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 
Itoje catches Paisami’s shoulder in the head, trying to tackle him and goes down. He won’t be taking any more part in the match.
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@Dab – I was confused by the Aus #1 losing his bind, then going to ground being an Aus penalty.
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@Refit it’s not always easy to see who’s at fault but that was so blatant!
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Also looked like the wrong call to me, but being a 9 I wasn’t going to comment. Didn’t see much of the half, but being a 9, it won’t stop me from commenting. Aus are crap, never should have won last week.
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is Cooney crocked
Rumour mill says Sexton doesn’t like him…..
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Trisk – it’s the only explanation that makes sense.
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Well, great to win in NZ.
Being greedy, probably should have won by more – zero points in 2nd quarter. I think refs and TMOs are reluctant to award pen tries unless you’re past the 5m – even if it looks a cert….
O’Mahony was great and Beirne too. Gibson Park’s weak passing cost tries. Speed is great in midfield but lack of in 22 is a killer. Lowe wasn’t good nor Ryan. Aki was super.
NZ dropped a lot of ball.
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Not sure England want to get into a flingaboutery passing contest here.
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Was supposed to say pissing contest, but passing too.
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Smith inna bin for a deliberate knock-on in midfield.
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Marcus Smith ‘playing’ himself out of the #10 slot
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England imploding.
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Missed the card with a frozen stream. Australia starting to stretch the England defence. Helluva kick there too!
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That was a hell of a kick by Nic White. 50-22 scuppered by the location of the tackle though.
Aus comms still whinging about the TMO.
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Shit throw! But not getting touch is going to hurt England. Australia have clicked and looking good ball in hand. Not sure they’re gonna have enough players to finish the match, mind!
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Think I’ve seen Porter carry the ball once so far. He got stripped.
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Hope the TMO is a Saffer!
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Slade, his kicking has been below par but Smith has played quite well otherwise, he’s putting players into space but the attacking is breaking down after that, he can’t be held responsible for that.
The card was a bit stupid from him though
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@Deebee – It’s Joy Neville (IRE), so I feel like there’s a tinge of misogyny in the criticism.
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TMO is Joy Neville (Ireland), I think.
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Very poor lineouts from England today. Basics just not there.
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I’ve found English comms. Phew.
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That was a beautiful maul by England, then it all goes to pot from a loose pass and England are now back in their own 22.
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Get Arundell on!
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Ticht – surely he kicks too much away on less than 50:50 chances – I would hate to be one of his forwards while he does that
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All yours, Dab!
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Thy heard you Dab.
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England get an awesome turnover then give away a penalty and O’Connoll misses touch!
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Aus need points from this penalty. Not like that.
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Think England have weathered the third quarter storm and have slowly 🐌 reasserted themselves.
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Courtney is just so good…………….
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Well, that sets up two crackers for next week.
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It’s a win, but it’s all a bit pedestrian
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Woohoo :-)
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England bossed that last 15 minutes to snuff out the Aussie threat. Two series locked at one a piece. Wales will make it three later. No ways a callow Bok side will win.
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Well that result was a pleasant surprise! Great forwards performance from England but offering so little in the backs. Did well to steady the shop after Aus got back into it. Aus lacked intensity first half and left themselves one score too far away.
Lawes MOTM? Billy V also very good.
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The 80s called. They want their hairdo back.
(Boks anthem singer.)
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Having an argument with the mister. I think Biggar moved the ball at least 3 metres closer to the centre of the posts. He disagrees.
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Not exactly a classic so far…
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You’re not joking, Dab….
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SA hooker’s got a set of wheels on him.
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The constant music snippets, every time there’s a break in play, are making me want to break things.
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At least the second half can’t actually be worse… Can it??
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3-3 at HT. Didn’t think this Bok side would be in touch. In truth, we should’ve got a couple of tries. Second half should be interesting – where do Wales get extra firepower from? The Boks have got a fair amount on the bench, but I’d like to see this 15 go for a while longer.
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Thauma, singer of the SA anthem is from Pretoria. They will never get beyond the 80s.
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Deebee – at least she could carry a tune. Some of the ones earlier today were awful.
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That’s what, 30 seconds on the pitch for AWJ?
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What the hell was that call for (AWJ card)?
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And it’s a travesty. Justice for AWJ!
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