Grand Salami time

Before getting to tomorrows' excitement, a quick summary of last weekends' test match action ... England got their arses handed to them in a large way at Twickenham, falling to South Africa with a record loss of 42-6. Yes, they really were that bad. From World Cup champs to Tier-Two chumps in only five years. Danny Cipriani, the England's biggest wunderboy since Jonny Wilkinson underwent a Springbok baptism by fire and came through it by getting dropped for the All Black test. ... Canada was skunked for the second time in three test matches, falling to Scotland 41-0 at Murrayfield. The Canadians did well to hold the Scots to a 15-0 lead, but tired late and fell off the tackles. Hopefully coach Kieran Crowley will have reassessed his talent level and depth against professional rugby players and implement the right programs and strategies to bring development and success in the coming years. Read the Rugby Canada test match report here, plus Doug Crosse's Canadian tour wrap-up. ... Hard to call the kilted beat-down on the beavers 'n lumberjacks a restoration of northern hemisphere pride, but Ireland carried the banner and was the lone big dog from the north to take down a southern side, by handily waving aside Argentina 17-3 at Croke Park. That was about the extent of northern pride. Are the Pumas really ready to step up to the Tri-Nations? ... An extraordinary scene played out at Millenium Stadium where Wales put the changing-room haka debacle behind them, locked arms at centerfield and confronted the All Blacks Kapa O Pango haka and then stood their ground and would not budge an inch. Has Millenium Stadium ever sounded louder? Both teams refused to budge and back away from each other, with referee Jonathan Kaplan intervening, requesting both teams start the game, and All Black skipper Richie McCaw blinking first and withdrawing his men. It seemed to work for the first spell when the spirited Welsh took to the break with a 9-6 lead, and "Pride of Wales" Joe Calzaghe and cohort levitating from their seats believing an historic Welsh victory was on the cards. But New Zealand put the petal to the metal in the 2nd half and killed the fairy tale by running the Six Nations champions off the park scoring the last 26 points of the match. Wallaby flanker George Smith is not easily recognizable without his dreadlocks, but he was back to his cheating best as Australia skated past France 18-13 in the icy conditions in Paris, and Italy got torn a new one by the unpredictable Pacific Islands combo who pasted the Azzurri 45-17 at the, err, Gigolo Stadium.

The international test season concludes this weekend with a much leaner schedule, only two tests, but what good ones they are. The All Blacks travel to Twickenham looking to tame England, collect a "Grand Slam" and claim the prize of the inaugural Hillary Shield.

Same tee-off time, the Wallabies tackle Wales hoping to keep a perfect 20-nil record of SH teams versus NH teams this season:

Welsh carry the hopes of a hemisphere

Greg Growden in Cardiff
November 28, 2008

WALES are the only side left that can redeem northern hemisphere rugby, with the Tri Nations tourists having been all-conquering so far - and the Wallabies are on red alert.

In the 18 matches involving the leading teams of the two hemispheres over the past year, the victory tally stands at 18-0 to the SANZAR sides over the Six Nations outfits. [...]

That does not hide the fact the northern hemisphere teams are a long way behind their southern counterparts - as shown by the International Rugby Board rankings, which have New Zealand, South Africa and Australia holding the top three spots, followed by Argentina. England sit fifth, followed by Wales, France, Ireland and Scotland.

Even more revealing were statistics published in The Guardian this week. Rugby writer Paul Rees reported that since the game turned professional, the Six Nations teams' success rate against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand had declined substantially.

In the amateur era, the success rate was 28.9 per cent. In the professional era, despite England's 12 victories over the southern powers from 2000 to 2003, it has been 19.3 per cent.

England's success rate since the advent of professionalism in 1995 has gone from 31.6 per cent to 36.7, but the Celtic nations have dropped right off. During the amateur era, they boasted a 25.4 per cent success rate. Since 1995, they have only won seven and drawn one, while suffering 84 losses to the SANZAR teams, for a success rate of 8.2 per cent.

Accordingly, when the IRB's Player of the Year list featured just one southern hemisphere nomination among the five candidates, the touring SANZAR countries were incredulous.

Source.

On with the previews...

ENGLAND vs NEW ZEALAND

England: 1. Tim Payne, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Phil Vickery, 4. Steve Borthwick (c), 5. Nick Kennedy, 6. James Haskell, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Nick Easter, 9. Danny Care, 10. Toby Flood, 11. Ugo Monye, 12. Riki Flutey, 13. Jamie Noon, 14. Paul Sackey, 15. Delon Armitage. Reserves: 16. Dylan Hartley, 17. Matt Stevens, 18. Tom Croft, 19. Tom Rees, 20. Harry Ellis, 21. Danny Cipriani, 22. Dan Hipkiss.

New Zealand: 1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Keven Mealamu, 3. Neemia Tialata, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Rodney So'oialo, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Mils Muliaina. Reserves: 16. Hikawera Elliot, 17. John Afoa, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Kieran Read, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Isaia Toeava.

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2008
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), George Clancy (Ireland)
Television match official: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)

ENG v NZ Rugby Planet preview
ENG v NZ Rugby Heaven preview

WALES vs AUSTRALIA

Wales: 15. Lee Byrne, 14. Mark Jones, 13. Tom Shanklin, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Shane Williams, 10. Stephen Jones, 9. Gareth Cooper, 8. Andy Powell, 7. Martyn Williams, 6. Ryan Jones (c), 5. Alun-Wyn Jones, 4. Ian Gough, 3. Adam Jones, 2. Matthew Rees, 1. Gethin Jenkins.
Reserves: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. John Yapp, 18. Luke Charteris, 19. Dafydd Jones, 20. Martin Roberts, 21. James Hook, 22. Andrew Bishop.

