It’s Christmas in July as the Northern behemoths head south to upside-down-world and a feast of rugby! With this being the last July tour before the World Cup next year in France, there are markers to be put down, there are points to be made and there are matches to be won! Not the usual ‘development tours’ we see, but full-blooded Tests, with a capital T and an exclamation mark to boot. So who’ll be the turkeys (not Türkiye, as they’re not playing anyway), who’ll get a stuffing and who’ll provide the trimmings and the sauce? A veritable smorgasbord awaits:
Romania v Italy
After slaying the Welsh dragon in February, there’ll be a sprightly step in the Italian dressing room before facing off with a Romanian side that lost its last two matches (narrowly to let’s-replace-Italy-with-Georgia, and more convincingly to Spain) to end a decent five match winning streak prior to that. Solid second tier, but not enough to get past Italy, who broke a 36-match losing streak at the Principality with THAT try. It won’t be a canter, but Italy should start their summer series with a fairly comfortable win: Italy by 15 over Romania
Australia ‘A’ v Samoa
Much talk around the improvement of Australian sides in Super Rugby this year, but frankly I’m not sure where that came from. A couple of wins against Kiwi sides masked the fact that they only got one side in the semis and propped up the bottom of the combined table along with the Samoan and Fijian sides. The Brumbies were the only consistent side in Australia, but they’ll have too much depth anyway to field an ‘A’ side that will see off Samoa easily enough. No idea what to expect from Samoa, or who they’ve selected, but history tells us they’ll be blood and thunder for 60 minutes, whilst still getting the wrong end of the scoreboard and cards, and fade away as the superior conditioning and game plan of the Aussies takes control: Australia ‘A’ by 23
Fiji v Tonga
A spicy affair for sure, although Fiji have emerged as the most consistent of the Pacific Island sides in recent years, combining some electric running from all 15 (or 23) players at times, with brutal defence and a set piece that’s better than most of their neighbours. It’ll be fierce, it’ll be fast, it’ll be fun to watch from afar, but ultimately Fiji will have too much: Fiji by 13
Japan v France
Two of the world’s great cultures and two of the world’s great cuisines. Most recent and next hosts of rugby’s great showpiece. Two sides renowned for silky skills and derring-do with ball in hand, but that’s where it ends, I’m afraid. France are building up a fearsome head of steam in the lead up to their home World Cup and have oodles of talent and power in most positions, led by Dupont and Ntamack at 9 and 10, behind a pack that won’t step back for anyone. Japan have been solid recently, with good wins over second-tier sides and running the likes of Scotland, Australia and Ireland relatively close (bar one blowout against Ireland), so they have the wherewithal to mix it with the big boys. However, this is a France on a mission and they should stroll away with it in the end: France by 33
New Zealand v Ireland
One of the most eagerly awaited July series, with Ireland having got the measure of the Kiwis in recent years. But not in New Zealand. Both sides come into the series with question marks hanging over them – the All Black pack got dusted in Dublin and flayed in France last year and they’ve gone with Scott Barrett at 6 in an effort to bolster the lineout and scrum. Worked a treat in the 2019 Semi against England, didn’t it? Ireland’s Leinster-dominated side has struggled against top packs, but they’ll probably fancy they’ve got the wood on the Kiwis up front. The AB backline has suffered some Covid disruptions, but such is the depth of talent in New Zealand, they’ll be fine there. The noises coming out of New Zealand are ominous and they’ll throw everything at Ireland this week. Perhaps overly generous, but it’s New Zealand by 17
Australia v England
Another hugely anticipated match as Eddie’s eagles got their wings clipped in the 6N, amidst rumblings around his sometimes leftfield selections. Australia have been building quietly under Dave Rennie and demolished a Bok scrum last year thought to be their key weapon. The Aussies always bring that mongrel spirit to matches like this and they won’t back down against England’s forwards. It’s an intriguing match-up with England’s centres – as ever – a topic of debate and the backs in general, from 9 to 15, with the exception perhaps of Marcus Smith being anything but nailed on. Both sides are actually a little unsettled and it could go either way, with the match-up between Smith and Cooper at 10 a key contest. Australia will look to run England around the park, whilst England will look to smother the Aussies before letting loose later on. Could go either way, I’m backing Rennie’s Roos to break some hoodoos: Australia by 2
South Africa v Wales
