In Round 2 of the End Of Year Tours of 2013 there will be a lot more games on the weekend, compared to Round 1, last week. This weekend almost gives the impression of a Mini World Cup, as virtually all the top teams in the world are somehow involved in rugby this weekend.
Some teams are playing their first games on tour whilst others started their tours last weekend already. This weekend will feature quite a few games that has been hyped up to be classic clashes on the yearly calendar. Wales vs the Springboks from South Africa and France vs the New Zealand All Blacks are the two clashes most talked and speculated about during the week. Here are some head to head stats to help you pick your winners.
Here’s a Preview of the weekend’s matches:
Match 1
Georgia vs Canada
Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi
09 November 2013
k/o: 14:00 (EUROPE/MOSCOW) / 12:00 (SA)
These sides have met on only 3 previous occasions with Canada edging Georgia 2 to 1. The stats in this this clash still favour Canada and they should win this clash with a score line close to 29-15.
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Match 2
Italy vs Australia
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
09 November 2013
k/o: 15:00 (EUROPE/PARIS) / 16:00 (SA)
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Tommaso Benevenuti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Alberto Di Bernardo, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (Captain), 7 Robert Barbieri, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Joshua Furno, 21 Tobias Botes, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Tommaso Iannone.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben Mowen (Captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Rob Simmons, 5 James Horwill, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Nic White, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Joe Tomane.
These sides have met 15 times in the past with no recorded wins for Italy. The Italians will however feel good going into this clash, as they had a good 6 Nations tournament in 2013 whilst the Australian Wallabies have been battling for form of late. Italy should have the upperhand in the scrums and with enough go-forward ball could make it a long day for the Wallabies.
However, Australia still boast a classy backline and should take a win here with a scoreline close to 34-14.
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Match 3
England vs Argentina
Twickenham Stadium, London
09 November 2013
k/o: 14:30 (UK) / 16:30 (SA)
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Ben Foden, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Chris Robshaw (Captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 David Wilson, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Ben Morgan, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Toby Flood, 23 Alex Goode.
Argentina team: 15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Captain), 7 Julio Farias Cabello, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Maximiliano Bustos, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Marcos Ayerza
Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias, 17 Nahuel Lobo, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Benjamín Macome, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Gonzalo Tiesi, 23 Santiago Cordero.
This a hard one to call. Argentina have quite a few players playing club rugby in Europe so they will be used to the conditions. Argentina also has the ability to draw games out of the hat and can cause upsets with the right amount of go-forward ball. Having said that I still recon that England are just too good for Argentina.
These sides have met on 18 previous occasions with England having won 13, Argentina only 4 and there was 1 draw. England at Twickenham is a hard side to beat for any visiting team. So a win here for England is the most likely result with a scoreline close to 25-14.
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Match 4
Scotland vs Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
09 November 2013
k/o: 14:30 (UK) / 16:30 (SA)
Scotland: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Nick de Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 David Denton, 7 Kelly Brown (Captain), 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Al Dickinson, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Richie Gray, 20 John Barclay, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Duncan Taylor.
Japan: 15 Ayumu Goromar, 14 Toshiaki Hirose (Captain), 13 Male Sau, 12 Craig Wing, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Kosei Ono, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, 7 Michael Broadhurst, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Shinya Makabe, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Masataka Mikami
Replacements: 16 Yusuke Aoki, 17 Yusuke Nagae, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Hitoshi Ono, 20 Takashi Kikutani, 21 Atsushi Hiwasa, 22 Yu Tamura, 23 Yoshikazu Fujita
Japan showed a lot of heart last weekend when they took on the All Blacks, also displaying some good skills in the process. If the Scotts are too complacent before this match, we might see Japan run this game close. Scotland, who are not a powerhouse side in current world rugby should still be able to win this clash easily enough, with a scoreline close to 35-9.
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Match 5
Portugal vs Fiji
Estádio Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon
09 November 2013
k/o: 15:00 (UK) / 17:00 (SA)
These sides have only met once in history and the outcome was that Portugal beat Fiji. This should be a good game to watch, if possible, and I would not write off Portugal at all. I cannot give an accurate assessment for this clash, as they have only met once. A scoreline close to 26-17 with the winner undecided is how I would go on this one, it is however up to you to pick the winner.
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Match 6
Wales vs South Africa
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
09 November 2013
k/o: 17:30 (UK) / 19:30 (SA)
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (Captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 James Hook, 23 Ashley Beck.
