New blood in France: Lock Jocelino Suta
This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with the November Tests...
They are the talk of the town whichever of the rugby nations you happen to be in at the moment, for varying reasons. Whatever the reason though, this November is set to be a cracker.
Leave aside the question of World Cup rankings too, there are far more intriguing questions hustling to the fore.
Here's an opener: how much will Heyneke Meyer actually experiment and when? He has already stated he is close to giving Pat Lambie a long-overdue opportunity in the number ten jersey, but does that come against an injury-ravaged Ireland who will provide a stiffer test of Lambie's mettle, or does it come against a Scottish team frothing at the mouth under new on-pitch leadership?
But there are others on the Bok tour - mostly as a result of a glut of injuries - who need to get some game-time. There is excitement over the prospect of Raymond Rhule and more of a sense of 'about bloody time' for many over Schalk Brits. Jano Vermaak's previous opportunities were scuppered by injury, but on his day he is a dangerous little mongrel of a scrum-half.
Injuries will dictate, to an extent, how Meyer goes about his business on the tour, but his detractors - and there are many - are still looking for him to make a couple of bolder moves. Conservative selection and defeat to England are an unthinkable combination for Meyer this November.
While on that subject of England, are we finally going to see from them the rebirth they've been threatening for a couple of years or are they still going to labour on the cusp of greatness once more?
The English have mastered solidity under Stuart Lancaster, playing physically, aggressively and directly, but there is more talent in the squad than the games they play in would show. Theirs is also a squad stripped bare by injury or suspension, but we do now get to see the talents of Mako Vunipola, we get to see if Joe Marler really can cut it and we get to see what looks now to be a well-polished diamond in Mike Brown.
Scotland are looking for direction after yet another change in leadership, while those on the sidelines are having to deal with the likely loss of the official term 'Murrayfield'. Opening your November Test series against the All Blacks is hardly ideal in those situations, nor is backing that up with a home game against South Africa, but should those two opt to use the Scotland game as rotation - as Australia sort of did in June - perhaps there might be a wee shock in wait for the tourists.
There's certainly a sense of change pervading the Irish camp, including the switch from a white alternative kit to a black one and the South African lining up as hooker. There's the addition of Anthony Foley to the coaching staff, on top of four new faces and a considerable number of Ireland's older guard simply being invalided out. Ireland have been stuck in a status quo for a long time, perhaps this November will see the wind of change begin to blow in the west.
Wales are trundling along comfortably under Rob Howley's guidance, although the injury that has ruled out Adam Jones may end up being a key factor in their November. But every Welsh fan will tell you: this November surely represents the best chance the Welsh have had of finishing their search for a win over the All Blacks.
Ahhh, the All Blacks. 14 of them with a new NZRU contract safely tucked into the hand luggage, a vast well of experience in the squad along with the usual sprinkling of fresh-faced rookies already blessed with skills way beyond the imagination of some teams. Can anybody stop them?
Well, Australia nearly did. But it has been a miserable year for Robbie Deans and while he has a couple of players returning from injury for the tour, one or two more key injuries could leave the Wallabies ripe for the picking; a schedule that takes in England and France up against a squad already down to the bones is hardly the ideal way to prepare for an awkward trip to Italy, never mind finishing off in Wales.
France look quietly ominous, with playing standards up in this year's Top 14 after a miserable couple of years. But again, a number of players have fallen to the injury curse working its way through November's international squads. And again, there is opportunity in adversity for bright sparks such as Jean-Marc Doussain or Guillem Guirado.
What an opportunity Italy might have too. Australia will square up to the Azzurri in Florence on the back of two arduous clashes in Paris and London. Of all the squads, Italy's looks to be the least injury-stripped: several times down the years we've seen gallant Italian home losses in front of ferocious crowds. A glorious triumph at last?
Then there's Argentina. The Pumas are only mildly less injury-stricken than Italy, and face a kind schedule of Wales first up and then Ireland a fortnight later. Those who would dismiss the Pumas' chances would do well to go and look at the highlights reel of Argentina's entry into Southern Hemisphere competition this year. It's credible to think they might wind up with two from two.
All that, and we've not even begun to dig in to the jack-in-the-box surprises Tonga, Samoa and Fiji might contrive to offer on their weekends in the limelight! Aaahhh, November!
