The usually unplayable Southern Hemisphere sides were given a real run for their money in the July Internationals against Northern Hemisphere opposition.
The Wallabies went down to a recovering Eddie Jones-coached England in the 3rd of 3 tests just one week after the Aussies broke their 6 year losing streak against the English in the first test. England forced the decider after downing Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and went on to clinch the series after winning the 3rd test 21-17 in a nailbiter at the iconic SCG.
In more surprising new, Andy Farrel’s Irish side triumphed over the All Blacks for the first time in history, winning the series 2-1 after losing the first match of the series in Christchurch. In the second Test, in Dunedin, Ireland prevailed by 23-12 securing their first victory against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil, and their fourth win over New Zealand ever. They then nailed down their landmark series win in after holding off a second-half fightback to secure a stunning 32-22 success from an epic encounter in Wellington.
Argentina made history against Scotland in Santiago del Estero. A last second try from Emiliano Boffelli gave Los Pumas a 34-31 victory and a series win against Scotland two games to one.
And the Springboks won their series against Wales, but it was hardly the walkover that everybody predicted. South Africa took the lead in the test series, beating Wales 32–29 in Pretoria but then a week later, Wales made history with their first ever test victory in South Africa, levelling the series by winning 13–12, albeit against what many considered to be a Springbok ‘B’ team. The Boks then won the decider in Cape Town with a comprehensive 30-14 victory that put a halt to what would have been an uncommon display of Northern Hemisphere dominance.
Now, with the July internationals firmly in the rear-view, it’s time for the Southern giants to battle each other and decide who will be the kings below the equator.
Australia vs Argentina
Michael Cheika’s Argentina will face off against his former Wallaby side on home soil this Saturday and both sides will welcome some familiar faces that were missing during the July internationals.
Quade Cooper returns after missing the entire England series with a calf strain to guide the team from No.10, with Hunter Paisami, as expected, alongside Len Ikitau at inside centre. Gibbon was called up after an impressive performance in the Australia A games in Fiji and following injuries to Angus Bell and Scott Sio in the England series. The 6-2 bench split means there is no spot for Reds stars James O’Connor and Suli Vunivalu, who made his debut in in the decider against Engalnd, while Jock Campbell also gets the skip – again.
Michael Cheika has made nine changes to the team that downed Scotland dramatically in July. Six of the changes are in the forwards where Julian Montoya returns as captain after a back injury to replace Agustin Creevy. Forwards Thomas Gallo, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Santiago Grondona and Facundo Isa missed out on starting spots to Manuel Tetaz Chaparro, Francisco Gomez, Matias Alemanno, Juan Martin Gonzalez Samso and Marcos Kremer. In the backs, Tomas Cubelli replaces Lautaro Bazan Velez, at No.9Jeronimo de la Fuente is in at 12 for Matias Moroni and Santiago Cordero is named at 14 wing instead of Bautista Delguy.
Wallabies:1. James Slipper 2. Folau Fainga’a 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Darcy Swain 5. Matt Philip 6. Jed Holloway* 7. Michael Hooper (c) 8. Rob Valetini 9. Nic White 10. Quade Cooper 11. Marika Koroibete 12. Hunter Paisami 13. Len Ikitau 14. Jordan Petaia 15. Tom Wright
Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan 17. Matt Gibbon* 18. Taniela Tupou 19. Nick Frost 20. Rob Leota 21. Pete Samu 22. Jake Gordon 23. Reece Hodge
Argentina: 1. Nahuel T. Chaparro, 2. Julian Montoya (c), 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4. Matias Alemanno, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Pablo Matera, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 10. Santiago Carreras, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 12. Jeronimo De La Fuente, 13. Matias Orlando, 14. Santiago Cordero, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia.
Replacements: 16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Mayvo Vivas, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Santiago Grondona, 20. Rodrigo Bruni, 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22. Tomas Albornoz, 23. Matias Moroni.