Australia: 1. Benn Robinson, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Al Baxter, 4. Mark Chisholm, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 6. Hugh McMeniman, 7. Phil Waugh, 8. Richard Brown, 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Stirling Mortlock (c), 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Peter Hynes, 15. Drew Mitchell. Reserves: 16. Adam Freier, 17. Matt Dunning, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. George Smith, 20. Sam Cordingley, 21. Quade Cooper, 22. Lote Tuqiri/Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Date: Saturday 29 November, 2008
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Romain Poite (France)
Television match official: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)

WAL v AUS Rugby Planet preview
WAL v AUS Rugby Heaven preview

Em-farcking-barrassing!

BREAKING: BBC reports that diminutive Welsh winger Shane Williams has been named IRB Player of the Year. Absolute rubbish decision.

Williams wins top rugby accolade

Wales wing Shane Williams has been named the International Rugby Board's world player of the year at their awards ceremony in London.

The Ospreys star beat Scotland skipper Mike Blair, Wales captain Ryan Jones, All Black fly-half Dan Carter and Italy captain Sergio Parisse to the award.

The wing became the first Welshman to win the individual award.

Earlier:

Dan Carter heads the worst short-list in the history of Player of the Year awards

by Paul Ackford

If Carter doesn't become the first player to win the award for a second time, the judges want shooting.

Even if he does, they deserve a few pot shots because this is the worst short-list in the award's distinguished history. [...]

The majority of the voting panel - all distinguished internationals, by the way - live or work in Europe and have displayed appalling bias towards northern hemisphere representatives at a time when the power in the game is down south.

Matilda in the snow?

Another heavy weekend of international rugby test action approaches, with the finalists of last years' World Cup facing each other at Twickenham, and the current Tri-Nations champions facing the defending Six Nations title-holders in Cardiff. Canada moves to gloomy Edinburgh to face Scotland. Both teams will be looking to rid themselves of dark clouds, both coming into the match after a pair of losses apiece the past fortnight, but coming off vastly improved performances. The Wallabies could be facing their worst nightmare. No, not the Boks on the high veldt, but instead (if weather predictions are reliable) wrestling in the snow in Paris. (And they think it's tough sledding in Dunedin and Invercargill...) All the action should be fairly close (o-kay, possibly excepting the Canadian test), and the Italy vs. Pacific Islands test portends to be a volatile barnburner featuring high-shots against short-fuses. Check Setanta and Mediazone for schedule times & listings. On with the lineups and previews...

SCOTLAND vs CANADA

Scotland: 1. Allan Jacobsen, 2. Ross Ford, 3. Euan Murray, 4. Nathan Hines, 5. Jim Hamilton, 6. Al Strokosch, 7. John Barclay, 8. Simon Taylor, 9. Mike Blair (c), 10. Phil Godman, 11. Nikki Walker, 12. Nick De Luca, 13. Ben Cairns, 14. Simon Webster, 15. Rory Lamont. Reserves: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Alasdair Dickinson, 18. Matt Mustchin, 19. Scott Gray, 20. Rory Lawson, 21. Dan Parks, 22. Max Evans.

Canada: 1. Kevin Tkachuk, 2. Mike Pletch, 3. Scott Franklin, 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Josh Jackson, 6. Jebb Sinclair, 7. Adam Kleeberger, 8. Aaron Carpenter, 9. Ed Fairhurst (c), 10. Matt Evans, 11. Justin Mensah-Coker, 12. Ryan Smith, 13. Ciaran Hearn, 14. Sean Duke, 15. James Pritchard. Reserves: 16. tbc, 17. Frank Walsh, 18. Mike Burak, 19. Sean Michael Stephen, 20. Morgan Williams, 21. Nathan Hirayama, 22 Bryn Keys.

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Venue: Pittodrie, Aberdeen
Kick-off: 14:45 GMT (9:45 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland), Steve Terheege (England)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)

SCO v CAN Rugby Planet preview
SCO v CAN Rugby Heaven preview

ENGLAND vs SOUTH AFRICA

England: 1. Tim Payne, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Phil Vickery, 4. Steve Borthwick (c), 5. Tom Palmer, 6. James Haskell, 7. Tom Rees, 8. Nick Easter, 9. Danny Care, 10. Danny Cipriani, 11. Ugo Monye, 12. Riki Flutey, 13. Jamie Noon, 14. Paul Sackey, 15. Delon Armitage. Reserves: 16. Dylan Hartley, 17. Matt Stevens, 18. Simon Shaw, 19. Tom Croft, 20. Jordan Crane, 21. Harry Ellis, 22. Toby Flood.

South Africa: 1. Beast Mtawarira, 2. John Smit (c), 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Bakkies Botha, 5. Victor Matfield, 6. Schalk Burger, 7. Danie Rossouw, 8. Pierre Spies, 9. Ricky Januarie, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Jean de Villiers, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Conrad Jantjes. Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Brian Mujati/CJ van der Linde, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Heinrich Brussow, 21. Francois Steyn, 22. Jaque Fourie

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Touch judges: Alan Rolland (Ireland), Romain Poite (France)
Television match official: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

ENG v SA Rugby Planet preview
ENG v SA Rugby Heaven preview

IRELAND vs ARGENTINA

Ireland: 1. Marcus Horan, 2. Jerry Flannery, 3. John Hayes, 4. Donncha O'Callaghan, 5. Paul O'Connell, 6. Stephen Ferris, 7. David Wallace, 8. Jamie Heaslip, 9. Tomas O'Leary, 10. Ronan O'Gara, 11. Robert Kearney, 12. Luke Fitzgerald, 13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), 14. Tommy Bowe, 15. Geordan Murphy. Reserves: 16. Rory Best, 17. Tony Buckley, 18. Malcolm O'Kelly, 19. A.N. Other, 20. Eoin Reddan, 21. Paddy Wallace, 22. Keith Earls.

