Only a week into the July Test window opening, most of the leading national rugby union International Test squads have settled into their business.
They have ‘stretched the legs’ during opening matches, and if the planning were good, and the opponent was designed to provide a measured opposition (that is a luxury for some). If not, then the first-up match was a good old Test match.
Most will have lined up a World Rugby scheduled opponent, who was set to contest the other in a multitude of ways. Some were established rivalries. Some for over a century old – like the upcoming Springboks v British and Irish Lions series history dating back to the 19th century. And yet some are destined to create new traditions – a unique distinction for 2021, as nations have had to adapt to the Covid-interrupted calendar.
Leading International Test Squads settle into their work
Week One saw a good number of Tier One games played, culminating in the first test of the much anticipated Australia v France series. One that has connotations that stretch well into the build-up toward the Rugby World Cup 2023. Hosts France was looking to follow up on a successful campaign from November to March, while their hosts are on a quest for improvement.
Head coach Dave Rennie has planned for this segment of his International Test squads season. That required new blood; just like his opposition has chosen to do. Debuting players need to be integrated into the Wallabies established program. He told the Sydney Morning Herald “That’s how we’ve designed the first couple of weeks, to give the guys an understanding of the lift in intensity at an international level, and the conditioning and the skillset under pressure and under fatigue required.”
Another grandstand finish in Brisbane. @wallabies have come out on top in an epic opening test over France#AUSvFRA pic.twitter.com/Tpp3Ba6Gy5
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 7, 2021
The resulting narrow win for Australia was one of a large number of outcomes found from the first week of the season. France may not have gotten the result they wished, yet the majority of fixtures went the way of popular predictions.
-
South Africa 40 Georgia 9
-
New Zealand 102 Tongo 0
-
Wales 68 Canada 12
-
Romania 17 Argentina 24
-
England 38 United States 29
-
Australia 23 France 21
-
Tour Matches: British and Irish Lions 56 Lions 14 | BIL 54 Sharks 7
The majority were all good preparation fixtures. Some had to be amended due to the pandemic, while others were planned as a part of the Global Calendar. Just a couple of them included sides that were more evenly matched, and that included Ireland v Japan.
One with a shorter history than a lot of the others above although, after their 2019 Rugby World Cup upset, one that has taken on a new story. One of East meets West but in a way that is ‘the old vs the new’ as Japan is a relatively new side compared with the long-established Irish Rugby nation.
Close contest in Dublin reinforces Brave Blossoms reputation
The fourth-ranked side on the World Rugby table, facing the team in tenth place shouldn’t have brought a large degree of consternation. Yet since the Brave Blossoms barnstorming form of 2015, every opposition has had to rethink the Asian side’s menace. And full of confidence, the Aviva Stadium game lived up to its promise.
With a strong showing, best exemplified by the enthusiastic second-half performance from Japan. Scoring within minutes of the restart, players like Yu Tamura and Naoto Saito showed their International quality. A testament to head coach Jamie Joseph’s philosophy on embracing the quick-natured Asian game, with a foundation of ruck-speed and set play.
In closing the game to 39-31, it was a single try and penalty that allowed Ireland to not fall victim twice to the Brave Blossoms. Irish players applauded their opponents, and coach Andy Farrell will need to study the videos to reaffirm his side’s mojo. If not, then the following week’s fixture might be harder than first imagined.
Japan will leave Europe happy, even though another one or two games would have further supported the nation’s International Test squads baseline.
Week two set-up for International Test Squads
Meanwhile, the calendar moves on. After the midweek Wallabies game, the new schedule aligns.
One clash that has more than a single outcome on it, is the Samoa v Tonga Test match. It also serves as leg one of a two-game Rugby World Cup Oceania qualifier. With World Rugby endorsement, the two International test squads face off in South Auckland – the most populated center for Pacific Island ex-pats. Expect pandemonium when these sides face off in their respective pre-match war dance.
Many of the remaining test matches all point towards world rankings points. An important factor, especially for nations like Canada, the USA, and Los Pumas. Those sides must go for the upset; not just a points spread. Aiming high, first-ever match results could also determine soon-to-be-determined RWC2023 pools. So ‘play for the moment’ however, look forward to increasing their standings against everyone else.
In fact, that is the ethos for most Internationals. And while the Lions 2021 series will see the Sharks replay BIL (due to Covid-19 positive test with the Bulls), those are not genuine test matches. Warren Gatland is using them to prepare a strong core who will likely face the World Champion Springboks on July 25. And by then, most of the July Test window will have been closed for another year.
But until then, raise your home nation’s flag, and cheer on your team. Hoorah!!
“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images
