Pablo Matera returns from ban as Argentina change 3 for Ireland

I’d suggest an approximate ranking of the best club sides at present would be something like:

1. Leinster

2. Toulouse

3. Bordeaux

4. Chiefs

5. Blues

6. Brumbies

7. Bath

8. Crusaders

9. Toulon

10. Bulls

My money is on the All Blacks winning both games at home this year. Maybe dropping one. But they should win both.

Anyone with the idea that the boks will just march over there and beat the ABS at home is delusional. The margins between these two top teams are so close the safe money is betting on each team winning their home games. Much like the boks did last year against the ABs.

Respect

I think the staff probably had a pretty close eye on the Top 14 fixture schedule. You can’t be in France and Australia at the same time!

One weekend of rugby tells you very little. Even leaving aside international rugby, JVP has looked better than Spencer over the course of the premiership this season.

Apologies again for beating you in the 2022 series. Even we couldn’t have realized just how many toys NZ would throw out of that particular pram. Now stick a soother in your gob and F**k Off, there’s a good lad.

Both sides start with 10 ABs but we have 4 ABs & a Wallaby on the bench compared to no bench internationals for the Chiefs. Is this an advantage? Debatable.

And while the Chiefs do have a choker elephant to deal with, we have an embarrassing SRP2024 herd of elephants to account for (in solidarity with the team, I changed my username).

We haven’t hit anywhere near our ceiling to date. Is Saturday the day? Exciting for both Clubs.

Home advantage?

Cowbell ban?

Red/yellow cards?

Goal kicking?

TMO check check?

The Tea Lady?

. . . ????