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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
June Internationals and Pacifics Nations Round 2 11 views
13 June 2014 by The Swede Eaters
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Here is a preview of the June Internationals and Pacific Nations Cup matches. Who are you picking to win?
The rugby may be overshadowed by the FIFA World Cup, but there are some mouth-watering clashes this weekend in the June Internationals and Pacific Nations Cup matches.
Both England and France have named improved teams to face the All Blacks and Wallabies. It is difficult to know how much difference these changes will make as their opponents will be looking to improve.
You won’t see the All Blacks play that badly two weeks in a row and so this could balance out the new players in the England squad. Manu Tuilagi has been named on the wing as one of seven changes to the England squad while Thierry Dusautoir will attempt to add steal to the French team after they were humbled last week.
England has plenty of depth these days and some genuinely strong ball runners to match the All Blacks. The All Blacks selectors have stuck with an almost unchanged team and if they click, then it will be a tough night for the England team. Manu Tuilagi vs Julian Savea is a mouth-watering clash.
The Springboks will be without Franc Steyn after he withdrew due to contractual issues. This leaves a relatively inexperienced Springboks midfield combination, but the Springboks will still be too strong for Wales.
The Southern Hemisphere dominance should be broken by Ireland who should win their second test match in a row against a weakened Argentina. It is a shame that they are missing so many players, but it is a good chance for Ireland to get an away series win.
Scotland easily defeated the USA last week and should be too strong for Canada who lost last week to Japan.
Samoa has been disappointing over the last few weeks with losses to Japan and a home draw with Tonga, but they should be too strong for Italy who were humbled by Fiji last week. Italy has a strong pack, while Samoa has some quality backs and so it will be a contrast of styles.
It is difficult to judge how a Super Rugby team will go against an international team. The Crusaders will be missing their All Blacks when they host England. England showed in their narrow defeat to the All Blacks that they have genuine depth and so the visitors will be favoured to win this match. It is hard to get a gauge on the margin since the Crusaders are a good team, but won’t have their stars either.
In the Pacific Nations Cup Fiji host Tonga. The home advantage is crucial in games between the Pacific Island teams and these games are often very close. Watch for Fiji to be too strong, but only just. Tonga drew in Samoa last week and will be up for this match.
Japan has been in great form recently under coach Eddie Jones. Japan has beaten Samoa and Canada in consecutive games and should be too strong for the USA who were humbled by Scotland last week.
Who are you picking to win June Internationals and Pacific Nations Cup matches?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/06/rugby-june-internationals-and-pacific.html
Super Rugby Tips picks for June Internationals Round 2:
Game
Date and time
Your pick
[10] New Zealand v England
14 Jun 19:35 (local)
14 Jun 19:35 (your time*)
New Zealand by 14
[11] Australia v France
14 Jun 20:00 (local)
14 Jun 22:00 (your time*)
Australia by 14
[12] South Africa v Wales
14 Jun 17:00 (local)
15 Jun 03:00 (your time*)
South Africa by 14
[13] Canada v Scotland
14 Jun 14:00 (local)
15 Jun 06:00 (your time*)
Scotland by 10
[14] Argentina v Ireland
14 Jun 15:40 (local)
15 Jun 06:40 (your time*)
Ireland by 7
[15] Samoa v Italy
14 Jun 14:00 (local)
15 Jun 13:00 (your time*)
Samoa by 7
[16] Crusaders v England
17 Jun 19:35 (local)
17 Jun 19:35 (your time*)
England by 10
Super Rugby Tips picks for Pacific Nations Cup Round 2:
Game
Date and time
Your pick
[3] Fiji v Tonga
14 Jun 15:00 (local)
14 Jun 15:00 (your time*)
Fiji by 7
[4] USA v Japan
14 Jun 19:30 (local)
15 Jun 15:30 (your time*)
Japan by 7
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All Blacks, England,
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