With the Bledisloe concluded in style, every rugby tragic would be forgiven for feeling somewhat dejected. Fortunately, the European Test season is just around the corner.
The November internationals may be the season of Test rugby when the South visits the North, but harping on about hemispheres is far too cliché at this point.
The drama of Test rugby is part of its enduring appeal. With that in mind, let’s turn to some of the storylines to remember as we turn our eyes to Twickenham, Murrayfield, Lansdowne Road, the Millennium Stadium, and the Stadio Olimpico.
Domestic versus Foreign?
Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana, Francois Louw and Zane Kirchener are all players who starred in the recent Rugby Championship for the Springboks.
The SARU recently allowed these players to turn out for their clubs during a bye week, but there are strong debates over whether national honours should be limited to domestic-based players (as Australia and New Zealand currently do).
Clubs, meanwhile, are concerned that they’re not getting the return on their money.
During this period, clubs are not allowed to prevent players from playing for their national team, but one has to think that a) the clubs will still be pressuring SARU to give their players time to rest, acclimatise, and gel with their squads, and b) SARU will be trying to take back the negotiating cards from players who head abroad for lucrative contracts.
Heyneke Meyer thus has a very rare opportunity as a result of that consensus. Does he give Siya Kolisi a start at flanker with Louw back at Bath?
What about the No. 10 shirt? If he moves Willie le Roux to fullback for Kirchener, who is the wing replacement?
This debate is not unique to the Springboks. Dean Mumm has been playing very well at Exeter, and could be valuable second row cover if injury or poor form should befall a Wallaby lock.
Matt Giteau has also been excellent at Toulon. With Christian Lealiifano injured, Giteau could well be a convenient and capable replacement.
Some Irish and Welsh stars are also based overseas, and in light of their financial woes expect these national unions to deny them Test selection as one last negotiating tactic to stem the flow outwards.
A lot of variables at play here, with a lot of implications.
How close are the “tiers”?
This season will feature several matches worth watching to gauge the gaps across global rugby, as weaker “Tier 1” sides face stronger “Tier 2” sides.
Scotland will play Japan on November 11. Scotland has been going through a somewhat rough patch in recent years, while Japan is on the ups, owing to Eddie Jones’ insistence on physicality (a traditional weakness of Japanese rugby) and confidence after beating Wales during the summer.
France will face Tonga, which will provide a mouthwatering rematch of the famous Rugby World Cup 2011 clash, and Italy will face Fiji.
Argentina’s recent battering during the Rugby Championship was not entirely unexpected, but in Europe they will face teams more likely at their skill level, especially since so many of them play their club rugby in Europe.
If Argentina fares poorly, is there a case for keeping them in The Rugby Championship?
How deep is England’s player base?
England were recently rocked by news that not just one but both of their centres, Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi, have been ruled out for long spells.
On top of that comes the news that Tuilagi’s teammate Anthony Allen, another rumoured for Test selection, has been forced to undergo surgery.
But England have no less than six possible centres: Billy Twelvetrees, Luther Burrell, Joel Tomkins (brother of league star Sam), Kyle Eastmond, Jonathan Joseph and Henry Trinder.
This is mirrored in other positions. England has four scrum-halves, as many as five fly-halves, various front row players, many young wingers/fullbacks to consider and such a tight loose forward battle that even the captain Chris Robshaw and his recent deputy Tom Wood aren’t assured selection.
Lancaster will probably mix and match as this is his last big opportunity to nail down shirts before guiding players towards the next World Cup in 2015.
These new players are about to be cast into a baptism of fire, with South Africa the only Rugby Championship side they avoid facing.
Emerging drama over a young man’s future in Test rugby
Tommaso “Tommy” Allan is a 20-year-old child of Scottish and Italian parents who was born in Veneto, but raised in England.
After playing for Scotland U20 and winning the U19 Currie Cup with Western Province, Allan signed for Perpignan in France and was recently added to the Italy squad, not the Scots.
It remains to be seen how Italian fans will welcome him, but Scottish fans and head coach Scott Johnson are not amused.
All he has done to date is train with the Italian squad – it is not yet too late to say no if he does decide to play for Scotland.
But with Italy’s other fly-half options well into their 30s and with their own playing troubles, Tommy’s shot at a long and promising Test career is on his doorstep.
Will he take it?