Everyone in Wales apparently thinks the Boks will smash Wales. So does everyone here. Except for the people who think it’ll be a tight, ugly affair. Of which I’m one. The Boks are generally slow out of the starting blocks in the international season and are probably most vulnerable in this first Test. That said, it’s a pretty settled squad, with most of the players in their prime, or near enough. They’ve all played together for a few seasons and so should be settled enough. Wales, on the other hand, have come off a horror 6 Nations, only winning one match and losing to Italy in the final match – but they also got three losing bonus points, so three tight defeats. Whatever the missing links are in the Welsh side, it’s not guts and defence and bloody-mindedness. And the matches between Wales and South Africa have been tight in recent years, so I expect another tight affair, with the Boks perhaps easing away at altitude later on: South Africa by 9
Argentina v Scotland
This has all the potential to be a cracker, with Argentina now under the tutelage of Michael Cheika and with some of the Euro-based players back in the fold. Having stunned the ABs in 2020 and played some fabulous rugby in the process, they slipped back badly in 2021, winning only one match, against Italy. Scotland’s all-new, all-singing, all-dancing style fell a bit flat in the 6 Nations after a promising start and the Scots once again failed to live up to expectations. That said, they have some wonderful, athletic forwards and some serious gas out wide that can blitz most defences on its day. This could be a great match. Would back Argentina’s 2020 version, but not the 2021 version, albeit they’ve changed management and got a few players back: Scotland by 5
Merrily foretold by Deebee7
Onna telly this week
Thursday 30th June
| Scotland v Italy (U20s) | 19:00 | YouTube |
| Wales v Georgia (U20s) | 19:00 | YouTube |
Saturday 2nd July
| Japan v France | 07:00 | Premier Sports 1 |
| New Zealand v Ireland | 08:00 | Sky Sports Action |
| Australia v England | 10:55 | Sky Sports Action |
| South Africa v Wales | 16:05 | Sky Sports Action |
| Argentina v Scotland | 20:10 | Sky Sports Main Event |
Tuesday 5th July
| France v South Africa (U20s) | 16:00 | YouTube |
| England v Ireland (U20s) | 19:00 | YouTube |
Wednesday 6th July
| Scotland v Georgia (U20s) | 16:00 | YouTube |
| Wales v Italy (U20s) | 19:00 | YouTube |
Ovally Balls 
ABs finally get some continuity on the ball. They fling the ball wide to Reiko, outside the 22, who makes it almost to the line. They recycle and J.Barrett comes on the crash ball to score. He also converts. 7-5 on 22 mins.
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Missed another French try watching the other match. 16-30 now approaching the last quarter.
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Richie McCaw in shot in the stands. Lurking a few rows closer to the pitch than his seat number, obviously.
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Wonderful solo try by Moefana, in the France match. He takes the ball just inside the Japan half, out on the wing. Puts a lovely chip into the 22, regathers and the defence is unable to stop him touching down over the line.
16-35 62min.
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Henshaw(?) fumbles a pass that was slightly behind him and drops the ball. Reece pounces on the ball and from inside his own 22 pins his ear back. No Irish player can catch him and it’s 14-5.
Sexton off for an HIA.
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Oh Ireland! You can’t do that! Sloppy, risky and punished.
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Cane just absolutely folded Furlong in half.
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Oh, that was a lovely try. NZ turn over the ball on the Ireland 22. It goes to BB who shapes to cross-kick, but actually just pokes the ball through the on-rushing Ireland defence. Tupaea times his run to perfection and gathers the ball to score under the posts, 21-5
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That was quite a bonkers try. NZ ruck penalty on the Irish 10m line. Smith takes a quick tap and runs towards the 22. He puts in a chip and just before the line, manages to get his hand to it and bat it backwards. Momentum and a touch from POM takes the ball over the try line and Savea jumps on it to score.
28-5
Sexton has failed his HIA. Half time.
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That was very much a half of two halves. Ireland in complete control for the first 10-15 mins. Then the ABs found their line speed and fluency and have been all over it since then.
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I was wrong! Sexton made it to 30 minutes, not 25!
These AB’s are rubbish, aren’t they?
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Huh, only 6 penalties conceded, in total, so far.
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NZ immediately concede the 7th one and it’s an Ireland lineout on the NZ line, far side. They set the maul, but it goes down. Ireland manage to recycle and go through some phases before the ball goes wide to Lowe. He spins in the tackle and manages to get the ball to Ringrose who dots down in the corner.
