BLEDISLOE CUP: RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

08.08.2015
New Zealand v Australia in Sydney

Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Preview
It’s all happening in Sydney this weekend. The Rugby Championship decider sees the Wallabies take on the All Blacks in what is one of the traditional rivalries of test rugby.

Australia has a lot going for it in this match. They will want to end the four years of drought in tests involving New Zealand. They have improved since last November’s northern tour and under Cheika has gone from strength to strength. They appear to be building nicely for the World Cup. A win against New Zealand tonight will be a huge boost for their confidence, an area seriously lacking in the Australian team for some time. They will need to catch New Zealand on a bad day however.

The All Blacks have a history of performing well before and World Cup and then croaking at Semi-final or final hurdles, 2011 being an exception. It is a very nervous time for New Zealand supporters and I’m sure the team has this in mind as well. At this stage they are performing very close to world champions and I can’t see them losing tonight.

Last Five Encounters NZ 4, Drawn 1.
18.10.2014 New Zealand 29-28 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
23.08.2014 New Zealand 51-20 in Auckland (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)16.08.2014 Drawn 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
19.10.2013 New Zealand 41-33 in Dunedin (Bledisloe Cup)
24.08.2013 New Zealand 27-16 in Wellington (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)

Australia Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
25.07.2015 v Argentina W 34-9 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
18.07.2015 v South Africa W 24-20 in Brisbane (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
29.11.2014 v England L 17-26 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)
22.11.2014 v Ireland L 23-26 in Dublin
15.11.2014 v France L 26-29 in Paris

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
25.07.2015 v South Africa W 27-20 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)17.07.2015 v Argentina W 39-18 in Christchurch (Rugby Championship)
08.07.2015 v Samoa W 25-16 in Apia
22.11.2014 v Wales W 34-16 in Cardiff
15.11.2014 v Scotland W 24-16 at Murrayfield

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Australia 4th, New Zealand 5th
Oceania Table: New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

World Rugby Ranking Points
New Zealand 94.33, Australia 85.23

Prediction Score: New Zealand 25-16

TEAMS

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Giteau, 11 Andrew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nicholas Phipps, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Dean Mumm,
3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Capt.) 1 Scott Sio,

Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Gregory Holmes, 19 William Skelton, 20 Benjamin McCalman, 21 Nicholas White, 22 Matthew Toomua,
23 Kurtley Beale.

Head Coach: Michael Cheika

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read,
7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Brodie Retallick,
3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements
16 Codie Taylor, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.

Head Coach: Steve Hansen

Milestones

• Test debut: New Zealand. Nehe Milner-Skudder
• Richie McCaw will eqial Brian O’Driscoll’s world record 141 test caps.

Team lists adapted from http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_68416,00.html

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

08.08.2015
New Zealand v Australia in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Durban (Rugby Championship)
Ireland v Wales in Cardiff (World Cup Warm Up)
Kenya v Namibia in Windhoek (Africa Cup 1A)

Briefly
The warm up fixtures will be well and truly underway this weekend with the first 6 Nations side hitting out. Ireland and Wales clash in Cardiff.

The Africa Cup 1A competition continues with Namibia at home against up-and-coming Kenya. It will be a big test for both sides. Kenya has impressed this season whilst Namibia will be keen to add the Africa Cup to the silverware cabinet before they land in England for the World Cup. They have another game in Windhoek next weekend. This will be the last Africa Cup 1A game and it will be against Zimbabwe.

The final round of the 2015 Rugby Championship (shortened because of the Rugby World Cup) will see a final between New Zealand and Australia in Sydney. Both teams go into this test match undefeated. Australia, as hosts, will be eager to defeat New Zealand for the first time in four years. New Zealand captain will equal Brian O’Driscoll’s world record 141st test caps. This game will be a cracker. Can’t wait!

In the other game South Africa meets Argentina in Durban to sort out the minor placings. The Rugby Championship though is not really the top prize for 2015. These games are really just curtain raisers.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Round 2

25.07.2015
New Zealand 27, South Africa 20 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
Australia 34, Argentina 9 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)

Briefly
Australia out muscled and out thought Argentina in Mendoza to win convincingly. The result was very disappointing for Argentina who made all the play early in the match and spun the ball whenever they could.

Australia’s solid defence was the key. Towards the end two quick tries against a tiring Argentina sealed the match.

New Zealand played a very patient game against South Africa. Their defence held against a determined Springbox side that played a very open game at pace (very much like the All Blacks) but mistakes were costly especially in the second half. It was at this stage that New Zealand began to take control and were on top towards the end.

