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 
Government minister has been listening to Frankie Boyle.
LikeLike
OT – I don’t think that it could rise much higher
LikeLike
Well, Leinster won’t win as the Scarlets have cried off with an outbreak of covid since I wrote the preview
Based on recent Leinster results, I could see clubs some concluding that a 28-0 defeat (like imposed on Fiji) would be getting off lightly….
LikeLike
I’ve just heard Gary Lineker use the word ‘footballistically’. Back of the net.
LikeLike
No surprise that a government minister has in depth knowledge of nocturnal activities in cars parks and lay-bys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Toon v Sale
I think I’m getting bored with modern rugby, bit of bosh between penalties
LikeLike
Seem to be a few Newcastle players with what look like patches under their ears?
Also, Gary Graham has an immense beard. Even better than The Beard’s beard was.
LikeLike
BB, I’m told the patches are for monitoring collision impacts re concussions
LikeLike
Ah, a good reason for them. I was half wondering if they might have been implants…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got bored with that game.
BB, was it you who posted the 2CELLOS guys doing Thunderstruck ages ago?
I never paid it any heed, wrongly thinking it was just a gimmick. I’ve just watched it through and it’s terrific.
LikeLike
…they wore them last time they were in the Premier as well, I think. There was stuff in the Graun………….
LikeLike
Ticht – it’s a great version. They actually supported Elton (sorry, SIR Elton) when I saw him at the SECC, although they weren’t as big then.
NOw watching the programme on (Paisley’s Own) Gerry Rafferty on BBC4. I’ve probably seen it before, but a repeat will still be better than that rugby game.
LikeLike
You should have watched the Super League Grand Final. 4-4 with 90 seconds left and Wigan get a penalty just in the St Helens half. Takes Zac Hardaker a minute to take it but it goes wide, and the ball is ran from their own line by Saints. They just get it back into the Wigan half on the hooter and go for a drop goal. The ball hits the upright, comes down, bounces under the crossbar and Jack Welsby just about scores the try before stepping out of play.
LikeLike
The mister is now trying to tell me that ELO is not Prog Rock.
LikeLike
Really? Eldorado, concept album, Out of The Blue – double album with a ‘Concerto For A Rainy Day’ in the middle, with Mr Blue Sky at the end?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is exactly the song that prompted the debate.
LikeLike
Basically, he won’t accept that any song he likes is Prog.
LikeLike
I’ve put this on just to annoy him. He’s buggered off to bed, but will still be able to hear it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The main thing about Prog that annoys me is that the vocals are usually out of my range.
LikeLike
Next selection for his bedtime delectation:
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say that Jon’s the exception. He was usually up in the stratosphere (and not just vocally), but Gabriel (and Collins), Gilmour, Waters, Anderson, Lake as well as Fish and Hogarth later weren’t high singers.
LikeLike
It’s a bit of a soppy one.
LikeLike
BB – true, some of those are right in my (mid-)range. Gilmour especially good. But hell, Geddy Lee, and Lake could hit the high notes too.
LikeLike
Waters can get on the high squeaky side too.
LikeLike
This is my favourite Peter Gabriel choon
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although I’d rather just listen than watch the video.
LikeLike
Forgot about Geddy! Certainly in his early days he’d scare the birds off the trees. But then, there was always trouble in the forest….
LikeLike
Kate Bush: Prog or not-Prog? She’s another one I’d rather just listen to; the Lindsay Kemp mimey-stuff is a real turn-off.
LikeLike
Oh, prog. Helped along by Gilmour, sang with Gabriel, second side of Hounds Of Love is weird concept-y stuff. And, there was an article about Never For Ever is the last copy of Prog magazine, so that seals the deal.
LikeLike
Agree.
Now Bowie. Could Prog have existed without him?
Current listen:
Not perhaps your first Bowie prog choice; waaay too short for one.
LikeLike
Life on Mars? as a possible Prog progenitor?
LikeLike
LikeLike
Bowie’s another one where it’s best to turn off the video and just listen.
LikeLike
In his case, the videos are usually gorgeous, but still distract from the music.
LikeLike
Although I do quite like this one. You can think of it as two songs: one with video, one without.
LikeLike
Just found a video for Be My Wife, which I’d never guessed existed, as it wasn’t exactly a potential chart-topper. Strikes me as the most honest video he’s made.
LikeLike
Nah, Life On Mars was 71/72-ish. Prog was already pretty established by then. I would say Bowie was progressive but not Prog.
LikeLike
Although Rick Wakeman did play on Life on Mars, so there is at least a proggy link. Also, Hunky Dory is my favourite Bowie album, even more so than Ziggy.
LikeLike
It’s Diamond Dogs & the Berlin trilogy for me.
Have you ever listened to the album The Man Who Sold the World? Proto-metal.
LikeLike
LikeLike
LikeLike
Important win for Newcastle last night – coming from behind (behave)
They will become difficult to beat if they stay injury-free – well managed by Deano
LikeLike
Were any of you lot even born by 1970?
We were 20 and discovering a lot of things – vastly privileged mind –
LikeLike
Slade – just!
LikeLike
I was 7 in 1970. Apart from TOTP and whatever radio I could hear, not a lot of stuff around. Probably another 3 or 4 years before I started getting into music more.
LikeLike
Yep, I was 4. Seems a long time ago.
LikeLike
Good year for music, not that I remember.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pumas / NZ link, if needed: https://www.vipleague.lc/1-argentina-vs-new-zealand-live-streaming
LikeLike
Ref, tightheads don’t do that. Look at the Black loosie.
LikeLike
Ripped by an All Black, touched by Sam Cane offside.
LikeLike