North VS South - seconds out, round three!

We'll miss you Jamie (picture http://bit.ly/NPLZR1)

Ok seconds out, let round three commence! I have to say I really like this 3 match series format, you get a lot more involved in the matches as they evolve from week to week.
After having the chance for glory snatched away from them last week in the last five minutes, is it a chance for Ireland to set the record straight? Ireland have lost some pretty influential playmakers and defenders in the shape of Jamie Heaslip and Gordon D’Arcy. I’ve been calling for D’Arcy to get the chop for some time now, but his form for Leinster and Ireland recently has changed my mind. In the backline, I hope we go O’Gara at fly half and Sexton at 12 again, it’s a combination that works well.

In the pack, I suspect DOC is going to be recalled, with Ryan shifting to the loose trio. DOC may well prove me wrong. But what a difference having two young strong locks on the field! My take is that with DOC on board, we have to push the oppositions pack while carrying DOC, which has made us look pretty feeble.

We have been careless in our treatment of the AB loosies, with Vito, Read, and now Thompson all struggling. We’ll try and be more careful this time, seeing as they seem to be a bit delicate.

Are we going to win? History is against us, let’s see how the All Blacks treat us now they know we have it in us to beat them. I think we’ll lose again. But anyway you look at it, look how we’ve raised our game when the bar was set higher. With all due respect, I think we’re spending too much time playing Italy and Scotland these days.

Wales also had victory snatched away from them, in a match that got pretty close to boiling over more than once. I this has prompted Curtly Beales return to the Australian side, who put his hand up with his recent street fighting antics, Robbie Deans can see he needs players to match Mike Phillips and Bradley Davies obvious talents in this department. Wales will win if Priestland can kick decently and they find a hooker who can throw straight.

Finally the Boks look for a whitewash against England. I’d expect them to flatten England in the first half, struggle for 20 minutes in the second, then put it to bed after that. They probably have a siesta at half time or something.

Saturday , June 23
Australia vs Wales 06:00
New Zealand vs Ireland 08:35
South Africa vs England 16:00