They've been pushed in the last two games by the English. So do they have the strength to hold off the whitewash? We know the game plan used by England so far which is float the ball high or hold it close on hammer away at the defence. So do the Wallabies have this under control?
We've seen very from Israel Folau over the last two games, as England have managed to keep him pretty quite. Dane Haylett-Petty has been good, but hasn't really exploded out the back and his catching game, although very good, has by no means felt secure. Whether that be down to finding his feet in the team or if it's something that he himself will need to work on, who knows. The last one in the back line is Rob Horne, who again has been very quiet this tournament. But these three play a key role in the attack on England's kicking game. Let's hope that they can come together tonight and put it a good performance. As I said before, they've been pretty quiet.
The other aspect that killed the Wallabies attack last weekend was the sheer pace of the English line speed in defence. There was, for most of the game, no space for any sort of attack. This is probably down to how deep the Wallabies chose to set up behind the ruck. They were often playing a very shallow game that gave them no time what so every to create space.
Tonight will be a pretty big night for Australian Rugby. A win here would restore some faith in the national side. Let's be honest here, no one likes losing to England, especially not the Australians.
Friday, 24 June 2016
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
The Rugby Championship Goes to England!
So what does this mean? Why are Southern Hemisphere teams making a move to play in the north? Is there a market for it? Why are SANZAAR not sticking to the schedule that's worked for so many years? These are all questions i'm sure many will be asking and i'm sure SANZAAR asked themselves these very questions before making any sort of decision. It will be interesting to see these questions answered as they game nears. Let's just hope that the north don't poach southern competitions like they poach the southern players.
SANZAAR have also decided to implement the new Super Rugby bonus points system to the rugby championship as well. This means that now, teams will need to score three or more tries over their opponent to score the bonus point. Which hopefully sees more attacking rugby being played.
At the end of the day, sporting competitions are like tv shows. Every now and then, a little change up is needed to keep things fresh.
Exciting times ahead.
Monday, 20 June 2016
All Blacks Just Too Strong
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| www.skysports.com |
As Wales have shown, Their strong enough to compete, but don't seem to have the grunt in the final twenty minutes to maintain any sort of control. This, I believe this issue comes down to depth off the bench for the Welsh. We saw that they suffered at the hands of the Chiefs not too long ago. Now, obviously, the team that played the Chiefs was by no means a full strength side but it does give clear indication of what Wales have in terms of back up players and sadly, they just don't seem to have much.
The positives to take from this is that Wales is competitive and we saw that over the last two games where they pushed the All Blacks throughout the first half, making them play some good rugby. They play hard and they work well together but they just run out of steam a little too early and that's when the All Blacks go in for the kill.
The final of the three test series is this Saturday in Dunedin. Hopefully Wales can pull something out of the hat and get one over the All Blacks.
I know who I'll be supporting.
Friday, 17 June 2016
One Glorious Day - Overview of This Weekends Games.
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| Photo (uk.reuters.com) |
Samoa vs Fiji - Offloads, offloads everywhere!
Samoa and Fiji will be showing their love of open play and will be looking to offload at any given chance. Both teams are well renowned for their silky skills. However, one side more so than the other. I'll leave it up to you to decide. (It's totally Fiji)
Tonga vs Georgia - Brute force!
Both sides here are known for providing some big slabs of meat to the game. However, I think Tonga has a more open set of backs that will look to play the ball more. Tipping Tonga here.
No, i'm not drunk.
Scotland vs Japan - Tight game
This one could go either way. Both teams can play out of their skin but they both struggle with consistency. However, I think Japan might have a chance to pull something out of the bag, even though the are missing a few key players, they still have some talent scattered around the field.
All Blacks vs Wales - Wales...trying
Wales will look to show the rugby world they they can compete with the best. And by that, I literally mean, the best. All Blacks on the other hand will simply look to play their natural, winning style.
England vs Australia - Australia trying to not lose again
Australia don't want to lose to England again. That would just be embarrassing. But they have a lot of hard work, as Eddie Jones's side has shown, they're up for anything they Wallabies are willing to throw at them.
Springboks vs Ireland - REDEMTION!
After last weeks poor performance, the Springboks will be looking to redeem themselves come game time. Ireland need to be cautious here. The Irish just need to stay as discipline that they were last weekend and they stand a good chance of taking it. They're also clear favourites which might prove to be a curse. Only time will tell.
Man, this is going to be a good weekend.
