the November Internationals

So here we go again. The Southern Hemisphere's "Big 3" venture north yet again to remind Europe who wears the trousers.  Well...something we already know...it isn't South Africa or Australia.  New Zealand have nothing at all to be worried about.  Meanwhile the world's #2 and 3 ranked teams have slipped to Northern Hemisphere standards.

Australia is playing for their #2 spot, Robbie Deans' future, World Cup seeding, and perhaps above all, their pride.  The fact that Nathan Sharpe is still there, even got near 100 tests, is proof enough of how little depth they have. With a never ending flow of injuries to a team with the softest pack in tier 1 this tour is going to be a big ask.  It is a chance for many unknown Kiwis to step up and make a name for themselves but even a fullstrength Wallabies always had problems returning home from the north unbeaten.  The first up game vs the Frogs is going to test them severely.  No secret the French are going to attempt to steamroll them upfront, and the number 1 tactic will be their infamous dark, dirty play to put any green Wallaby into hesitancy mode.  This game is make or break for their tour.  One way traffic here could put the doom and gloom into the squad for the rest of the tour.  With the Poms the week after there will be no let up.  The English will know where to hit them and exactly where it hurts after a bruising battle with Les Bleu.  For all England's endeavour to open up their game all their backs can do is crab across field so it has to be a hark back to the dull old days for them.  It could be that the hurting Wallabies return home with the solitary scalp under their arms versus a going backwards Italian team.  By the time they get to Wales somehow one feels there will be yet more players on the sideline and the Scarlets are going to give them a mix of everything.  The Welsh pack will take it to them while the backs will open up and try to run the tired Wallabies ragged.  Their long season is just going to get longer yet maybe the longest part will be the long flight home.

South Africa may not fare much better.  Struck by injuries to key players and mainstays they will also have their work cut out to leave Europe with their egos intact.  The Irish will be pumped for this but they're going to have to man up for longer than their customary 30minutes.  They will confront the Boks through their pack and I'm sure try to open up but with not much more idea than the English backline this could be 1 game lacking anything regarding penetration.  The Scots will be buoyed by their recent form against the men from the republic but the Scottish backs are going to have to perform better defensively than they have been domestically.  This match alone is worth watching to see Richie Gray in full flight, and if Denton only gets a bench spot you know they have a classy backrow.  But to have a real shot at this....the Jocks will be praying for rain.  Surely England have the best shot here and will almost be 50/50 odds in Britain to get one over the Boks here.  Another injury struck team cóming to the final hurdle at the end of a long season and I don't know if the Boks have it in them.

The All Blacks.  The ABs have nothing to worry about.  No, as far as rugby goes they haven't looked good when it comes to executing their gameplan.  But how comfortable do they look versus their challengers for the top ranked spot.  So comfortable that they have almost treated the Rugby Championship as a training run.  Implementing their wanted game, then closing down the opposition when having trouble executing.  New Zealand really do have 30-40% more than what we have seen this year.  Scary stuff for any potential foe.  Hansen has his critics but I'm a fan.  He doesn't suffer fools,and  relates well with his team managing to be one of the boys yet commanding respect when needed.  The players know....perform or you sit on the bench or miss the match day 22 (soon to be 23).  He has introduced 9 new caps during a dynamite season and the powder is still dry.  Can't believe the crap about an "ageing All Blacks"....take out the 2 hookers and it's a very young team.  The player management has paid dividends with a relatively injury free season and all players are feeling fresh and chomping at the bit to start this tour....a far cry from their Southern counterparts.  The Scots could be looking down the end of one very long barrel here. The Italians will be just a small judderbar, their negativity doing nothing to stem an all black tide.  The Welsh have the best shot by far at tipping over the rugby giants but even that would go down as one of sports greatest upsets.  While the English have no show....their forwards can't and won't dominate the men in black, and their backline tendency to slide across field means Lassie could sort out the ABs defensive plan.