Our prediction: Argentina 29 – Australia 20
South Africa vs New Zealand
There’s no
The usually unplayable Southern Hemisphere sides were given a real run for their money in the July Internationals against Northern Hemisphere opposition.
The Wallabies went down to a recovering Eddie Jones-coached England in the 3rd of 3 tests just one week after the Aussies broke their 6 year losing streak against the English in the first test. England forced the decider after downing Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and went on to clinch the series after winning the 3rd test 21-17 in a nailbiter at the iconic SCG.
In more surprising new, Andy Farrel’s Irish side triumphed over the All Blacks for the first time in history, winning the series 2-1 after losing the first match of the series in Christchurch. In the second Test, in Dunedin, Ireland prevailed by 23-12 securing their first victory against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil, and their fourth win over New Zealand ever. They then nailed down their landmark series win in after holding off a second-half fightback to secure a stunning 32-22 success from an epic encounter in Wellington.
Argentina made history against Scotland in Santiago del Estero. A last second try from Emiliano Boffelli gave Los Pumas a 34-31 victory and a series win against Scotland two games to one.
And the Springboks won their series against Wales, but it was hardly the walkover that everybody predicted. South Africa took the lead in the test series, beating Wales 32–29 in Pretoria but then a week later, Wales made history with their first ever test victory in South Africa, levelling the series by winning 13–12, albeit against what many considered to be a Springbok ‘B’ team. The Boks then won the decider in Cape Town with a comprehensive 30-14 victory that put a halt to what would have been an uncommon display of Northern Hemisphere dominance.
Now, with the July internationals firmly in the rear-view, it’s time for the Southern giants to battle each other and decide who will be the kings below the equator.
Australia vs Argentina
Michael Cheika’s Argentina will face off against his former Wallaby side on home soil this Saturday and both sides will welcome some familiar faces that were missing during the July internationals.
Quade Cooper returns after missing the entire England series with a calf strain to guide the team from No.10, with Hunter Paisami, as expected, alongside Len Ikitau at inside centre. Gibbon was called up after an impressive performance in the Australia A games in Fiji and following injuries to Angus Bell and Scott Sio in the England series. The 6-2 bench split means there is no spot for Reds stars James O’Connor and Suli Vunivalu, who made his debut in in the decider against Engalnd, while Jock Campbell also gets the skip – again.
Michael Cheika has made nine changes to the team that downed Scotland dramatically in July. Six of the changes are in the forwards where Julian Montoya returns as captain after a back injury to replace Agustin Creevy. Forwards Thomas Gallo, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Santiago Grondona and Facundo Isa missed out on starting spots to Manuel Tetaz Chaparro, Francisco Gomez, Matias Alemanno, Juan Martin Gonzalez Samso and Marcos Kremer. In the backs, Tomas Cubelli replaces Lautaro Bazan Velez, at No.9Jeronimo de la Fuente is in at 12 for Matias Moroni and Santiago Cordero is named at 14 wing instead of Bautista Delguy.
Wallabies:1. James Slipper 2. Folau Fainga’a 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Darcy Swain 5. Matt Philip 6. Jed Holloway* 7. Michael Hooper (c) 8. Rob Valetini 9. Nic White 10. Quade Cooper 11. Marika Koroibete 12. Hunter Paisami 13. Len Ikitau 14. Jordan Petaia 15. Tom Wright
Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan 17. Matt Gibbon* 18. Taniela Tupou 19. Nick Frost 20. Rob Leota 21. Pete Samu 22. Jake Gordon 23. Reece Hodge
Argentina: 1. Nahuel T. Chaparro, 2. Julian Montoya (c), 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4. Matias Alemanno, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Pablo Matera, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 10. Santiago Carreras, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 12. Jeronimo De La Fuente, 13. Matias Orlando, 14. Santiago Cordero, 15. Juan Cruz Mallia.
Replacements: 16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Mayvo Vivas, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Santiago Grondona, 20. Rodrigo Bruni, 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22. Tomas Albornoz, 23. Matias Moroni.