Next

08.08.2015
Australia v New Zealand in Sydney
South Africa v Argentina in Durban

This is the last round in a shortened Rugby Championship for 2015. The New Zealand-Australia game will virtually be the final; The winner takes the title.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 18 July

18.07.2015
Australia 24, South Africa 20 in Brisbane (Rugby Championship)
Fiji 30, Tonga 22 in Suva (Pacific Nations Cup)
Japan 20, Canada 6 in San Jose (Pacific Nations Cup)
Samoa 21, United States 16 in San Jose (Pacific Nations Cup)
Namibia 43, Russia 5 in Windhoek (2^nd test)
Kenya 36, Spain 27 in Nairobi (Friendly)

Briefly
Australia scored a try in the dying moments to snatch the game away from South Africa.

Fiji, Japan and Samoa opened the Pacific Nations Cup with wins.

In test rugby in Africa, Namibia easily accounted for Russia in the second test in Windhoek while Kenya defeated Spain in Nairobi,

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

18.07.2015
Australia 24, South Africa 20

Briefly
What a finish! A try in the last seconds of the game by Australia clinched this their first test of the season. Australia dominated the play more and more as the second half continued. They more than held their own in the scrum in that half, dominated possession and that pressure resulted in that try.

TEST RUGBY RESULT

17.07.2015
New Zealand 39, Argentina 18 in Christchurch (Rugby Championship)

Briefly
New Zealand eased past Argentina in Christchurch in a game of mixed stages.

Initially New Zealand were completely dominant but for a stubborn and well organised Argentina defence. Argentina looked as though they would be overwhelmed.

In the second half Argentina lifted their game and at times seriously rattled the All Blacks. Two quick tries generated from a line out and rolling mauls (an Argentinean speciality) stung the All Blacks to recover and finish the game on top.

Nothing could be taken away from the Argentinean performance.

AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA: Rugby Championship

18.07.2015

Image thanks to www.austadiums.com

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Preview
Both these teams had less than memorable tours of the Northern Hemisphere last November. Australia’s only win was against Wales, whilst South Africa lost to both Wales and South Africa but defeated England.

In the Rugby Championship South Africa defeated the All Blacks at home whilst Australia came within one point of the World Champions on this very ground. The prospect of the outcome of this vital test are mouth watering.

Firstly both teams will be desperate to win. Really desperate! It will be the first step in erasing the pain of November and a more hopeful eye on the World Cup come September.

Australia has reintroduced two veterans in Matt Giteau and David Pocock. They join Genia and Adam Ashley-Cooper in a very experienced back line. But unless they can hold the giant South African pack they could well be back at the drawing board come Monday.

South Africa has failed to produce consistently good results for over a season. They have their veterans in the forward pack including Victor Matfield. Aged 38 and about to play his 122nd test match the fitness levels and ageing bones may well tell if Australia plays and expansive game.

Victor Matfield. Image thanks to randomstruik.co.za

Can’t wait!

Last Five Encounters
06.09.2014 Australia 24-23 in Perth (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
27.09.2014 South Africa 28-10 in Capetown (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)28.09.2013 South Africa 28-8 in Capetown (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
07.09.2013 South Africa 38-12 in Brisbane (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
29.09.2012 South Africa 31-8 in Pretoria (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)

Australia Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
29.11.2014 v England L 17-26 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)
22.11.2014 v Ireland L 23-26 in Dublin
15.11.2014 v France L 26-29 in Paris
08.11.2014 v Wales W 33-28 in Cardiff
18.10.2014 v New Zealand L 28-29 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
29.11.2014 v Wales L 6-12 in Cardiff
22.11.2014 v Italy W 22-6 in Padova
15.11.2014 v England W 31-28 at Twickenham
08.11.2014 v Ireland L 15-29 in Dublin
04.10.2014 v New Zealand W 27-25 in Christchurch (Rugby Championship)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 4th, Australia 10th

World Rugby Ranking Points
South Africa 88.23, Australia 82.95

Prediction: South Africa by 4. Score 20-16

TEAMS

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Giteau, 11 Robert Horne, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 William Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons,
4 William Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Capt.), 1 James Slipper.
Replacements:
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Gregory Holmes, 19 James Horwill,
20 David Pocock, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Matthew Toomua, 23 Andrew Mitchell.

