Rugby Test Fixtures: This Weekend 27 June

27.06.2009
British and Irish Lions v South Africa in Pretoria (2nd test)
New Zealand v Italy in Christchurch
Australia v France in Sydney
Tonga v Japan in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
Samoa v Fiji in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
Tunisia v Uganda in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2 SF; Africa Cup SF)
Namibia v Ivory Coast in Windhoek (WCQ Afr.R2 SF: Africa Cup SF)
Papua New Guinea v Vanuatu in Port Moresby (WCQ & Oceania Cup SF 1)
Cook Islands v Niue in Pukekohe, NZ (WCQ & Oceania Cup SF 2)

Preview Briefs
There is another huge weekend of international rugby ahead of us.

The British and Irish lions must win the second test against South Africa to keep the series alive and their hopes of another series win. New Zealand has a totally revamped side to face the Italians whilst Australia will field its strongest side yet against the French.

The Pacific Nations Cup looks like a dead certainty for the Junior All Blacks. The rest of the games are of some interest especially when the home side Fiji takes the field against their old foes Samoa.

World Cup qualifying games continue in Africa and begin in Oceania. Uganda has an uphill struggle away against the Tunisians whilst the Ivory Coast have every chance of pushing the Namibians out of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The first round of the Oceania section of World Cup qualifiers begins this weekend. The Cook Islanders will be out to avenge their shock loss to Niue last year, whilst Papua New Guinea will be looking to take the honours at home against Vanuatu.