Southern Hemisphere pitted against Northern Hemisphere again, like every end of the year… and every year we see the Southern Hemisphere batter the Northern Hemisphere. Will this year be different?

Any game between Wales and either the All Blacks or the Springboks is always  wonderful to watch. These 3 Teams have Rugby Union entrenched as their National Sport or at least the National sport of a very significant group of their respective populations.

Wales have been ultra-vocal in the press this week, baiting the All Blacks, yet the All Blacks have played their cards close to the vest.

I’m wondering whether this was wise tactics from the Welsch, the All Blacks have the ability to take this as motivatioon and really put Wales to the sword… and by this I mean record scores, a total annihalation.

On the other hand, the All Blacks have never been this vulnerable, the perception and results would indicate that Wales, Ireland, England and France have an opportunity to show some strenght from a Northern Hemisphere perspective.

Every bone in my body says the Welsch will be motivated and will front up strong to begin with but will cop a beating from the easy-running All Blacks, yet again.

My prediction is clear, All Blacks by a mile… All Blacks by 25 PLUS.

Players to watch:

For Wales: Wing Leigh Halfpenny was one of the players who challenged the Kiwis in public, he will have to stand up and deliver. It is always worth watch diminutive Shane Williams, a master stepper and a bundle of energy. The captaincy of Ryan Jones will be key, as he will need to keep his charges calm and focussed against an All Black team know to squeeze the life out of any opposition.

For New Zealand: There is the emotional debut for young Zac Guildford, the reshuffled loose trio of Kieran Read, Richie McCaw  and Jerome Kaino, along with the inclusion of Jason Eaton, that will be in the spotlight.

Head to head: They are two very exciting youngsters, both with oodles of talent, so lets hope Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) and Zac Guildford (New Zealand) get plenty of opportunities with the ball in hand. Wales have the more settled loose forward combination of Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams and Andy Powell, up against Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino. The breakdown will play a huge role in the final analyses.

Recent results:
2008: New Zealand won 29-9, Cardiff
2006: New Zealand won 45-10, Cardiff
2005: New Zealand won 41-3, Cardiff
2004: New Zealand won 26-25, Cardiff
2003: New Zealand won 53-37, Sydney (World Cup)
2003: New Zealand won 55-3, Hamilton
2002: New Zealand won 43-17, Cardiff
1997: New Zealand won 42-7, London
1995: New Zealand won 34-9, Johannesburg (World Cup)
1989: New Zealand won 34-9, Cardiff

Teams:

Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Jonathan Davies, 21 Tom James

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ben Smith.

Date: Saturday, November 7
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 19.30 SA Time (17.30 GMT, 06.30 NZ Time – Sunday, November 8 )
Expected weather conditions: Light rain showers. Maximum 10°C. The weather could be negate if the stadium roof is closed.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Stuart Terheege (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)