The Rugby Championship kicks off Saturday when Australia host the All Blacks in Sydney.

The New Zealand All Blacks are on a run of 17 wins and could set the record for the most successive Test wins for a Tier 1 nation, should they win.

None of the current Wallaby squad has ever held the Bledisloe Cup, Australia has last won that in 2003.

We will see on Saturday whether the Warratahs winning Super Rugby this year will have any impact on the Test match, specially considering that they won on the same ground against the Crusaders who have a host of players who are in the All Blacks team, including captain Richie McCaw.

The Australians have been hard hit by injuries, specially at hooker and Ewen McKenzie has pulled a huge surprise by selecting Kurtley Beale at flyhalf in place of Bernard Foley.

Later on Saturday the Springboks start their campaign against the Argentinian Pumas at Loftus Versveld, Pretoria, and Heyneke Meyer has gone for a nice blend of experience and youth. Handré Pollard to start ahead of Morne Steyn, Damian de Allende to make his Test debut and Lood de Jager starting at No 5 lock, are some of the more adventurous picks by Meyer.

The Springboks need to get a full house with the 4 try bonus point to capatilize on an easier start than their other mainstream rivals.

The New Zealand All Blacks will always chase 4 tries, but whether they will manage that against an improved Australian Wallabies side in Sydney is debatable. Maybe they will just be happy with a win and the world record of 18 consecutive Test wins?

Round 2 of the ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division is also being played this weekend, with the Cell C Sharks hosting the Steval Pumas in Durban on Friday evening. The Vodacom Blue Bulls travel to Newlands to face DHL Western Province and GWK Griquas play their neighbours the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. The EP Kings travel to Jo’burg to face the Xerox Golden Lions, a feat more dangerous than travelling to Jo’burg and doing shopping in Hillbrow.

Last week the Free State Cheetahs losing to the Pumas tripped most SuperBru players up ( and of course the Blue Blood Bull supporters who still picked with their hearts ) and that meant only 6 out of 75 players in the Rugby-Talk Currie Cup 2014 Pool on SuperBru managed the GSP.

Snoek and mself are both on 6.5 points (when SuperBru saw that Snoek supports the Cell C Sharks, they felt sorry for him and thus he got the yellow cap as a belated consolation for his side being pummeled in Christchurch and of course I’m always willing to be the lesser man, mostly because I am and had no objections). Only kidding of course, well done Snoek, wear the yellow cap with pride… congratulations!

In 3rd place on 6.25 is Henniek, closely followed by Lions4ever and Jaco 007 on 6 points. All three of them are Golden Lions supporters, so it would seem the Lions do move in a pack.

The 6th player to get the GSP is positioned, not unlike his team, at the bottom of the GSP winners. Well done to MacroBull with his haul of 5.5 points.

I’m not going to post the full reviews, and will merely concentrate of the scores to make things easier to read, but you are welcome to check out the sources for the full write ups.

Also, I will try to update the picks as I come across more opinions, so pop in and see if the post has been updated since your last visit.

Let’s take a look at what all those experts, bookies and pundits have decided will happen this weekend, good luck and may the results go your way. First up will be the predictions for the Rugby Championship followed by Round 2 of the ABSA Currie Cup.

Feel free to post your scores, thoughts and predictions in the comments section.

 

The Rugby Championship:

My picks for the Rugby Championship:

I said earlier this year already that I believe that the Wallabies will win the Test in Sydney, yet I just could not get myself to back them against the All Blacks. What concerns me is I also said the Waratahs will win Super Rugby, but when the Final came, I picked the Crusaders. Will the same happen tomorrow?

I went All Blacks by 4

The Bokke should have no problem at Loftus, and my pick for the Springboks by 32, might even be considered conservative.

 

The predictions from the SARugbymag team

SOUTH AFRICA vs ARGENTINA

Mark Keohane: South Africa by 20
Jon Cardinelli: South Africa by 25
Gary Lemke: South Africa by 21
Brenton Chelin: South Africa by 22
Simon Borchardt: South Africa by 15

 

AUSTRALIA vs NEW ZEALAND

Mark Keohane: Australia by 7
Jon Cardinelli: New Zealand by 7
Gary Lemke: New Zealand by 6
Brenton Chelin: New Zealand by 4
Simon Borchardt: Australia by 3

 

Next up we have the predictions from Tank Lanning, the SuperBru community and the bookies at Oddschecker

Tank’s prediction: NEW ZEALAND to beat Australia by 9
Superbru community: NEW ZEALAND to beat Australia by 5
Oddschecker: NEW ZEALAND (3/5) to beat Australia (7/4)

Tank’s prediction: SOUTH AFRICA to beat Argentina by 32
Superbru community: SOUTH AFRICA to beat Argentina by 17
Oddschecker: SOUTH AFRICA (1/33) to beat Argentina (20/1)

 

Planet Rugby

Australia vs New Zealand

They feel that the Wallabies will pip the All Blacks in the first test.

