I DON'T know about you, but I'm getting sick to the back teeth of the Aussies!

It feels as though they can beat us at everything these days.

But there were a couple of good things to come of last night's game, even if the general public might not think so right now.

Two of my mates were involved, one on either side, and I thought both did well for their respective countries.

In the opposition camp, I thought Lucas Neill had a great game at right back and did a great job of snuffing out players like Michael Owen.

He showed the same assured touches for his country as he does for Rovers but it's going to be a nightmare when he returns to Brockhall because we won't be able to wipe the smile off his face.

As for England, it was great to see James Beattie earn his first full international cap, even if he did only get to play 45 minutes.

His chances were limited as the Aussies took advantage of some poor defending, but he made some good runs, got into good positions and looked like he was enjoying the whole experience.

I came through the ranks at Rovers with 'Beatts' and I've always known what he is capable of.

He is a quality striker and it was a shame when he left for Southampton. Since then he has proved himself on the south coast as one of the Premiership's top marksmen, although I was glad he didn't get on the scoresheet when he came back to Rovers last week!

He would have been itching to get back on the pitch in the second half last night, as were most of the starting line-up who must have been desperate to rectify everything that had gone wrong in the first 45 minutes.

If he maintains the form he's shown for Gordon Strachan, then I'm sure Mr Eriksson will be only too willing to give him another chance.

On a personal note, it was good to get almost a full game under my belt in the reserves the other night.

Obviously, it was disappointing to lose at Middlesbrough, but I managed to come through 75 minutes unscathed and can't wait for my next game now.

Although it's disappointin g to get knocked out of the FA Cup at least it has given us the break we needed to get a few people fit again.

Duffer should be back for Chelsea and, hopefully, it won't be long before we see Hakan Sukur in a Rovers shirt as well.