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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
June Internationals - Closer Than Expected 11 views
07 June 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Julian Savea
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Scotty Donaldson looks at the June Internationals and who he thinks will win.
The June International test matches between Southern and Northern
Hemisphere teams looks set to be closer than expected in 2012. The
structure of Super Rugby in 2012 means that the Southern Hemisphere
giants of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa may struggle more than
expected with limited preparation time. The touring teams like
Ireland, England and Wales have had far better preparation and will have
a better chance than usual of scoring a rare away series win, if
Tuesday nights win by Scotland over Australia is anything to go by. It
usually takes teams a while to gel and this year there are no matches
against the minnows like Japan, Italy or the Pacific Islands for the
Southern Hemisphere teams to warm up with, instead it is straight into
playing England, Ireland and Wales. Australia did have a warm up match
against Scotland, but that was a disaster and what is also of major
concern is the form of England, Wales and Ireland in more recent times
and the fact that they have sent far stronger sides than other years
which suggests that home victories aren't necessarily order of the day
this weekend.
This first leg of international test matches is
probably the best chance for the Northern Hemisphere to get victories,
but you get the feeling that by the time the third tests roll around,
the Southern Hemisphere teams will be hitting their straps unless they
have already won the series.
These
test matches are a good chance to give new caps to players on debut,
with the All Blacks and South Africa having three in their starting
lineups and Ireland has two.
Australia
has made eight changes from the team that lost to Scotland, but you get
the feeling that their lack of depth is being exposed and that the
promising Wales team has the best chance of taking the silverware out of
any of the Northern Hemisphere teams.
Australia's loss to
Scotland has probably given the Southern Hemisphere teams a wake up call
as they have named largely experienced sides, but it has also provided
hope for the other Northern Hemisphere teams which unlike other years,
have included most of their top players.
The matchup between
Sonny Bill Williams and Brian O'Driscoll will be brilliant. The All
Blacks backline will be tough to handle with Julian Savea a slippery
customer. Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are some exciting and
mobile locks. Aaron Smith's electric pass needs to ignite that All
Blacks backline.
My predicitions. I think these first matches
will be close with the All Blacks winning, but the Springboks and the
Wallabies may struggle. Overall, I think the All Blacks will win their
series 3-0 and the Springboks should win their series but they may drop a
match, while Wales could well get the better of the Wallabies,
depending on conditions.
How do you think these series will go? Will any of the Northern Hemisphere teams win in the Southern Hemisphere?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/06/june-international-test-matches-closer.html
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