Loose Pass compiled by Richard Anderson
Comments
new_j4a says...
:)
Posted 13:03 08th November 2012
chubbylugs says...
im outraged that ireland are copying england's sacred away strip from last season. how dare they!
Posted 11:06 08th November 2012
Sasquatch says...
new_j4a:
Frikkin' hilarious bro!!!
Posted 23:20 07th November 2012
trelawney says...
@new_j4a.
Brilliant!! Had the first laugh of the day.
Posted 16:32 06th November 2012
GCP_jones says...
@...new_j4a
Now thats more like it, Classic stuff, you have cheered me up no end.
Posted 13:13 06th November 2012
APV1 says...
JayStarr says...
For once we are all excited about the same thing !
Yep and ain't it great!?
Posted 12:08 06th November 2012
rico says...
Wales...... 4 big fat W's please! (probably 3 though, damn NZers!) Have to, Have to, Have to! beat the Aussie this time round Please! Argentina will be a tough cookie first up but should have enough to get past them, same goes Samoa - could get momentum for a proper crack at NZ
Posted 09:11 06th November 2012
new_j4a says...
@latin who says "Wales to beat NZ - the timing is right for this." ....the timing??? Please explain. Wales who can barely keep their heads above water in the 6N are poised to beat the best team in the world (by far, almost out of sight) who are starting to be contenders for the best team in the history of the game. The world will fall dark as a dense flock of pigs block out the sun for the duration of the tour before Wales gets within 20 points, even if your time piece is allowed to run backwards...."the timing is right???"
Posted 08:13 06th November 2012
jontheref says...
Have to agree about lack of Ryan and Adam Jones for Wales.
Oite is the ref for the Argentina game, and all can remember the mess he made of refereeing the scrum in Leicester v Ospreys. Lottery seemed to be his theme that day.
Three years out, avoiding NZ until the final would be the way to go. If Wales do not get into top 4, (hopeful, but doubtful), being in the NZ pool would be best.
Or even with England if they make the top 4, but cannot see either of them there if truth be known.
Melkdae, Wales play NZ then Australia, so "recoving to beat Australia ,then falling short against NZ " is not possible.
Also you discount Samoa, have you seen the recent games between these two?
Samoa have a warm up v Tonga, then staright into Wales, with an additional rest day.
Banana skin written all over it, with Howlers in charge, probably belatedly giving Biggar a start, with a scrum half who doesn't pass.
If thruth be known, having Howley in charge, after his poor selection in Aus, fills me with more fear than anything else.
Posted 08:04 06th November 2012
new_j4a says...
@melkdave who says this "England i think will do well, i can see them wining 3 of their 4 matches,if the gods smile on them.But it is still to early to start thinking of them as real challangers to NZ imo" ...still too early to start thinking of them as real challengers to NZ??? And there I was, thinking that blind, defy reality, loyalty was dead everywhere except in Queensland where Trinats had the corner on the market. That, melkdave, is the funniest example of "create your own reality" since Alonso Quijano retired from the La Mancha RFC to see a bit of the world...
Posted 07:55 06th November 2012
new_j4a says...
@Webbie I think France will beat Australia this weekend and that Ireland will give South Africa a fright but then lose by a narrow margin. I would be very surprised if NZ doesn't win all 4, but there may be a close game in there somewhere. Think about the 57 point swing on the Irish tour of NZ....neither result was expected IMO.
It doesn't pay to disrespect these NH teams.....I recall about 10 years ago that the Boks got off the plane in Dublin and made the statement that "only 2 players on the Irish side would make the Bok squad and both would be on the bench," this arrogant nonsense said of a team that had BOD. Very bad mistake! The Irish were pissed off and fired up.....came out and thrashed the Boks who played like they had lead boots.
What's going to be interesting is the possibility of switching rankings 2, 3, 4, 5, and even 6, possibly back and forth in the next 3 weeks. Lots to play for
Posted 07:26 06th November 2012
latin says...
i think there going to be some surprises..............of maybe not so surprising if you think about it.
First, australia to lose 2 tests - maybe not a suprise realy.
Wales to beat NZ - the timing is right for this.
and SA may lose to England, not sure abut this one though
Posted 06:35 06th November 2012
Webbie says...
