TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 28 September

28.09.2013
South Africa 28, Australia 8 in Capetown (Rugby Championship; Mandela Cup)
New Zealand 33, Argentina 15 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
Finland 35, Greece 20 in Turku (ENC 2D)
Estonia 24,Finland ‘A’ 17 in Turku (Friendly)

Briefly
For South Africa to win the 2013 Rugby Championship they need to defeat New Zealand in Johannesburg next Saturday and score a bonus point. New Zealand need a win or a draw.

New Zealand’s bonus point win over Argentina has placed them in a good position to retain the Rugby Championship. Australia’s loss to South Africa will mean they face Argentina in Rosario next weekend to avoid the competition ‘Wooden Spoon’.

Finland dragged itself off the bottom of ENC 2D with a bonus point win over the visiting Greek side in Turku up the road from Helsinki.

Estonia announced it is ready for their entry into the ENC competition defeating Finland ‘A’ also in Turku.

NEW ZEALAND v ARGENTINA: Rugby Championship

28.09.2013

Venue: Estadio Ciudad de La Plata

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
South Africa only has to drop a bonus point and New Zealand win with a bonus point and the Championship belongs to the Kiwis.

New Zealand will have to work hard to overcome Argentina at home. Argentina has proven a difficult time to win up front, their performance at home against South Africa and the Hamilton test against New Zealand proved that their scrum can dominate a game.

Graham Henry has been in an advisory capacity with Argentina. He told them if they can attack with the passion with which they defend they will be unbeatable. And this is where Argentina has been lacking. Despite an attacking player like Bosch the Argies just haven’t been able to finish off moves.

Argentina will have a huge crowd behind them. I feel that their time will come next weekend against Australia at home.New Zealand plays the game at great speed with great skill. Enough said. That’s what will tell against Argentina in the end.

Last Five Encounters
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)
24.06.2006 New Zealand 24-19 in Buenos Aires

Argentina has never defeated New Zealand.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
14.09.2013 v South Africa W 29-15 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)07.09.2013 v Argentina W 28-13 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)
24.08.2013 v Australia W 27-16 in Wellington
17.08.2013 v Australia W 47-29 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
22.06.2013 v France W 24-9 in New Plymouth

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
14.09.2013 v Australia L 13-14 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 v New Zealand L 13-28 in Hamilton (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v South Africa L 17-22 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2013 v South Africa L 13-73 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)22.06.2013 v Georgia W 29-18 in San Juan

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 4th, Argentina 15th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 91.64, Argentina 76.41

Prediction: New Zealand by 20 points

TEAMS

New Zealand

15		Israel Dagg	Hawkes Bay
14		Benjamin Smith	Otago
13		Conrad Smith	Wellington
12		Ma'a Nonu	Auckland
11		Julian Savea	Wellington
10		Aaron Cruden	Manawatu
9		Aaron Smith	Manawatu
8		Kieran Read (Capt.)	Canterbury
7		Samuel Cane	Bay of Plenty
6		Liam Messam	Waikato
5		Samuel Whitelock	Canterbury
4		Brodie Retallick	Bay of Plenty
3		Owen Franks	Canterbury
2		Andrew Hore	Taranaki
1		Tony Woodcock	North Harbour
16		Keven Mealamu	Auckland
17		Wayne Crockett	Canterbury
18		Charlie Faumuina	Auckland
19		Jeremy Thrush	Wellington
20		Steven Luatua	Auckland
21		Tawera Kerr-Barlow	Waikato
22		Beauden Barrett	Taranaki
23		Charles Piutau	Auckland
		HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

Argentina

15		Juan Martín Hernández	Racing Metro 92, France
14		Lucas González Amorosino	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
13		Marcelo Bosch	Saracens, England
12		Santiago Fernández	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
11		Juan José Imhoff	Racing Metro, France
10		Nicolás Sánchez	Union Bordeaux Bègles, France
9		Martin Landajo	Club Atletico San Isidro
8		Juan Manuel Leguizamón	RC Toulonnais, France
7		Pablo Matera	Asociación Alumni
6		Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Capt.)	Sale, England
5		Patricio Albacete	Stade Toulousian, France
4		Julio Farías Cabello	London Welsh, England
3		Juan Figallo	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
2		Eusebio Guiñazú	Bath Rugby, England
1		Marcos Ayerza	Leicester Tigers
16		Agustín Creevy	Worcester Warriors, England
17		Nahuel Lobo	Newcastle Falcons, England
18		Juan Pablo Orlandi	Bath Rugby, England
19		Mariano Galarza	Leinster, Ireland
20		Benjamín Macome	Tucuman Rugby
21		Tomás Cubelli	Belgrano Athletic
22		Felipe Contepomi	Stade Français, France
23		Horacio Agulla	Bath Rugby, England
		HEAD COACH: Santiago Phelan

AUSTRALIA V SOUTH AFRICA: Rugby Championship; Mandela Cup

28.09.2013

Venue: Newlands, Capetown

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

Preview
A lot of media talk this week has been about Jake White and James O’Connor. Not a lot has been said about this important rugby test. Australia must win ease away from the bottom of the table whilst South Africa eyes it’s big clash with New Zealand next weekend.

