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Let the Northern home internationals begin

6th November, 2008
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Roar Guru
6th November, 2008
23
1301 Reads

A glorious beginning to a scintillating tour program sees no less than six full internationals being played this weekend. So here’s a preview of the upcoming games.

Italy V Australia – Padova, Italy
Head to head: Played nine – Australia 9, Italy 0
Last game: Rome, Italy 2006: Australia 25, Italy 18

A Wallabies team without Matt Giteau starting will be wary, considering Italy’s status as a growing scrum power after Nick Mallet took them through a solid Six Nations. The Australians will be match hardened after a impressive showing against New Zealand, especially in the first half.

Italian captain Sergio Parisse will look to continue a remarkable 2008 (he is shortlisted for World Player of the Year), as will the Bergamasco brothers, Mauro and Mirco – one of five Azzuri from Padova.

Australia should win, but Italy led at halftime and was barely denied a maiden victory in their last match. Italy should equal the Wallabies in the pack, but may lack a game breaking back, so it will be Australia by 12.

England V Pacific Islanders – Twickenham, London
Head to head: Debut game

Martin Johnson will display the wares of his new Rose of England before hosting the SANZAR giants. Interestingly, the English pack looks strong and abrasive, and this should provide the winning of the game, buttressed by giant prop Andy Sheridan and a young dynamic back row.

The new playmaking combination of Danny Cipriani and Riki Flutey should provide too much tactical nous for the Islanders. However, the three captains of the islands – Mosese Rauluni (Fiji) Filipo Levi (Samoa) Nili Latu (Tonga) – are all present, and there is strike power in the form of Seru Rabeni, Seilala Mapasua and Gavin Williams. With Glen Ella coaching the back division, they will be a danger team, but should not challenge what will no doubt be a pragmatic glimpse of the old rose of England who should win by 8.

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Wales V South Africa – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Head to head: Played twenty two – South Africa 20, Wales 1, Draw 1
Last game – Pretoria, South Africa 2008: Springboks 37, Wales 21

A Red Dragons team resembling a Grand Slam winning side rather than an injury riddled touring team await in their grand fortress in the land of song. Not only are Slam heroes such as Gavin Henson, Martyn Williams and Lee Byrne restored, but in-form Cardiff Blues duo Leigh Halfpenny and Andy Powell get debuts to round off what is also a very strong bench with James Hook and Dwayne Peel. They will not have a better chance to down the World Champions.

Sixteen of Peter De Villiers starting 22 played Wales in their last Test some months ago. The dramatic changes are the shifting of John Smit to prop “to prolong his career,” and Ruan Pienaar’s inclusion at number ten, with no true specialist fly half present in the squad.

However, this is the World Championship winning team match-hardened by the Currie Cup, and should have a little too much brutality for Warren Gatland’s men to triumph by 4.

Scotland V New Zealand – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Head to head: Played twenty six: New Zealand 24, Scotland 0, Draw 2
Last game – Murrayfield, 2007 World Cup: All Blacks 40, Scotland 0

Graham Henry has selected what some scribes are calling a second string team, but make no mistake, this is still a very strong looking team, largely selected on form. Three new players make their test debuts: Liam Messam, Kieran Read and Jamie Mackintosh – all of whom were captains for their provincial sides. Keven Mealamu becomes the third man to captain the All Blacks this year, and as an insurance policy both Richie McCaw and Dan Carter lurk on the bench.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has responded by naming an experienced side, with former captain Jason White recalled to head a strong loose forward combination to try and outplay the inexperience littered throughout the All Blacks, especially in the back row.

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However, for all the tough talk, headed by Scotland assistant and former All Black Mike Brewer, it is unlikely Scotland will challenge what has been 2008’s best team, who should win by 20 plus. Only referee Wayne Barnes could influence the result.

Ireland V Canada – Limerick, Ireland
Head to Head: Played three – Ireland 2, Canada 0, Draw 1
Last game – Toronto, Canada: Ireland 27 Canada 27

Respected Irish coach Declan Kidney has named a strong team in his first match as Ireland boss featuring kingpins Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell. Keith Earls debuts at the back, while outstanding number eight Jamie Heaslip – who was arguably the Emerald Isles best player on their Southern tour – retains his place. It will be interesting to see how the great fallers of world rugby will perform under their new coach, notable for his success with Munster.

Canada coach Kieran Crowley, the former Taranaki and coach of the U19 All Blacks last year, has high expectations of his side, a mix of Canadian club players and European clubs. Hooker Pat Riordan captains the side in a front row combining nearly 100 caps. Ryan Smith is the most capped back with 39 Test caps, but it is likely the Canucks – despite showing recent improvement – will struggle against a powerful Irish team on paper who should win by 15.

France V Argentina – Marseille, France
Head to head: Played Forty one – France 30, Argentina 10, Draw 1
Last game – Paris France, 2007 World Cup playoff: Argentina 34 France 10

It’s a very powerful French team featuring eight men from Toulouse in a side with no obvious weaknesses, although usual centre David Skrela’s selection at ten is caused by injuries to front line French fly halves. The French have selected a big pack captained by Lional Nallet and featuring defensive beast Thierry Dusautoir.

However, Argentina has become the bete noire to France, winning six of their last seven matches, including back to back wins at the ‘French’ World cup.

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Argentine coach Santiago Phelan will want to ensure that his Puma’s follow up the excellent results of last year’s World Cup, especially now former French maestro Fabien Galthié has linked up with the Pumas.

French assistant Emile Ntamack said Argentina were “a team brimming with talent that are difficult to move around.”

But if the French continue to showcase their all attacking style they have unveiled this year, they may well unlock the Puma defensive wares to win by 6.

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