Saturday 28th November 2020
Argentina vs New Zealand
Newcastle, NSW
Kick off 08:45
New Zealand shake up the pack, bringing in prop Nepo Laulala, lock Scott Barrett, and backrow Akira Ioane. Argentina make 10 changes with only Nicolas Sanchez, captain Pablo Matera, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer and hooker Julian Montoya keeping their places. Question: can Argentina raise it again, or will a New Zealand side facing a third successive loss for the first time since 1998 save face?
A New Zealand loss and the pressure on coach Ian Foster would keep building; can Argentina bring the sustained ferocity of two weeks ago again, or is lifting themselves for a third match in a row too much? Does the passing of Diego Maradona give them something to focus on, or does it unsettle them (or have no effect whatsoever)? One leans towards an All Black win – if only because they just don’t do consecutive losses very much.
New Zealand – Beauden Barrett; Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Akira Ioane; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett; Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan
Argentina – Emiliano Boffelli; Ramiro Moyano, Juan Cruz Mallia, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Santiago Cordero; Nicolas Sanchez, Felipe Ezcurra; Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (capt); Lucas Paulos, Guido Petti; Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas
Replacements: Santiago Socino, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Lucio Sordoni, Matias Alemanno, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Lucas Mensa
Scotland v Fiji
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Match Cancelled
The “Mystic Meg” in me predicts the record books will show a 28-0 win for Scotland. It’s a pity that Fiji haven’t had the chance to show what they could do this autumn. Scotland will also regret missing a chance to wrap up with an expected win, and maybe play some more open rugby after what seems to have been something of an arm-wrestle/penalty-fest against France.
Wales v England
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 16:00
Having broken – as expected – a nasty losing streak against Georgia, Wales now face into an England team that pretty much did to Ireland what Ireland had done to Wales in the first round of matches. That said, in the last Six Nations game in an almost identical scenario, it was much closer than anyone might have expected (33-30), albeit Wales scored two converted tries when England were down to 14 following Tuliagi’s red card.
The expectation must be that England will wrap up the group games with a win in their first appearance in Llanelli since 1887 – which was a nil-nil draw – but England continue to stir resistance in Welsh international teams, so Ireland will watch with interest (at least for a bit).
Wales – Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau, Lloyd Williams, Dan Biggar, Josh Adams, Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins, Louis Rees-Zammit, Leigh Halfpenny
Replacements – Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Aaron Wainwright, Rhys Webb, Callum Sheedy, Owen Watkin
England – Elliot Daly, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola
Replacements – Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Jonny Hill, Ben Earl, Jack Willis, Dan Robson, Anthony Watson;
France v Italy
Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 20:10
France scored five tries to beat Italy 35-22 in Paris during this year’s Six Nations. Italy have shown enough in the two games vs England (to wrap up the 6N) and Scotland that they might give a what looks like a France ‘B’ or a France XV a hard time for an extended period.
France – R. Neti, P. Mauvaka, D. Aldegheri, K. Geraci, B. Pesenti, C. Woki, A. Jelonch, S. Macalou, B. Serin, M. Jalibert, G. Villiere, J. Danty, J. Barraque, T. Thomas, B. Dulin, T. Thomas, B.Dulin
Remplacements – T. Baubigny, H. Kolingar, U. Atonio, F. Cazeaux, S. Rebbadj, B. Couilloud, L. Carbonel, Y. Moefana
Sunday 29th November 2020
Ireland v Georgia
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 14:00
With only Ulster prop Eric O’Sullivan joining the squad, Farrell has resisted calls to throw caution to the wind and call up Casey, Byrne, and various members of the last couple of cohorts of U20s. The suspicion is that what’s required is a confidence-boosting win vs Georgia – something along the lines of England’s or Scotland’s 40+ point wins. What’s least required at this point in time is something akin to Wales’s competent but unexciting victory.
Georgia’s famed strength in the scrum and maul seems to be – right now – a thing of the past, so Ireland might feel able to play with some abandon without fear that every forward pass or knock forward results in a lengthy struggle at scrum-time. Equally, it might go the other way and we play a tight forward-dominated game knowing that we can overpower Georgia physically: basically, doubling down on what didn’t work vs England. As expected, Burns will start at 10 with Murray, but in general this is a fairly full strength team, with subs and starters swapping.
Ireland – Jacob Stockdale, Hugo Keenan, Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Keith Earls, Billy Burns, Conor Murray, Finlay Bealham, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Will Connors, CJ Stander
Replacements – Dave Heffernan, Cian Healy, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Peter O’Mahony, Kieran Marmion, Ross Byrne, Shane Daly
PRO 14
Saturday 28 November
Connacht vs Ospreys – Connacht are unpredictable. They’ve beaten both Glasgow and Edinburgh then lost to Cardiff and Scarlets. Ospreys on the up following a come-from-behind win vs Benetton. Prediction: Connacht.
