What am I looking forward to most this weekend is seeing Wales in action against New Zealand. One of my personal, all time, favourite games of rugby; was the encounter between these two in the Rugby World Cup in 2003. This week’s hosts won with a massive score line of 53-37 with 12 trys between them. Though the final score doesn’t do them justice, the Welsh really turned the screw on the All Blacks and were in the lead 37-33 just after half time. That Welsh team then ran out of puff and the All Blacks were jolted into action. I actually think the Welsh team that won the Grand Slam in 2008 would possibly have taken that game, but it did see the resurgence of the Welsh and only 2 years later they lifted their 1st Grand Slam in 27 years. So what of this weekend’s contest? I am not sure if Wales can pull it off. This New Zealand team is smart. They will have done their homework on the threat that Jamie Roberts possess and they will be all too aware of the giant half back Mike Phillips. He, if anyone, has the potential to upset the All Blacks, physical, niggling and sharp, on form he could spark this team. The only thing is when you wind the All Blacks up, they always seem to end up getting angry and scoring even more freely. Some teams punch and kick people, the All Blacks take thier aggresion out on the scoreboard. Stephen Jones we know is as dependable as they come, with good ball he can put Wales in the right place to play rugby. ‘With good ball’ is the key here, anytime Ireland looked like getting that it was quickly destroyed by the All Blacks last week. That will be the problem facing Wales. For them to win their forwards have to play their best rugby faultlessly for 80 minutes I am not sure if they can do that. Lee Halfpenny and Byrne at the back give them an attacking threat, missing the little wizard feet of Shane Williams is a tough one though. The biggest problem Wales face is the turnover threat of the All Blacks. To overcome it is simple, all you have to do is, not knock on, make any errors or lose possession...........easy.
(Will they be on their knees this week?)
Ok now onto England......Do I have to?? Well ok, after slating the treatment of Lawes and Barrit this week, Lawes starts on Saturday and Barrit is being flown in. I would like to claim Martin read my blog and saw the error of his ways. Joking aside, I am very pleased to see Lawes in the team but he has been given some hype. We are supposed to expect a smash tackling machine, that runs like wrecking ball through opposition. I don’t think we will see this but I am looking forward to seeing him in action. Ben Young’s also comes in to replace the ponderously slow ball merchant of Danny Care. His little cameo last week gave England some go forward and they looked good. No change in the centre where the white wall of Tindall and Hape will be in action. I am hoping the wall stays up this week and doesn’t fall over so easily. Maybe it would be nice if the wall did a bit of ball carrying itself...........actually this is ridiculous imagery, so I am going to stop now. In short I really want to see Hape and Tindall do more than defend. Let’s see them put this Aussie midfield under some pressure. I really believe England can win, but to do it they have to pass the ball about and put some pace on it. 1 out rugby and pick and go stuff, is not going to challenge any defence anywhere. Quick ball is all that matters. I really want to see how Quiad Copper copes under pressure to, I don’t know why but he looks to me like he has the potential to blow up when things are not going well. I may be wrong.
I can’t work out why Scotland is not on TV maybe the BBC is showing them and I am showing my clear ignorance. Every year I see the Scots as a threat and against England they usually are, it’s the rest they seem to struggle to motivate themselves to beat. Good luck to them on Saturday two wins in Argentina would make their tour the most successful of all the home nations........
Edit: New Zealand Maori 31 Ireland 28
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