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 
Holy crap, PSdT interception on half way and he almost makes it to the line. ABs hold up Am over the line.
Kriel off for and HIA.
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First try to NZ. Jordan gives it to Cane, who scores in the corner.
0-8 29mins
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Marx on for Dweber.
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2nd try to NZ. Lots of pressure on the SA line, before Taukei’aho muscles over the line, on the near side.
0-15 34 mins
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SA pull a try back. Le Roux sprays a long pass out to Am on the wing. He breaks a tackle by Clarke and gets over the line.
7-15 27 mins
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Pollard kicks a long penalty right on half time. The teams go in 10-15.
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Very different Kiwi side to last week! Been full value for their lead. Hope Marx and Kitshoff on gives us a better platform off the scrum and Marx at the breakdown with Wiese. Did seem to be a momentum shift once they came on. Was looking ominous before that.
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NZ on a warning for maul shenanigans.
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No ways was Whitelock getting anywhere near a fucking tackle!
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ooh, shame, beautiful try chalked off for 50/50 obstruction call. Fair call tho.
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That would have been a wonderful try. Am cuts through the NZ line, into the opposing half. He throws a long pass to Mapimpi, who dots down. Unfortunately, Am only made the break because Hendrikse obstructed a NZ player.
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Mo’unga kicks a penalty from the obstruction. However he’s then turned over following the restart, Willemse throws a long pass to Mapimpi, whose try is valid this time.
20-21 60 mins
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Sorry Thaum my laptop died and I need to replace the power socket. Be a bit longer for that mail. Soz.
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Kinda want the Ballsax to win so Foster stays.
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Yellow for Beauden, tackling Hendrikse in a potential try situation.
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SA take the lead. 23-21
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Luke Pierce calls a NZ lineout not straight, and it wasn’t straight in SA’s favour.
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Reiko Ioani’s been in the centre so long, I forgot what a set of wheels he has.
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Ioane is pretty quick. Christie has brought noticeably more zip to the attack than Smith was giving.
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Reiko’s break leads to NZ pressure in the SA 22, and the ball eventually goes to Havili, who thinks about passing, but just stretches out an arm and scores.
23-28 75 mins
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A long NZ clearance results in Le Roux only being able to put the ball out in his own 22. NZ maul, which collapses and then pick and drive, until Scott Barrett goes through the middle to score.
Final score 23-35
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Fuck fuck fuck! Thought we were going to do the business once we took the lead. We were suddenly looking good, but jeez the Kiwis dug deep in the last 10. They deserved it thoroughly overall. Well played.
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Link https://www.vipbox.lc/argentina-vs-australia-1-live
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Bloody hell, Imhoff scores bang on 1min dead.
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7-0, 2 mins on the clock.
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2nd try after 5 mins. ARG get a 50-22, drive off the maul, then recycle. Eventually the prop, Gallo, powers over between the posts.
14-0
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AUS get one back. Lineout in the ARG 22, Valentini on a wonderful arc around the lineout, then Slipper drives over against the post.
14-7
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Aus are getting into a rhythm now. The ARG restart is out on the full and after the scrum, it’s just phase after phase until they’re on the 5m line and they get a penalty.
14-10 16mins
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Aussie comms losing their rag, over Slipper being pinged for rolling a player through the vertical at a ruck – which scrapped a try.
They’d be really mad if they’d spotted the forward pass.
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Matera robbed of a try, because the on-field decision was knock on and the TMO couldn’t see compelling evidence (despite the ball clearly touching the line), that there wasn’t a knock on first.
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26-10 at half time.
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6mins into the second half without a try. This match is rubbish :)
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Gallo has just scored his second, and ARG’s 6th, try. 36-10.
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Ikitau scores. Breaks a tackle, falls over, gets up again and canters over to score.
36-17
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Aus got a yellow after the last Arg score, 3 penalties in one phase.
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Bofelli gets a try, he out-paces Koriobete to a ball poked through the Aus line.
41-17 79mins
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Arg get a scrum from the restart. The 9 runs it from the back , puts in a kick and Albornoz gets there before any Aus player can.
Final score 48-17
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Craigs – no problem at all. I have been feeling guilty about not looking for an email yet, because of a sibling visitation – not had any time!
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re: SA vs AB……
That was the first time in memory that I have felt genuinely moved/intimidated by the pre-match anthems etc.
After the haka I really thought the AB would get trounced.
But no, they responded really well!
BB will need to pull his socks up if he is to remain in the squad!
ps: Dweba is an air-head and never a starter – SA’s very own Danny Care ™
pps: well done to the ref – he tried to keep the game moving
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A sober reflection on Saturday’s match, from a Bok perspective:
The All Blacks were always going to throw the kitchen sink at us, so we needed to make sure we weren’t overwhelmed early on. We didn’t do that by picking the third-choice hooker to start the match, after he’d spent the bulk of the season on the bench at his French club, apparently, a number 8 coming back from months out with injury and at 36, hardly up to speed (no matter how great he’s been in the past) and a loosehead prop who got done over. So three of our starting pack shouldn’t have started.