Argentina: 1. Rodrigo Roncero, 2. Mario Ledesma, 3. Juan Pablo Orlandi, 4. Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 5. Patricio Albacete, 6. Martin Durand, 7. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (c), 8. Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 9. Nicolas Vergallo, 10. Juan Martin Hernandez, 11. Rafael Carballo, 12. Miguel Avramovic, 13. Federico Martin Aramburu, 14. Francisco Leonelli, 15. Horacio Agulla. Reserves: 16. Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17. Marcos Ayerza, 18. Esteban Lozada, 19. Alvaro Galindo, 20. Agustin Figuerola, 21. Santiago Fernandez, 22. Bernardo Stortoni.

Date: Saturday 22 November, 2008
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Kick-off: 14.45 GMT (9:45 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Rob Debney (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)

IRE v ARG Rugby Planet preview
IRE v ARG Rugby Heaven preview

WALES vs NEW ZEALAND

Wales: 1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Matthew Rees, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Alun-Wyn Jones, 5. Ian Evans, 6. Ryan Jones (c), 7. Martyn Williams, 8. Andy Powell, 9. Gareth Cooper, 10. Stephen Jones, 11. Shane Williams, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Tom Shanklin, 14. Leigh Halfpenny, 15. Lee Byrne. Reserves: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. John Yapp, 18. Luke Charteris, 19. Dafydd Jones, 20. Dwayne Peel, 21. James Hook/Dan Biggar, 22. Andrew Bishop.

New Zealand: 1. Neemia Tialata, 2. Keven Mealamu, 3. Tony Woodcock, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Rodney So'oialo, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Mils Muliaina. Reserves: 16. Hikawera Elliot, 17. John Afoa, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Kieran Read, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Isaia Toeava.

Date: Saturday 22 November, 2008
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT (12:15 p.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Venue: Millennium Stadium
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Paul Bridgman (England)

WAL v NZ Rugby Planet preview
WAL v NZ Rugby Heaven preview

FRANCE vs AUSTRALIA

France: 1. Lionel Faure, 2. Dimitri Szarzewski, 3. Nicolas Mas, 4. Sébastien Chabal, 5. Lionel Nallet (c), 6. Thierry Dusautoir, 7. Fulgence Ouedraogo, 8. Imanol Harinordoquy, 9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 10. David Skrela, 11. Cedric Heymans, 12. Benoit Baby, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 14. Julien Malzieu, 15. Maxime Medard. Reserves: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17. Benoit Lecouls, 18. Romain Millo Chluski, 19. Louis Picamoles, 20. Julien Tomas, 21. Damien Traille, 22. Alexis Palisson.

Australia: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Al Baxter, 4. Hugh McMeniman, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 6. Dean Mumm, 7. George Smith, 8. Wycliff Palu, 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Stirling Mortlock (c), 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Peter Hynes, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper. Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Mark Chisholm, 19. David Pocock, 20. Sam Cordingley, 21. Quade Cooper, 22. Digby Ioane.

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT) (3:00 p.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges: Chris White (England) , David Changleng (Scotland)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)

FRA v AUS Rugby Planet preview
FRA v AUS Rugby Heaven preview

ITALY vs PACIFIC ISLANDS

Italy: 1. Matias Aguero, 2. Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3. Carlos Nieto, 4. Tommaso Reato, 5. Marco Bortolami, 6. Josh Sole, 7. Mauro Bergamasco, 8. Sergio Parisse (c), 9. Pietro Travagli, 10. Andrea Marcato, 11. Matteo Pratichetti, 12. Gonzalo Garcia, 13. Mirco Bergamasco, 14. Kaine Robertson, 15. Andrea Masi. Reserves: 16. Fabio Ongaro, 17. Andrea Lo Cicero, 18. Salvatore Perugini, 19. Alessandro Zanni, 20. Pablo Canavosio/Giulio Toniolatti, 21. Luke McLean, 22. Riccardo Pavan

Pacific Islands: 1. Justin Va'a, 2. Tanielu Fuga, 3. Kisi Pulu, 4. Filipo Levi, 5. Paino Hehe, 6. Viliami Vaki, 7. Nili Latu (c), 8. Sisa Koyamaibole, 9. Sililo Martens, 10. Seremaia Bai, 11. Vilimoni Delasau, 12. Epi Taione, 13. Seilala Mapusua, 14. Sailosi Tagicakibau, 15. Kameli Ratuvou. Reserves: 16. Sunia Koto, 17. Tonga Lea'aetoa, 18. Semisi Naevo, 19. Hale T-Pole, 20. Mosese Rauluni, 21. Seru Rabeni, 22. Gavin Williams.

Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Venue: Stadio Giglio, Reggio Emilio
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT) 9:00 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York) )
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Hugh Watkins (Wales)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)

ITA v PI Rugby Planet preview
ITA v PI Rugby Heaven preview

Game of the Year?

Nervewracking, nail-biting stuff as the shocking All Blacks second-stringers were saved by A-teamers Brad Thorn, Mils Muliaina and Joe Rokocoko to steal a late 18-16 win over Munster at the new Thomond Park in Limerick, ending just minutes ago. Stephen Donald was useless with the boot and gave a Munster team playing out of their skins every chance for a famous upset. The late New Zealand scrum when Thorn came on for a Munster feed was one of the most awesome scrummages I've ever seen. Sheer breathtaking power. Cool start to the match with Munster's four Kiwi's lining up to challenge their own Ka Mate haka to the Blacks. Amazing crowd atmosphere. If this game doesn't convince Rugby Union to return to traditional amateur-era mid-week provincial tour matches, then nothing will.

All Blacks vs. Munster today

The clocks get turned back momentarily today, as the old amateur-era mid-week tour match returns to international rugby.

