Can the Wallabies beat Wales in June?

Every Lions Tour the squad are in pieces by half way through and the coaches, journalists and fans all say we must have a rest summer for the home nations the summer before the lions, development tours nothing else... Cue the bulk of the Lions squad playing 3 SH tests each. They might need the experience but I would take them being in shape and on form over crocked and experienced next summer. I know everyone needs the money but to me it is so dumb its unbelievable. SA to win the series and that series will be good for England's rugby for the next world cup likwise Welsh rugby - Aus to win that one - quite comfortably actually - ABs 3-0. It would probably be 4-0 somehow if they were playing Scotland.

im taking about testing new players and new combinations, Genia and Horwill wont even make the world 15 so stop praising them, they havent shown anything eversince the reds won the s15 last year, the players i named are not 1st run on players, i selected them because they should be given a try to see who would be the back up hence McKibbin as a possible #9 reserve for Genia, i selected TPN ahead of Moore because Moore is daylight ahead of TPN thats why he (TPN) should be given time to improve his general play, we cannot have 2experienced locks in the run on side thats why i chose Sharpe to partner Timani and Pyle on the reserves, this is my side i would select to play against Scotland if the test was 2mrw..........

If Hansen selects new sides then NZ are rebuilding, but in terms of lost players they're certainly not in a rebuilding phase. Look how bad SA were when Du Preez tapered off. Proves the point. He was the star of the show, as was Matfield. SA were simply nowhere near the same side without Matifeld because he was key to the way they played their game. How else did SA do so well in 2009? Their classy running backs or their tactical play and kick chase? You don't seriously think SA would have been the same side with Januarie and Muller? I recall an interview with Paul O'Connell saying how much easier it was to play SA without Matfield. Who was Botha keeping out of the side, btw? Haven't mentioned the Wallabies. Didn't say SA were easybeats either. Wales aren't a complete side. Their scrum is reliant on Adam Jones, their attacking play is still far too one-dimensional, and their tactics are questionable. Look how sides nullified Priestland, for example. Did you watch the recent 6N - because that revealed a lot about both England and Wales. Neither side is anywhere near the complete package.

Just because the majority of the RWC11 ABs are still playing SuperXV this season does not mean that the ABs are not rebuilding. They have a busload of new talent emerging, especially in the halves and backrow, and even though Hanson was assistant coach under Henry, now that he has the top job to himself it must be expected he will start his succession planning, even if only to build the depth essential to a world cup campaign (could any other side have won a RWC with a 4th choice #10? Indeed, does any other side even have a world class 4th choice #10?!). Hanson is certainly not going to delay his rebuilding programme until 2015! As for the Boks, Matfield was admittedly a force until the end, but Du Preez' star waned in the last season or two, as did Smit's and Botha's, and their continued selection only served to delay the arrival of their successors. Regardless, as unquestionably outstanding as both Matfield and Du Preez were, to claim they were a two man team is a ridiculous statement that is an insult both to Springbok rugby and to every other national side beaten by the Boks in the Matfield-Du Preez era. Of course the loss of great incumbant players will impact any side as it readjusts, but my key point is that SA rugby and NZ rugby have a far greater talent depth than Oz rugby with which to cover their fallen heroes. And deluding ourselves that the Wallabies are on track while the Boks are the easybeats does nothing to address this problem. The warning signs are flashing loud and clearly for anyone following the performance of the Aussie sides so far this SuperXV season. The Reds and the Tahs have had nightmare starts to their season due to injury, yet the Chiefs and the Highlanders have also been hit hard by injury so far, and the Bulls and the 'Canes have also lost vast amounts of experience from their teams- how are those sides doing so far? Narrow player dependency in Springbok rugby? I wish! I am far more worried about the Wallabies player dependency! The Wallaby RWC campaign evaporated when the desperately hoped for impacts of Cooper (choking) and Pocock (injury) failed to materialise. There was no plan B (what coach/manager goes to a RWC without any planned cover in the key positions of flyhalf and openside flank?!!!!). In fact, I'm not even sure there was a plan A, let alone a plan B. There was instead the embarassing desperation and destabilisation of the Elsom-Horwill captaincy fiasco, and a pathetic attempt at papering over the midfield cracks at the 11th hour with the laughable McCabe experiment. Deans had 4 years to prepare for that campaign but he was still making it up on the spot by the time the curtain went up! Less than six months on from the RWC and Wales are a complete team, with class from 1 to 15, building from strength to strength, and with a Grand Slam to show for their continued rise. They'll be facing a Wallaby side that after 4 years still cannot even decide its 1st XV- other than by "last man standing"....and you reckon the "easybeat" Boks need to fear England?!

