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This weekend is a trip on the wild side if you’re a rugby fan. We have so many matches being played by squads of varying strengths and importance.
If you’re really into your rugby – and I’ll assume you are since you’re reading some unknown blogger on the subject – this weekend will probably be one of the hardest to plan of the year.
In the event you get lost in the rush here’s a handy guide to what’s coming. It’s not a comprehensive preview due to the smorgasbord of action; consider it more a festival guide. For the sake of brevity, I’ll be focusing on the games played in or by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Lions Tour: Reds v Lions
They may have planned to all along but the Reds have named a strong side – including 12 capped Wallabies – to take on the Lions at Suncorp after a very inexperienced Force outfit trotted out earlier in the week for their tour match.
Cooper is supposed to be proving his worth for Wallabies selection.
Ignore that, he won’t be selected.
Instead, cast your eye over the Reds forwards. Keep an eye on James Hanson who is fighting for a hypothetical third hooker spot in the Wallabies squad.
He may not be picked but will want to prove himself against a strong Lions pack as the next man up.
This is also a good opportunity for youngsters Jake Schatz and Ed Quirk to measure up against world class opposition.
The Lions will receive their sternest test to date and will need to start building to a consistent level of play, especially in the forward pack where they will expect to beat up the Wallabies.
June Tests: New Zealand v France
My favourite New Zealand rugby player, Ben Smith, is going to get a start for the All Blacks! He might be the form player in the Southern Hemisphere right now. I’d expect an undermanned French side to be well and truly sick of his tireless running and clever lines by the time this one is over.
Somehow Smith hasn’t deposed Israel Dagg from his position at the back though and will run on in a wing spot. The inability for form to influence the All Blacks might now be ominously similar to the Australian cricket team before it fell over. Hard to get in, harder to get dropped and all that.
On the other side of the coin, Frederic Michalak, who is 31 but feels older and plays scrum half for Toulon, even though he’s a fly-half by trade is still on the bench for the French. That’s probably all you need to know about the strength of this team for the first Test.
On the French starting team Wesley Fofana is a great player to watch. He’s one of the brightest young players to get a run since the World Cup. He had a strong Six Nations and a few good performances from him might stop Ma’a Nonu’s All Blacks career sooner than he expected.
Having said all that, last time France toured New Zealand with an under strength squad they actually won a Test. So don’t rule them out completely.
And returning to the scene of the World Cup Final loss will get their blood boiling.
South Africa v Italy
So, Heyneke Meyer has named a more adventurous Sprinkbok team to take on Italy than he was apt to name at the same time last year.
It might be finally obvious that South Africa needs to find a new crop of youngsters that can be both strong and creative enough to find a way over the try line. That certainly seems to be the case with Willie Le Roux getting his debut and starting from full back. I’m excited to see what he can do from there.
Jano Vermaak is also a debutant at half back. He’s been swift this year and has been a key to getting early ball to a refreshingly attacking minded Bulls backline this year.
Other debutants, Trevor Nyakane, Arno Botha and Jan Serfontein await their inclusion from the bench. Finally is seems the Boks are going through a much needed period of renewal.
Italy are yet to name their team but will probably play as Italy always do. The key for them will be to keep it close and possibly force errors of a greener-than-usual Springbok bench.
Super Rugby: Brumbies v Rebels
No, I haven’t forgotten the Super Rugby games. This one, kicking off our weekend on Friday, is a very important one. The Brumbies are perhaps less disrupted by players being called up than their Super Rugby performance so far would have suggested may be the case.
Matt Toomua and Nic White are still ready and available to lead the side around. There will be a need to fill the shoes of Ben Mowen and Stephen Moore in the pack though.
Apart from that business as normal should see the brutal, efficient, dominant field position Brumbies should get the job done here.
White has been training with the Wallabies this week and has been on good form. Look for another big game here. If Deans is still wavering about whether to select three hookers or halfbacks White will attempt to force his hand.
Force v Waratahs
Contrary to the belief of some (A certain Mr Foley?), in the grand scheme of things, even just this weekend’s scheme, this game doesn’t matter much.
What to look for? Well it’s a Sunday arvo, you’ve just watched a whole weekend of Test rugby so settle into some day time ball movement as a bunch of youngsters try and make a name for themselves.
The nature of two teams with players missing means the game will be disjointed for parts but hopefully there are some passages where individuals are allowed to express themselves on a dry daytime pitch.
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.