Sunday 29 November
Treviso vs Dragons – Dragons are improving, but haven’t played since the Munster game on 1st Nov. Treviso failed to see out a win vs Ospreys. Prediction: Treviso.
Scarlets vs Leinster – Scarlets gave Ulster a fright last week, but Leinster seem unlikely to lose.
Cardiff vs Glasgow – Despite the 40-5 scoreline, Cardiff gave Leinster a hard enough game last week. Equally, Munster didn’t win as comfortably vs Glasgow as 27-13 sounds. Cardiff look well drilled, and Glasgow are abrasive. Your guess is as good as mine.
Monday 30 November
Munster vs Zebre – Zebre were easily beaten by Connacht last time out. Munster haven’t lost in the Pro-14.
Edinburgh vs Ulster – Edinburgh’s last game was a thorough beating by Leinster. Ulster aren’t yet beaten and seem to be dogging out wins. Lean toward Ulster.
Mystic Meg machinations by TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA
Onna telly this week
Friday 27th November
| Sharks v Pumas | 17:00 | Sky Sports Mix |
| Newcastle v Sale | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 28th November
| Argentina v New Zealand | 08:45 | Sky Sports Arena |
| Northampton v Harlequins | 14:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Griquas v Golden Lions | 14:30 | Sky Sports Arena |
| Bristol v Worcester | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Gloucester v Wasps | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Wales v England | 16:00 | S4C / Amazon Prime |
| Western Province v Blue Bulls | 17:00 | Sky Sports Arena |
| Exeter v Bath | 17:30 | BT Sport Extra |
| Connacht v Ospreys | 19:35 | FreeSports |
| France v Italy | 20:00 | Amazon Prime |
Sunday 29th November
| Ireland v Georgia | 14:00 | Channel 4 |
| Treviso v Dragons | 16:00 | FreeSports |
| London Irish v Leicester | 16:1 | BT Sport 2 |
| Scarlets v Leinster | 17:15 | S4C / Premier Sports 2 |
| Cardiff v Glasgow | 19:35 | Premier Sports 2 |
Monday 23rd November
| Edinburgh v Ulster | 20:15 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Munster v Zebre | 20:15 | Premier Sports 2 |
Ovally Balls 
I was so excited by the news that McCloskey is starting for Ireland that I had to stop and email Trisk.
Also, Jerónimo de la Fuente is a great name. I expect great things from him.
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I think Cardiff will win their match because of home advantage; would be dubious if it were away.
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Which in turn leads me to wonder why Wales matches are being played at Parc y Scarlets instead of next-door Arms Park, considering there are no crowds to accommodate?
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Super-duper own steal!
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Good, trisk.
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Cardiff aren’t playing at their own ground at the moment, thaum. The pitch was damaged and was getting re-laid. Not sure what the form is about non-grass pitches for internationals either.
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Excellent and informative ATL Trisk. And early too. Reckon you got the job. Send to Thaum every week by lunchtime Thurs.
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TomP – thought it was the Millenium Stadium (or whatever it’s called now) that was damaged, and that’s why Wales have had to move?
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Ah no, you are right.
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Millenium is (still?) being used as a Covid hospital contingency.
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They were dismantling it last I heard.
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The field hospital not the stadium.
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:-)
The xmas insanity may cause them to quickly reassemble it.
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Good words Trisk.
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Steak > lamb by 3
Fish n Chips > lamb by 10
Duck confit > lambrini by 10
Boiled bacon and cabbage > Chanakhi by 25
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I really want the Argies to win this weekend.
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Might as well dismantle the stadium while they’re at it.
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Great stuff Trisk!
Craigs, I’m also hoping against hope that Argentina can ride the wave for another week and beat the Kiwis. Doubt it’ll happen, but then nobody thought they’d hammer the Kiwis first time around! A lot of the talk last week was how the Aussies should have closed the match out in the first half, and that’s correct. Less was spoken about how Argentina came back from 15-6 down to draw the match and arguably finish slightly stronger than the Aussies. This group has some grunt and guts. They’ve also never been in a position to win the thing, which will motivate them like hell.
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Steve Smith just pulverised the Indian attack in the 1st ODI – 105 off 66 balls, I think. Aus made 374/6 in their 50 overs.
Hawkes Bay just beat Northland in one of the Kiwi Mitre 10 Finals as well. Proteas take on England in the 1st T20 in Cape Town this evening. Rugby, cricket, football, golf all happening! Just no fans for the most part, but at least there is sport on the go!
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Starc goes for 20 in his 1st over, including three wides and a no ball. One wide went for four as well and the no ball and free hit were both clobbered to the boundary. Josh Hazelwood tightens things up nicely at the other end, conceding just 12, to drag it back to 32/0 after two overs.
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Robbie Fowler is apparently coaching East Bengal in the Indian Super League football.
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Starc pulled after going for 27 in his first two overs. Cummins get clobbered for four first ball, and India have their 50 up in 4.1 overs. Incredible!