The ABs are rebuilding? Even though they still have Woodcock, Mealamau, Hore, the Franks brothers, Williams, Boric, Thomson, McCaw, Read, Weepu, Ellis, Carter, Dagg, Jane, Nonu, Smith etc... South Africa have lost Matfield and Du Preez, and those two dictated the way SA played. SA won a lot of games due to lineout supremacy and the kicking ability of Du Preez and Steyn. Now those two are gone they are going to have to learn to pressure sides in a different way, and as I've said before, none of Mallett, Viljoen or PdV could get the SA side to play running rugby at the highest level so what will they do now? Hougaard, Lambie and Basson still haven't done anything at all at Test level, so to call them outstanding is totally subjective. The key point which people seem to be ignoring is that there is no basis for saying that SA will suddenly come out and be outstanding. They were poor in the WC, poor prior to the WC, and they've lost some of the most experienced players in the history of the game, not to mention leaders. If you think the loss of Steenkamp, Smit, Botha, Matfield, Du Preez and Fourie won't hit hard then we'll just have to disagree.

Ben you sound so one-eyed you could be a Kiwi! The Boks and the ABs are rebuilding after RWC11 and not without some ominous signs! Of the 3N sides only the Wallabies are not rebuilding- Deans started that process when he took charge 4 years ago- so what's their excuse? Oranjeboom rightly highlights a huge concern that still no one- including Deans himself- seems to have a clue what the starting Wallaby XV will look like. And uncharacteristically for Wallaby sides, while at last there is thankfully some genuine quality available in the front row, the selection concerns in the backs are gaping: No genuine options at 10, still no clear progress on a midfield strategy, and back three stocks decimated by injury. Meanwhile, South Africa have merely lost a couple of old war horses, mostly in the front 5, who probably stayed on past their prime and in doing so sheilded the rest of the rugby world from the full force of their understudies. As for the "outstanding backs...needing time to develop", I'd say Hougaard, Lambie and Basson have already passed their apprenticeships, the old heads of Steyne and de Villiers (who is playing some of the best rugby of his career right now) are in form at the top of the SuperXV table, and new wunderkinds such as Goosen are showing no signs of needing anymore time to develop...Oranjeboom is right, Ireland and England are going to get blown off the park... but I'm not sure I have the same confindence that a disorientated Wallabies will cope so well with a confident, well coached and immensely talented Wales who have all the momentum...

With these Tests being at the start of the SH Test Season and the Welsh confident on the back of their Grand Slam, I wouldn't be too quick to write them off. Their pack will be up for the challenge. The contest between Warburton and Pocock at the breakdown should be immense. As Bushy has alluded to the breakdown will be pivotal. While the Wallabies' backs have their customary flair whether they are cohesive this early in the season is questionable and the issues at 1st 5 and in the Centres are nowhere near settled. I have not seen the abrasiveness of the Welsh fans to which Matthew refers but one senses the Welsh are starting to believe and will fancy their chances. Prediction: Wallabies 2-1 but this could just as easily be Wales 2-1. The English will struggle in South Africa. Everyone does and this young English team will be no exception. Boks 2-1 The Irish are entirely capable of upsetting the AB's but I can't see it, unless they can dominate up front. Parity will be not be anywhere near good enough. All Blacks 3-0. Caution: this disillusioned and embarrassed poster also predicted the Blues to dominate SuperRugby this year (sob...)

Really hoping that both Pocock and Warburton are fit for the summer tests (Warburton missed the last 2) as the breakdown is going to decide this one. These tests will prove or disprove Warburton is the player us in Wales think he is.