Thirty years after Munster spoiled a perfect New Zealand tour of the UK, the All Blacks will help commemorate that famous 1978 Munster victory at the newly expanded Thomond Park.

Munster's night of glory has become legendary and inspired a theatrical play called "Alone It Stands." Lesser remembered by the potato-eaters is the discomort the All Blacks came into the match. See photo of AB prop Gary Knight, above. Packing down a front-row for 80 minutes with bandages like that can't be any less distracting than getting hit on the skull by flour-bombs dropped from Cesna's flying overhead.

The All Blacks will be led by halfback Piri Weepu, and their team selection looks greener than Ireland, and especially experimental in the forward pack. Another upset looms as a possibility. Having said that, European champions Munster will not be at their strongest either, although ex-All Black winger Dougie Howlett will be lining up to face the haka and start the game against opposing his homeland for the first time in his career. Maori centre Rua Tipoki will also face some old friends.

MUNSTER vs NEW ZEALAND

Munster: 1. Federico Pucciariello, 2. Frankie Sheahan, 3. Timmy Ryan, 4. Mick O'Driscoll (captain), 5. Donnacha Ryan, 6. James Coughlan, 7. Niall Ronan, 8. Denis Leamy, 9. Peter Stringer, 10. Paul Warwick, 11. Ian Dowling, 12. Lifeimi Mafi, 13. Rua Tipoki, 14. Doug Howlett, 15. Barry Murphy. Reserves: 16. Denis Fogarty, 17. Tony Buckley, 18. Mark Melbourne, 19. Billy Holland, 20. John O'Sullivan, 21. Mike Prendergast, 22. Jeremy Manning.

New Zealand: 1. Jamie Mackintosh, 2. Corey Flynn, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Ross Filipo, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Scott Waldrom, 8. Liam Messam, 9. Piri Weepu (captain), 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 12. Isaia Toeava, 13. Anthony Tuitavake, 14. Hosea Gear, 15. Cory Jane. Reserves: 16. Hikawera Elliott, 17. John Afoa, 18. Brad Thorn, 19. Kieran Read, 20. Alby Mathewson, 21. Richard Kahui, 22. Mils Muliaina.

Date: Tuesday, November 18
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 19.30 GMT (2:30 p.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Romain Poite
Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Cédric Marchat
TMO: Eric Gauzins

Rugby Planet preview
New Zealand Herald preview

Setanta Sports had been promoting the All Blacks vs. Munster match on-air as being scheduled Live, and their email newsletters were hyping the same. However, a quick check of their online sked displays a U21 soccer international *friendly* between England and Czech Republic in that same time slot, with the NZ v Munster rugby match re-scheduled (relegated?) to tape for broadcast later in the evening. Viewers don't know what to believe from Setanta's schedules any more, but for what it's worth (e.g. not much) check the Setanta schedule or local listings.

And don't be afraid to wrie Setanta and let them kow you've had a gutsful. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

It's been fairly obvious for the past year that soccer dominates the Setanta agenda and schedule, and that everything else runs a very distant second. Rugby is not merely a low priority to Setanta, it's an after-thought.

Paying subscribers who are rugby fans grudgingly accept that a rare commemorative match featuring the worlds' best international rugby team playing the champion club team of Europe in front of a sold-out stadium -- an Irish team playing at a new Irish stadium, for sake of irony -- should be deemed barely relevant by an Irish sports network with sole proprietary rights, and certainly beneath the dignity of a friendly soccer game contested by teenagers from nations outside Ireland in a half-empty stadium.

Rugby fans understand that Setanta cannot prioritize enough soccer for their subscribers. But what's most frustrating is that Setanta continually LIES and uses shifty BAIT & SWITCH promotions, then when fielding complaints responds with ever-increasingly desperate LAME EXCUSES every time this happens.

Make no mistake -- this scheduling hosebaggery is occuring far too frequently, and I can no longer tsk-tsk rugby fans who are turning their backs on official channels and instead seeking out the freebie bit-torrent files from pirates who actually care.

Groundhog Day

A quick wrap up of last weekends' rugby internationals. I didn't get to see all the games -- in fact, I saw about half -- and that was thanks only to some pirates broadcasting the game live and bit-torrent files.

Canada improved on their pasting from Ireland a week earlier by bouncing back against Wales on Friday night. The Canadian lads got onto the scoreboard this week and did a better job of protecting their line, falling by what you would have to rate as a somewhat respectable score of 34-13.

England looked stale falling to Australia 28-14 at Twickenham on Saturday. Robbie Deans has either worked some small wonders in the Wallaby scrummage, or else all those Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup matches the past half-year against the worlds' two best packs has paid dividends in technique and experience. Whatever the case, the smartass British print journos should be shutting their pieholes and muttering under their breath after the Wallaby scrummage shoved the supposedly formidable Pom pack around the paddock.

Scotland was up 10-0 at the halftime break against the world champion Springboks and a huge boilover loomed. But South Africa rebounded, scored a try and slotted three penalty goals, to squeak in and rescue a 14-10 victory.

More Southern Hemisphere deja-vu as the Pumas of Argentina outmuscled Italy 22-14 in Turin. The IRB made more noises about Argentina being admitted to the Sanzar Tri-Nations tournament this past week. We'll take a closer look at the proposal, the merits, and the roadblocks to that proposal in the coming weeks & months.

France was the only team to plug their finger in the hole in the dyke and uphold northern hemisphere pride, downing the Pacific Islands touring combo by a score of 42-17. The game will long be remembered more for Napoleoni Nalaga's ridiculously idiotic dangerous red-card hit to the head of Frech scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who was knocked unconscious and looked in worse shape than Randy Couture after Brock Lesnar's hammer-fists later that same night.



This sort of stupidity gives Pacific Island rugby a terrible reputation, and you'd think the players should already be aware of that sordid rep - it having existed in some form-or-another since before most of these players were born - and that they would do everything in their power to exercise some self-control.

