End Of Year Tours - 2013Round 5 of the End Of Year Tours is the last Round of the tour and also signals the end of the Southern Hemisphere season as well as the welcome rest period for Southern Hemisphere teams.

This weekend does not see quite as much rugby, compared to to the previous 4 Rounds as it only has 2 matches, but it is going to be two great clashes. Any weekend with rugby is all in all still a good weekend.

Here are some head to head statistics and predictions.

 

Here’s a Preview of the weekend’s matches:

Barbarians RugbyFijiMatch 1

Barbarians vs Fiji

Twickenham, London
30 November 2013
k/o: 14:30  (Local) / 16:30 (SA)

Barbarians: 15 Santiago Cordera, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Gavin Williams, 12 Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 T J Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Mick O’Driscoll, 3 Matias Diaz, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Guillermo Ruan, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Willie le Roux.

Fiji – possible: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Sammy Speight, 13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 12 Nemani Nadolo Nasiganiyavi, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Serenaia Bai, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (Captain), 6 Malakai Ravulo, 5 Apisai Naikatini, 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 3 Setefano Somoca, 2 Seremaia Namaralevu, 1 Jereremaia Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Peni Ravai, 17 Campese Ma’afu, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Sam Matavesi, 20 Nemani Nagusa, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Waisea Luveniyali, 23 Malakai Bakaniceva.

The teams have played once, with Fiji the winner.

The previous result will have absolutely no effect on this clash, as the last time they met was way back in 1970, with a final score of 29-9. It is always going to difficult to pick a winner when the Barbarians play, they only gather for a few days or at most a week before they play, so we can only measure them by which players are picked to represent them for the specific game. In this case the Barbarians have selected quite an impressive side, full of Springboks and All Blacks. The other thing we know regarding Fiji is that they are not in the best form in 2013.

This should still make for a very entertaining clash. I feel that the Barbarians will just have too much talent and should beat Fiji quite easily by no less than 20 points, maybe much more.

 

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WalesAustraliaMatch 2

Wales vs Australia

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
30 November 2013
k/o: 17:00 (Local) / 19:00 (SA)

Wales Team: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Williams, 12 Scott Williams, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (Captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Rhodri Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Liam Williams.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Christian Leali’ifano, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben Mowen (Captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements:16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Dave Dennis, 21 Nic White, 22 Mike Harris, 23 Bernard Foley.

These teams have played 36 times, with Australia winning 25 and Wales only 10 and with 1 draw back in 2006.

Australia has been lacking form this year but seems as though they have turned it around somewhat on this tour up north and have finally started clicking as a team under Ewen McKenzie. Wales on the other hand have had quite a good season. Picking a winner here is no easy task.

Since 1996 these sides have met 18 times with Wales only managing two wins (2005 & 2008) and a draw. Under current circumstances these sides are quite evenly matched. I do feel that the Wallabies have a point to prove and would also like to regain some pride after a poor season. So, my pick will go to the Wallabies for a win – with a scoreline close to 23-15.

One Response to End Of Year Tours: Round 5 – Head to Head

  • 1

    I think the Barbarians are going to rip Fiji a new arse on Saturday… could get monster ugly!

    Fiji will be spirited and will initially hold the Barbarians… and the Barbarians should maybe be a bit too relaxed and partied out when the game starts, but the quality in the team will see them rout Fijieventually.

    Bloody difficult pick between Wales & Wallabies… will have to go make my sums before I pick on Bru… don’t want to slip from 1st on the last hurdle!

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