Head Coach: Michael Cheika

South Africa
15 William le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende,
11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger,
7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Lodewyk de Jager, 20 Teboho Mohoje, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Patrick Lambie, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.

Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

Milestones

* This will be Australian coach Michael Cheika's first test on home soil.
* Matt Giteau last played a test for Australia against Samoa in 2011. That was
  a shock loss for Australia. He was playing his 92nd test match.
* Australian wing Adam Ashley-Cooper will play his 105th test for Australia 
  maintaining his place as 4th highest test player.
* David Pocock returns to the Australian test side after an absence of 18
   months due to injury. He last played a test for Australia against Wales in
   November 2012
* Jesse Kriel will be making his test debut for South Africa.

NEW ZEALAND v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

17.07.2015

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Preview
Argentina has chosen to field a below strength against New Zealand in their first major outing this season. In a match they are unlikely to win going on previous history they have rested some key players. They have the Rugby World Cup in a few months in mind. Three players will make their rugby Championship debut; Facundo Isa, Guido Petti and Santiago Cordero.

New Zealand will field a strong line up with a number of veterans being tested well before the final selection of the World Cup squad. Their shaky performance against Samoa is unlikely to be repeated.

Last Five Encounters  NZ 5-0
17.09.2014 New Zealand 34-13 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
06.09.2014 New Zealand 28-9 in Napier (Rugby Championship)
28.09.2013 New Zealand 33-15 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 New Zealand 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
29.09.2012 New Zealand 54-15 in Buenos Aires (Rugby Championship)

New Zealand has never lost to Argentina. The closest Argentina has managed was a 21-21 draw in 1985.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
08.07.2015 v Samoa W 25-16 in Apia
22.11.2014 v Wales W 34-16 in Cardiff
15.11.2014 v Scotland W 24-16 at Murrayfield
08.11.2014 v England W 24-21 at Twickenham
01.11.2014 v United States W 74-6 in Chicago

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
23.05.2015 v Paraguay W 71-7 in Asuncion (CONSUR Cup)
16.05.2015 v Uruguay W 36-14 in Montevideo (CONSUR Cup)
22.11.2014 v France W 18-13 in Paris
14.11.2014 v Italy W 20-18 in Genoa
08.11.2014 v Scotland L 31-41 at Murrayfield

Argentina also played two non test international matches against a French Barbarians in late  June in Argentina. They lost the first 20-28 and won the second 21-9.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table:New Zealand 5th, Argentina 9th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 93.70, Argentina 78.23

Prediction: New Zealand by 25 points. Score-36-11

TEAMS

New Zealand
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams,
11 Charles Piutau, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements
16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jeremy Thrush,
20 Liam Messam, 21 Andrew Ellis, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Ryan Crotty.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

Argentina
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Jeronimo De la Fuente, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli,
8 Facundo Isa, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamon,
5 Guido Petti, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustin Creevy (Capt.),
1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements
16 Julian Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Nahuel Chaparro Tetaz, 19 Benjamin Macome, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.
Head Coach: Daniel Hourcade

Team lists thanks to http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_62778,00.html

2015 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Due to the 2015 Rugby World Cup this is a protracted competition.

17.07.2015
Argentina v New Zealand in Christchurch

18.07.2015
South Africa v Australia in Brisbane (Also Mandela Cup)

25.07.2015
New Zealand v South Africa in Johannesburg
Australia v Argentina in Mendoza

08.08.2015
New Zealand v Australia in Sydney (also Bledisloe Cup)
Argentina v South Africa in Durban

www.rugbyinternational.net

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

04.10.2014
South Africa 27, New Zealand 25 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
Argentina 21, Australia 17 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)

27.09.2014
South Africa 28, Australia 10 in Capetown (Rugby Championship.Mandela Cup)
New Zealand 34, Argentina 13 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)

New Zealand takes the title for the third year in a row but loses its unbeaten record in the Rugby Championship

Rugby Championship

13.09.2014
New Zealand 14, South Africa 10 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
Australia 32, Argentina 25 in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)

SOUTH AFRICA v NEW ZEALAND: Rugby Championship

13.09.2014
South Africa v New Zealand in Wellington (Rugby Championship)

Image thanks to www.busandcoach.co.nz

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Preview
New Zealand and South Africa have a long rugby history going back to the 1920’s. One would need to dig deep to come up with a contest between these two nations which, on form, would look to be so one-sided.