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Apparently the French parliament has passed a law banning discrimination based on a person’s regional accent. Maximum of 3 years in prison and 45k euro fine.
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I could have a field day if they did that here.
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Very little about carrots, but still of interest:
https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/11/26/john-lacey-interview/
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Thanks for the atl, Trisk.
This
” Edinburgh’s last game was a thorough beating by Leinster. Ulster aren’t yet beaten and seem to be dogging out wins. Lean toward Ulster.”
The Leinster game showed the enormous gulf in the squads, Embra were without around two dozen players due to injury and international selection, Leinster bring young guys in and they do practically as good a job as the players they replace.
We’ll be in a similar boat on Monday, and if winning becomes a habit, so does losing. Our second string pack is okay, nothing to write home about but it does have a few gems in it, Schoey and Luke Crosbie are a couple of players who will enhance the Scotland squad next year.
Behind them were are struggling, even when we have a back three of van der Merwe, Kinghorn and Graham, players who I’d wager would start in most other sides, the deal seems to be to box kick until they can do something special off the bat.
Our coaching is rank and we are going nowhere until we address that issue. It’s not Cockerill, it’s the attack (ha!) side of things.
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Sounds like a character from the Zorro movies – “he is the finest swordsman in all Spain” (delivered with heavy fake-Hispanic accent a slight ‘e’ preceding Spain)
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We suck donkeybaws at the moment ticht. Covid has also shafted us with recruitment and not getting a few surplus players from the Scotland squad
And yes, something seriously amiss with our attacking structure. Painfully predictable and ineffective
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@ticht
There’s a fair bit of mumbling and grumbling here about the Pro14 – basically, Irish teams are winning too easily (especially in the international breaks) – and we’re heading into Hein o / internationals not really knowing if the lads who look good in the Pro14 can hack it at the next levels up…. however, the Saffers are coming to rescue* us (maybe)
* make mincemeat out of
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And to everyone who posted – thanks for the kind words.
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OT – what if you are like me and don’t have an accent?
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@craigs
You’ve got glottophobia privilege or summat.
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Deebs – I’m with you on this. Doubt it though. The All Blacks will be hurting.
It would be great for rugby.
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If for no other reason than having a player called Jerónimo de la Fuente in your side, I’m backing Argentina.
@Craigs, I had a friend who firmly believed that South Africans don’t have an accent. We speak bang on down the middle English. She was shocked – actually shocked – when informed that we may in fact have a slight accent.
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Craigs, I’ll raise your All Blacks hurting with Argentina desperate for silverware, a fantastic story to tell – one for the ages – about how they trained during lockdown and haven’t seen their families for four months, and finally doing it for Diego. All Blacks by 16.
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OT – actually I’d be overlooked and discriminated against. Top of the rung yet at the bottom.
Prepare your violin.
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My Great Uncle John from Cowdenbeath died the other week and his funeral was last week. Obviously in these times getting to funerals is nigh on possible so they recorded the service and sent it round. His son did the eulogy and, I’m delighted to say, his Fife accent is as strong and as indecipherable as ever. He told a story about one time they were out in the wilderness during his national service in the RAF but I have absolutely no clue what happened or what the point of the story was. The Fife accent is a glorious one.
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Deebs – as Einstein proved the centre of the world for all accents is the kt12 postcode in Surrey. All other accents radiate from that.
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Deebs – I hope you are right.
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Christmas on the telly was so much better when I was a kid
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OT, if Darth Vader came from Fife (I’ve posted this before, but it’s worth a repeat)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p04pt7vt
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Speaking of accents
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When is Boris announcing victory over the EU on that score? Seems to have got a bit lost in Covid and Trump, the twin pandemics of 2020.
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‘your’ Exeter team to face Bath:
15 Facundo Cordero, 14 Tom O’Flaherty,13 Ian Whitten,12 Ollie Devoto,11 Olly Woodburn
10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Jack Maunder
1 Ben Moon,2 Jack Yeandle (capt),3 Harry Williams,4 Don Armand,5 Sam Skinner,6 Dave Ewers,7 Jannes Kirsten
8 Sam Simmonds
16 Jack Innard,17 Alec Hepburn,18 Marcus Street,19 Will Witty,20 Richard Capstick,21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Jack Walsh,23 Tom Hendrickson
Hogg and Gray (minor) not good enough, obvs.
Bath by lots, then.
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Wonder if that’s SHC & Skinner out of Scotland squad for the last Autumn game then.
Embra & Weedge have been told they can’t have any Scotland squad players back ‘cos covid apparently. would be strange to have different rules for the premiereship players.
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England > Wales by 15
Scotland > Fiji by 28
France > Italy by 7
Ireland > Georgia by 35
ABs > Argentina by 18 (boo)
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As for the ProWoo, Irish teams will probably win, everyone else will be varying shades of poop.
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Deebee, Johnson is already telling wavering Scots that he’ll save them:
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I wondered where Chek had been
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Dese guys be geniuses.
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