First time on The Roar and have to say, a little surprised by all the negativity towards Wales. I think Gatland has maybe precipitated this with some of his bullish forthright and provocative views before big games but 1. He isn't even Welsh and 2. Think its just Gats trying to motivate our youngsters (most of the team) by placing them under pressure. REALLY looking forward to this series and hope that both sides have fully fit squads to select from. I predict three tight tests with each side taking atleast one W, be great if it went to a third match decider.

i do rate nathan charles though. hes better than saia and im a reds fan

yeh digby cant pass. he's been tried there at both levels of the game and both times it has been a failure. do people even watch rugby before commenting on this website. and how the hell does mckibbin replace genia. hes only played one run on game for the tahs. and if horwill gets his mojo back. ur a fool. he and genia are the only guys we have that would make a world 15 (pocock doesnt make it because of mccaw). and tpn has a better impact on a game, but steve moore plays smart no mistake rugby and thats what you need in a test match. hugh pyle straight to the run on.

South Africa easily have the worst results in Europe in recent seasons of the 3N sides. Take 2010 as an example: NZ fielded a weakened side and beat Scotland 3-49 (I think), and then Scotland went on and beat the Boks 21-17. Even the SA victories have been very tight affairs. SA may well go on to be great under Meyer, I just think it's presumptuous, as Colin says, especially when based on Super rugby, which is a totally different animal to Test match rugby. Obviously it all depends on which sides are put out by each coach, and who the England coach even is at that point. It's going to be interesting viewing and a learning curve for both sides.

Mtawarira has always struggled when coming up against technically competent European props. He's athletic, but nowhere near the class of the real top looseheads. Same applies to Bekker - athletic player, but basically never done it on the Test stage. Why would he invoke any fear in England? SA haven't really blooded that many players though, have they? The occasional cap here or there isn't the same as there being a 25 cap alternative. PdV was a very conservative selector, and he played to win the WC, not the two years after that. I think SA have better depth in certain areas, whilst England have better depth in others. That's the same with all countries though. 'The Welsh are big mouthed because before every game facing SH opponents there is always talk about the imminent Welsh victory. Yeah, still waiting for that one too.' Such as?

"but I honestly dont think England can win the series." I think we can win the series, but from a purely pessimistic point of view I don't think we will, just so that if we are humiliated, I have a fall-back!! ;) "Like, Francois Hougaard, Lwazi Mvovo, Pat Lambie (which you mentioned), Willem Alberts, Gio Aplon, Elton Jantjies, Ashley Johnston to name a few." Again, I like the players you mentioned, but apart from Hougaard, Lambie and to some extent Aplon and Alberts, the rest aren't established Test peformers. I also wouldn't call Aplon a 'youngster with potential.' The same goes for your other list. I could name an endless list of young English players who are playing well in the Premiership and could be good enough for Test rugby. But because they haven't yet played there's no point.

thanks for the feeback Colin! 1. Like, Francois Hougaard, Lwazi Mvovo, Pat Lambie (which you mentioned), Willem Alberts, Gio Aplon, Elton Jantjies, Ashley Johnston to name a few. 2. I did not articulate myself clearly on your second point, so let me try again. The players I mentioned were indeed stopping certain younger players from getting starts, but all the players that I mentioned above, and a guy like Bismarck du Plessis will now be starting on a way more regular basis. But they have all spent a bit of time with the Bok squad, hence my opinion that the transition will be a smooth one. 3. Only time will tell I suppose. South Africa always churns out good loose forwards and more recently young exciting backs, but yeah.. 4. You mention some exciting players in your "boot shaking" section. But if those players are bootshakers, then it is only fair to say that SA posses a few of their own., i.e. Hougaard, De Villiers, Frans Steyn, Alberts, Bismarck, Burger, Brussow, Aplon, Lambie etc. I am pretty much in the same position as you in that I cannot comment to much on what is going on in the English premiership, in terms of players coming through etc. In terms of the scrum, there are some young props coming through at the moment, particularly at the bulls and cheetahs, and a young lock at the Stormers, Etzbeth. Then Johan Goosen is sure to be a bok 10 fairly soon. It will be an interesting series for sure, and the games may end up being close, but I honestly dont think England can win the series.