South Africa lost to Australia by one point. Their scrum was, on occasions, pushed back by Australia. They suffered the same inglorious happening against Argentina this year twice. All is not well with the South Africa scrum. This is almost unheard of. Against a New Zealand side that could match if not better that scrum and can play the game at greater speed and better skills, South Africa well deserves the underdog tag for this match. What Meyer can do to solve the problem I don’t know. What he is doing is bring back scrum veterans like Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha to shore up what could be argued as South Africa’s weakest scrum, ever.

New Zealand is just doing what they do better than anybody else. They win ball. They play the game at an astonishing pace. They play the game with a skills expectation which, as against Australia in game 1, can be breath taking. They can also do this for a full eighty minutes. Australia and South Africa can achieve similar standards but not for a full eighty minutes.

I cannot think of a single area in the game where South Africa could dominate. The lineout perhaps. Matfield still reigns supreme. But even in this area New Zealand is producing some outstanding jumpers in Rodick and Kieran Read. South Africa will need to play well above what they have produced so far and New Zealand a shocker for the Sprinbox to take this one.

Last Five Encounters
05.10.2013 New Zealand 38-27 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
14.09.2013 New Zealand 29-15 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)
06.10.2012 New Zealand 32-16 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
15.09.2012 New Zealand 21-11 in Dunedin (Rugby Championship)
20.08.2011 South Africa 18-5 in Port Elizabeth (Tri-Nations)

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 4, D 1
06.09.2014 v Argentina W 28-9 in Napier (Rugby Championship)
23.08.2014 v Australia W 51-20 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
16.08.2014 v Australia D 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
21.06.2014 v England W 36-13 in Hamilton
14.06.2014 v England W 28-27 in Dunedin

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
06.09.2014 v Australia L 23-24 in Perth (Rugby Champ.,Mandela Cup)
23.08.2014 v Argentina W 33-31 in Salta (Rugby Championship)
16.08.2014 v Argentina W 13-6 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
28.06.2014 v Scotland W 55-6 in Port Elizabeth
21.06.2014 v Wales W 31-30 in Nelspruit

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table:New Zealand 1st, South Africa 3rd

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 93.56, South Africa 88.42

Prediction: I just can’t see South Africa catching New Zealand on recent form.
New Zealand by 20 points.

Teams

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Benjamin Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read,
7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Joseph Moody, 18 Benjamin Franks, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Cory Jane.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (Capt.), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Patrick Lambie,
23 Damian de Allende.
Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

AUSTRALIA v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

13.09.2014
Australia v Argentina in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Preview
Australia created an upset in this competition last week with a last minute, thrilling win over South Africa. That result leaves New Zealand way out in front and unlikely to be trumped in this competition. Australia would do well to secure second place and overtake South Africa as the number two team in this competition. They need to secure a win against Argentina today for that to be a realistic goal.

Argentina, however, will be looking for their first win in this competition since it began in 2012. Despite Australia’s win last weekend Argentina will fancy themselves in with more than just a chance. Against the All Blacks last weekend Argentina were at times able to rattle their opponents scrum and in the loose were a handful. With Australia’s supposed weak scrum (it wasn’t against South Africa) Argentina will see this as an opportunity they must not waste.

Argentina will be looking for their first Rugby Championship victory on the Gold Coast. Image thanks to www.espnscrum.com

Australia will not want to see all their hard work last work ( and their coach made it clear in no uncertain terms after the game that Australia did make it look harder than it should have been) go to waste. A good win here is crucial for Australia to secure that second placing. Australia will also look across the Tasman to see if South Africa can cause an upset against New Zealand and throw this competition wide open.

Australia simply has to counter what will be a massive Argentine assault up front. Weather that and play to their strength out wide and at the back and Australia should win. Go down to the Argentine scrum and the game will be there for Argentina to take their first championship scalp. I can’t wait!

Last Five Encounters
05.10.2013 Australia 54-17 in Rosario (Rugby Championship)
14.09.2013 Australia 14-13 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
06.10.2012 Australia 26-19 in Rosario (Rugby Championship)
15.09.2012 Australia 23-19 in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)
02.11.2002 Australia 17-6 in Buenos Aires

Australia Last Five P 5, W 3, D 1, L 1
06.09.2014 v South Africa W 24-23 in Perth (Rugby Champ.,Mandela Cup)23.08.2014 v New Zealand L 20-51 in Sydney (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)16.08.2014 v New Zealand D 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
21.06.2014 v France W 39-13 in Sydney
14.06.2014 v France W 6-0 in Melbourne 

