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This week's biggest matches to watch on Rugby Pass
A bountiful schedule of internationals awaits us this weekend, including a Pacific doubleheader on Friday and the unofficial fourth Lions test – against the Maori All Blacks – on Saturday.
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Tonga vs Wales (Friday, June 16, 1:30pm HKT)
New Zealand – and Auckland’s Eden Park in particular – is just brimming with international rugby teams this week. This isn’t just an undercard filler for the All Blacks game that follows. An experimental Wales, shorn of star players and key coaches are blooding three uncapped players in the starting line-up in Steff Evans, Seb Davies and Thomas Young, while another six could make their debuts off the bench. Tonga’s Sea Eagles will bring their unique brand of physical, brilliant rugby, and offer the sternest of tests.
New Zealand vs Samoa (Friday, June 16, 3pm HKT)
We’ve seen the Super Rugby sides in action already – but there has been one team – alright, two teams – missing from the Lions’ tour of New Zealand so far. We have to wait until Saturday to meet the Maori, when they play the Lions in Rotorua, but the other team get their first run-out of 2017 at Eden Park against the bruising Samoans. We already know, pretty much, what to expect from Steve Hansen’s All Blacks – so it’s time to get comfy in your favourite chair with the beverage of your choice and enjoy.
Australia vs Scotland (Saturday, June 17, 1pm HKT)
Scotland’s Gregor Townsend era kicked off in Singapore with a decent enough victory over Italy. But, for all that Michael Cheika’s Australia are a shadow of the side that made its way to the World Cup final 18 months ago, this is a serious step up in standard. The Wallabies carved up Fiji last weekend, despite missing 25 tackles, being turned over 20 times, and having only 43% possession and 37% territory. Townsend will have watched and rewatched that match in search of weaknesses to exploit. And his confident side will go all out to exploit them. Truth be told, this could be the match of the weekend.
NZ Maori vs Lions (Saturday, June 17, 3:35pm HKT)
All that has past is prologue. The unofficial fourth Test is the point at which the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand gets real. As in really real. The fact that the tourists edged a team of part-timers, then lost to the worst of New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchises, then edged the best of them, before giving up a nine-point lead in a flurry of late penalties against the Highlanders on Tuesday counts for nothing from now. The Lions who take the field to face the Maori at Rotorua will, in all likelihood, be the ones who will face the full-fat, double-caffeinated All Blacks next weekend. And what happens here will be a barometer for the three-Test series to come.
South Africa vs France (Saturday, June 17, 10pm HKT)
Twenty minutes. That’s how long it took South Africa to melt French resistance at Loftus Versfeld last weekend. From the 59th minute, when the tourists’ Brice Dulin was sin-binned, the match was one-way traffic. But this weekend’s encounter in Durban is set to be a tougher challenge for the Springboks, with a number of French players who were rested in Pretoria set to return – including abrasive skipper Guilhem Guirado.
Argentina vs England (Sunday, June 18, 3:15am HKT)
Can we have two matches of the weekend? After the thoroughly entertaining thrill-fest in San Juan last weekend, Argentina and England meet again – this time in Santa Fe. The message from Eddie Jones has been simple: anyone who plays well in South America will force their way into his thinking for the next phase of his World Cup plans. It’s too early to be talking about who could be on the plane to Japan, but this tour could be the start of that journey for a number of England hopefuls.
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Chiefs vs Lions (Tuesday, June 20, 3:35pm HKT)
The tourists are one from three against the Super Rugby franchises in New Zealand, and, this, their penultimate non-Test of the tour will be the hardest of them for the players out on the pitch at Waikato. It means they are set to miss out on the opening Test against the All Blacks. How they react to that bad news will have a major impact on whether they will feature in the three-match series that everyone’s travelled all that distance to be part of at all.
Comments on RugbyPass
After missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
10 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
10 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
10 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
10 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
10 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to comments