Spring tour of utmost importance for Rugby Championship teams

What next for international rugby? There is the final matter of a dead rubber this coming weekend between Australia and New Zealand to be completed.

Then off to Europe in a few weeks for the Rugby Championship teams to have a last go in European conditions before the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

South Africa has been unbeaten in Europe for the past two years, and the goal for Meyer’s charges will be to emulate that unbeaten run and make a statement that they are serious contenders.

It will also be an opportunity to prove that South Africa can build on their victory over New Zealand, as proof of their second placing in the world rankings will depend on their performances up north. Any loss during this tour will negate the position South Africa currently find themselves in.

It won’t be that easy though. They start their tour against Ireland, a team that has beaten them three times over the past 11 years. The next weekend they will meet a resurgent England team who has not beaten them since 2006, which is something that England must address should they lift the World Cup a second time.

It might be prudent for Heyneke Meyer to use the Italy test match as preparation for their clash with Wales on their final weekend, as they will not have their overseas players available. With all due respect to Italy, it is an ideal chance for experimentation.

Australia traditionally start their European tours poorly. In both 2012 and 2013 they have lost their opening matches against France and England respectively, only to win their subsequent games and come home with a wet sail.

This time round the Wallabies seem to be in some turmoil. They start their tour against Wales, one of the teams they have to face in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup.

This is a match Wales will be targeting for two reasons. They are on a nine-match losing streak against Australia and they desperately need a psychological boost ahead of the World Cup.

Australia will then face France and Ireland before playing their final match against England – who is in the same pool as Australia and Wales for the 2015 World Cup.

The challenge for Australia will be tough. There is strife in the camp, coach Ewen McKenzie could be under review pending the outcome of recent events. Some players may be under review, and amidst all this they need to find focus in preparing their final run in Europe before the World Cup.

Argentina has found it tough in Europe over the last two years with their only wins coming against Wales and Italy. Although we have witnessed an improving Pumas side, the question once again will be around which players will be available for their tour.

Both Argentina and New Zealand are in Pool C of the Rugby World Cup, and there are no Six Nations team in their pool. Chances are that Argentina will face either France or Ireland if they qualify for the quarter finals, so their final tour match against France will really be the only match which would serve as a pre cursor for the World Cup.

New Zealand rarely lose in Europe. Their last loss against England was in 2012 and they struck back in 2013. In their first tour match this June, England stretched New Zealand to the limit with a number of first choice players unavailable due to club commitments.

These teams are on opposite sides of the RWC draw, and if they win their pools are most likely to face each other in the final which will be held at the same venue.

The opening match of the New Zealand tour will there for be a statement of intent by both teams, whoever wins this one will see themselves as favourites to win the title in 2015.

It is possible that New Zealand would have preferred to play England after they met Scotland and Wales as it would have allowed them time for some experimentation.

Since the last world cup, South Africa have won 6/6, New Zealand 6/7, Australia 7/9 and Argentina 2/6. Success for these teams this November is of paramount importance to continue their advantage (perhaps less so for Argentina) over their European rivals, the psychological advantage that they can retain for the Rugby World Cup in 2015 cannot be under estimated.

Australia in particular need to continue their dominance over Wales and considering their record over England in the last five years in Europe, will want to go into their pool matches in a confident mood. Success in their pool next year would put them on the easier side of the draw and will enable them to avoid New Zealand and South Africa until the final.

Failure would see them either not qualify or face a likely route of South Africa in the quarter finals, New Zealand in the semis only to again having to face England in the final.

The fixture list for the outgoing tours:
Sat 8 England v New Zealand, Twickenham
Sat 8 Wales v Australia, Millennium Stadium
Sat 8 Ireland v South Africa, Lansdowne Road
Sat 8 Scotland v Argentina, Murrayfield
Sat 15 Italy v Argentina, Genova
Sat 15 England v South Africa, Twickenham
Sat 15 Scotland v New Zealand, Murrayfield
Sat 15 France v Australia, Stade de France
Sat 22 Ireland v Australia, Lansdowne Road
Sat 22 Wales v New Zealand, Millennium Stadium
Sat 22 France v Argentina, Stade de France
Sat 22 Italy v South Africa, Padova
Sat 29 England v Australia, Twickenham
Sat 29 Wales v South Africa, Millennium Stadium