WORLD CUP WARM UP TEST: Ireland v Wales

08.08.2015

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Preview
Both these teams are fielding experimental sides with fringe players getting the opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion in their national Rugby World Cup squads.

Ireland will take the opportunity to get revenge over Wales after their defeat in Cardiff during the 6 Nations this year. Wales’ win robbed the Irish of a Grand Slam although they did go on to take the 6 Nations title.

Wales’ side is less experimental than Ireland’s and they look stronger in the forwards. This will be a game that won’t be memorable but I’ll give Wales a narrow win.

I still think Ireland will have their best ever Rugby World Cup.

Last Five Encounters Wales 3, Ireland 2
14.03.2015 Wales 23-16 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
08.02.2014 Ireland 26-3 in Dublin (6 Nations)
02.02.2013 Ireland 30-22 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
05.02.2012 Wales 23-21 in Dublin (6 Nations)
08.10.2011 Wales 22-10 in Wellington (World Cup QF)

Ireland Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
21.03.2015 v Scotland W 40-10 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
14.03.2015 v Wales L 16-23 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
01.03.2015 v England W 19-9 in Dublin (6 Nations)
14.02.2015 v France W 18-11 in Dublin (6 Nations)
07.02.2015 v Italy W 26-3 in Rome (6 Nations)

Wales Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
21.03.2015 v Italy W 61-20 in Rome (6 Nations)
14.03.2015 v Ireland W 23-16 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
28.02.2015 v France W 20-13 in Paris (6 Nations)
14.02.2015 v Scotland W 26-23 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
07.02.2015 v England L 16-21 in Cardiff (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Wales 1st, Ireland 2nd 
Europe Table: Wales 1st, Ireland 2nd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Ireland 85.76, Wales 84.07

Prediction: Wales by 3 points Score: 24-21

TEAMS

Wales
15 Hallam Amos, 14 Alexander Cuthbert, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Scott Williams (Capt.), 11 Eli Walker, 10 James Hook, 9 Michael Phillips, 8 Daniel Baker,
7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Aaron Jarvis,
2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Nicholas Smith.

Replacements
16 Robert Evans, 17 Kristian Dacey, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 James King,
20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Matthew Morgan.

Head Coach: Warren Gatland

Ireland
15 Felix Jones, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Darren Cave, 11 Fergus McFadden, 10 Patrick Jackson, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 James Heaslip (Capt),
7 Thomas O'Donnell, 6 Jordi Murphy, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson,
3 Michael Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath

Replacements
16 Rory Best, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Daniel Tuohy, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Simon Zebo

Head Coach: Joe Schmidt

Team lists adapted from http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_68344,00.html

Milestones

• Test debuts: Wales. Dominic Day, Ross Moriarty, Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan.
• Donnacha Ryan, Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls return to test rugby after lengthy spells.
• Mike Ross will play his 50th test for Ireland.
  

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.

TEST RUGBY RESULT; 1 August

01.08.2015
Uruguay 30, Argentina XV 26 in Montevideo (World Cup Warm up)

Briefly
It may not have been Argentina’s first team (That team is in South Africa preparing for the Rugby Championship test against South Africa this Saturday) but a number of the Argentine side would have the opportunity to stake a claim for inclusion into the World Cup Puma’s side. They were in for a big shock!

Uruguay were playing their last test in front of their home crowd before they venture off the prepare for the Rugby World Cup. And play their hearts out they did. They inflicted a first ever defeat of an Argentinean side by another South American side.

FIJI TRAINING SQUAD

Preparing for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Training camp in Suva followed by games against New Zealand Maori and the Pacific Nations Cup.

FLYING FIJIANS REG 9 CAMP July 1-4, Suva
	PROPS	Club
1	Leeroy Atalifo	Fiji Warriors
2	Isei Colati	Nevers, France
3	Taniela Koroi	Wellington, NZ
4	Campese Ma’afu	Pays d’Aix, FR
5	Peni Ravai	Fiji Warriors
6	Manasa Saulo	Timisoara Saracens, Romania
7	Joeli Veitayaki	Fiji Warriors
	HOOKERS
8	Sunia  Koto	Narbonne, FR
9	Jale Sassen	Fiji Warriors
10	Tuapati Talemaitoga	Pays d’Aix, FR
11	Villiame Veikoso	Doncaster, England
	LOCKS
12	Tevita  Cavubati	Ospreys, Wales
13	Apisai  Naikatini	Agen, FR
14	Leone Nakarawa	Glasgow, Scotland
15	Api Ratuniyarawa	Agen, FR
16	Save Tabakanalagi	Fiji Warriors
	BACKROW
17	Johnny Dyer	Fiji Warriors
18	Masi Matadigo	Lyon, FR
19	Akapusi Qera	Montpellier, FR
20	Malakai Ravulo	CSA Steaua Bucurest; Romania
21	Nemia Soqeta	Barrittz, FR
22	Dominiko Waqaniburotu	Brive, FR
	HALFBACKS
23	Nemia Kenatale	CSA Steaua Bucharest; Romania
24	Nikola Matawalu	Bath, ENG
25	Henry Seniloli	Treviso, IT
26	Serupepeli Vularika	Fiji Warriors
	INSIDE BACKS
27	Lepani Botia	La Rochelle, FR
28	Gabby Lovobalavu	Bayonne, FR
29	Josh Matevesi	Ospreys, Wales
30	Jonetani Ralulu
	OUTSIDE BACKS
31	Adriu Delai	Mont de Marsan, FR
32	Vereniki Goneva	Leicester, ENG
33	Benidito Masilevu	Brive, FR
34	Kini Murimurivalu	La Rochelle, FR
35	Nemani Nadolo	Crusaders, NZ
36	Savenaca Rawaca	Fiji 7s
37	John Stewart	Fiji Warriors
38	Metuisela Talebula	Begles-Bordeaux, FR
39	Asaeli Tikoirotuma	London Irish, ENG
40	Watisoni Votu	Pau, France
	Not considered for this camp	Reason
	Seremia Bai	UK Visa
	Timoci Nagusa	Injured
	Taqele Naiyaravoro	Super Rugby finals
	Napolioni Nalaga	Top 14 Final (13 June 2015)
	Waisea Nayacalevu	Top 14 Final (13 June 2015)
	Netani Talei	UK Visa
	Ben Volavola	Super Rugby finals
	Peceli Yato	Top 14 Final (13 June 2015)

Head Coach: John McKee

http://www.fijirugby.com/news/mckee-names-squad-for-reg-9-camp/