Argentina Last Five P 5, L 5
06.09.2014 v New Zealand L 9-28 in Napier (Rugby Championship)
23.08.2014 v South Africa L 31-33 in Salta (Rugby Championship)
16.08.2014 v South Africa L 6-13 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
21.06.2014 v Scotland L 19-21 in Cordoba
14.06.2014 v Ireland L 17-23 in Tucuman

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Australia 2nd, Argentina 14th

IRB Ranking Points
Australia 88.10, Argentina 73.98

Prediction: In the short history of games played between these two nations in this competition Australia has struggled against Argentina at home. I expect the same to happen but Australia take this one narrowly.
Australia by 2 points

Teams

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Toomua,
11 Robert Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nicholas Phipps, 8 Benjamin McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (Capt.), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Samuel Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements
16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill,
20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Matthew Hodgson, 22 Nicholas White, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Head Coach: Ewan MacKenzie

Argentina
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo,
8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera,
2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.)1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements
16 Matías Cortese, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro,
19 Benjamin Macome, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 23 Lucas González Amorosino.
Head Coach: Daniel Hourcade

NEW ZEALAND TOO GOOD FOR ARGENTINA. Rugby Championship

06.09.2014
New Zealand 28, Argentina 9 in Napier (Rugby Championship)

Reviews
Although not reaching the breathtaking heights of their 51-20 demolition of Australia 2 weeks ago, New Zealand did enough and showed enough overall class to outdistance Argentina.

Argentina played with plenty of passion and, as they did against South Africa, muscled-up in the forwards and at times more than just held the All Black scrum. They managed some good mauling and pushed the AB’s in a few scrums.

New Zealand rarely lets their guard down. And when they do look out for next minute they are upon you. Argentina were always going to struggle out wide. New Zealand only needed some silky moves from Savea (25 tries in 26 tests!) and Barrett (wow, and he is only number 3 in his position in NZ) and holes were found in the Argentine defence. Not many but enough to blow the score out to an eventual 28-9. New Zealand managed to push the Argie’s scrum in the second half and when that began to happen the writing was on the wall.

Argentina could also feel hard done by the referee when Senatore scored from a charged kick which was ruled as a knock on. I didn’t agree but perhaps it made up for the blatant hold back on Savea earlier in the game.

Argentina now ventures over to Australia next weekend whilst New Zealand eagerly awaits the Springbox in Wellington. I’m looking forwards to another enthralling round of the Rugby Championship.

He just keeps scoring tries.
Image thanks to www.veooz.com

AUSTRALIA JUST EDGE OUT SOUTH AFRICA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP; Saturday 6 September

06.09.2014
Australia 24, South Africa 23 in Perth (Mandela Cup; Rugby Championship)

Reviews
Australia scored a very late converted try to just edge out the touring South African side in Perth. Australia has now won their last two encounters against RSA in Perth.

That man Israel Folau played magic and scored an early try but the first half was an arm-wrestle and a kick-fest as both sides tested each other out. South Africa were expected to dominate up front but in a very physical first half honours were about even. Australia infringed more frequently and Morne Steyn punished them through the posts. South Africa led 14-11 at half time.

South Africa began to gain more control in the second half with the signs ominous for Australia. Then the matched turned at the 64th minute. Playing in his 100th test Bryan Habana was yellow-carded for a high tackle. Down 17-23 Australia sniffed an opportunity as the momentum shifted and they moved up a gear. A late try to Rob Horne after some silky work from Folau and others was the result of some relentless pressure from Australia. Foley still had to kick the conversion which he did the match finally ending with an Australian win.

Australia’s win puts them back on track. They face Argentina at home but South Africa now travels to New Zealand to face the All Blacks in Wellington.

Horne’s late try sealed the game.
Image thanks to www.theguardian.com

SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA: Rugby Championship and Mandela Cup

06.09.2014

Venue: Patersons Stadium, Perth

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Preview
Australia, whose scrum was demolished by the All Blacks two weeks ago, can expect another tough day up front when they face South Africa in Perth. Outclassed up front by Argentina two weeks ago (virtually a hanging offense in the republic) South Africa will be out to prove the pundits wrong about their ‘weak’ front five.

The South Africa scrum. No excuses accepted this Saturday.
Image thanks to kerikerirugby.com

Australia is not without their problems. Hooker has been a headache position for coach McKenzie as he is down to hooker number 4 to start because of injuries. In addition to a scrum that can be very wobbly the coach has revamped his backline with proven Super Rugby combinations.

