NEW ZEALAND VS ARGENTINA
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Friday 17 July, 19.35 local, 08.35 BST
Both sides have named starting line-ups missing some bigger names, but given the their respective strengths-in-depth, it is a decision that will hurt the visitors more than the hosts. New Zealand are missing Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Aaron Smith, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock and Dane Coles, but their replacement list is arguably equally as impressive: Dagg, Piutau, Sonny Bill, Perenara, Kaino, Romano and Mealamu.
There are just three changes from the side that beat Samoa last week, meaning there should be some cohesion amongst the players after they blew the cobwebs away with that run-out. Of particular interest will be the performance of Israel Dagg, whose lack of game time, wobbly outing last weekend and depth of options in the back three means he is, as strange as it sounds, fighting for his place in the World Cup squad. He needs a big game.
The visitors rest two key faces in Juan Martin Hernandez and Tomas Lavanini, and have splashed youth across the team in the form of three under-21s: lock Guido Petti, number eight Facundo Isa and winger Santiago Cordero. Nicolas Sanchez will direct matters from fly-half and will hope to make the most of any dominance his pack can get. With the likes of Ayerza, Creevy, Carizza and Fernandez Lobbe raring to go up front, the forwards are the only area where the Pumas can realistically expect any advantage.
Argentina have never beaten the All Blacks, and given the team they have named it certainly feels like they are looking towards next weekend’s game against Australia at home as one to really focus on and target a win. It is a shame, because after shaking off the rustiness against Samoa you can expect the All Blacks to emerge all guns blazing. It should lead to a sizeable home win.
Prediction: New Zealand by 21
AUSTRALIA VS SOUTH AFRICA
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday 18 July, 20.05 local, 11.05 BST
The second game of the weekend is the tougher one to call. Australia triumphed over South Africa in Perth last season, a result which ultimately cost the Springboks the title after they went on to beat the All Blacks. The team lists show plenty of changes to the ones that played that day as both sides search for their first choice combinations to take into the World Cup.
For the hosts, the most intrigue surrounds their selection of playmakers, where Reds duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper are joined by the returning Matt Giteau in the midfield, where he wins his first cap for four years. Both Genia and Cooper seem to lift their games when playing with each other, and if they can combine with Giteau to put dangerous runners like Kuridrani and Folau in space, there could well be some breathtaking tries on show.
Of course the battle up front will define whether these backs get the chance to shine – and the Boks will be keen to exert their authority there. Matfield and Etzebeth in the engine room combine lineout nous and grizzled abrasiveness, while the Sharks’ front row trio of the Beast and the du Plessis brothers have a point to prove after a fairly severe loss of form in the past year or so.
All in all, there is a fairly obvious script to this game. The visitors will enjoy dominance in the front five, especially at scrum-time, while the breakdown battle will be a close one – Hooper, Higginbotham and Fardy are all useful there but Meyer has deliberately picked a loose forward trio of Coetzee, Louw and Burger to counteract that. There are tries to be had in the backs, and while the Boks boast exciting runners like Kriel, de Allende and le Roux, if the game becomes too loose, it will be to Australia’s advantage.
Had the hosts had a game to prepare, in the way their visitors have, I’d make them narrow favourites – but as it is, with cobwebs to blow away and new combinations to gel (especially featuring players that have been missing from the set-up for years), the Boks will be frustrated if they lose this.
Prediction: South Africa by 3
How do you see the weekend going?
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Agree with New Zealand. Not as optimistic about the Bokke. But hopefully for our countries sake I’m wrong :)
Hi brandoportnoy; syntax is important; are you talking about South Africa when you say ‘our countries sake’? If you are, it’s ‘our country’s sake’ – the sake of our country (SA). Or are you talking about South Africa AND New Zealand, in which case it would be ‘our countries’ sake’. You probably think that’s pedantic; but if you want people to know what you are trying to say, you need to be clear.
you said it yourself !
pedantic !
Totally agree. NZ will have upped their game after the struggle against Samoa and the Boks looked very good, indeed I think the fact that the Aussies haven’t tested their team will be the deciding factor. The Boks have had the oportunity to iron out small errors whereas their opponents haven’t. But I do think the winning margin will be bigger, something like 8 to 12 points. I have a feeling that the world is underestimating the class of that centre pairing!
The Springboks Autumn International Tour was a combination and Team builder as well as getting Players exposed to local playing conditions in preparation for the RWC. injuries as well as key players with other contractual responsibilities made it a experimental B-Team at best. those were the main reasons why Ireland and Wales just about managed to squeeze out wins against the Springboks ! a lot of People, even in South Africa, underestimate the Boks ! they got exciting Players. if they gel then on the day they can beat any Team !