Do The Wallabies Have The Skill?

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.

The Rugby Championship Goes to England!

That's right. The Southern Hemisphere's premier rugby competition, The Rugby Champion, will be heading north for the first time! SANZAAR have confirmed that Australia and Argentina will clash at the home of English rugby, Twickenham.

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.

All Blacks Just Too Strong

www.skysports.com

Last weekends test saw Wales suffer yet another defeat at the hands of the All Blacks. The hard working Welsh managed to hang on in the first half, but as so often seen when it comes to the All Blacks, their second half flurry is something that many teams struggle to keep up with and Wales were no exception to the rule. So are their any teams out there that could hold off a strong All Blacks side for the full 80? 

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.

One Glorious Day - Overview of This Weekends Games.

Photo (uk.reuters.com)

It's a big weekend of rugby! With games all day long. Let's have a look at a preview of what's to come! Try not to get too excited though.


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

Photo (sarugby.net)

Starting 

1. Tendai Mtawarira 
2. Adriaan Strauss (captain) 
3. Frans Malherbe 
4. Eben Etzebeth 
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit
6. Francois Louw 
7. Siya Kolisi
8. Duane Vermeulen 
9. Faf de Klerk 
10. Elton Jantjies 
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Damian De Allende 
13. Lionel Mapoe 
14. JP Pietersen 
15. Willie le Roux 

Replacements

1. Bongi Mbonambi
2. Trevor Nyakane 
3. Julian Redelinghuys 
4. Franco Mostert
5. Warren Whiteley 
6. Rudy Paige  
7. Morne Steyn
8. 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. 

Photo (www.sarugbymagazine.co.za)

Player to Watch
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

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. 

Photo (www.bbc.co.uk)

Player to watch
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. 

England With Two Changes

Photo (www.ibtimes.co.uk)

Starting

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.

(www.zimbio.com)

Overall, England look good and will be a tough contest for the Australain's. The centres will be hotly contested and England will have to think long and hard about their kicking game when you're kicking to the likes of Israel Folau.

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.

Wallabies Change It Up

Photo (www.afp.com)

Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika has gone, well, he's gone nuts. 

  

Starting 

1. James Slipper

2. Stephen Moore (c)

3. Sekope Kepu 

4. Sam Carter 

5. Rory Arnold

6. Scott Fardy

7. Michael Hooper 

8. Sean McMahon 

9. Nick Phipps 

10. Bernard Foley 

11. Rob Horne

12. Samu Kerevi

13. Tevita Kuridrani 

14. Dane Haylett-Petty

15. Israel Folau

Reserves (Finalised On Friday)

1. Tatafu Polota-Nau

2. Toby Smith, Greg Holmes 

3. Dean Mumm

4. James Horwill

5. Ben McCalman

6. Liam Gill

7. Wycliff Palu

8. Nick Frisby

9. Christian Lealiifano

10. Luke Morahan.

The front row sees two changes with Moore the only one hanging on to a starting spot. Replacements sees the introduction of James Slipper and Sekope Kepu in for Scott Sio and Greg Holmes. Which hopefully props (no pun intended) the front row which suffered against a strong English pack. 

The second row has Sam Carter replacing Rob Simmons and Rory Arnold holding onto his starting spot. 

The back row has been a hot topic over the past week with David Pocock being ruled out for the rest of the series. It looks like Cheka has gone for the inform Sean McMahon to replace Pocock at 8 and Scott Fardy and Michael Hooper rounding out the forward pack.

The backs stay unchanged on the run out side. Which is good, because the center pairing of Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi is one would send shivers down the spine of most opposition teams. But England showed on Saturday, they they’re not any team, they’re one that’s willing to play the nitty-gritty and get the job done. Dane Haylett-Petty played really well on his debut with a good kicking game and some strong runs throughout the match. He’s definitely one to watch on the weekend. 

This is a good side on paper, and what we saw last weekend, the attack is solid but was blunted too often and therefore were unable to convert possession and pressure into point. Which is something that will need to improve this weekend. 

Photo (www.rugbyweek.com)

Man to Watch

Dane Haylett-Petty, as said before, will be one to watch. After getting through his first game, the nerves will have settled and he’ll be able to play a little more freely and feel a little more established. 

Wales XV Named!

Photo (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/)

Wales have named a starting 15 for their clash against the current world champions. And it's a solid pack to say the least.

Staring

1. Gethin Jenkins 
2. Ken Owens 
3. Samson Lee 
4. Luke Charteris 
5. Alun Wyn Jones 
6. Ross Moriarty 
7. Same Warburton 
8. Taulupe Faletau 
9. Rhys Webb 
10. Dan Biggar 
11. Jamie Roberts 
12. Jonathan Davies 
13. Hallam Amos 
14. Rhys Patchell 
15. Liam Williams 

Reserves 

1. Scot Baldwin 
2. Rob Evans 
3. Tomas Francis 
4. Bradley Davies 
5. Ellis Jenkins 
6. Gareth Davies 
7. Rhys Priestland 
8. Scott Williams

Two changes for Wales this week with Rhys Patchell coming into fullback and Liam Williams pushing out onto the wing for the injured George North who is out for the rest of the series with a hamstring injury. 