Ones to watch:

For Australia: The surprise selection of the week came from Ewen McKenzie as the stand-out fly-half from Super Rugby, Bernard Foley, was dropped for Kurtley Beale. While Beale was also excellent for the Waratahs, it was in the twelve jersey as Foley was orchestrating matters. Of course dropping Matt Toomua would have been a huge call but either way, the pressure is on Beale to prove McKenzie right. Also keep an eye on Sam Carter, whose hard work around the field on debut in June and for the Brumbies earns him a deserved start.

For New Zealand: Last year’s top try-scorer Ben Smith retains the number fifteen jersey after a strong June as Israel Dagg misses out altogether, with Beauden Barrett the man covering both fly-half and full-back off the bench. Smith was a lethal finisher on the wing in 2013 but now in his preferred position, expect him to show all the strings to his bow both in defence and attack. He’s a special player. Kieran Read is of course another to monitor as he will mix the ugly work with dashes of brilliance out wide where wing Julian Savea usually profits.

Head-to-head: We look at the two hookers for this one as Nathan Charles rockets up the Wallaby pecking order to face Dane Coles. Charles, starting in the absence of Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau who are nursing respective injuries, gets the nod ahead of James Hanson and like he’s done for the past two Super Rugby seasons, will give a good account of himself in all areas. Coles meanwhile is looking to bounce back from a slightly disappointing June against England duo Rob Webber and Dylan Hartley but when on song the busy Hurricanes front-row is an outstanding player up front and around the park.

Recent results:

2013: New Zealand won 41-33 in Dunedin
2013: New Zealand won 27-16 in Wellington
2013: New Zealand won 47-29 in Sydney
2012: 18-18 in Brisbane
2012: New Zealand won 22-0 in Auckland
2012: New Zealand won 27-19 in Sydney
2011: New Zealand won 20-6 in Auckland
2011: Australia won 25-20 in Brisbane
2011: New Zealand won 30-14 in Auckland
2010: Australia won 26-24 in Hong Kong
2010: New Zealand won 23-22 in Sydney
2010: New Zealand won 20-10 in Christchurch
2010: New Zealand won 49-28 in Melbourne

Prediction: The Wallabies could well sneak this one in Sydney.

Australia by 3 points!

 

As for the Springboks vs Pumas

Ones to Watch:

For South Africa: Against a competitive back-row unit, the Springboks need their breakdown specialist to rise to the fore. Stand up Bath flanker Francois Louw, whose excellence is almost underrated in the world game. So adept on his feet, Louw will get help from the rest of his pack, especially Bismarck du Plessis, but is the main man to limit Argentina’s possession and help get the Boks attacking on turnover ball with their exciting backline.

For Argentina: Over the last few years it’s felt like El Mago has run out of magic. Having hit such great heights earlier in his career, especially at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, we expect more from Juan Martín Hernández. He hasn’t influenced a Test in years. He hasn’t looked anywhere near his best for too long. The game’s top players deliver consistently, something which Hernández has failed to do. Now he is charged with emulating Contepomi’s creativity from inside centre – his job being to fire the Pumas backs into life. It’s a high demand. There is no questioning his talent, but we haven’t been wowed by Hernández for some time. It would be a great pity for him to never do that again.

Head to Head: The number nines. Fast ball unlocks defences, but you don’t need to tell Ruan Pienaar that because the whole of South Africa will be jumping on his back if his delivery doesn’t clock into the nanoseconds. A King in Europe but maligned in his homeland, Pienaar plays smart but against a Pumas team that wants a territorial scrap, the key is to get wide and quickly.

What Argentina need is solidity and secure ball, which is where the onus falls on Martín Landajo. His combination with Sánchez continues to improve but it’s his kicking game, especially when Argentina are under pressure, that will prove vital. The best Argentinian number nine since Agustín Pichot, Landajo with over 30 caps is no longer a rookie. He has to kick on.

Previous Results:

2013: South Africa won 22-17 in Mendoza
2013: South Africa won 73-13 in Soweto
2012: Drew 16-16 in Mendoza
2012: South Africa won 27-6 in Cape Town
2008: South Africa won 63-9 in Johannesburg
2007: South Africa won 37-13 in Paris (RWC)
2005: South Africa won 34-23 in Buenos Aires
2004: South Africa won 39-7 in Buenos Aires
2003: South Africa won 26-25 in Port Elizabeth
2002: South Africa won 49-29 in Springs
2000: South Africa won 37-33 in Buenos Aires
1996: South Africa won 44-21 in Buenos Aires
1996: South Africa won 46-15 in Buenos Aires
1994: South Africa won 46-26 in Johannesburg

Prediction: The Boks have the cohesion and ability to subdue Argentina’s pack while their backs won’t squander too many chances. We hope it will be closer than last year’s fixture on South African soil, but this is a tough opening for Argentina in a competition with no easy games.

South Africa by 18.