Springboks Named to Face Ireland
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| Photo (sarugby.net) |
Starting
- Tendai Mtawarira
- Adriaan Strauss (captain)
- Frans Malherbe
- Eben Etzebeth
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Francois Louw
- Siya Kolisi
- Duane Vermeulen
- Faf de Klerk
- Elton Jantjies
- Lwazi Mvovo
- Damian De Allende
- Lionel Mapoe
- JP Pietersen
- Willie le Roux
- Bongi Mbonambi
- Trevor Nyakane
- Julian Redelinghuys
- Franco Mostert
- Warren Whiteley
- Rudy Paige
- Morne Steyn
- Ruan Combrinck
A couple of changes as South Africa bulk up their side ahead of their game on Saturday. Lood De Jager is replaced by Pieter-Steph du Toit who was a good impact player off the bench last weekend, scoring a nice intercept try in the second half.
Elton Jantijes comes in for the injured Patrick Lambie. Jantjies replaced Lambie early on in last weekends game and played well under the circumstances. His start will be vital for him to stake his claim on the 10 jersey.
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| Photo (www.sarugbymagazine.co.za) |
Siya Kolisi, will have an influence this game. He was solid last weekend with a couple of good breaks and some hard defence. His game has yet to stand out above the rest but this weekend provides a good chance for him to prove himself and stand out in what will be an emotional game as the Springboks try to redeem last weekends poor performance.
Ireland Team Named
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| Photo (www.irishrugby.ie) |
Starting
Jack McGrath
Rory Best (captain)
Tadhg Furlong
Devin Toner
Quinn Roux
Iain Henderson
Rhys Ruddock
Jamie Heaslip
Conor Murray
Paddy Jackson
Craig Gilroy
Stuart Olding
Robbie Henshaw
Andrew Trimble
Jared Payne
Replacements
Richardt Strauss
Dave Kilcoyne
Finlay Bealham
Donnacha Ryan
Sean Reidy
Kieran Marmion
Ian Madigan
Tiernan O'Halloran
Five changes for Ireland ahead of their game against a struggling South African side. Joe Schmidt has slid Quinn Roux in at 5 and pushed Iain Henderson out to 6 to fill the space for CJ Stander. Rhys Ruddock rounds out the changes in the forward pack for Ireland.
The backs have a change up as well with Keith Earls being replaced by Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall makes way for Stuart Olding.
If Ireland bring the same defence they displayed in last weekends win with only fourteen men. The the South Africans will have a tough time pushing through. Along with their top notch defence, Ireland played smart rugby. Dabs in behind the defence and a lot of smart play saw them out scrap the South Africans.
I think Ireland will need to be weary of the injured and cornered animal. South Africa is hurting after their poor display last weekend and will be looking for redemption.
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| Photo (www.bbc.co.uk) |
Quinn Roux, who is making his debut against his birth nation. Emotions will be high as he tries make a name for himself in the Irish colours. Lets hope he plays well and gives Joe a reason to keep him in his starting fifteen for a number of games to come.
Thursday, 16 June 2016
England With Two Changes
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| Photo (www.ibtimes.co.uk) |
1. Mako Vunipola (33)
2. Dylan Hartley (73)
3. Dan Cole (63)
4. Maro Itoje (5)
5. George Kruis (16)
6. Chris Robshaw (49)
7. James Haskell (69)
8. Billy Vunipola (27)
9. Ben Youngs (59)
10. George Ford (24)
11. Jack Nowell (16)
12. Owen Farrell (41)
13. Jonathan Joseph (23)
14. Anthony Watson (22)
15. Mike Brown (50)
Replacements
16. Jamie George (6)
17. Matt Mullan (11)
18. Paul Hill (3)
19. Joe Launchbury (33)
20. Courtney Lawes (47)
21. Jack Clifford (6)
22. Danny Care (60)
23. Elliot Daly (3)
England have made two changes to their side, with Luther Burrell out and replaced by George Ford. Ford moves in at 10 and pushes Owen Farrell out to 12. The only other change is Marland Yarde out and replaced by Jack Nowell.
Eddie Jones has named a strong side, with a wealth of experience. As we saw last weekend, they're not the same side we saw, wash out of their own World Cup in 2015. Their defence was was absolutely blunting of Australia's attack early on and held tight throughout the game.
The bench is relatively inexperienced, but shows a number of talented players. Danny Care, Courtney Laws and Joe Launchbury are the three players that will probably have the best impact off the bench thanks to their experience. However, the bench has a wave of young talent ready to make a name for themselves.
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| (www.zimbio.com) |
Player to Watch
Maro Itoje will come out feisty and ready to get up close and personal as he showed us on the weekend. In only his fifth international he's definitely someone that stood out at scrum time with his loud personality and his constant exuberance. Let's hope he finds his way this weekend.
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