Loose Pass: Off to the internationals

This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with both the June Tests and the other June Test…

Off to the internationals

Ahhh, June! That time of year when you can sit back and enjoy the sun, wondering if it is really worthwhile watching the northern hemisphere’s international teams get pummelled in the south once again.

After all, this year is the worst of the lot. It’s post-Lions – so all those lucky enough to have toured New Zealand last June are either crocked, post-crocked or knackered. It’s 15 months out from the World Cup, which means both that the results really mean something, and that the physically fresher lot from the south are well on their way to ready game-plans and settled teams, something the northern sides can only dream about.

Yet it’s perhaps slightly different this time. France look properly resurgent as they head to New Zealand, which probably won’t mean a win but it might mean there’ll be a contest. One might be tempted to argue that the French haven’t had the extra burden of a Lions tour too, but the length of the Top 14 schedule counters that.

New Zealand’s closest challengers to their near-owned World Rugby number one ranking are both from the north, as England’s pre-Six Nations form still means something for now. Ireland’s ability to replace some of the injured Lions with even better younger players means that they are nearing the World Cup being talked about as dark horses. We have, however, heard that before.

Nevertheless, Ireland in particular look to be the team that might break the south’s steely grip on the June spoils. As Australian rugby continues to lurch through what’s becoming an existential crisis, the last colour they’d be looking to see right now – except for black – is the emerald green that has swept all before it this year (including the times much of it has played in blue).

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You could talk about England’s chances in South Africa with the same kind of enthusiasm, but the fears that the multiple injuries have eviscerated England’s challenge are real, as is the fear that the Eddie Jones regime is beginning to crumble. That the tour is taking place against a background of yet more horn-locking with the English clubs is ominous this close to a World Cup.

South Africa’s slip down the rankings to seventh looks horrendous, but conversely to the nerves behind England’s second place, the rainbow nation is cautiously optimistic. Siya Kolisi’s appointment as captain is that wonderful rarity in South Africa, both thoroughly merited and appeasing to those who believe transformation is not being performed. Rassie Erasmus’ call to arms to several key players plying their trade overseas has strengthened the Springbok side significantly, while Erasmus himself continues to play the role of quiet diplomat with calm ease.

It’s ludicrous that a Bok second string team’s narrow defeat to a Welsh second string played on neutral turf could affect the rankings so, but while the Boks wallow in seventh, Wales are up to fifth and travel for a fascinating series in Argentina.

Again there is a sense that Wales are building carefully ahead of the World Cup, with a stated strategy in place and little adjustments to the course in each tournament and series, as well as – proven on Saturday – depth being developed. But Argentina’s Jaguares have turned their season around under Mario Ledesma with six wins in a row, including a win away at the Chiefs and a half-century stuck on the Bulls. Argentine confidence will be high indeed and given the will to run currently shown by both the Welsh and the Pumas, these games might be the highlights of the month.

Elsewhere, Scotland travel to play ailing Canada and the USA in what should be relatively easy cruises before heading down to Argentina for a one-off. Italy are in Japan hoping to find themselves again, while Russia, in preparation for their World Cup tilt, are also in Canada and the USA, swapping weekends with Scotland.

An interesting June lies ahead.

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The other international…

But perhaps the most interesting match this June will be in Heidelberg in Germany. On June 16, Germany host Portugal in the final of round six of the European rugby qualifying process, one already tainted by the mass point deductions meted out to Spain, Belgium and Romania for fielding ineligible players. Going on World rankings alone, Germany ought to win.

Yet Germany have problems of their own. The flagship team, Heidelberg Ruderklub (HRK – Heidelberg Rowing Club) has for some time now been bankrolled by Dr. Hans-Peter Wild of Capri-Sonne fame. Dr. Wild has recruited over time a number of players, both with and without German lineage, from overseas to staff his Wild Rugby Academy, with the dual intentions of creating a national team strong enough to get to the World Cup and a club team strong enough to get to the European Challenge Cup.

However, squabbles with the national union’s organisation led Dr. Wild to withdraw his employees and forced the union to pick other players. Then HRK did indeed get to the Challenge Cup, only to be told that Dr. Wild’s controlling interest in Stade Francais was too much of a conflict of interest for them to be able to take part.

HRK last week won the German national title again, winning the final 47-12 – and they were 40-0 up after 50 minutes, clearly taking their foot off the gas later on. Perhaps a more accurate measure of their domestic dominance is the 118-0 victory they enjoyed in the national semi-final. But without the Challenge Cup or the national team for these players’ progression, it’s all a bit empty.

Essentially Germany has two teams, the professional lot employed mostly by Dr. Wild, and the rest of the country, with many good players but all of them enthusiastic amateurs. Portugal will lose to the former but beat the latter. Germany’s World Cup hopes rest upon the chances of a quick détente between Dr. Wild and the union, otherwise Portugal will be on their way to the next round of play-offs.

Loose Pass compiled by former Planet Rugby Editor Danny Stephens