The big test of the afternoon was Ireland hosting New Zealand for the first-ever time at Croke Park. New venue, but same result. I'm pretty sure that was a banshee we heard wailing during the haka. The ABs still have a bit of sharpening to do and, like the week prior, bombed more simple scoring opportunities, but in the end were a class above and the 103-year Irish hoodoo continues. Final score All Blacks 22-3 over the Potato Farmers. The reporter from the Irish Independent underlined the reality:

"The difference is enormous, not so much men against boys as the collision of an advanced rugby civilisation with one at a much inferior stage of development."

The All Blacks stay in Ireland to face old nemesis Munster in Limerick on Tuesday, playing a 30th anniversary match commemorating Munster's famous victory.

Scores to settle

Getting tardy on the blogging. Setanta has deep-sixed any priority for Rugby Union the past month, always burying it after soccer during late graveyard shifts, or postponing broadcast to tape and re-broadcast days later. Throw in coverage of the Rugby League World Cup - yet more graveyard shifts, but at least that coverage from Australia is broadcast live - makes the Autumn Rugby Union international test matches Low Man on the Setanta Totem Pole. Not a happy camp in Waterloo these days!

Quick round-up of last weekends' international scores: Canada was skunked 55-0 by Ireland in the driving rain at Thomond Park in Limerick. I had predicted at TSF a scoreline of 55-18 in favour of the Irish, expecting the Canadians to manage some offense and points, keeping it close to 60 minutes and then falling away late. In fact, Canada leaked most of their points to start the game, trailing 36-0 at the halftime break, but showed some pride and mettle to restrict the cricket score. The Wallabies were run close by Italy, prevailing 30-20. The Springboks were run even closer by Wales, keeping their nerve to hold off the Dragons 20-15. England were more dour than usual, turning aside the Pacific Islands combination 39-13. And a (mostly) second-string All Blacks outfit didn't need to get out of second-grear to run past Scotland 32-6 at Murrayfield. The Scots had high hopes they could claim their first Kiwi scalp in over a century, but were denied again. It could have been worse. AB debutante Corey Jane butchered what looked to be a thrilling New Zealand try on the goalline, and instead gave spectators a new #1 on the Top Ten List of Ugliest-Ever AB Blown Tries.

On with this weekend's action, starting with Canada looking to rebound against Wales at Millenium Stadium...

WALES vs CANADA

Wales: 1. John Yapp, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. Rhys Thomas, 4. Ian Gough, 5. Luke Charteris, 6. Dafydd Jones, 7. Robin Sowden-Taylor, 8. Ryan Jones (c), 9. Martin Roberts, 10. James Hook, 11. Mark Jones, 12. Andrew Bishop, 13. Tom Shanklin, 14. Leigh Halfpenny, 15. Morgan Stoddart. Reserves: 16. Matthew Rees, 17. Eifion Roberts, 18. Alun-Wyn Jones, 19. Andy Powell, 20. Dwayne Peel, 21. Dan Biggar, 22. Jamie Roberts.

Canada: 1. Kevin Tkachuk, 2. Pat Riordan (c), 3. Jon Thiel, 4. Tyler Hotson, 5. Josh Jackson, 6. Jebb Sinclair, 7. Adam Kleeberger, 8. Aaron Carpenter, 9. Ed Fairhurst, 10. Ander Monro, 11. Justin Mensah-Coker, 12. Ryan Smith, 13. Bryn Keys, 14. Ciaran Hearn, 15. James Pritchard. Reserves: 16. Mike Pletch, 17. Frank Walsh, 18. Mike Burak, 19. Sean Michael Stephen, 20. Morgan Williams, 21. Matt Evans, 22. Dean Van Camp.

Date: Friday 14 November, 2008
Kick-off: 19.30 GMT (2:30 p.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Matt Goddard (Australia), David Changleng (Scotland)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

UPDATE:

WALES WORKS HARD FOR 34 - 13 WIN OVER CANADA

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ENGLAND vs. AUSTRALIA

England: 1. Andrew Sheridan, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Phil Vickery, 4. Steve Borthwick, 5. Tom Palmer, 6. Tom Croft, 7. Tom Rees, 8. Nick Easter, 9. Danny Care, 10. Danny Cipriani, 11. Ugo Monye, 12. Riki Flutey, 13. Jamie Noon, 14. Paul Sackey, 15. Delon Armitage. Reserves: 16. Dylan Hartley, 17. Matt Stevens, 18. Simon Shaw, 19. James Haskell, 20. Michael Lipman, 21. Harry Ellis, 22. Toby Flood.

Australia: 1. Benn Robinson, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Al Baxter, 4. Mark Chisholm, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 6. Hugh McMeniman, 7. George Smith, 8. Richard Brown, 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Stirling Mortlock, 13. Ryan Cross, 14. Peter Hynes, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper. Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Matt Dunning, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. Wycliff Palu, 20. Sam Cordingley, 21. Quade Cooper, 22. Digby Ioane.

Date: Saturday 15 November, 2008
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Venue: Twickenham
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Tim Hayes (Wales)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Assessor: Brian Stirling

ENG v AUS Rugby Planet preview
ENG v AUS Rugby Heaven preview

SCOTLAND vs SOUTH AFRICA

Scotland: 1. Allan Jacobson, 2. Ross Ford, 3. Euan Murray, 4. Nathan Hines, 5. Jim Hamilton, 6. Jason White, 7. John Barclay, 8. Ally Hogg, 9. Mike Blair, 10. Phil Godman, 11. Rory Lamont, 12. Nick De Luca, 13. Ben Cairns, 14. Thom Evans, 15. Chris Paterson. Reserves: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Alasdair Dickinson, 18. Matt Mustchin, 19. Scott Gray, 20. Rory Lawson, 21. Dan Parks, 22. Hugo Southwell.