BBA
Guest
Tane, there is a difference with peope who could play a position and those who have. I dont equate potential with depth. Read is our best #8 by a long way, all the other names you have mentioned are either playing out of thei preferred position or have no experience there. Hell, I think Nasi Manu wouldnt be a disgrace at #8 for the AB's. The issue is that they are not playing in that spot. Its not the same as if we were talking about who could play wing or first five.
chann wee
Guest
"" Wales have named three uncapped players in their squad for November's Test fixtures against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia. Uncapped trio, Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Blues) and Eli Walker (Ospreys) feature in the squad alongside Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys) and Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), who return after injury. The Six Nations champions host southern hemisphere sides South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on consecutive weekends in November and it will be an opportunity for June debutants Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams (both Blues) and hooker Emyr Phillips (Scarlets) to add to their international tally. In the front-row Gethin Jenkins, Scott Andrews (both Blues), Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard (all Ospreys), Paul James (Bath) and Ken Owens (Scarlets), who all featured in the Six Nations, are named alongside Jarvis and Phillips. Jarvis features for the first time since last November after injury and Phillips will be looking to add to his first two caps gained in Japan. Ospreys and Lions duo Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans are named alongside Bradley Davies (Blues) who led Wales to Japan in June, Dragons second-row Andrew Coombs and Charteris, who returns after injury to be named for the first time since last November. Wales captain Sam Warburton will lead the squad and is joined by a wealth of experience in the back-row alongside Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones and Justin Tipuric. Mike Phillips and Lloyd Williams are named alongside former Wales U20 scrum-half Williams, who receives his first call-up to the senior international squad. Priestland returns after missing the last two campaigns with injury and features with Ospreys' Dan Biggar, who played in all of Wales 2013 Six Nations encounters. Perpignan's James Hook and Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell, who made his international debut in Japan, are named as two of the 16 backs in the squad. We have an important campaign ahead as we look to test ourselves against some of the best sides in the world but also add strength in depth to our squad as we look to the future," said head coach Warren Gatland. "We face a huge game against South Africa first up and they will be coming to us after an impressive Rugby Championship campaign. "Recent matches between us have been very close and physical and that will be a great test for us to kick-off. "All four matches will be a stern test but we are looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to seeing what we can do on this stage. "The Rugby World Cup is less than two years away, so we are looking to build as much depth in our squad as possible and to give vital international experience to our players." Wales squad Backs: L Williams (Scarlets), L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), E Walker (Ospreys), G North (Northampton), J Hook (Perpignan), O Williams (Cardiff Blues), C Allen (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Scarlets), A Beck (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets), R Priestland (Scarlets), R Patchell (Cardiff Blues), D Biggar (Ospreys), M Phillips (Bayonne), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Williams (Scarlets). Forwards: S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), A Jones (Ospreys), A Jarvis (Ospreys), P James (Bath), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), R Bevington (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Ospreys), K Owens (Scarlets), E Phillips (Scarlets), A W Jones (Ospreys), L Charteris (Perpignan), I Evans (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Jones (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), D Lydiate (Racing Metro), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). ""
Ben.S
Roar Guru
I'm going to miss Hore. Not sure on Woodcock. The NZ scrum has struggled this year and he's not been the same player in the loose IMO. I think I'd also prefer to see Afeaki over Faumuina. I liked Faumuina, but I think he's a little bit too clunky ATM. Am I missing something with Luke Whitelock being selected? I'm presuming they're looking at him at 8?
Chan Wee
Guest
@ richard : Nasi Manu was the next 8 in line befor he had a bad injury. He was a standout at Under 20 tournament in 2008. Now he is back and playing ITM , good news Seems Hansen has made up his mind - Luke Whitelock is the next 8 , unless Vito can play like Messam in the next super tournament. For the moment, Messam or Mccaw will cover 8 if Read is not available. In fact Messam can play at 7 if necessary. That is why Cane is the only 7-only payer in tour party. There were 2 other very good 8s in super 15 this year- Peter Saili and Mat Vant Leven. If they can build on those performances next year, there will e ood comptition for Read's understudy :)
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I think he's looked good in quite a few of those appearances. Ideally, they want to shift him to a bench player and it seems to be working. I don't really have a problem with how he or Woodcock have been playing. Of the older guys, I think Hore is clearly the next one to go regardless of the retirement speculation.
richard
Guest
At 8,I would be looking at Nasi Manu as the natural back-up to Read.And if McCaw is too old and slow for seven,he also could be tried as a 6-8.Problem solved.
expathack
Guest
"Yet I don't call them stars" "Ashton is one at his best" Perhaps take your tips before dishing them out. Just a tip.
