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I know we’re in the thick of the Super Rugby action – and that most of those games have been great to watch – but the real deal is when your national team runs out to do battle.
We’re in for some intense international rugby starting June 5, when England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales come to the Southern Hemisphere.
England plays three tests against the Springboks; Ireland plays three against the All Blacks; and Wales and the Wallabies play three after Scotland has played a one-off against the Wallabies.
I expect the Boks to win three-nil and the All Blacks to take their series by the same score.
England has played surprisingly well for a new team with a new coach but still can’t get a dynamic backline to match their traditionally strong pack.
The Boks, on the other hand, have some excellent backs to complement their muscular forwards and have home ground advantage. And what an advantage that is.
Ireland had two loses and a draw in the Six Nations, one of those losses a hammering at Twickenham, and their morale has to be low.
It’s hard to think they’ll be able to produce the good form they showed in the Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks must be favoured by at least 18 points in the first Test, and possibly more in the second and third.
Which brings us to the Wallabies.
Scotland had a miserable Six Nations; they’re just not a quality side. The Wallabies have been smarting ever since they lost to Scotland some time back, and they’ll unload on the Scots because of that.
It’ll be Australia A but they should still run out easy winners.
Then comes Wales.
The Welsh are feeling their oats after grand slamming the Six Nations, and although their record against the Wallabies is dismal they’re confident they can take the series.
I see it going two-one. The trouble is, I don’t know who will take the two and who the one.
The Wallabies left the Rugby World Cup wondering where they’d gone wrong. I’m not sure they know, and if they do I’m not sure it can be fixed by the time June rolls around.
Wales knows who their fifteen will be, injuries permitting. They have a formidable scrum and backs willing to go wide. The Wallaby fifteen? From this far out, I think Robbie Deans is busy penciling in names.
I’m not sure if Quade Cooper will be ready to run on in the first Test. If not, who plays five-eighth? Matt Burke thinks James O’Connor’s best position is on the wing, while Rod Kafer is not sold on Berrick Barnes at five-eighth.
Who replaces Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner?
As for the forwards, does Hugh Pyle or maybe even Dave Dennis get a shot in the second row? Should Ben Mowen replace Wycliff Palu? And most important, what’s our best front row?
You’re cordially invited to submit your Wallaby run-on side and the bench, and fingers crossed they all stay healthy.
Here are the fixtures:
All Blacks versus Ireland
June 9 – Auckland
June 16 – Hamilton
June 23 – Christchurch
South Africa versus England
June 9 – Durban
June 16 – Johannesburg
June 23 – Port Elizabeth
Australia versus Scotland
June 5 – Newcastle (Hunter Stadium, New Lambton)
Australia versus Wales
June 9 – Brisbane
June 16 – Melbourne
June 23 – Sydney
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.