OK folks, the usual drill 2 pts for the right outcome, 1 pt for getting the margin within +/- 5, 1pt for being the closest and 2 Grand Slam bonus points for getting every outcome right (higher this week due to the greater number of games)
Can Aristodemus repeat his triumph of last week, and can I be quite as bad in my role of Japan to his All Blacks of prediction? Can Show gain the top spot after a great showing (ha, ha) last week?
Canada v Italy: Actual margin Italy by 9
I have to say what I know about Canadian rugby could be written on the back of a postage stamp with a thick black felt tip, Italy seemed to have a rough time of it against Argentina but I can't see anything other than an away win here, though perhaps not by the margin you might imagine - Italy by 12
SARS - Italy by 12 - 4pts
Aristodemus - Italy by 15 - 2pts
Theresgonnabe a show - Italy by 18 - 2pts
Sporty & portly - Italy by 20 - 2pts
Average: Italy by 16
Fiji v Scotland: Actual margin Scotland by 12
Coming into the summer tour I had this down as being a pretty good chance of a home win, though Scotland's superb performance against Australia has rather shaken that. Nonetheless, on home turf, I still fancy Fiji's flair (though occasionally suicidal) and power to win the day - Fiji by 3 (Show will be comforted to know that I came bottom in last weeks predictions, and that he scored 550% higher than I did!)
SARS - Fiji by 3 - 0pts
Aristodemus - Scotland by 10 - 4pts
Theresgonnabe a show - Scotland by 7- 3pts
Sporty & Portly - Fiji by 10 - 0pts
Average - Scotland by 6
New Zealand v Ireland: Actual Margin New Zealand by 3
Who dares to predict an Ireland win then eh? Maybe the All Blacks might rest players or bring new ones in, though to be honest they could have Stephen Hawking in at hooker and still beat most sides by a mile - this could be very unpleasant to watch, and I can't think of much of a positive spin for the northern hemisphere here - New Zealand by 30
SARS - New Zealand by 30 - 3pts
Aristodemus - New Zealand by 38 - 2pts
Theresgonnabe a show - New Zealand by 30 - 3pts
Sporty & Portly - New Zealand by 40 - 2pts
Average: New Zealand by 35
Australia v Wales: Actual margin Australia by 2
After the Six Nations we were all talking ourselves up, Wales with a series win in Australia, England to win at least a game in South Africa, made even more so by Scotland's grand opening to the summer games, then it all went a bit wrong. I think the memories of the Scotland game are still there for Australia and the need to prove a point against the most talked up NH nation is too, Wales seem to be looking at changes - Warburton to 8, Tipuric to 7, and one wonders if this might upset their balance. Either way, I think Australia's settled side has enough will and ability to edge this one - Australia by 7
SARS - Australia by 7 - 4pts
Aristodemus - Wales by 5 - 0pts
Theresgonnabe a show - Australia by 8 - 2pts
Sporty & Portly - Australia by 7 - 4pts
Average: Australia by 4
South Africa v England Actual Margin - South Africa by 9
Can England continue the moment of Ben Foden's try at the end of the first game, or will it be more of the same from the mighty Boks? Up on the high veldt, you'd have to favour the latter, as rather gruesomely put by South Africa, we want them to feel the burn and taste the blood in the back of their throats. South Africa will come to the game more prepared than last week, and whilst some tinkering with England's side may produce some benefits I think if they were to win in South Africa it had to be the first game. I don't see this being a massacre, but I don't think England will be able to seriously threaten either - South Africa by 7
SARS - South Africa by 7 - 4pts
Aristodemus - South Africa by 18 - 2pts
Theresgonnabe a show - South Africa by 11 - 4pts
Sporty & Portly - England by 3 - 0pts
Average: South Africa by 8
Argentina v France: Actual margin - Argentina by
Not one I know an awful lot about, Argentina won well at home to Italy last week, and will be more familiar with each other. France come in on the back of a disappointing Six Nations. France are the better team and should win, but progress under Saint-Andre has not been what would be expected, though i think thye might just have enough here - France by 5
SARS - France by 5 - 0pts
Aristodemus - France by 12 - 0pts
Theresgonnabe a show - France by 8 - 0pts
Sporty & Portly - France by 3 - 1pt
Average - France by 7
Grand Slam Points
SARS - 0
Aristodemus - 0
Theresgonnabe a show - 0
Sporty & Portly - 0
Totals
SARS 15
Aristodemus - 10
Theresgonnabe a show - 14
Sporty & Portly - 9
Winner: SARS!
Hard luck to Show, who missed out by 1 pt, though Scotland were the only side to win for the second week in succession, so maybe there's Karma there - would I swap positions for and England win over the Boks - oh yes!
International Predictions
posted on 16/6/12
criminal Danny Care
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I think it's a bit harsh to call him that
posted on 16/6/12
Tom Wood, Nick Easter if he had guys like that we certainly would have matched them up front
posted on 16/6/12
matt bahahan could have played 2nd row as well.
they might have been scared of his tattoos.
posted on 16/6/12
We are actually lucky steyn had such a bad day with the boot we could've lost by over 20.
posted on 16/6/12
very true.
posted on 17/6/12
SARS
C'mon boy, get them points racked up.
posted on 19/6/12
The sportly guy changed his Scotland score btw, anyhow congrats SARS! Back where you belong
posted on 20/6/12
Cheers!
Just updated it, though I did feel rather guilty about robbing Sporty of his points!
posted on 20/6/12
I saw some stat or other that made me have a change of heart about the Scotland match...should have gone with my gut!
posted on 24/6/12
SARS
I still go back to that Ben Foden try in the first game. Robbed me of at least one point, possibly two. For a Saints fan, that's hard to take.
Anyway, through gritted teeth, I say Well Done Sir.