Last week, as reported on The Roar, I asked a number of rugby fans around the world to pick the winners of the June 9 Test matches.
My correspondents were right about the All Blacks-Ireland game (admittedly a no-brainer, right about the Boks being too strong for England, correctly chose the Pumas over Italy, but wrong when they predicted that Wales would defeat the Wallabies.
So instead of the projected 3-1 win for the Southern Hemisphere, the result was a southern whitewash.
In San Juan, Felipe Contepomi scored 22 points as Argentina, staffed mainly by domestic players, ran in four tries and burned Italy 37-22. Next Saturday the Pumas face France in Cordoba, and Philippe Saint-Andre has included nine new caps in a youthful squad.
My London pals bemoaned the fact that England couldn’t or didn’t take advantage of a poor first half by the Boks. They applauded some members of the White pack – although Marler and Morgan disappointed them – and covered their eyes when a replacement front row was slaughtered.
They’re wondering if their team is ever going to get a penetrative midfield. They’re also wondering if Lancaster can bring Foden and Ashton into the game the way Habana gets into it.
They cheered Tuilagi pulling off the tackle of the match to deny Spies a try. Brad Barritt lacerated an eyeball, had it successfully treated, but is out of the game next Saturday in Jo’burg, and Mike Brown is out of the entire tour with a thumb ligament injury.
South Africa-born Nick Abendanon and lightweight Toby Flood could start in a reshuffled line that had better do more than shuffle if England are to win.
My Saffer pals lifted a pint of Hansa to Habana, Alberts and Coetzee, and came out of their seats when de Villiers raced for the line and barged over as if he were 21 again. They pointed out that Frans Steyne did okay without employing any of his long-range kicks.
They feel that in the remaining two Tests, lack of quality depth will work against England as much as the high altitude.
My Kiwi friends are hardly crowing as Ireland was depleted by injuries before they arrived, and picked up two more – Healy and Earls – meaning they may have to fly out some replacements for Saturday’s match.
They’re delighted by the new debs, Aaron Smith and Julian Savea, and if the pack and Carter and Dagg continue playing the way they did, they feel the ABs have to be odds-on favourites to take the Four Nations.
My Welsh pals said they howled with dismay when Warburton threw a wild pass and five points went up in smoke. They feel Priestland should be dropped and Mike Phillips given a severe talking to. They saw Lydiate run out but couldn’t find him during the game itself.
Faletau busted his hand and couldn’t perform. They doffed their hats to Genia and Pocock and the way the Wallabies came back from the edge of exhaustion. They’re hoping that Gatland and Howley can do a little creative rearranging.
My Aussie mates are hoping that Horne, who tried to fend off a six-foot-six winger coming at him at speed, will be dropped, along with Vuna, who had a defensive nightmare. Some of them are wondering if Ioane will be relieved of his role, which is currently closer to that of a No. 8 than a winger, and be played at 13 so as to give him some space to break out and fly.
They’re more than happy with the job Adam Ashley-Cooper did. They feel that Barnes held up pretty well but getting him to stop those hand-over-possession punts may be a lost cause. They want Moore to start ahead of Tatafu Polota-Nau.
It seems to be impossible to get Polota-Nau to make solid tackles rather than potentially self-damaging ones, and he needs a baskball pro to show him how to lob a ball.
Predictions? 3-1 Southern Hemisphere again. The lone Southern loss will, so they figure, be Argentina’s.
They won’t have enough top-level pros to counter a French side which, so we hear, intends to return to the old run-from-anywhere style Les Bleus made famous.
The All Blacks will win big again, and the Boks will lower the boom on a revamped but no stronger English team to ensure a series win.
Another series up for grabs is, of course, Wales versus the Wallabies in Melbourne. Wales will give it all they’ve got but so will the Wallabies, and if Deans rings the right changes Australia will take it.
One thing that’s not going to change in any of these three games is the fast pace, which is a mite quicker than England, Ireland and Wales are used to in the Six Nations.
Will Lawton
Guest
Eddie Butler was a no 8? Must be a smoker as he is not tall enough to be a no 7 these days. It is a coincidence, not an irony, that his brain is underdone also. He must be the only commentator who rivals Brian Moore for ignorance and arrogance of the Stefan Jewns variety. Why are NH commentators and officials allowed near our great game?