It’s difficult to see Australia bouncing back from their loss to South Africa in Brisbane. In that rugby testy match South Africa dominated up front with Australia unable to win enough ball to compete. The same could well happen here in Capetown.

A one-point win over Argentina at home is all the Aussie’s have in this competition. Team spirit has been affected by the James O’Connor saga. The return of skipper James Horwell will be a much needed boost. It will be interesting to see how the Brumbies’ mid-field lineup will fare.

South Africa will have to focus hard on this game. With some attention on New Zealand next weekend the South Africa’s will have to keep their game plan and speed up to scratch. A loss on concentration by South Africa could just be what the Aussie’s are looking for.

Last Five Encounters
07.09.2013 South Africa 38-12 in Brisbane (Mandela Cup; Rugby Champ.)29.09.2012 South Africa 31-8 in Pretoria (Mandela Cup, Rugby Champ.)08.09.2012 Australia 26-19 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 Australia 11-9 in Wellington (World Cup, Quarter-final)
13.08.2011 Australia 14-9 in Durban (Mandela Cup; Tri Nations)

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
14.09.2013 v New Zealand L 15-29 in Auckland (Rugby Championship)07.09.2013 v Australia W 38-12 in Brisabne (Rugby Champ., Mandela Cup)24.08.2013 v Argentina W 22-17 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
17.08.2013 v Argentina W 73-13 in Bloemfontein (Rugby Championship)22.06.2013 v Samoa W 56-23 in Pretoria (Quadrangular Tournament)

Australia Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
14.09.2013 v Argentina W 14-13 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
07.09.2013 v South Africa L 12-38 in Brisbane (Rugby Championship)24.08.2013 v New Zealand L 16-27 in Wellington (Rugby Champ.Bled. Cup)
17.08.2013 v New Zealand L 29-47 in Sydney (Rugby Champ. Bled. Cup)06.07.2013 v British and Irish Lions L 16-41 in Sydney

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: South Africa 6th, Australia 11th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 88.94, Australia 83.67

Prediction: South Africa by 19 points

TEAMS

South Africa

15		Zane Kirchner	Leinster, Ireland
14		Willie le Roux	Griqualand West
13		JJ Engelbrecht	Blue Bulls
12		Jean de Villiers (capt.)	Western Province
11		Bryan Habana	RC Toulonnais, France
10		Morne Steyn	Blue Bulls
9		Fourie du Preez	Suntory, Japan
8		Duane Vermeulen	Western Province
7		Willem Alberts	Natal Sharks
6		Francoise Louw	Bath, England
5		Flip van der Merwe	Blue Bulls
4		Eben Etzebeth	Western Province
3		Jannie du Plessis	Natal Sharks
2		Adriaan Strauss	Free State Cheetahs
1		Tendai Mtawarira	Natal Sharks
16		Bismarck du Plessis	Natal Sharks
17		Gurthrö Steenkamp	Stade Toulousain, France
18		Coenie Oosthuizen	Free State Cheetahs
19		Juandré Kruger	Racing Metro 92, France
20		Siya Kolisi	Western Province
21		Ruan Pienaar	Ulster, Ireland
22		Patrick Lambie	Natal Sharks
23		Jan Serfontein	Blue Bulls
		HEAD COACH: Heyneke Meyer

Australia

15		Israel Folau	NSW Waratahs
14		Adam Ashley-Cooper	NSW Waratahs
13		Tevita Kuridrani	ACT Brumbies
12		Christian Leali’ifano	ACT Brumbies
11		Joseph Tomane	ACT Brumbies
10		Quade Cooper	Queensland Reds
9		Nicholas White	ACT Brumbies
8		Benjamin Mowen	ACT Brumbies
7		Michael Hooper	NSW Waratahs
6		Scott Fardy	ACT Brumbies
5		James Horwell (Capt.)	Queensland Reds
4		Robert Simmons	Queensland Reds
3		Benjamin Alexander	ACT Brumbies
2		Stephan Moore	ACT Brumbies
1		James Slipper	Queensland Reds
16		Saia Fainga’a	Queensland Reds
17		Benn Robinson	NSW Waratahs
18		Sekope Kepu	NSW Waratahs
19		Sitaleki Timani	NSW Waratahs
20		Benjamin McCalman	WA Western Force
21		William Genia	Queensland Reds
22		Matthew Toomua	ACT Brumbies
23		Christopher Feauai-Sautia	Queensland Reds
		HEAD COACH: Ewan MacKenzie

If he comes off the bench Feauai-Sautia will make his test debut.