International Rugby

New Zealand vs Ireland 08:35


Australia vs England 11:00

South Africa vs France 13:00

Argentina vs Scotland 19:45

There are some excellent match ups in prospect this weekend as the summer tours kick off in earnest.

First up is New Zealand vs Ireland in New Plymouth, Green & Black so to speak, but is it going to mint or dark and bitter that comes out on top? It’s well documented that Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks, is that all going to change this weekend, with the added spice of a bit of history between the teams from the 2005 Lions tour. On paper, although the Kiwis out there may not agree, the All Blacks are ripe for the taking. They have injury worries all over the field, key players like Ritchie McCaw and Dan Carter are not really firing and it’s showed in below par performances of the NZ sides in the Super 14. Having never been beaten by Ireland, they don’t rate them either. Ireland, with a fit squad, can surely beat any team on their day, but their resources are looking pretty thin right now in the front row and at lock where hoary old Mick O’Driscoll is the best replacement that can be found for injured Paul O’Connell and Leo Cullen. No disrespect to him, he’s been the form lock in my eyes at Munster this season but he is getting bit long in the tooth. So if you’re going to struggle at scrums and lineouts – you’re going to struggle in general, and while I’d LOVE to see the All Blacks get beaten it’s going to be close but no cigar for Ireland.

Australia versus England is an intriguing sounding match, England are getter better but not looking convincing yet, while Australia are rebuilding and have key player scrum half Will Genia out injured but back on the bench for this match. I watched England get caned at home by the Wallabies in November last year, and it’s likely to be more of the same on Saturday. England aren’t really sure yet who their key No 1 fly half and scrum half are, and Martin Johnsons not in a position to tell them because he’s not a proper manager. That has to affect how you play. When are England going to stop @*&%$£ing around and get someone competent in the job?

South Africa versus France - bring it on! It’s the Six Nations and Heineken Cup champions versus the Springboks still on a high after success in the Super 14 and a good win last week over Wales. The last time they met in France, the Boks were comprehensively out muscled by the French, and the one thing you don’t want to do is question a South African’s masculinity. I’m expecting a total physical onslaught from the Boks, and it promises to be absolute carnage with eye watering collisions all over the place. The fact that Fourie Du Preez isn’t playing gives Les Bleu a sniff of a chance – but for me this is going to 15 giant Saffers jumping on French heads and turning them in to biltong, borewors and anything else they can think of.

The Pumas take on Scotland in Argentina to wrap up the weekend. Scotland are fast improving, but when you think that sides like the Springboks and the All Blacks struggle in Argentina I think there is going to be lots of excited Spanish shouting at the end of this one.