THIS WEEKEND 14-15 JULY

 

This weekend is one of the biggest of the year with no fewer than nineteen international rugby matches.

 

England begins their southern tour to New Zealand whilst Wales, Ireland and Scotland will be out to salvage something from their southern tours. The three Celtic nations all suffered defeat in their first tests.

 

The Second round of the Pacific Nations Cup features next. Fiji will need to defeat the New Zealand Maoris at home to be in with a chance to take the Cup. Samoa will be looking to improve its position but will find Australia ‘A’ tough opposition at home. Sundays match in Japan looks like it could be very even with a young Tongan side looking to make a mark in this competition. Japan got off to a wobbly start against  Australia ‘A’ last weekend. A win at home is essential for Japan if they are to have any chance at the title.

 

The Churchill Cup enters the last round of preliminary matches. Scotland ‘A’ is already a finalist having won both its matches so far in its pool. Ireland ‘A’ and England Saxons will do battle to determine the other finalist. Canada will out to win their final pool games to salvage some pride whilst the USA will have to wait to see who they play in the play offs.

 

On Sunday the IRB Nations Cup second round will take place in Bucharest. Two of the first round matches were very close indicating the finalists may not be known until the very last round. Georgia plays Uruguay which could be a very even match. Italy ‘A’ and the Emerging Springbox could also be a very close match. Romania are expected to win against the Russians who went down to Italy ‘A’ mid-week. All teams, perhaps except Russia, have a chance at the title.

 

The second 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament got underway mid-week with Thailand and Malaysia registering wins. These two teams will play off for a position in Asia Nations Division 1 in 2009. This match is crucial. Division 1 2009 also doubles as 2011 World Cup Asia Round 2. Sub Continent rivals India and Pakistan play off with the loser being relegated to a regional tournament in 2009.

 

The third World Cup qualifying tournament begins with the first round of African matches. Namibia travels to Dakar, Morocco to Lusaka, Tunisia to Yaounde whilst Botswana hosts Uganda. Each of these games is in a pool with four pools operating. The next round will be in July.

 

Finally, the Cyprus/Israel match to determine the final place in European Nations Cup Division 3C will now be played in September and not June 14 as was thought.

 

15.06.2008

Japan 35, Tonga 13 in Sendai (Pacific Nations Cup)

 

Georgia 20, Uruguay 18 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

 

Emerging Springbox 20, Italy ‘A’ 19 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup-Non test)

 

Romania 13, Russia 12 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

 

14.06.2008

South Africa 37, Wales 21 in Pretoria (2nd test)

South Africa won by 16 points. Spot on by me!

 

Reviews

A stronger performance by Wales.

 

Previews

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_3681182,00.html

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_3681183,00.html

 

Last Five Encounters

07.06.2008 South Africa 43-17 in Bloemfontein

24.11.2007 South Africa 34-12 in Cardiff

19.11.2005 South Africa 33-16 in Cardiff

06.11.2004 South Africa 38-36 in Cardiff

26.06.2004 South Africa 53-18 in Pretoria

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-South Africa 1st, Wales 2nd

 

Teams

 

South Africa

15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Tonderai Chavanga, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Luke Watson, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Percy Montgomery.

Coach: Peter De Villiers

 

Notes

Lock Victor Matfield returns to the starting line up. He joins Bakkies Botha in the middle of the scrum for a record 37th time for South Africa.

Januarie is recalled after an ‘in house’ suspension, Conradie drops to the bench.

Tendai Mtawarira makes his test debut in the front row and joins BJ Botha.

Ryan Kankowski and Francois Steyn replace Rossouw and Pienaar on the bench.

Juan Smit will lead South Africa for the 51st time equalling Sean Fitzpatrick of New Zealand’s record of tests as captain.

Percy Montgomery edges closer to two milestones in his international test career-100 test caps and 900 points.

 

Wales

15 James Hook, 14 Mark Jones, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Jonathan Thomas, 6 Ryan Jones (c), 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16 T Rhys Thomas, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ian Evans, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 Warren Fury, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Tom James.

Coach: Warren Gatland

 

Notes

James Hook will play his first game for Wales at fullback.

Roberts has never played in the centres at any stage in his career.

Gareth Delve makes the starting line up for Wales for the first time.

 

Australia 18, Ireland 12 in Melbourne

Australia won by 6 points. I predicted Australia by 16.

 

Reviews

Not too convincing by Australia, much better performance by Ireland who could have won this test.

 

Previews

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3555_3675938,00.html

 

Last Five Encounters

19.11.2006 Ireland 21-6 in Dublin

24.06.2006 Australia 37-15 in Perth

19.11.2005 Australia 30-14 in Dublin

07.06.2003 Australia 45-16 in Brisbane

09.11.2002 Ireland 18-9 in Dublin

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 9th, Ireland 11th

 

Teams

 

Australia

15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (Capt.), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Stephen Moore,1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Coach: Robbie Deans

 

Notes

New Zealander Robbie Deans is the first ‘non-Australian’ to coach the national side.

New caps Burgess and Hynes make the starting line up, whilst Cross and Mumm are on the replacement bench.