i agree that Digby and McCabe cant pass but the problem is that none of the coaches are doing anything to help

"Despite SA losing a host of their older players they have blooded enough young players over the past two years to make the transition a smooth one." Like? Lambie's the only one I can think of. "In many instances the older players such as Smit, Spies, Bakkies et al have been hampering the development of other better and younger players." So you've sort of contradicted yourself here. How will the process be a smooth one if they're hampering the development of the younger players by being prefered to them? "South Africa, despite your argument posses way more depth and quality compared to the current England squad" At the moment, I would probably agree with you. If we return to this argument in a year's time, it may well be different. "What boot shakers do you have in English side? Um, none." I think South Africa will certainly be wary of Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi and Youngs, if he can re-discover his form, in the backs. The Front-row scrummaging unit to is starting to click as well. South Africa will provide a different challenge to the Six Nations, but with effectively their two first choice loosehead props out (I'm doing this on the premise that they won't select European-based players), I haven't seen anyone in Super Rugby who is a superior scrummager. Jannie du Plessis, again based primarily on Super Rugby this season, looks just average to me and he also hasn't done anything in Test rugby to change that opinion. Personally, I'm not sure about Farrell, whether he can persistently provide go forward for England at fly-half, but he kicks his goals and has incredible composure for his age, so if South Africa infringe, then he'll punish them. Anyway, the back five of the England pack has question marks about it, but Morgan has emerged at 8, Croft is getting back to his 2009 form and Parling has been a surprising standout. Botha's also played well, but I'm just not sure if he's good enough to compete with the very best. Robshaw has done well as a leader, but he's not a natural fetcher. People are right to point out that playing the SH three is a big challenge for the Six Nations' sides, but to dismiss the actual quality of those sides is also presumtuous, as judgng by your comments, it doesn't seem like you watch much European rugby.

I'm keeping quite about England's chances in South Africa. Since the Boks returned to international rugby, we'd managed to hold our own out there with some good wins in 1994 and 2000 leading to drawn series. At that point, we'd won 3 of our 8 encounters on South African soil. And then came the train wreck of the 2007 tour and two fifty point hidings. England are actually on a 7 match losing streak against the Boks but you'll often find England supporters less pessimistic about their chances against South Africa than the other two Southern giants. The main reason for this is that England had a similar seven match winning streak over them in matches from 2000 to 2006. That's partly why the loss in November 2010 at Twickenham was so painful. The same England team had dispatched Australia but the 11-21 losing scoreline doesn't reflect just how much the Boks bullied us up front. Our dreams of breaking that streak went up in smoke. I have no idea how England will fare out there. Partly because I don't know the South African players well enough anymore but also because I still don't know what to expect from England. It's difficult to call which players from either side are going to stand up and be counted. I still remember Tim Rodber, a good talent but famously known for drifting out of matches, playing out of his skin in the first Test in 1994. I'd settle for England being tough to beat in this series but I'd also be disappointed if we didn't win one match to break that streak. A series win would be an unexpected bonus.

Photon pierre spies has to step up as a leader for the boks. He is doing it now at the bulls. the man Spies is probably the most impressive athletic human being i have ever seen, and i really mean that. He is fast tall, strong athletic frame, and his lifts in the gym are very impressive he can bench press a lot and squat a lot. He has such a physical presence he should really step up to the plate as a leader or captain right now for the boks.. He is a senior player now , .

Steenkamp is currently playing in Toulouse, Steyn is playing at Racing Metro. Genuine question: Do you follow rugby? Kruger/Elstadt world class? I saw a lot of the former at Northampton and although he played well, there was nothing to suggest he would be 'world class.' Again, like Elstadt from what I saw in the JWC, but he's young, inexperienced - can he handle the pace of Text match rugby? How long will it take for him to get adjusted or is can he seemlessly slot in? Also, I've always seen Kruger as a five lock, so presuming Bekker plays, who goes alongside him? South Africa are odds-on to win the series, probably 3-0, but I don't see the world class talent and have set themselves up for an ambush, just like Australia did in the 2010 series against England.