This post first appeared on North vs. South: No winner this week
It is all about the ´Clash of the Hemispheres´ as the heavyweights of world rugby have reached our shores, not including the Kiwis who are stopping over in Paris to romp the French for a fourth consecutive time in 2013.
The border control at Heathrow has had a busy week as powerful South Sea Islanders, protein-induced Boers and fleet-footed Japs are here to battle the European powerhouses – or some of them anyway. The Kiwis will hit Paris first as they prepare for the final showdown next week.
Joking aside, this is going to be a great weekend of international rugby – and this scribe believes a 3-3 draw is in the making. Japan might not belong south of the Equator, but who cares – in Rugby terminology they do.
With that settled, let´s look back at last weekend´s game at Twickers. Australia took to the field as a battle-hardened side against a new-look England. Ewen McKenzie’s team continued where they left off in Dunedin….losing. That hardly came as a surprise; however, the Aussies did put a fight.
England won – viewers lost.
England never got going and slow ball was all the backs ever got. Things can only improve today – or so Lancaster will hope. He took to the job with a plan and a well-oiled PR machine, but wins and tries are all that should count – and a bit of flair-abundant, attacking rugby. Something England have long forgotten.
To add to the misery of last Saturday, most people will agree it is a travesty listening to Stuart Barnes for 80 minutes. This scribe has even watched a replay, and his commenting is (fill in the blanks). No wonder everyone is fleeing to BT Sport.
Yes, the referees made a mistake by missing Brown´s foot in touch, but Hartley only held his line. Instead, Moore´s tackling (or lack thereof) speaks volumes of the Aussie mentality at the moment. Barnes should just get on with it.
Wins for England, Scotland and Ireland
Back to business! England must deliver a more composed and attack-minded performance against the Argies. The loss of Wade (supposedly picked to start prior to injury) and Yarde is massive. Wade certainly is a talent and has attacking flair aplenty; he might struggle at times in defence but can England afford to leave him out?
This scribe thinks not as Johnson took Ashton´s mojo with him when he left in 2011. Other than that, England are looking solid and should improve.
In the North vs. South battle, North will take an early lead with wins for England, Scotland and Ireland. No point in discussing the game in Edinburgh as the Scots will do just fine and record an easy win. Samoa, however, showed last year that they can beat a European force on home turf. Samoan injuries suggest an Irish win, but the South Sea Islanders are always up for it. Ireland will win, but the cheering will be aimed at Samoa. Go Manu Samoa.
The dragon to be slain
Welsh readers might never come back after this, but there can only be one winner in Cardiff….South Africa. Since Wales lost to Samoa and the Argies, the team has only conjured up one good performance – against the old foe, England.
It seems the players can only stand strong when facing their more illustrious neighbour – and long time enemy. Wales continue to be a team of “buts and ifs” as seen by the media focus this week, focusing on Alain Rolland sending off Warburton on that night in 2011. Get over it; it was the right call.
Yes, most of the Lions to beat the Aussies play for Wales, but that was a weak Aussie team struggling to complete four passes in a row. Creating a hype is fine but keep the whinging at a minimum when the Saffas take the glory. South Africa are just too good for Wales and will take it by at least 10 points.
Such a close score will not be the case in Paris. French rugby is in disarray. Their clubs are amongst the best, if not the best, in Europe; however, playing rosters are dominated by foreign imports. Not an ideal solution as can be seen in PSA´s decline in hair – and sanity. The Kiwis will take this by about 20 points and quickly move on to the showdown (and revenge) at Twickenham next Saturday.
The Itays welcome Australia to Rome and might put up a fight, but Australia will leave the pitch as the winners. Italy need to kick on from being a perennial one-half team to challenge the leading nations for 80 minutes. This scribe is hoping it starts with a win today. Will the Pope work his wonders? Not today.
A tie it is
Wins for England, Ireland and Scotland make it three wins for Europe, whereas the visitors will take the spoils in Cardiff, Paris and Rome to level the score. It cannot be any different. Or it can, but it won´t.
That was all for this week. Please remember, it is all in good fun – and a bit of banter.