@NH Saints: a statement of very interesting results isn't exactly sticking your neck out is it.
Generalised expected results would be:
Nz, SA, Aus to win.
NH teams to best Pacific Islands
Argentina - either way. Maybe slight favourites.
Which games do you expect to throw up the interesting results?
Posted 21:01 05th November 2012
geoff332 says...
@Startledwombat Yes.
Most importantly, England are in fourth, 0.06 points ahead of France in fifth. The top 4 teams all go in to their own pool so whichever team ends up fourth avoids playing Australia, NZ and SA. It's possible they could both overtake SA and Australia. Wales is also within striking distance of the top 4.
Further down the table, Ireland are 7th, Argentina 8th and Scotland 9th. A few big results and this could get jumbled around. Most likely, Scotland will stay 9th unless they score an upset.
Posted 16:44 05th November 2012
Celtictenor says...
Rather apprehensively I have to agree with Melkdave and RA; without Adam Jones I think the Welsh tight players might struggle against Argentina - RA is right to draw attention to the Argie SH performances a few months ago. I can only hope that Wales can finish Australia off this time in the way that they should have, but didn't, earlier this year. I still can't see them making much impression on the ABs
( ....sighs nostalgically for 1953/4).
Posted 13:50 05th November 2012
melkdave says...
Have to agree a good article,and surprise results definatly look possible.England i think will do well, i can see them wining 3 of their 4 matches,if the gods smile on them.But it is still to early to start thinking of them as real challangers to NZ imo.After all it hasnt even been a year yet under SL and co.,and its still a very green team compard to most.Wales well hard to really call ,key players arnt firing as they where like Warburton ect I can see them losing to Argentina ,recoving to beat Australia ,then falling short against NZ ,but im hoping im wrong lol,and they get at least 2 out of the 3.Scotland despite their topsy turvey recent record ,i have high hopes for this series .Though i cant see them beating the ABs ,a victory against the Bokke i feel isnt out of the question.Like England its a young team full of potential ,hoping for a 2 out of 3 rthis series.Ireland ,well what can i say ,when i saw the original squad i despaired,and thought they could lose every match this series..Since then though because of injuries ect ,Kidney has had to bring in players inform and with potential ,though still no P.Marshal is a blackmark in my eyes.TBH i just dont have any idea how Ireland are going to do ,.If Kidney just goes with the tried and failed ,they could still lose every match,if he gambles a bit they can/ could win most of them.France well again i have high hopes for France,i think they can potentially win every match this series .If and its the usual IF they turn up,and PSA has manged to instill some drive and structure on them.Italy i can definatly see them beating the wallabies if im honest at home injuries ect i feel have made the Australian tour a very challanging one,i can see them losing at least 3 of the 4 tests ,perhaps even all ,and this tour i feel one to far .Argentina could do well if they get their mindset right looks fragile when they are favs
Posted 12:11 05th November 2012
JayStarr says...
For once we are all excited about the same thing !
Bring on this weekend!! Will there be a new world order or will the old guard stand firm? If Scotland could beat a full-strenth Springbok team a couple of years ago, anything can happen.. ! With all these games there is bound to be an upset somewhere...
Posted 11:23 05th November 2012
APV1 says...
SL mentioned, in an interview for Rugby Club, that he has to focus on 4 out of 4. Realistically I can't see anyone beating NZ, although I hope we do.
Fiji? No walkover and they will run us ragged. If we let them get the ball out wide, we are going to be seeing heels.
Oz? Their flair and ambition is notorious. With JOC back, they've got a real chance. They're on the back of a draw with NZ, so spirits will be high. A dangerous prospect.
SA? They'll want to prove that the draw in SA was a fluke and show us that they are 2nd in the world (I know they're not, but they think they should be).
Add in the IRB Ranking points (sorry PR, but they are a massive consideration for the top 8 teams) and we've got a hell of a November.
And congratulations to England Ladies who beat France over the weekend. Just revenge against the Black Ferns now..!
Posted 11:06 05th November 2012
Startledwombat says...
Yes but will the world cup rankings of the top four change?
Posted 10:16 05th November 2012
NHsaints says...
Good article, I definitely think we could get some interesting results this november...some veeeeeeeeeery interesting results.
Posted 08:30 05th November 2012