 

The Bowl Philosophy

Wallabies vs All Blacks Prediction: All Blacks by 5-12

Springboks vs Pumas Prediction: Bokke by 20-27

 

Rugby365

Australia vs New Zealand

Prediction: This is a Test of records – New Zealand chasing that much-talked about world record for most consecutive wins (18) and Australia trying to end a decade-long Bledisloe Cup drought. The trans-Tasman baiting this week suggest there is a lot of additional feeling in what is always a spicy encounter. Given that the All Blacks are unbeaten in their last seven games against the Wallabies (Australia’s last win was in fact back in 2011) there will be a good measure of desperation Down Under. New Zealand are also on a record 12-match winning run in the Rugby Championship and no other nation in the Southern Hemisphere championship (including the Tri-Nations) has won more than five in a row. New Zealand also have won their last four Tests against the Wallabies in Sydney, with their last defeat coming in July 2008 (19-34). However, records are made to be broken and the fact that the Wallabies are on a seven-Test winning streak means they have great form and a good measure of confidence. However, given the expected weather conditions – which include heavy rain – we feel the All Blacks will have the composure to sneak a win and claim the world record as their own – although it will be by less than 10 points

 

South Africa vs Argentina

Prediction: If the Springboks knuckle down they could just be too forceful and too fast for the Pumas and win by 15 points or more.

 

CURRIE CUP (Round 2)

My predictions

For the Currie Cup round 2, I don’t think there will be any “surprises” and think the home teams will do the business this weekend.

Sharks by 11
Cheetahs by 5
Lions by 18
WP by 8

 

The predictions from the bunch at SARugbymag

SHARKS vs PUMAS

Mark Keohane: Sharks by 15
Jon Cardinelli: Sharks by 5
Gary Lemke: Sharks by 12
Brenton Chelin: Sharks by 12
Simon Borchardt: Sharks by 3

 

WESTERN PROVINCE vs BLUE BULLS

Mark Keohane: Western Province by 15
Jon Cardinelli: Western Province by 7
Gary Lemke: Western Province by 11
Brenton Chelin: Western Province by 13
Simon Borchardt: Western Province by 8

 

GOLDEN LIONS vs EP KINGS

Mark Keohane: Golden Lions by 20
Jon Cardinelli: Golden Lions by 15
Gary Lemke: Golden Lions by 18
Brenton Chelin: Golden Lions by 17
Simon Borchardt: Golden Lions by 8

 

FREE STATE CHEETAHS vs GRIQUAS

Mark Keohane: Free State Cheetahs by 10
Jon Cardinelli: Griquas by 5
Gary Lemke: Griquas by 3
Brenton Chelin: Free State Cheetahs by 10
Simon Borchardt: Griquas by 5

 

Next up we have the predictions from Rugby365

Sharks vs Pumas

Prediction: It is always a tough one when the bigger unions play the minnows because it becomes an exercise of heart versus depth. The Sharks are flexing their depth with Pat Lambie on the bench and the ability to call on a number of experienced and skilled players. For the Pumas, they have shown they have massive amounts of heart in beating the Cheetahs, but it may be a bridge to far when they face the Sharks in Durban.

Sharks by 10

 

WP vs Blue Bulls

Prediction: Looking at the recent results, there is a clear pattern that develops – the home team predominantly wins. This obviously bodes well for WP who have stated that they were suffering from rust against the Kings – but still managed the win. They now return to Cape Town to face the Bulls who have also stated that the two away games at the start will be tough obstacles to overcome. The Bulls will want to try and use their consistency and star quality as soon as possible, but it may be a stretch to overcome their hammering at the hands of the Lions.

WP by seven.

 

Golden Lions vs EP Kings

Prediction: The Lions have set the tone for their season early one and seem like one of the only major unions that are carry some sort of good form from the Super Rugby campaign. They look well structured and sure in themselves as if there has been no break in their play. On the other hand, the Kings, even with the longest time to prepare, still look a little match-shy – but it is clear coach Carlo Spencer is trying to remedy that but sticking to his selection guns. In the end, it may still be a little to early in the season for the Kings to be firing at 100 percent so expect the Lions to continue where they left off.

Lions by 14 points

 

FS Cheetahs vs Griquas

Prediction: The recent results do not make good reading for Griquas fans with the Cheetahs dominating all but one of the past eight encounters – be it home or away. Although both teams will be looking to bounce back after their respective defeats it seems that the odds will be more stacked against the Griquas. Once again, it is a bigger union against a smaller one with the big guys at home – with returning players to bolster them. For the Griquas, they may have done fantastically well in the qualifying rounds, but this step up seems to have daunted the diamond-miners.

Cheetahs by 8.

 

From the RugbyBlog

Western Province by 12.
Sharks vs Pumas: Sharks by 15
Cheetahs vs Griquas: Cheetahs by 4
Lions vs Eastern Province Kings: Lions by 25

Further Currie Cup predictions, this time fro Planet Rugby

Sharks to win by 12 points!