TEST RUGBY SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER

Because of other commitments I will be unable to fully review this weekend’s fixtures.

18.10.2014
New Zealand v Australia in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
Poland v Netherlands in Warsaw (ENC 1B)
Sweden v Ukraine in Enkoping (ENC 1B)
Andorra v Lithuania in Andorra La Vela (ENC 2B)
Slovenia v Serbia in Ljubliana (ENC 2C)
Finland v Norway in Oslo (ENC 2D)

Briefly
New Zealand should defeat Trans-Tasman rivals in Brisbane. Steve Hansen summed up the clash-All the off-field drama in the Australian Camp will either cement the team and they will be a very great threat or it will unravel the team. This could be a most interesting clash.
Prediction: New Zealand by 20 points

ENC 1B
Poland already has a win under it’s belt so far this season whereas this will be Netherland’s first game. The Netherlands are the newly promoted side and may well struggle. Poland by 10 points.

Sweden also has had a game played and will thus have that advantage over the visiting Ukrainians. The Ukrainians also have what is virtually a civil war at home on their minds. Sweden by 15 points.

Lithuania were relegated last season to Division 2B after a golden era going back just two seasons. They will be eager to regain their place in ENC 2A and they must start with a convincing win in Andorra. Lithuania by 20 points.

Slovenia and Serbia get their 2014-15 campaigns underway in Ljubliana. Serbia were relegated from ENC 2B. Slovenia by 5 points.

Finland and Norway clash again after facing each other earlier in the month. In strange circumstances they will play their round 2 clash (2015-16). Finland won easily at home but I’d expect a tougher Norwegian side to win at home. Norway by 3 points.