Rugby Union Internationals – October 8th Previews
Bledisloe Cup – Australia vs New Zealand
There is no love lost between these two nations when it comes to sport, this is war , and no prisoners will be taken – well its about as serious as it comes . . .
Both teams have two wins under the belt in The Rugby Champions as both have played and beaten Argentina as well as South Africa. Of the two teams the All Blacks got those wins far more convincingly.
The Wallabies have not won the annual Bledisloe Cup competition in 13 years, but came as close as they have in any year during that stretch in 2014. Playing in Sydney is this the one match that can turn the tide? I predict that the All Blacks will take it but it is going to be a brusing encounter, watch this space.
The other Rugby Champions game features South Africa vs Argentina – not often the name Springboks in rugby and wooden spoon are mentioned but with both teams having lost the first two games – that is effectively what we are looking at. The Pumas have impressed me but still do not have quite what it takes to realistically overcome the other Southern Hemisphere teams. It was a bruising battle with the Wallabies last weekend and I think the Springboks will be smarting from their two defeats as I do expect the Springboks to turn the screws and win this one convincingly.
The other big game of the weekend takes place in the Northern hemisphere, and is an interesting matchup between Wales and Ireland. Warren Gatlands has made 14 changes to the side that played Italy in the Six Nations final week. Meanwhile Ireland are making 13 changes to the side that played Scotland. This is going to be really interesting as both sides are building, tinkering and fine tuning ahead of the Rugby World Cup. This two teams are very evenly matched, and while I tip Wales to take it, I think it will be very close.
HONG KONG – OCTOBER 30: Jerome Kaino of the All Blacks is tackled by Will Genia of the Wallabies during the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Hong Kong Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