48-12 45 mins.
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Ardie Savea just ran through Henshaw to score. POM could only get finger tips to him. 35-12
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40 today. Ffs.
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Ireland robbed, that looked like Carberry touched the ball down over the line, but it’s ruled he lost control. After all that, it’s back for an offside penalty.
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Ireland quick tap and drive for the line. Recycle a couple of times and van der Flier looks to have gone over on the crash ball, but on replay he drops it.
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Lol
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NZ penalty infront of the Irish posts. They opt for the scrum, recycle and Pita Gus Sowakula comes charging at speed, to score on his day-booo.
42-12
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Ireland haven’t given up. They’ve upped their tempo and the offloads – a lovely one from POM from the floor – and it end with Aki on the crash ball to squeeze over the line.
42-19
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Murray just milked a penalty, tripping over Tuinukuafe as he tries to get to a ruck. It results in a yellow card, as NZ were on a warning.
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Ireland try again, with the clock in the red. They’re held up over the line, but it’s a penalty and they go for the line out. They set the maul, but NZ manage to get hands on the ball and it goes to ground for a turn over. NZ win 42-19.
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Hmm. That was a bit of a shellacking in the end.
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Thanks for the updates Refit! Didn’t see the 2nd half.
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hmm -I’m predicting the winners correctly but underscoring the margins – come on lads!
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Anyone got a link to the England game?
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Slik Injured in the warm up and out of the game. James O’Connor pulled out of the commentary box to sit on the bench as Noah Lolesio steps up to replace Quade.
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@Slade – try this https://www.vipbox.lc/australia-vs-england-1-live
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Thanks Refit – I can’t seem to navigate round Norton and firewalls – drat!
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First points to England. Box kick to Lolesio and Curry gets the ruck penalty. Faz with the kick. 0-3
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……got it via Voutube:
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England get a talking to at the lineout, because Maro is over-Maro-ing it.
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Some good continuity play from England in the middle of the park, even regathering a Faz high kick. Ends when Billy gets isolated and Bell latches on.
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Curry breaks the Aus line and charges into their 22. He floats a pass wide to Big Joe and only an excellent tackle by Koroibete stops him scoring in the corner.
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England penalty. 0-6
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Tom Banks has a horrible landing, jumping over Billy from the restart. Looks like he might have broken his arm. And thanks to the director for replaying it 3 or 4 times. Petaia replaces him.
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Scrum penalty to Aus. Lolesio kicks it. 3-6
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Hill and Swain are having a bit of a heated…conversation at the edge of a ruck.
Alaalaota off for an HIA, don’t think he’ll be coming back. He did concede a penalty because of not rolling away, but Faz misses.
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Hill and Swain are going at it again, in the middle of a maul. One of them is going to end up with a card at this rate.
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Is it just me or are Aus kicking a bit aimlessly?
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NZ game turned out as I expected. Some good things – 1st 15-20 mins. Reece try was a killer. There were 2 maybe 3 passes that weren’t on before Reece got the ball.
Carbery’s “try” is given most days – but too much to expect we’d get that in NZ. Not sure why we keep up with the pick and goes on the line – the drop out rule doesn’t make it profitable. If we were a team size of France, SA or England it might make sense – NZ showed us what to do for their 1st try…. we keep trying it off slow ruck ball with stationary carriers.
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The Aus attack sparks into life, with a break from Koriobete in midfield. They get all the way to the England 5m line, but they’re driven back to the 10m line. But there’s a penalty back by the try line.
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They’re reviewing the handbags in the maul. There was hair pulling by Hill, then Swain retaliated with a headbutt. Yellow for Hill, red for Swain.
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The Aus commentary team are proper malding over the red.
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Aus really could’ve done without that. Already three first choice players down, now a man down for the whole second half too. Bloody stupid.
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That Youtube link blocked now
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.what’s causing the aggro between the plyers? ………………or is it Australia pissed because of the players lost injured
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Still struggling to see why Aus are hoofing it to the England back 3 so much. They’re not making any headway with it. Perhaps given the red card I should say they’re not making much progress.
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Slade I’ve got a dodgy link called called buffstream.fun which has the match but without commentary and with pop ups etc but a bit of perseverance and you get there eventually.
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thanks Deebs
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