Weekend international Test match previews

November 11, 2005

A huge weekend of international test rugby on Saturday.

The big one is New Zealand against Ireland at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Ireland has never beaten New Zealand in a century of test match rugby. Will things be any different this time? Well, there's always a chance! Especially since the the All Blacks will be taking to the field starting an entirely different XV than the one we saw steamroll Wales last Saturday. Tana Umaga sits, so flanker Richie McCaw gets the captain's role.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry rejected on Friday accusations that he was devaluing the All Blacks jersey by picking entirely different sides for the first two tests of their grand slam tour.

Reporter Jim Kayes says All Black credibility is on the line. But assistant coach Wayne Smith says, if we can go out with the fizz, enthusiasm and sharpness that we've shown over the last 10 days, there could be some fireworks."

Rugby Planet predicts a 15+ point victory for the All Blacks.

TVNZ also previews.

Saturday's other titanic battle is England hosting the Australia at Twickenham. This is a repeat of the 2003 World Cup final, but both teams have seen their fortunes slip since that epic final. England has not looked good all year, and the Wallabies have strung together six consecutive losses, their worst streak in four decades The bookies have England winning by 5 points; Rugby Planet has Australia by 3 points. I'm thinking the mercurial Mat Rogers at flyhalf will have a major impact on the game and the Aussies will win by 10 points. (Maybe wishful thinking!)

In one of the tightest tests of the afternoon, Scotland hosts Argentina at Murrayfield. Rugby Planet predicts a slim 3-point win to the home side.

Rugby Planet also previews:

Canada vs. France at Nantes.

Italy vs. Tonga at Stadio Lungobisenzio in Prato.

Still awaiting a good Wales vs. Fiji preview. In the meantime, be sure to check the upper-right box for links...