Round 2 sees the reverse fixtures from the opening round, and only one of the matches looks tough to predict.
New Zealand v Australia
Dear oh dear, the Wallabies were dreadful last week, thrashed at home and now have to play the same team away. Surely there’s only one team that can win it, so the question is by how much. Can they improve on the 34-point deficit racked up in Sydney?
The All Blacks have had a few injuries to contend with, but can call on Julian Savea on the wing, and debutant Anton Lienert-Brown, who will no doubt be awesome.
Quade Cooper starts at fly-half for the Wobblies, with Bernard Foley shifting to inside centre in the wake of Matt Giteau’s injury, and Scott Fardy returns in the back row, but it’s not going to make much difference.
My Prediction: NEW ZEALAND to beat Australia by 33
The average SuperBru pick is New Zealand by 20, Bob Skinstad has picked New Zealand by 19, and Paddy Power also has NZ by 19.
Argentina v South Africa
The Boks were nearly caught out in Nelspruit last week, but finished strongly to win by 7. The continuity of selection will do them good, with just one enforced change at prop, and as the side begins to gel, they should cut out some of the errors that kept their progress in check last weekend.
The Pumas were much better than I expected last weekend, raising their game for the international stage, and they’ll be targeting victories in their home games in this tournament – they’ll fancy this one, but I think the Boks will get it together and win.
My Prediction: SOUTH AFRICA to beat Argentina by 6
The average SuperBru pick is SA by 5, Bob Skinstad picked SA by 1, and Paddy Power has SA by 4.
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Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
It should be close but I fancy Argentina to bag this one.
Hourcade has the Pumas performing way above that of the Jaguares and we have seen that the players are capable of lifting their game when playing for their country. The Saffa selections still baffle me and I don’t fancy Oupa’s chances of putting in two big performances in a row
Agree with Leon about the SA Arg game. Would also personally like to see the Pumas win a few this year.
As for Aus NZ. A 10/12 combo of Foley and Cooper has to be one of the worst defensive midfields of modern times. Given they have also dropped Kuridrani (who whilst he had an awful game in attack, was one of their best defenders) for the twice-capped Kerevi, this could be an utter disaster.
Plus Aus still haven’t sorted out their lack of power in the back row or their line out issues.
Kiwis to put 50 points on the scoreboard. Cooper to get booed by the Kiwi crowd and let it get to him. Every single Kiwi player to make a clean break through the mid-field.
100% Pablito
Pumas at home to Boks, surely they’ll pull a few tries out of the bag.
And couldn’t have said anything more about the Bledisloe Cup game. HAHA