If Al Baxter takes the field it will be his 50th test for Australia.

 

New Zealand 37, England 20 in Auckland (1st Test)

New Zealand won by 17 points. I predicted New Zealand by 8.

 

Reviews

New Zealand still finding their feet and were not convincing. England began strongly but out played in the second half.

 

Previews

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3556_3671966,00.html

 

Last Five Encounters

05.11.2006 New Zealand 41-20 at Twickenham

19.11.2005 New Zealand 23-19 at Twickenham

19.06.2004 New Zealand 36-12 in Auckland

12.06.2004 New Zealand 36-3 in Dunedin

14.06.2003 England won 15-13 in Wellington

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-England 3rd, New Zealand 8th CHANGE

 

Teams

 

England

15 Mike Brown, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 David Strettle, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Tom Rees, 6 James Haskell, 5 Steve Borthwick (c), 4 Tom Palmer, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Andrew Sheridan.

Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Tim Payne, 18 Ben Kay, 19 Joe Worsley, 20 Danny Care, 21 Jamie Noon, 22 Mathew Tait.

 

New cap for England is Nigerian born Topsy Ojo.

Andrew Sheridan is the only survivor of the England starting XV that lost to South Africa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final.

Hodgson will play his first test since November 2006.

 

New Zealand

15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richard McCaw, 6 Rodney So'oialo, 5 Alistair Williams, 4 Bradley Thorn, 3 Gregory Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Neemia Tialata.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17, John Schwalger, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 James Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.

Coach: Graham Henry

 

Notes

Somerville’s replaces Afoa in the front row whilst Lauaki replaces Thomson in the reserves being the only changes from the 22 v Ireland

 

Scotland 26, Argentina 14 in Buenos Aires (2nd test)

Scotland won by 12 points. I predicted Argentina by 3.

 

Reviews

A big surprise win by Scotland who really bounced back from last weekend. Did Argentina really play that poorly?

 

Previews

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3560_3681634,00.html

 

Last Five Encounters

07.06.2008 Argentina 21-15 in Rosario

07.10.2007 Argentina 19-13 in Paris (World Cup, Quarter Final)

12.11.2005 Argentina 23-19 at Murrayfield

18.11.2001 Argentina 25-16 at Murrayfield

21.08.1999 Argentina 31-22 at Murrayfield

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Argentina 4th, Scotland 7th CHANGE

 

Teams

 

Scotland

15 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh), 14 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), 13 Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), 12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), 11 Simon Webster (Edinburgh), 10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh), 9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh, captain), 8 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh), 7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), 6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), 5 Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets), 4 Matt Mustchin (Edinburgh), 3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh).

Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester) 18 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 19 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors) 20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester) 21 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) 22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)

Coach: Frank Hadden

 

Notes

Scotland has made six changes to the team that played in the first test.

Paterson will play his 88th test for Scotland and will thus become its most capped player.

Blair will play his 50th test.

 

Argentina

15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Lucas Borges, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Felipe Contepomi (Capt.), 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Federico Todeschini, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Manuel Leguizamon, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Martin Durand, 5 Esteban Lozada, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino, 2 Alvaro Tejeda, 1 Marcos Ayerza,

Replacements: 16 Pablo Gambarini, 17 Juan Gomez, 18 James Stuart, 19 Alvaro Galindo, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Federico Aramburu, 22 Federico Serra.

Coach: Santiago Phelan

 

Notes

Wingers Borges (Benetton Treviso) and Agulla (Dax) replace Tomas de Vedia and Jose Maria Nunez Piossek. Borges will play his 12th test and Agulla his 25th.

 

New Zealand Maori 11, Fiji 7 in Suva (Pacific Nations Cup)

New Zealand Maoris won by 4 points. I predicted Fiji by 3.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

 

Last Five Encounters

03.06.2005 NZ Maoris 29-27 in Suva

01.11.1999 NZ Maoris 25-10 in Suva

04.06.1994 NZ Maoris 34-13 in Christchurch

31.10.1992 NZ Maoris 35-34 in Suva

30.08.1980 NZ Maoris 22-9 in Rotorua

 

GWC Rugby Rankings-Does not apply

 

Teams

 

Australia ‘A’ 20, Samoa 15 in Apia (Pacific Nations Cup)

Australia ‘A’ won by 5 points. I predicted Australia ‘A’ by 12.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

 

No previous encounters

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Does not apply

 

Teams

 

England Saxons 34, Ireland ‘A’ 12 in Markham (Churchill Cup, Pool B-Non Test)

Saxons won by 22 points. I predicted Saxons by 12.

 

Previews

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Does not apply

 

Teams

 

England Saxons

15 Nicholas Abendanon, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Oliver Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Matthew Banahan, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Thomas Guest, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Jordan Crane, 5 Christopher Jones, 4 George Skivington, 3 David Wilson, 2 George Chuter, 1 Alexander Clarke.