Of the two Rugby Championship games this Saturday this could well be the closest. There is certainly a lot more at stake. If Australia lose that could well be the end of any Rugby Championship victory in 2014. South Africa will need to win well as they are two bonus points behind competition hot favourites New Zealand.

Last Five Encounters
28.09.2013 South Africa 28-8 in Capetown (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
07.09.2013 South Africa 38-12 in Brisbane (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
29.09.2012 South Africa 31-8 in Pretoria (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
08.09.2012 Australia 26-19 in Perth (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)
09.10.2011 Australia 11-9 in Wellington (World Cup, Quarter-Final)

South Africa has dominated Australia in their last three outings. However Australia won the last time these two teams clashed in Perth and who can forget the shock of Australia eliminating the Springbok at the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 5
23.08.2014 v Argentina W 33-31 in Salta (Rugby Championship)
16.08.2014 v Argentina W 13-6 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
28.06.2014 v Scotland W 55-6 in Port Elizabeth
21.06.2014 v Wales W 31-30 in Nelspruit
14.06.2014 v Wales W 38-16 in Durban 

Australia Last Five P 5, W 3, D 1, L 1
23.08.2014 v New Zealand L 20-51 in Sydney (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)16.08.2014 v New Zealand D 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
21.06.2014 v France W 39-13 in Sydney
14.06.2014 v France W 6-0 in Melbourne
07.06.2014 v France W 50-23 in Brisbane

Stats www.rugbyinternational.net

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Australia 2nd, South Africa 3rd

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 89.34, Australia 87.19

All rankings here at www.rugbyinternational.net

Prediction: South Africa by 5 points

Teams

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Toomua, 11 Robert Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nicholas Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (Capt.), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Samuel Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements
16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill,
20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Matthew Hodgson, 22 Nicholas White, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Head Coach: Ewan McKenzie

South Africa
15 Wilhelm le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (Capt.), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Patrick Lambie,
23 Damian de Allende.
Head Coach: Heyneke Meyer

NEW ZEALAND v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

06.09.2014

Image thanks to www.skyscrapercity.com

Venue: McLean Park, Napier

Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)

Preview
Can New Zealand produce another superhuman effort against Argentina similar to what they dished up against Australia two weeks ago? Yes, but! If they lift the foot off the pedal against Argentina fans probably wouldn’t be surprised. If the All Blacks do lower their guard would Argentina have the skill levels and pace to compete? Probably not.

Although Argentina’s record of 5 losses in as many matches may indicate a team without form those who saw the games against South Africa may beg to differ. To see a South African scrum completely dominated, as it was in Salta, would suggest this Argentine side is very capable. Perhaps not as skilled in the backs but they will certainly give the All Blacks biff if the Kiwis let their guard down. Argentina has never been totally demolished in their recent outings in New Zealand. Quite the opposite.

The weather forecast is for rain which may well reduce the impact New Zealand has out wide.This will be a most interesting clash. I can’t see New Zealand losing though.

Last Five Encounters
28.09.2013 New Zealand 33-15 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 New Zealand 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
29.09.2012 New Zealand 54-15 in Buenos Aires (Rugby Championship)
08.09.2012 New Zealand 21-5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 New Zealand 33-10 in Auckland (World Cup, Quarter-final)

New Zealand has never lost to Argentina. The closest Argentina has managed was a 21-21 draw in 1985.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 4, D 1
23.08.2014 v Australia W 51-20 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
16.08.2014 v Australia D 12-12 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
21.06.2014 v England W 36-13 in Hamilton
14.06.2014 v England W 28-27 in Dunedin
07.06.2014 v England W 20-15 in Auckland

Argentina Last Five P 5, L 5
23.08.2014 v South Africa L 31-33 in Salta (Rugby Championship)
16.08.2014 v South Africa L 6-13 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
21.06.2014 v Scotland L 19-21 in Cordoba
14.06.2014 v Ireland L 17-23 in Tucuman
07.06.2014 v Ireland  L 17-29 in Resistencia

Data from www.rugbyinternational.net

Prediction: New Zealand off their game to win by 20 points.

Teams

New Zealand
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Benjamin Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Joseph Moody, 19 Jeremy Thrush, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Head Coach: Steven Hansen

Argentina
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Lucas González Amorosino, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera,
2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements
16 Matías Cortese, 17 Luca Noguera Paz, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro,
19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Juan Imhoff.
Head Coach: Daniel Hourcade