South Africa: 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. John Smit, 4. Bakkies Botha, 5. Victor Matfield, 6. Schalk Burger, 7. Juan Smith, 8. Pierre Spies, 9. Fourie du Preez, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Jean de Villiers, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Conrad Jantjes. Reserves: 16. Brian Mujati, 17. Gurthro Steenkamp, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Frans Steyn, 22. Jaque Fourie.

Date: Saturday 15 November, 2008
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Venue: Murrayfield
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Touch judges: Alain Rolland (England), Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

SCO v SA Rugby Planet preview
SCO v SA Rugby Heaven preview

ITALY vs ARGENTINA

Italy: 1. Matias Aguero, 2. Fabio Ongaro, 3. Carlos Nieto, 4. Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 5. Marco Bortolami, 6. Josh Sole, 7. Mauro Bergamasco, 8. Sergio Parisse, 9. Pablo Canavosio, 10. Andrea Marcato, 11. Mirco Bergamasco, 12. Gonzalo Garcia, 13. Matteo Pratichetti, 14. Kaine Robertson, 15. Andrea Masi. Reserves: 16. Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18. Salvatore Perugini, 19. Tommaso Reato, 20. Pietro Travagli, 21. Luciano Orquera, 22. Luke Mclean.

Argentina: 1. Rodrigo Roncero, 2. Mario Ledesma, 3. Juan Pablo Orlandi, 4. Esteban Lozada, 5. Patricio Albacete, 6. Martin Durand, 7. Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 8. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 9. Nicolas Vergallo, 10. Juan Martin Hernandez, 11. Rafael Carballo, 12. Felipe Contepomi, 13. Gonzalo Tiesi, 14. Federico Martin Aramburu, 15. Bernardo Stortoni. Reserves: 16. Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17. Marcos Ayerza, 18. Alvaro Galindo, 19. Alejandro Campos, 20. Agustin Figuerola, 21. Santiago Fernandez, 22. Horacio Agulla.

Date: Saturday 15 November, 2008
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT) (9:00 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Turin
Referee: Chris White (England)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official: David Changleng
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie

ITA v ARG Rugby Planet preview
ITA v ARG Rugby Heaven preview

FRANCE vs PACIFIC ISLANDS

France: 1. Lionel Faure, 2. Dimitri Szarzewski, 3. Nicolas Mas, 4. Romain Millo-Chluski, 5. Lionel Nallet, 6. Thierry Dusautoir, 7. Fulgence Ouedraogo, 8. Imanol Harnordoquy, 9. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 10. David Skrela, 11. Cedric Heymans, 12. Benoît Baby, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 14. Julien Malzieu, 15. Maxime Médard. Reserves: 16. Benjamin Kayser, 17. Benoît Lecouls, 18 Sébastien Chabal, 19. Louis Picamoles, 20. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 21. Damien Traille, 22. Alexis Palisson.

Pacific Islands: 1. Kas Lealamanua (SAM), 2. Tanielu Fuga (SAM), 3. Kisi Pulu (TGA), 4. Paino Hehea (TGA), 5. Kele Leawere (FIJ), 6. Hale T-Pole (TGA), 7. Sisa Koyamaibole (FIJ), 8. Nili Latu (TGA), 9. Mosese Rauluni (FIJ), 10. Seremaia Bai (FIJ), 11. Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ), 12. Epi Taione (TGA), 13. Seru Rabeni (FIJ), 14. Napolioni Nalaga (FIJ), 15. Gavin Williams (SAM). Reserves: 16. Sunia Koto (FIJ), 17. Census Johnston (SAM), 18. Filipo Levi (SAM), 19. Viliami Vaki (TGA), 20. Sililo Martens (TGA), 21. Kameli Ratuvou (FIJ), 22. Seilala Mapusua (SAM).

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008
Venue: Stade Auguste Bonal, Sochaux
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT) (9:00 a.m. ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Nigel Owens (Ireland)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

FRA v PI Rugby Planet preview
FRA v PI Rugby Heaven preview

IRELAND vs NEW ZEALAND

Ireland: 1. Marcus Horan, 2. Rory Best, 3. John Hayes, 4. Donncha O'Callaghan, 5. Paul O'Connell, 6. Alan Quinlan, 7. David Wallace, 8. James Heaslip, 9. Tomas O'Leary, 10. Ronan O'Gara, 11. Rob Kearney, 12. Luke Fitzgerald, 13. Brian O'Driscoll, 14. Tommy Bowe, 15. Girvan Dempsey. Reserves: 16. Jerry Flannery, 17. Tony Buckley, 18. Stephen Ferris, 19. Shane Jennings, 20. Eoin Reddan, 21. Paddy Wallace, 22. Keith Earls.

New Zealand: 1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Keven Mealamu, 3. Neemia Tialata, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw, 8. Rodney So'oialo, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 15. Mils Muliaina. Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. John Afoa, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Kieran Read, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Isaia Toeava.

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2008
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT (12:15 pm ET (New York, Toronto))
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch

IRE v NZ Rugby Planet preview
IRE v NZ Rugby Heaven preview


AREN'T YOU GLAD YR STILL READING, DEP'T:

Duncan Johnstone at Rugby Heaven wonders if the world's star player comes into Saturday's test against Ireland undercooked:

Dan Carter's personal rehabilitation programme has restricted him to just 31 minutes in the No 10 role in the past eight weeks and placed pressure on the All Blacks maestro to get things right quickly against Ireland on Sunday.

Read the rest.

And the Irish Times profiles Big Brad Thorn, this blogs' fave player.

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Fall internationals kick-off!

The Northern Hemisphere Autumn Tours get underway this weekend with a full menu of tantalyzing test match rugby.