Photon
Guest
If England are going to win (And I must admit I don't think they wil), it will probably be the last test in Port Elizabeth. They will have a lot of support there and the atmosphere will be more welcoming than anywhere else in the country. I also suspect that Meyer will try stuff in the last test, probably start JJ and Wynand and also add Pienaar and Mvovo to the mix. I can't see them winning at Ellis Park this weekend, I think the Boks will be better than last week and Meyer will make sure that they are mentally up to close out the series. The Boks are developing already, even after just one test. I think that side end up being a lot better than most people think. I think Meyer will add and remove players as he goes along until he has a well oiled machine that plays as and how he wants it too, as and when he wants it to. Anyway that's just my five cents worth
peterlala
Guest
Demers, good story. Your pals are pretty smart.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I can do without the Sports Bar thank you! I was in the Grand a few weeks ago as it happens. Nice big garden, but awful beer. Always been confused if it's Clapham too... It's literally down the road from Brixton train station... Kind of on the border. Anyway, back to rugby...
Demers
Guest
Howdy Ben - you can meet some of them next Saturday if you want to make the trip in from Bromley. Jack likes the Grand in Clapham, and Arthur prefers the Sports Bar in Victoria. Cynthia, yep, she's a female rugger fan, makes a bee line for the Three Kings in West Ken. Wear a gardenia behind your left ear and they'll recognize you. But I warn you now, they're too realistic to wave a Union Jack. They'll be cheering for the milk bottles but are resigned to another loss. Those Bokker forwards are just too damn fierce when they run the ball.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
I would go Wales, Pots. They will be stronger for their hit out last Saturday and with Australia letting a 20-6 lead crumble, I think there's plenty to be worried about. Added to the fact that if Vuna and Horne are on the field, Australia are then reduced to 13 competent players which I'm sure Wales will relish. I hope I'm wrong but it could be Wales by 1-12.
justsaying
Guest
Argentina are using a squad of largely domestic players - the only really big name is Contempomi (who is now 35 and unlikely to play in the 4 nations). France has left some big names out too - Dusautoir, Rougerie, Harinordoquy, Yachvili and Clerc have all been left at home. Should be an interesting series, but I can't help feeling the finals of the Top 14 being played so close to this series has watered it down a bit...
Ben S
Roar Guru
I'd love to meet these London pals of yours, demers.
Monty
Guest
Eddie Butler, ex-Wales No 8 and now a sports journo says the Dragons have to spin the ball in Melbourne. Cuthbert is fit but they're waiting on George North who has a hematoma, a subderma blood collection on his thigh. They can heal in a day or take a lot longer. As a Wallaby fan I want him healthy so we can have the best of contests. I believe the Boks will win by 15 points up on the veldt. Can't see Toby Flood making many inroads. He's too slight and not that fast or elusive. Excellent place kicker though. England will be reshuffled, the Boks staying about the same.
demers
Guest
SCOTPROUD - I should have included Fiji/Scotland in next Saturday's program. In the last five games between the countries your guys have taken four of them. But Fiji have learned a lot about forward rugby, and their backs are, as always, big and fast. Hard to pick this one but Scotland could put one in the win column for the NH. GRIMMACE - one of the name English journos came out with a column today, and he didn't mention the France/Argentina match next Saturday. Perhaps when the Pumas start playing the Big Three in the new four nations set up in August, Argentina will get the notice, and respect, it deserves.
ScotandProud
Guest
3 -1 or 4-0 The intensity of the Tr Nats teams isn't matched. ABs just look a class apart. The Welsh and the English are weak mentally by comparison. Scots'll have it tough against Fiji whenever they're supposed to play them.(totally different style of game unless there;s a monsoon) - could be 5-0 to the SH. The last time the French tried to run from anywhere against the Argies was the 07 3rd place play off when they got destroyed. Really not sure about PSA's coaching either.
Grimmace
Roar Pro
Couldn't agree more with your comments Horne and Vuna. I didn't even realise the Argies were playing.
Derm
Roar Guru
Wales or England to win. Can't make up my mind as to which of them though. :)