Our prediction: Argentina 29 – Australia 20
South Africa vs New Zealand
There’s no side more dangerous in world rugby than an All Blacks side that has something to prove, and South Africa knows that – hence the selections made by Jacques Nienaber and his team ahead of the clash on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Two of the most notable changes come in the front row and the back three. Malcolm Marx gets the nod ahead of Bongi Mbonambi as he runs out for his 50th test and this is probably because there is no specialist fetcher in the Bok pack at the moment, and there’s no doubt that Marx will be given the responsibility of disrupting the breakdown and getting in amongst it. Kolisi, du Toit and Wiese, whilst all big, physical chaps, aren’t known for being first to the breakdown, so Marx will have a lot on his hands come Saturday evening against the likes of Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane.
The second of two key inclusions is on the wing where URC phenom Kurt-Lee Arendse gets his second Springbok cap in place of injured Cheslin Kolbe. Arendse earned his first nod in the series against Wales in the second test where the Springboks went down narrowly to the Dragons in Bloemfontein. Arendse is full of running, has a wicked step and isn’t afraid to drop the shoulder against the big boys.
The All Blacks have made little changes to their side that lost to Ireland at Eden Park and I feel like they probably should have. The front 3 that got absolutely smoked by the Irish front 3 remains unchanged – so no doubt Malherbe and Nyakane will be licking their lips and hoping to replicate the fury of their Irish counterparts. The not-so-imposing figure of Same Cane retains the captaincy and the number 6 jersey and will have his work cut out for him against a bruising Bok back row that will be looking to make his life hell. Caleb Clarke gets a start on the wing and faces off against the diminutive Arendse, which might be a smart move on the part of the All Blacks, seeing as Clarke weighs almost twice as much as Arendse does.
Overall, it’s poised to be an absolute thriller and we can’t wait to see what goes down in Nelspruit come Saturday night.
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Francois De Klerk , 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (c), 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Albertus Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Willie le Roux.
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samson Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Quinn Tupaea.
Our prediction: South Africa 19 – New Zealand 17
side more dangerous in world rugby than an All Blacks side that has something to prove, and South Africa knows that – hence the selections made by Jacques Nienaber and his team ahead of the clash on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Two of the most notable changes come in the front row and the back three. Malcolm Marx gets the nod ahead of Bongi Mbonambi as he runs out for his 50th test and this is probably because there is no specialist fetcher in the Bok pack at the moment, and there’s no doubt that Marx will be given the responsibility of disrupting the breakdown and getting in amongst it. Kolisi, du Toit and Wiese, whilst all big, physical chaps, aren’t known for being first to the breakdown, so Marx will have a lot on his hands come Saturday evening against the likes of Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane.
The second of two key inclusions is on the wing where URC phenom Kurt-Lee Arendse gets his second Springbok cap in place of injured Cheslin Kolbe. Arendse earned his first nod in the series against Wales in the second test where the Springboks went down narrowly to the Dragons in Bloemfontein. Arendse is full of running, has a wicked step and isn’t afraid to drop the shoulder against the big boys.
The All Blacks have made little changes to their side that lost to Ireland at Eden Park and I feel like they probably should have. The front 3 that got absolutely smoked by the Irish front 3 remains unchanged – so no doubt Malherbe and Nyakane will be licking their lips and hoping to replicate the fury of their Irish counterparts. The not-so-imposing figure of Same Cane retains the captaincy and the number 6 jersey and will have his work cut out for him against a bruising Bok back row that will be looking to make his life hell. Caleb Clarke gets a start on the wing and faces off against the diminutive Arendse, which might be a smart move on the part of the All Blacks, seeing as Clarke weighs almost twice as much as Arendse does.
Overall, it’s poised to be an absolute thriller and we can’t wait to see what goes down in Nelspruit come Saturday night.
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-lee Arendse, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Francois De Klerk , 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (c), 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Albertus Smith, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Willie le Roux.
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samson Taukei’aho, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ethan de Groot, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Quinn Tupaea.
Our prediction: South Africa 19 – New Zealand 17