SYDNEY (AP) The British and Irish Lions got good and bad news on the injury front Wednesday ahead of the first test against Australia: winger George North is fit to play, but center Jamie Roberts remains doubtful. (MORE)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) After six matches in six cities involving constant travel across 18 days, not to mention the constant attention to the injury list and the biting reality of their first defeat, the British and Irish Lions set up camp in Brisbane on Wednesday to finish off preparations for the series-opening test against Australia. (MORE)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) Australia flanker Michael Hooper says a British and Irish Lions team packed with Welshmen will give his side some confidence heading into the first test on Saturday after the Wallabies' recent dominance of the Wales team. (MORE)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) South Africa will wait until Friday for captain Jean de Villiers and flanker Willem Alberts to prove their fitness for the final of the four-nation rugby tournament against Samoa. (MORE)

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) Canada missed a chance to clinch the Pacific Nations Cup rugby title when it lost 16-13 to Japan on Wednesday. (MORE)

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) The ACT Brumbies ended a 42-year drought for Australian provincial teams against the British and Irish Lions, holding on for a 14-12 upset victory in wet and slippery conditions after a hail storm in the national capital on Tuesday night. (MORE)

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) Tackle-shredding Wallabies winger Digby Ioane says he has overcome a knee injury and is ready to take on the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. (MORE)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) Captain John Smit will miss South Africa's end-of-season Grand Slam rugby tour to Britain and Ireland after undergoing a back operation. (MORE)

HONG KONG (AP) Australia may have lost 10 straight matches to New Zealand to break a 63-year record, but captain Rocky Elsom still believes the All Blacks can be beaten in their final Bledisloe Cup game of the season next month. (MORE)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Uale Mai has withdrawn from Samoa's rugby sevens squad for next month's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi to take up a playing contract in Spain. (MORE)