had to make do with limited resources.Nonetheless all is not lost for the Wallabies. At least Cheika has been able to bring in the artillery- beckoning back from overseas four important players- Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Will Genia and Drew Mitchell. Ashley-Cooper, Giteau and Genia should cruise straight back into the Test line-up for the first All Blacks encounter, providing much required experience- something clearly missing during the three-Test England whitewash of Australia.Cheika is also using the extended time with his squad wisely, even this week opting for a cross codes opposed training session against the Sydney Roosters NRL side. The short hybrid game had the desired effect- something new revitalised his playing group.And Hansen has a point about his old mate- Mick Byrne. The Australian Rugby Union hasnt excelled itself with great appointments in recent times, but the recruitment of Byrne as their skills coach can only be applauded.Byrne spent a decade deep within the All Blacks environment, and was repeatedly praised for his involvement in keeping the worlds premier rugby team well ahead of their rivals.Australian rugby, which has often struggled due to skill deficiencies at all levels of the game, have for a long time needed someone of the calibre of Byrne to get it back on track.Although Hansen argues that Byrne will not pass on All Blacks secrets to the Wallabies, its doubtful the latest ARU employee will opt for the cone of silence when in the Australian dressing room before any Bledisloe Cup match. Important intelligence is bound to be passed on.In the next week, the Wallabies could also gain inspiration from a once unlikely source- womens rugby.For a long period, the ARU neglected womens rugby. But in recent years, it has been an ARU priority, and with it Australia has developed an exceptional national womens sevens team, now ranked No.1 in the world.Luring players from various sports, including basketball, touch football, hockey and athletics, the Australian team, renowned for its pace and verve, is favoured to win Olympic gold, ahead of New Zealand.If that is achieved, it will provide Australian rugby with its best feel good story in many months, as well as being a morale boost at a time when the local game is going through a serious slump. The Wallabies are bound to use any Rio success, particularly over their trans-Tasman rivals, as a motivational spur.Longer Test preparation, prime overseas players returning, cross code training sessions, Mick Byrne and anticipated womens rugby success... none of these suddenly transform the Wallabies into Bledisloe Cup favourites. Far from it.But it will at least remind them that there is always an abundance of good reasons to turn up. Cheap Nike React Shoes From China . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Cheap Nike React Running Shoes . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.cheapnikereact.com/ . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Wholesale Nike React China .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Cheap Nike React China . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Milwaukee Brewers have been playing tough against baseballs best in the closing weeks of a difficult season.Domingo Santana struck out with the tying runs on base for the final out as the Texas Rangers escaped with a 6-4 interleague victory Tuesday night. The Brewers knocked off the American League West champions in the series opener on Monday night. In their previous road series, they took three of four from the Chicago Cubs.Manager Craig Counsell said the never-say-die approach from a team that has had a losing record all season comes from throughout the organization.That includes the players, for sure, because theyre the ones doing it, Counsell said. We try to talk about it, but I think they enjoy it. Playing against these teams helps us because you know theres something on the line for them.Milwaukee was done in on Tuesday by a couple of former Brewers. Carlos Gomez, traded to Houston at the 2015 trade deadline and acquired by Texas five weeks ago, hit a three-run home run in the third inning. Jonathan Lucroy, dealt to the Rangers at this years deadline, hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning. Lucroy, who played six-plus seasons for the Brewers, pulled a pitch from Jimmy Nelson (8-16) down the left-field line into the corner.Gomezs homer followed back-to-back walks to Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus, the bottom two hitters in the Rangers lineup.Nelson, who leads the National League in losses and walks, gave up five runs on four hits and four walks. Three batters who walked scored.It was similar to a lot of his nights, Counsell said of Nelson. The walks got him in trouble.Nelson lamented that if the hit by Lucroy was just about anywhere else across the infield, we wouldnt even be talking about it.Extremely frustrated, Nelson said of the season. Ive put in enough work in the season, off-season..dddddddddddd. All I can do is trust that itll turn.Chris Carter gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead in the first inning with his 39th home run.IS ARCIA ANOTHER ANDRUS?Counsell cautioned that its dangerous to compare still-forming young players to veterans but conceded that he and infield coach Carlos Subero see similarities between rookie shortstop Orlando Arcia and Andrus, Texas two-time All-Star and the teams leading hitter this season at .302.Its not necessarily the on-field attributes as some of the off-field, Counsell said. For Orlando, its a great series for him to just watch how that guy, his energy on the field and how he goes about it.Arcia made his major league debut on Aug. 2 and is hitting .217 in 51 games,VILLAR APPROACHES HISTORYJonathan Villar recorded his 60th steal of the season in the sixth inning. With 18 home runs, hes in position to join Joe Morgan, Rickey Henderson and Eric Davis as the only major leaguers with 20 or more homers and 60 or more steals in a season.After the Brewers end their Texas series on Wednesday night, itll be on to Colorado and homer-happy Coors Field.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers: Counsell said he gave LF Ryan Braun (sore wrist) a day off on Tuesday and that Braun should play on Wednesday.Rangers: Shin-Soo Choo (fractured left forearm) went 2-for-5 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a steal batting in all seven innings of an instructional league game on Tuesday in Arizona.UP NEXTBrewers RHP Chase Anderson (9-11), a native Texan who lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA over his last 11 starts.If Rangers LHP Cole Hamels (15-5) pitches at least 6 1/3 innings in what should be his regular-season finale, hell reach 200 for the season for the eighth time in 11 years. ' ' '