by Ryan D Jaeger
The annual North vs South Rugby Internationals get underway this weekend and
while Irish fans should be smiling at the end of the weekend, we predict long
faces for the English and Welsh fans.
England vs New Zealand
England will still be buoyant from their win against Australia in Sydney
earlier this year. For once, most pundits seem to agree that Martin Johnson has
made the right selections. The English will no doubt target the New
Zealand set piece and look to make this match a slug fest.
New Zealand had a blip in their dominant 12 months when they narrowly lost
against the Wallabies in Hong Kong in a dead rubber test. That result will only
lull their opponents into a false sense of security. The pace this team can play
at is frightening and if they manage to hold out in the forwards (where they
should be dominated at times), their backs will show too much pace and skill.
They are out to make a statement before their home World Cup next year.
Player to watch: Sonny Bill Williams. Never has there been such hype over a
League convert. The man possesses incredible skills to go with a ridiculous
physique. He will make a few errors but should more than make up for it in
attack.
Pick: Back New Zealand (vs England) by 14.5 or more points @ 6/5 (888 Sport)
Wales vs. Australia
The Welsh have a few injury concerns and come up against a Wallaby team who
have had a pretty poor record over the last two years. However, under Robbie Deans they
have shown massive improvement this year. They are blessed with ridiculous
talent in the backline but will look to hang on in the forwards. They have been
without three of their best forwards all year. There is a carefree arrogance
about their young backline players and they are starting to express themselves.
Warren Gatland will look to prove something against his New Zealand
counterpart but we just can't see the Welsh defense contain the likes of
Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Quade Cooper, even if the Aussies get
just 40%
of the possession:
Player to watch: David Pocock who will steal the Welsh blind at the
breakdown.
Pick: Back Australia (vs Wales) by more than 12.5 @ 6/5 (888 Sport)
Ireland vs South Africa
Ireland have had one over the South Africans for four years now and will look
to continue their run. The Boks arrive with some big injury concerns. 14 front
line players are injured and they are without their talismanic captain, John
Smit.
We expect a bruising encounter in the forwards but Ireland will take
advantage of defensive lapses and see the game out in the second half. The game
will be a lost closer than the Irish media think..
Player to watch: Partrick Lambie, a precocious talent who should get time off
the South African bench.
Pick: Back Ireland (vs South Africa) on the Double Chance (South
Africa/Ireland) @ 6/1 (888 Sport)