I've always said that every side needs at least one feisty red head with Patchwell securing a place over Gareth Anscombe who is reported to have a slight niggle sustained over the last week. This will be interesting to see as the international world has yet to see Patchwell. 

This side looks to be a side that will push the All Blacks to the end. But I'm predicting an All Blacks win this weekend. 

New Zealand Name XV For Up and Coming Test

Photo From (http://www.planetrugby.com/)

Staring

1. Joe Moody (12)
2. Dane Coles (37)
3. Owen Franks (79)
4. Brodie Retallick (48)
5. Sam Whitelock (73)
6. Jerome Kaino (68)
7. Sam Cane (32)
8. Kieran Read (85)*
9. Aaron Smith (48)
10. Aaron Cruden (38)
11. Waisake Naholo (4)
12. Ryan Crotty (16)
13. Malakai Fekitoa (14)
14. Ben Smith (49)
15. Israel Dagg (49)

Reserves

1. Nathan Harris (3)
2. Wyatt Crocket (46)
3. Charlie Faumuina (34)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (8)
5. Ardie Savea (1)
6. TJ Perenara (17)
7. Beauden Barrett (36)
8. Seta Tamanivalu (1)

(* Captain)

The biggest surprise here is Julian Savea being dropped completely. By 'surprise' I mean, it was expected that he'd be dropped from the starting 15 but not that he'd be dropped from the side completely. His form in last weekends game was a little sluggish with a number of soft missed tackles. However, his Super Rugby form has been solid. It looks like he just couldn't convert that form to the international level. It's kind of disappointing to see him miss out, but there's still plenty of time for him to stake claim to the All Blacks jersey.

A few special mentions are the inclusion of Israel Dagg in at 15 and Ben Smith off to the wing. This make for one incredibly solid back line, with two out of the three being well equipped to handle the high ball. It will be interesting to see if Wales adjust their game plan for Saturdays game. 

And, as always, the All Blacks bench is something that sends fear into most professional sides. With the All Blacks often running away with the game late in the second half, it shows that they're a full 80 minute team and they have the bench to hang in there. 

This will be a tough one for the Welsh. We'll just need to wait and see what they're team sheet looks like in the coming days.

Do the Welsh have the depth?

Sad sam is sad. (http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/)

The Chiefs ran riot on Tuesday as they dismantled Wales to win the exhibition match. This begs the question. Do the Welsh have the depth to compete with the All Blacks? The results suggest, no.


For Wales, this is to be expected. Just like the rest of the hemisphere sides, All Blacks included. Things were very rough going as they stepped
out onto the field for their first international game of the season. This being the Welsh stand in players, who were up against a super rugby side that can easily run around the best in the club/franchise rugby scene. So, from that perspective, the Welsh should not be overly concerned. What they should be concerned about is the ease at which the Chiefs scored. If someone had told me the game had ended in a 40-7 score line, I would have jumped straight to a Welsh dominant win. But boy was I wrong. The defence seemed to be something that players chose to do at random, and a number of the tries that the Chiefs ran in were nothing more than rookie mistakes. Tackling high, leaving holes and not marking men. Something you are taught at the very beginning of your rugby playing days. So that's something that Wales will need to work on.

I expect this loss to be a shock to the system for the Welsh. Even though it was not considered a full strength side, they should never see a scoreline of 40-7 as an international side playing against a club side. No matter how good that club side may be.

Let's Talk Springboks.

Let's all be honest. The game on Saturday was a shit show. But let's start off by giving credit where credit is due. Ireland fucking killed it. Smart rugby, composed play and well formed set piece. Everything just worked and they showed dominance all game. Their line speed in defence was killer and they were relentless until the final whistle. I'm not Irish but somehow I find myself feeling proud of that performance. It was really enjoyable to watch (once I got over the sheer anger that my team was trying their hardest to lose).

Right, that's enough of that. Now, for the real reason I'm writing this. Da' fuck happened? That was not a game between two teams on one field. It was a game of Ireland vs 15 seperate players. The Boks just felt a little wayward.

There were however, a couple of good points for the game.

Siya Kolisi and Faf de Klerk were solid throughout the game. Kolisi's defence was superb and he made some good metres in attack as well. He could shape up to be a brilliant replacement for the outgoing Schalk Burger. I mean, Schalk hasn't come out and openly claimed retirement. But we all know it's coming. De Klerk, on debut faired quite well and controlled the game quite well.

Overall, a very interesting game. If this one is anything to go by, round two will be a very heated contest. As long as the Springboks show up.