South Africa: 15. Pat Lambie, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Francois Louw, 5. Flip van der Merwe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malberhe, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. JJ Engelbrecht, 23. Willie le Roux.
Wales have approached this match with a very bullish attitude, making a lot of claims and statements in the media, whilst the South African Springboks virtually kept mumm with silent diplomacy.
Wales are the current 6 Nations champions and boast a large number of British & Irish Lions test veterans, whereas South Africa is the current No 2 side in the IRB World rankings. So, this one will be good, it will be hard and most likely not be too pretty on a heavy yet dry field (the roof of Millennium Stadium will be closed for the occasion).
These sides have met 26 times, South Africa have recorded 24 wins over the solitary 1 by Wales and there was 1 draw. It is doubtful that this stat will change in favour of Wales on the weekend and South Africa should take this one with a scoreline close to 28-14.
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Match 7
Romania vs Tonga
Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
09 November 2013
k/o: 18:30 (EUROPE/BUDAPEST) / 19:30 (SA)
This will be the first time that these sides meet. To predict a score here is extremely speculative. Both sides are small in the world of rugby so this should make for quite an interesting clash. I have a hunch that Tonga should have the edge here and will most probably take this one by a close margin.
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Match 8
Ireland vs Samoa
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
09 November 2013
k/o: 17:45 (UK) / 19:45 (SA)
These sides have met 5 times in the past with Ireland leading the stats 4 to 1 over Samoa. This is a stat that will most probably not change soon as I recon Ireland will just be too good for Samoa on the day. As we have come to know the Samoans, this clash will be a proper 80 minute battle filled with a lot of traditional Samoan tackling and a lot of bumps and bruises. Ireland should however still take this one quite easily with a scoreline close to 34-19.
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Match 9
France vs New Zealand
Stade de France, Paris
09 November 2013
k/o: 20:00 (EUROPE/PARIS) / 22:00 (SA)
France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Maxime Medard, 10 Remi Tales, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Wenceslas Lauret, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (Captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Yannick Forestier.
Replacements: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20 Antonie Claassen, 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 Camille Lopez, 23 Gael Fickou.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ben Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Ryan Crotty.
If there is one team in the world who knows how to get under the All Blacks skins it is France. They have this habit of pulling a rabbit out of the hat when least expected. Having said that New Zealand is the No 1 side in the world for a reason, reigning supreme at this juncture and aiming for a perfect season.
These sides have met on 52 previous occasions with New Zealand winning 39 against the 12 by France and only 1 draw ever recorded. I recon the All Blacks will make it win number 40 this weekend with a scoreline close to 24-14.
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Match 10
USA vs New Zealand Maori
PPL Park, Pennsylvania
09 November 2013
k/o: 19:30 (US/CENTRAL) / Sunday 10 Nov 03:30 (SA)
United States Eagles: 15 Adam Siddal, 14 Luke Hume, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Tim Maupin, 10 Toby L’Estrange, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Cameron Dolan, 7 Peter Dahl, 6 Todd Clever (Captain), 5 Tai Tuisamoa, 4 Scott LaValla, 3 Shawn Pittman, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Nick Wallace.
Replacements: 16 Zach Fenoglio, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Olive Kilifi, 19 Graham Harriman, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Shaun Davies, 22 Zach Pangelinan, 23 Folau Niua.
New Zealand Maori: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Kurt Baker, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Tim Bateman (Captain), 11 Matt Proctor, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Shane Christie, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Kane Hames.
Replacements: 16 Joe Royal, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Nick Barrett, 19 Luke Katene, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Jackson Willison, 23 Zac Guildford.
With only 2 matches ever recorded between these sides and both won by the Maoris, this will be a long day for the USA. It is highly unlikely that the USA will record a win here. The Maoris should take this clash quite easily with a score line close to 70-25.
Samoan team to play Ireland – Samoa: 15 Fa’atoina Autagavaia, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 George Pisi, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Brando Va’aulu, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i (captain); 8 Taiasina Tu’ifua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Fa’atiga Lemalu, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements : 16 Ti’i Paulo, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 James Johnston, 19 Iosefa Tekori, 20 Alafoti Fa’osiliva, 21 Jeremy Su’a, Isaia Tu’ifua, 22 Fautua Otto.
30 @ Just For Kicks:
Funny that JFK thanks for the link, someone in Wales has too much time on their hands
@ superBul:
Farkit, maar daai drie van John Kirwin laat my mond altyd oophang.
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