chann wee
Guest
"" George North, Dan Lydiate and Jamie Roberts will be available to face the Wallabies for Wales despite the game falling outside the IRB Test window. There had been fears that many of Wales' foreign-based stars would be unavailable for the last of their four November internationals against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia. However, Racing Metro flank Lydiate has revealed that his contract allows him to be released for one extra international per year and that his club team-mate Roberts has the same situation. "Yes, I am available," Lydiate told the reporters after his side's draw with the Scarlets in the Heineken Cup. "It is part of my contract. I am allowed to play one match outside of the window, either the one in the autumn or a match in the summer like the ones against the Barbarians. So I'll choose the autumn one." Northampton wing North also looks set to be given an extra week by his club thanks to a similar clause in his contract. Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder said they encouraged rather than prevented their players from featuring in internationals. "I would not talk about individual players' contracts, but we want all our players to play international rugby and we support them in their quest to do that," said Mallinder. ""
Magic Sponge
Guest
I think England will definitely beat us and Scotland may
Magic Sponge
Guest
Front row is average
Ben.S
Roar Guru
He didn't feature against SA in SA and played 30 minutes off the bench in Argentina, 30 minutes off the bench against SA in Eden Park, 30 minutes off the bench in Sydney. I think it's fair to say that he's only seen of as an impact player and isn't likely to make the WC despite what Hansen said to the contrary. With Hore likely to retire after the European tour there's going to be a gap. Coles didn't manage to stamp himself as a starter this RC, which is an issue given he'll be 27 this December.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Two good games against Italy and an Ireland side already down. Great depth. Anyway, you miss the point which is, as OJ points out, 8 could be covered, but not across a tournament or a number of games. It''s like England shifting Tom Wood to 8 during the 6N. Vito playing 8 on the high veld would be ridiculous. To suggest that NZ has genuine depth at 8 is clearly inaccurate. Coles or Elliot would struggle to get a European contract with any decent side. And I don't even know why you'd mention Elliot given that a) he couldn't usurp Schwalger at the Chiefs, and b) he isn't a current All Black. I doubt you've seen Guirado, Kayser or Szarzewski play 3 games between them. Rees doesn't play for Wales anymore, although having seen his recent form he's still light years ahead of Coles, and although I'm not a fan of Hibbard the impact he had in the 3rd Lions Test Coles couldn't dream of matching. He's like Hartley when Hartley was 21 - just a chubby kid out of his depth. That's why Hansen is sticking with 2 blokes who are in their mid-30s and only worth 40 minutes a game. I said that Rettalick was overrated and I stand by that. He does what a 4 lock should do. No more no less. He was party to the usual NZ media hype. Personally I think his overall game is limited in comparison to Etzebeth, Launchbury, Lawes and Jones, for example. I doubt I said France had better forwards than NZ. What I said prior to the 1st Test was that NZ would struggle with the heavy French locks at the breakdown, and I was correct. They did. And correct me if I'm wrong but a very, very poor France side took NZ close in that 1st Test, before which I made the comment that they had a good chance. Don't see what I got wrong? I said that Messam was lightweight and couldn't match the bigger and better 6s for athleticism or heavy duty work and I stand by that. He's no Kaino, and although he had a good end of the RC it was a weak RC. That's like me reversing my opinion on AW Jones and saying he's world class because he played well against the Wallabies in the Lions series. Can't you go and find a cat to lecture about the price of milk instead of quoting names and numbers just for the sake or argument?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Vito has had quite a few good games at 8 and I think against Italy last year was one of his better games unless Im confused. McCaw was excellent against Ire in game 3 last year at 8 and there is no way that all those teams you list would prefer their depth at hooker than NZs. I like Hibbard and Rees but they are no world beaters. France? I dont agree. I would say at least 6 of the top ten nations would trade their hooker stocks for NZs. Didnt you say that Rettalick wasnt up to international standards, that France had better forwards than NZ and NZ was going to fall away, that Messam wasnt that good? I dont respect your opinion on the ABs to be quite honest and after France were really poor in the 6 nats you were the one saying that France just might have a chance against NZ in the series in NZ. I think, and its just my opinion, that you are very quick to write NZ players off and continue to do so.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
No. 8 we could cover easily. It would only be an issue if Read were out for the season or en entire tournament. Hooker if both Mealamu and Hore retire will be interesting. Personally, I think Mealamu's been playing well in his past few tests.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
There is, but I'd also argue he wasn't exposed to quality coaching in Australia. I'd certainly pick him over Douglas and Mumm ATM.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Has absolutely nothing to do with them joining the 6N. It's down to the streamlining of professionalism in the Celtic countries, exposure of Pacific players to European rugby. Thus the weaker sides have got better. Italy only has 2 professional sides and a flawed player development pathway.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
What international games have McCaw and Vito been exceptional in? Which specific games? Coles and Elliot? Really? Don't think so. Mealamu and Hore are off the pace. South Africa, Wales, England, Ireland, France and Australia have better hookers.
Harry Jones
Guest
England is deep. It is the only country with enough test-quality (not necessarily stars, just up to test quality) to compare depth-wise to NZ and SA. NZ has great depth in the hand-boot-skill positions. With young guys coming up fast. SA has immense depth (except at 3 and 10), but it is spread all over the globe. You can make an incredible SA Abroad squad. England is in good shape for RWC 2015. (If they can survive their pool of death!)
Tane Mahuta
Guest
McCaw and Vito have played exceptionally well at 8 and Messam has too. Watch more games. Same with hookers? Mealamu, Hore, Coles and Elliott? Since we are talking lists mate, list the countries that are stronger at hooker in depth. Maybe 2 countries tops.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Because McCaw, Messam, Vito and Shields have all played so exceptionally well in international games at 8. You're just listing names. Same with the hookers.