The Rugby world is set to explode this weekend. After a week’s break the Rugby Championship is back in action this weekend, the Aviva Premiership kicks off, the Currie Cup is in full swing, the ITM cup has been blown wide open with Otago winning the Ranfurly Shield…I’m not expecting to get a lot of sleep over the next few weeks as I’m feasting on a veritable smorgasboard of sporting heaven.
Looking ahead to this weekend, Argentina arrived here in New Zealand a few days back minus Leonardo Senatore, who is serving a nine week suspension, and without the leadership of legendary veteran Felipe Contemponi. Which by no means suggests Los Pumas are an under strength side; Coach Santiago Phelan has bolstered his ranks with Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Juan Martin Hernandez, two strong and dominant players who are certainly not to be underestimated.
Argentina came achingly close to rolling the in-form Springboks a couple of weeks back and they would love to be the team in the series that scores a win over the Men In Black. There is however a small obstacle standing in their way. Seem there’s this chap by the name of Dan Carter.
He’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has indicated Carter will be back in the side this weekend, backed up by either Beauden Barrett or Colin Slade. Tom Taylor’s admirable performance against Australia has left him with a rib injury that will sideline him for a few more weeks, and Aaron Cruden is still about four weeks away from field time again. The All Blacks though will have to be buoyed by having Carter back in the boot, along with Richie McCaw playing to his usual blistering best. This is an All Blacks side that looked a little shaky in the first half hour of the series against Australia, but now is firmly in control and has the foot well and truly on the throttle.
You can never, ever count Los Pumas out. I do, however, think they’re going to struggle against the All Blacks, particularly in the heart of Chief’s territory. Waikato is a strong rugby city at the best of times, and you can be assured there will be plenty of folks from Auckland coming down to fill the stadiums with screaming people in black jerseys. But as much as I think the Argentinians are going to struggle, like many people who watch Los Pumas…I just love those guys. I’ve frequently commented on my admiration of their passion, dedication and sheer love of the game. They’re just a joy to watch.
Across the ditch Australia is set to face down the South African juggernaut. This is a really weird position for me to be in – I can see what’s about to hit the Wallabies. I almost feel sorry for them too.
Almost.
The Springboks will be looking to reassert their dominance after the display against Argentina, and I would suggest that they are going to come out against the Wallabies looking for one thing; total destruction of anything in a gold jersey. The Boks are a formidable side at the best of times. When they’re coming out with something to prove, well that’s something else at a whole new level.
The Wallabies have looked inconsistent, hesitant and nervous in their first two outings. Lack of possession, lack of capitalizing on the possession they’ve had, lack of communication, it’s all been evident in the Wallabies game play. Yes they had a better showing in the second test against the All Blacks, but if the Wallabies play the way their did in their last outing and the Springboks play to their usual form, the Sprinboks are going to be looking more like another, rather more carnivorous African animal.
My prediction for this weekend: All Blacks to triumph over Los Pumas by 20 points, Springboks over Wallabies by 12. All of which will then set up an epic clash when the All Blacks face the Springboks the following week. That one I’m expecting may be described using words like “apocalyptic”.
I need to go service my coffee machine, it’s going to be a long weekend of egg-chasing.
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