This is crucial in understanding how we lost – apart from the obvious early momentum not being with the Boks, it meant we lost territorial dominance, got into scoreboard trouble at 0-15 with half time in sight and had to turn to the bench to shore things up. Now the whole point of the bomb squad is to bring them on once the starting pack has laid the platform for even more pain – not to shore up a desperately outgunned starting pack. If we’d started Marx and Wiese, I have no doubt we would have been far more competitive in the first 30 minutes than we were and may well have been better placed going into the break.
There has been much strutting and preening down here that we’ve got the best two front rows in world rugby at present and once the likes of RG Snyman and Duane are back to their best, we’ll have the two best packs. This is demonstrably not true: Malherbe, Marx and Kitshoff are up there, as is Bongi Mbonambi, Nyakane too when he can play for longer than 30 minutes, whilst Etzebeth, de Jager and Mostert offer excellence in the 2nd row (with Snyman to return). Our loose trio, not so much – Kolisi has struggled for both club and country this season, PS du Toit is still working his way back and Vermeulen is looking a spent force, whilst Wiese isn’t the long-term answer. Kwagga Smith will remain a good impact option, assuming our forwards are dominating the collisions.
I think this may well be the end of the road for the imperious Duane Vermeulen, who was way off the pace on Saturday and surely can’t make it to France next year? In Wiese, we have an abrasive, capable 8, although he’s a bit of a one-trick pony on attack and prone to brainfart penalties (as again on Saturday, which swung momentum away from us). Which begs the question as to why the likes of Elrich Louw and Evan Roos haven’t been given more time in the side. Especially Roos who is a born number eight and ripped up trees in the URC.
In the backs, Jaden Hendrikse copped a lot of flak after Saturday, but he was getting lousy ball at times. A great nine would be able to deal with that, but he’s still new to the position and I believe that he’ll be the real deal sooner rather than later. Faf is Faf, but he needs to get his accuracy back and speed up delivery from the base. Cobus Reinach may be the answer in Australia, but I think he’s still injured too.
Pollard was okay, nothing flash, whilst De Allende is very limited when moved from the 12 berth – and when you’ve got a 6-2 slit on the bench, that becomes a problem. I thought Am was absolutely in a class of his own on Saturday and the obstruction call when he scythed his way through the Kiwi midfield was technical at best, laughable in reality – there was no way that Whitelock was ever going to get into the same time zone as Am, but those are the breaks.
Damian Willemse is growing in leaps and bounds now that he’s been given the 15 jersey (even though he played at 12 after Jesse Kriel went off early). Willie le Roux was excellent again and Mapimpi is still class, but we’re now down to our 4th choice wing on the right, with Kolbe, Arendse and Nkosi all out. The core outside backs of Am, Willemse, Le Roux and Mapimpi (and Kolbe when back) have demonstrated that they really can turn it on when given half a chance and this was the one positive (apart from coming back from 0-15 to lead 23-21 with 9 minutes to go) that we can take from Saturday.
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That post was not as cathartic as it may appear.
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@deebee
Here, take a look at JJ Smuts showing us how to field
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OT, that grass looks like Joburg in winter, not England in summer! Hope you all get some decent rain soon.
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@deebee
Essex is especially dry. Am watching the Met Office rainfall radar with interest – supposed to be getting a bit of rain this afternoon…..
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@deebee
Nice analysis.
Away in France for 2 weeks – in Brittany where nothing can’t be improved by adding more butter or more cream. You can barely buy liquid milk in the shops since it all seems to be converted into other dairy products…..
Temps were mainly 25-30 degC until last couple of days when they jumped towards 35 – a bit out of our comfort zone.
We called into see an open training session with RC Vannes (in Pro-D2) and ended up chatting to former Munster 2nd row Darren O’Shea (managed with our limited French to get one of the local supporters to bring him over). He’s into a second 2 year contract now – on his way back from a nasty injury – broke his leg and dislocated the ankle too.
Season before last Vannes lost in the Top 14 promotion playoff – having a club in Top 14 would be great for Breton rugby (by comparison they’ve had up to 5 clubs in the Ligue 1 football recently – Rennes, Brest, Nantes, Guincamp, Lorient) – but I’d fear it would be a short stay if they were promoted.
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nothing can’t be improved by adding more butter or more cream
Surely this is a completely non-controversial statement?
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(Almost everyone who’s ever seen me butter toast has ended up asking, Would you like some toast with your butter?)
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Butter and cream are two of the great inventions of humanity. In fact, Hawaiian pizza topped with pineapple that has been gently sautéed in butter beforehand is a masterpiece.
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Pineapple kills blog shocker!
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