Replacements: 16 Andrew Titterrell, 17 Jack Forster, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Christopher Robshaw, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Adrian Jarvis, 22 Benjamin Foden.,

Coach: Steven Bates

 

Argentina ‘A’ 17, Canada 16 in Markham (Churchill Cup Pool A)

Argentina ‘A’ won by 1 point. I predicted Canada by 7.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_3684722,00.html

 

Previous Encounter

02.07.2005 Canada 22-15 in Calgary

 

GWC Rugby Rankings-Does not apply.

 

Teams

 

Canada

15 Michael Pyke, 14 James Pritchard , 13 Bryn Keys, 12 David Spicer , 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Edward Fairhurst (Capt.), 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Andrew Wilson, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Luke Cudmore, 4 Stewart Ault, 3 Scott Franklin, 2 Michael Pletch, 1 Kevin Tkachuk.

Replacements: 16 Douglas Wooldridge, 17 Benjamin Johnson, 18 Tyler Hotson, 19 Nanyak Dala, 20 Ryan Smith, 21 Patrick Fleck, 22 DTH van der Merwe.

Coach: Kieran Crowley

 

Notes

New caps are Cudmore and Keys.

 

Namibia 13, Senegal 10 in Dakar (WCQ Africa R1, Pool A)

Namibia won by 3 points. I predicted Namibia by 40.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/June/sport/08B8FE4A6.html

 

No previous encounters

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Namibia 2nd, Senegal 11th

 

Teams

 

Namibia

15 TC Losper,

14 Deon Mouton,

13 Bradley Langenhoven,

12 Jaco van Zyl,

11 Ryan Witbooi,

10 Melrick Africa,

9 Eugene Jantjies.

8 Tinus du Plessis,

7 Pieter van Lill,

6 Jacques Nieuwenhuis (captain),

5 Deon Pieters,

4 Wacca Kazombiaze,

3 Jane du Toit,

2 Hugo Horn,

1 Johnny Redelinghuys.

Substitutes:

16 Hauta Veii,

17 Ivan Gaya,

18 Ockert du Plessis,

19 Gawan Esterhuizen,

20 Elrich Jansen,

21 David Philander,

22 John Drotsky.

Head Coach: John Williams

 

Morocco 29, Zambia 18 in Lusaka (WCQ Africa R1, Pool B)

Morocco won by 11 points. I predicted Morocco by 8.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

 

No previous encounters

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa table-Morocco 7th, Zambia 9th

 

Teams

 

Tunisia 16, Cameroun 12 in Yaounde (WCQ Africa R1, Pool C)

Tunisia won by 4 points. I predicted Tunisia by 10.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

 

Previous Encounters

10.04.2004 Tunisia 20-3 in Tunis (CAR Div.1, Pool A)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Tunisia 10th, Cameroun 12th

 

Teams

 

Uganda 27, Botswana 10 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa R1, Pool D)

Uganda won by 17 points. I predicted Uganda by 40.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

http://www.gazettebw.com/sports/vultures-ready-for-uganda.html

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/sports/Musoke_skips_Botswana_trip.shtml

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/633058

 

Previous Encounter

16.11.2002 Uganda 56-7 in Kampala (CAR Div.2, Final)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Uganda 3rd, Botswana 13th

 

Teams

 

Uganda Rugby Cranes

 

Ronald Adigasi

Joel Anguyo

Robert Bibagamba

Eric Butime

Dennis Etuket

Obong Onen Jonathan

Phillip Karumuna

Joel Kimuli

Anthony Kinene

Felix Lubega

Anthonu Lugya

Solomon Mawanda

Alexander Mubiru

Timothy Mudoola

John Musoke (Capt.)

Kenneth Mutabaruka

Mathias Ochwo

Stephen Ogwete

Robert Seguya

Moses Soita (Vice Captain)

Edmond Tumusiime

Victor Wadia

Coach: Yayiro Kasasa

 

Thanks to Ramsey Fidel Olinga, Development Manager Uganda Rugby Union

 

Botswana

Coach: Gareth Gilbert

 

Israel v Cyprus (ENC 3C/D Playoff)-Postponed until September.

 

Malaysia 30, Thailand 7 in Bangkok (WCQ Asia R1; Asia Nations, Div.2 Final)

Malaysia won by 23 points. I predicted Thailand by 8.

 

Previews

 

Last Five Encounters

10.11.2007 Thailand 44-7 in Colombo (Asiad Plate, Final)

22.07.2006 Malaysia 36-27 in Bangkok (Asia Tournament, Tier 4)

16.06.2001 Thailand 29-13 in Bangkok (Asia Plate)

1999 Malaysia 18-14 in Ipoh (Quadragular Tournament)

30.10.1998 Thailand 28-8 in Singapore (16th Asia Championship, Sect. B, Playoff 3rd/4th)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table: Malaysia 10th, Thailand 11th

 

Teams

 

India 92, Pakistan 0 in Bangkok (WCQ Asia R1; Asia Nations, Div.2 Relegation)

India won by 92 points. I predicted India by 18.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

 

Previous-Last Five Encounters

04.11.2007 India 19-0 in Colombo (Asiad Shield)

20.10.2004 India 56-3 in Hong Kong (19th Asia Championship, Pool C, Playoff)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Asia Table-India 13th, Pakistan 14th

 

Teams