Canadian interest will be directed to Thomond Park in Limerick, where the Maple Leafs face Ireland for the first time since their 27-27 sister-kisser in a heatwave at Fletcher's Fields in 2000. The Irish should prevail with some comfort, but the Canadian forward pack has loads of experience, and the backs have some untested speed out wide.

Check Setanta Sports and Mediazone Rugby Channel for broadcast times and viewing options.

Other test matches of note include Scotland hosting the All Blacks at Murrayfield. The two teams have been competing for a century, and Scotland is still looking to claim their first victory over the Kiwis. New Zealand has blooded a few greenhorns - rotation seems to back in style - with Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn all sitting. Keven Mealamu gets his first ever chance captaining his side and the ABs could be ripe for the plucking if Scotland can lift themselves ~ and referee Wayne Barnes tilts the playing field.

And France hosts nemesis Argentina. The Pumas have beaten France six of the last times they have faced France, including the famous upset to kick-off RWC 2007. The last time the French beat Argentina was in 2006, scraping home to win by a single point in Paris.

IRELAND vs CANADA

Ireland: 1. Marcus Horan, 2. Jerry Flannery, 3. Tony Buckley, 4. Donncha O'Callaghan, 5. Paul O'Connell, 6. Stephen Ferris, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip, 9. Eoin Reddan, 10. Ronan O'Gara, 11. Robert Kearney, 12. Luke Fitzgerald, 13. Brian O'Driscoll (c), 14. Tommy Bowe, 15. Keith Earls. Reserves (From): Rory Best, John Hayes, Ryan Caldwell, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace, Peter Stringer, Shane Horgan.

Canada: 1. Kevin Tkachuk, 2. Pat Riordan (c), 3. Jon Thiel, 4. Mike Burak, 5. Josh Jackson, 6. Sean Michael Stephen, 7. Adam Kleeberger, 8. Aaron Carpenter, 9. Ed Fairhurst, 10. Ander Monro, 11. Justin Mensah-Coker, 12. Ryan Smith, 13. Bryn Keys, 14. Ciaran Hearn, 15. James Pritchard. Reserves: 16. Mike Pletch, 17. Frank Walsh, 18. Tyler Hotson, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Morgan Williams, 21. Matt Evans, 22. Phil Mackenzie

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Thomond Park
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT (12:15 p.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Weather: Muggy, showers, and a strong southerly wind 25 km/h
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)

CAN vs IRE : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
CAN vs IRE : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


ITALY vs AUSTRALIA

Italy: 1. Salvatore Perugini, 2. Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3. Carlos Nieto, 4. Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 5. Marco Bortolami, 6. Josh Sole, 7. Mauro Bergamasco, 8. Sergio Parisse (c), 9. Pablo Canavosio, 10. Andrea Marcato, 11. Mirco Bergamasco, 12. Gonzalo Garcia, 13. Gonzalo Canale, 14. Kaine Robertson, 15. Andrea Masi. Reserves: 16. Fabio Ongaro, 17. Matias Aguero, 18. Tommaso Reato, 19. Alessandro Zanni, 20. Giulio Toniolatti, 21. Luciano Orquera, 22. Matteo Pratichetti.

Australia: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Matt Dunning, 4. Mark Chisholm, 5. Hugh McMeniman, 6. Dean Mumm, 7. Phil Waugh, 8. Richard Brown, 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Berrick Barnes, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Timana Tahu, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 14. Lachie Turner, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper. Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18 Wycliff Palu, 19. David Pocock, 20. Matt Giteau, 21. Quade Cooper, 22. James O'Connor.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stadio Euganeo, Padova
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT) (9:00 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Weather: Overcast, warm, barely any wind, but damp underfoot after a couple of days' rain. Perfect!
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

ITA vs AUS : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
ITA vs AUS : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


ENGLAND vs PACIFIC ISLANDS

England: 1. Andrew Sheridan, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Steve Borthwick (c), 5. Nick Kennedy, 6. Tom Croft, 7. Tom Rees, 8. Nick Easter, 9. Danny Care, 10. Dan Cipriani, 11. Ugo Monye, 12. Riki Flutey, 13. Jamie Noon, 14. Paul Sackey, 15. Delon Armitage. Reserves: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 James Haskell, 20 Michael Lipman, 21 Harry Ellis, 22 Toby Flood.

Pacific Islands: 1. Justin Va'a (Samoa), 2. Aleki Lutui (Tonga), 3. Census Johnston (Samoa), 4. Filipo Levi (Samoa), 5. Kele Leawere (Fiji), 6. Semisi Naevo (Fiji), 7. Nili Latu (Tonga), 8. Finau Maka (Tonga), 9. Mosese Rauluni (Fiji), 10. Pierre Hola (Tonga), 11. Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji), 12. Seilala Mapusua (Samoa), 13. Seru Rabeni (Fiji), 14. Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa), 15. Kameli Ratuvou (Fiji). Reserves: 16. Sunia Koto (Fiji), 17. Kisi Pulu (Tonga), 18. Hale T Pole (Tonga), 19. George Stowers (Samoa), 20. Sililo Martens (Tonga), 21. Seremaïa Bai (Fiji), 22. Epi Taione (Tonga).

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 14.30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Weather: Heavy rain with a strong southerly wind
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch judges: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Tim Hayes (Wales)
Television match official: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Assessor: Dennis Immelman (South Africa)

ENG vs PI : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
ENG vs PI : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


WALES vs SOUTH AFRICA

Wales: 1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Matthew Rees, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Alun-Wyn Jones, 5. Ian Evans, 6. Ryan Jones (c), 7. Martyn Williams, 8. Andy Powell, 9. Gareth Cooper, 10. Stephen Jones, 11. Shane Williams, 12. Gavin Henson, 13. Jamie Roberts, 14. Leigh Halfpenny, 15. Lee Byrne. Reserves: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Duncan Jones, 18. Ian Gough, 19. Dafydd Jones, 20. Dwayne Peel, 21. James Hook, 22. Tom Shanklin.

