Same fixtures in different countries this week, and you wont hear this often but I will be a SA fan. Argentina will no doubt try the thousand phase forward rugby with twenty mauls thrown in, I hope the Boks make breaks early and put them to the sword. Shame BDP is injured but Etzebeth and Alberts should cause problems.
I expect a masterclass in the other game, NZ started well but didnt really click in the backline like they can. Australia have changed a few places, Pocock is injured which is a big loss and Beale drops out (!) for a Cooper rather than Barnes.
NZ ---------------------------------------Aus
Dagg---------------------------------------Ashley-Cooper
Jane--------------------------------------- Mitchell
Nonu-------------------------------------- Horne
SBW--------------------------------------- Barnes
Gear----------------------------------------Ioane
Carter--------------------------------------Cooper
Smith---------------------------------------Genia
Read----------------------------------------Higginbotham
McCaw-------------------------------------Hooper
Messam------------------------------------Dennis
Whitelock----------------------------------Sharpe
Romano------------------------------------Timani
Franks--------------------------------------Alexander
Mealamu-----------------------------------Polota
Crockett------------------------------------Robinson
Dog and Duck----------------------------SA
Rodriguez---------------------------------Kirchner
Camacho----------------------------------Habana
Bosch--------------------------------------de Villiers
Fernandez--------------------------------Steyn
Agulla--------------------------------------Mvovo
Sanchez-----------------------------------Steyn
Vergallo------------------------------------Hougaard
Lobbe---------------------------------------Alberts
Galindo-------------------------------------Potgieter
Cabello-------------------------------------Coetzee
Albacete------------------------------------Bekker
Carizza-------------------------------------Etzebeth
Figallo--------------------------------------du Plessis
Guinazo------------------------------------Strauss
Roncero -----------------------------------Mtawarira
NZ by 15 and SA by 20
Rugby championship wk2
posted on 24/8/12
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posted on 24/8/12
all blacks will destroy australia this week, im expecting 20+ margin of victory, always difficult in argentina close game maybe sa just edging it by 3-5 points but wouldnt be suprised at all of argentina win
posted on 25/8/12
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posted on 26/8/12
haha told you, other game imo was always gonna be close, argentina look like they really belong with the big boys, dark horses for next wc maybe with all the battle hardened quad nation players they will have
posted on 28/8/12
The All Blacks look unbeatable at the moment, I'm not sure who can emerge to stop them before the 2015 Rugby World Cup - South Africa might improve yet, England might have home advantage, Wales seem at the top of their game and maybe Australia are just passing their peak, but unless the All Blacks deteriorate rapidly, can anyone really stop them?
posted on 29/8/12
Well that was the end of SBW and I feel at the moment they rely on Carter and he will be three years older, maybe Cruden will step up. As it stands NZ (in my eyes), are and pretty much always have been better than everyone else, their WC count should be much higher. Knockout rugby can throw up shocks though.
As for the competition, I agree SA look strongest to challenge but England and Wales have also shown some form over the last couple of years. Wales have alot of young players who should improve as do England, I am hoping Ford turns out to be the player he can be. France? Pfft who knows.
posted on 29/8/12
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