South Africa: 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. John Smit (c), 4. Bakkies Botha, 5. Victor Matfield, 6. Schalk Burger, 7. Juan Smith, 8. Pierre Spies, 9. Fourie du Preez, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Jean de Villiers, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Conrad Jantjes. Reserves: 16. Brian Mujati, 17. Gurthro Steenkamp, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Frans Steyn, 22. Jaque Fourie.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Millennium Stadium
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (9:30 a.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Alan Rolland (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland), George Clancy (Ireland)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: Paul Bridgman (England)

WAL vs SA : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
WAL vs SA : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


SCOTLAND vs NEW ZEALAND

Scotland: 1. Allan Jacobson, 2. Ross Ford, 3. Euan Murray, 4. Nathan Hines, 5. Jim Hamilton, 6. Jason White, 7. John Barclay, 8. Simon Taylor, 9. Mike Blair (c), 10. Phil Goodman, 11. Sean Lamont, 12. Nick De Luca, 13. Ben Cairns, 14. Thom Evans, 15. Chris Paterson. Reserves: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Alasdair Dickinson, 18. Matt Mustchin, 19. Scott Gray, 20. Rory Lawson/Mark McMillan, 21. Dan Parks, 22. Hugo Southwell.

New Zealand: 1. Jamie Mackintosh, 2. Keven Mealamu (c), 3. John Afoa, 4. Anthony Boric, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Kieran Read, 7. Adam Thomson, 8. Liam Messam, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Anthony Tuitavake, 15. Isaia Toeava. Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Neemia Tialata, 18. Ross Filipo, 19. Riche McCaw, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Daniel Carter, 22. Cory Jane.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Murrayfield, Scotland
Kick-off: 17:15 GMT (12:15 p.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Paul Dix (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)

SCO vs NZ : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
SCO vs NZ : Rugby Planet preview, click here.


FRANCE vs ARGENTINA

France: 1. Fabien Barcella, 2. Dimitri Szarzewski, 3. Benoit Lecouls, 4. Romain Millo Chluski, 5. Lionel Nallet (c), 6. Thierry Dusautoir, 7. Imanol Harinordoquy, 8. Louis Picamoles, 9. Jean Baptiste Elissalde, 10. David Skrela, 11. Cedric Heymans, 12. Benoit Baby, 13. Yannick Jauzion, 14. Julien Malzieu, 15. Maxime Médard. Reserves: 16. Benjamin Kayser, 17. Nicolas Mas, 18. Sebastien Chabal, 19. Fulgence Ouedraogo, 20. Morgan Parra, 21. Damien Traille, 22. Alexis Palisson.

Argentina: 1. Rodrigo Roncero, 2. Mario Ledesma, 3. Juan-Pablo Orlandi, 4. Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 5. Patricio Albacete, 6. Martín Alberto Durand, 7. Álvaro Galindo, 8. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 9. Nicolás Vergallo, 10. Juan Martin Hernandez, 11. Horacio Agulla, 12. Felipe Contepomi (c), 13. Gonzalo Tiesi, 14. Francisco Leonelli, 15. Bernardo Stortoni. Reserves: 16. Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17. Marcos Ayerza, 18. Esteban Lozada, 19. Alejandro Campos, 20. Agustín Figuerola, 21. Federico Martín Aramburú, 22. Rafael Carballo.

Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT) (3:00 p.m. ET (Toronto, New York))
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Peter Allan (Scotland)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

FRA vs ARG : Rugby Heaven preview, click here.
FRA vs ARG : Rugby Planet preview, click here.

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Didn't miss much

The All Blacks prevailed against the Wallabies in humid Hong Kong on Saturday, concluding the Bledisloe Cup series winning 3 matches to 1, and once again coming from behind to steal a close one 19-14. The pitch at HK didn't look up to international standard, both teams looked below peak-form, the Bledisloe was already in the bag, and yet both teams gave it their all. Canefan at The Silver Fern provides a commentary ("Rusty AB's do enough").

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Greg Williamson has a terrific thought-provoking commentary up at Stuff titled, "We Want Our Jersey Back!" I'd recommend reading the whole thing -- in particular by the NZRU and Adidas -- but here're some money grafs:

The latest is the "This is not a jersey" campaign. According to adidas the famous black jumper is not a jersey but actually a "portal through which men pass," and other Hallmark-card like sentiments.

On behalf of the average Kiwi rugby fan it is actually just a rugby jersey, and we want it back. Now.

"At the end of the day, what we have sold to adidas is a whole lot of history and mystique," New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew said in an interview with Unlimited business magazine several years ago.

Wrong. The NZRU have sold adidas the right to associate with that history and mystique. They don't own our team or our jersey. We, the rugby public, are the real owners of the All Blacks "brand". [...]

Don't get me wrong. I love adidas (who are reportedly spending $200 million on a nine-year sponsorship deal with the NZRU), News Corp, and all of those other big companies helping keep our national game afloat. Without them the NZRU would be less viable than a Kiwi finance company.

But they all need to realise it is not their jersey, it is not their team. It is ours, the average New Zealand rugby fan.

The sponsors must get their money's worth out of backing our team, but it has to be balanced against the current and future health of rugby. ... We've lost sight of the need to protect and enhance our game rather than just maximise the sponsors' benefit. [...]

Adidas should stop using a Dutch advertising agency to dream up these weird ideas for promoting the All Blacks. They are nice people but have limited rugby heritage.

Only use advertising campaigns that sound credible communicated by Carl Hayman, Alex Wyllie or Richard Loe. Can you imagine Grizz saying "This not material, it is fabric that binds us together"?