Autumn Internationals 2018 Other Teams

[neill_m]

All Times Irish Time

Japan 28-31 World XV
New Zealand 37-20 Australia
Portugal 29-29 Germany
Dragons A 28-24 Hong Kong
Oxford University 20-26 Canada
Crawshays RFC 24-35 Hong Kong
Wales 21-10 Scotland
England 12-11 South Africa
Ireland 54-7 Italy
Japan 31-69 New Zealand
Romania A 36-5 Kenya
USA 22-59 Māori All Blacks
Coventry 12-35 Canada
Cardiff Blues A 45-21 Uruguay

9 November

19:30 Ulster A v Uruguay

10 November

14:00 Italy v Georgia Free Sports / Eir Sport 1
14:30 Scotland v Fiji BBC 1
15:00 England v New Zealand Sky Sports
17:20 Wales v Australia BBC 2
18:30 Ireland v Argentina Channel 4
20:05 France v South Africa Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2

11:00 Russia v Namibia
15:00 French Barbarians v Tonga
17:30 United States v Samoa
22:00 Brazil v Maori All Blacks

16 November

19:30 Dragons v Russia

17 November

14:00 Italy v Australia Premier Sports
14:30 Wales v Tonga BBC
15:00 England v Japan Sky Sports
17:20 Scotland v South Africa BBC
19:00 Ireland v New Zealand Channel 4
20:05 France v Argentina Premier Sports

12:00 Romania v United States
13:00 Uruguay v Fiji
14:00 Georgia v Samoa
14:45 Spain v Namibia
19:00 Chile v Māori All Blacks

24 November

14:00 Italy v New Zealand Premier Sports
14:30 Scotland v Argentina BBC
15:00 England v Australia Sky Sports
17:20 Wales v South Africa BBC
18:30 Ireland v United States Channel 4
20:05 France v Fiji Premier Sports

12:00 Romania v Uruguay
14:00 Georgia v Tonga
14:05 Japan v Russia
14:45 Spain v Samoa
15:00 Portugal v Namibia

1 December

14:30 Barbarians v Argentina BBC

[Ruckedtobits]

So, great line-up of games today and a prediction of outcomes:

Eng v NZ - NZ by +15 points
Fr v SA - SA by +3
Ire v Arg - Ire by +10
Wal v Aus - Wal by +6
Scot v Fiji - Scot by +15
It v Geor - It by 12+

Upsets will occur and possibly most likely in Wal v Aus as Cheika's head may be on the block and his players may feel they are playing for his future.

[Ruckedtobits]

Possibly the most genuinely competitive contest is already showing real bite after 10 minutes as Italy ( ranked 14th) trail Georgia (ranked 13th). Georgia lead by 3-7 after 15 mins and are showing serious intent that they deserve a shot in the 6N tournament.

[fourthirtythree]

Bit of an upset on the cards at Twickenham....

[paddyor]

Farrell having a bit of a mare, dg aside.

[TerenureJim]

Possibly the most genuinely competitive contest is already showing real bite after 10 minutes as Italy ( ranked 14th) trail Georgia (ranked 13th). Georgia lead by 3-7 after 15 mins and are showing serious intent that they deserve a shot in the 6N tournament.

Remind me again of the gdp, population and political status of Georgia in comparison to Italy? Germany, Canada or USA are more likely contenders to join the 6N

[Ruckedtobits]

An early start with huge anticipation of our game tonight but, there are lots more games also:

Eng v Japan: Eng +12 pts;
It v Aus: Aus +7 pts;
Wal v Tonga: Wal +10 pts;
Scot v SA: Draw;
Fr v Arg; Fr+8
Ire v NZ; Ire +5.

No complete mis-matches as some home teams seek to expand their playing depth in what is, essentially, World Cup season. Australia and S Africa would love to bring their seasons towards a close, on a winning note but Townsend will certainly have targeted the Springbok game as his biggest scalp this November, whilst Conor O'Shea's Squad just could come closest to creating a big upset during this Autumn Series.

The Irish game is clearly the one which will attract the biggest neutral audience across the NH and the 5 point advantage for the home side is more a reflection of desire than analysis. But we travel in hope and the day has dawned. No more sleeps, so good luck to the Squad and Management. You can do it, if you take 66% of your try-scoring chances.

[Ruckedtobits]

BTW, in the other "most important game" this weekend, the Canadians should come home 15 points or more ahead of Mike Ford's Germany. Despite some of the UK media's hype of Ford's impact on our European neighbours, the Canadians have played many more important games at this level against teams like the Eagles & Uruguay to let this one slip between their fingers.

[Oldschool]

An early start with huge anticipation of our game tonight but, there are lots more games also:

Eng v Japan: Eng +12 pts;
It v Aus: Aus +7 pts;
Wal v Tonga: Wal +10 pts;
Scot v SA: Draw;
Fr v Arg; Fr+8
Ire v NZ; Ire +5.

No complete mis-matches as some home teams seek to expand their playing depth in what is, essentially, World Cup season. Australia and S Africa would love to bring their seasons towards a close, on a winning note but Townsend will certainly have targeted the Springbok game as his biggest scalp this November, whilst Conor O'Shea's Squad just could come closest to creating a big upset during this Autumn Series.

The Irish game is clearly the one which will attract the biggest neutral audience across the NH and the 5 point advantage for the home side is more a reflection of desire than analysis. But we travel in hope and the day has dawned. No more sleeps, so good luck to the Squad and Management. You can do it, if you take 66% of your try-scoring chances.

Your predictions were spot on last weekend.
Here's hoping!

[paddyor]

BTW, in the other "most important game" this weekend, the Canadians should come home 15 points or more ahead of Mike Ford's Germany. Despite some of the UK media's hype of Ford's impact on our European neighbours, the Canadians have played many more important games at this level against teams like the Eagles & Uruguay to let this one slip between their fingers.

Plus Mr Capri Sun pulled all his players from the German team after a dispute with the German union so they're back to being cr@p.

[neill_m]

All Times Irish Time

Japan 28-31 World XV
New Zealand 37-20 Australia
Portugal 29-29 Germany
Dragons A 28-24 Hong Kong
Oxford University RFC 20-26 Canada
Crawshays RFC 24-35 Hong Kong
Wales 21-10 Scotland
England 12-11 South Africa
Japan 31-69 New Zealand
Romania A 36-5 Kenya
USA 22-59 Māori All Blacks
Coventry RFC 12-35 Canada
Cardiff Blues A 45-21 Uruguay
Ulster A 21-5 Uruguay
Italy 28-17 Georgia
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand
Wales 9-6 Australia
France 26-29 South Africa
Russia 47-20 Namibia
French Barbarians 38-49 Tonga
United States 30-29 Samoa
Brazil 3-35 Maori All Blacks
Germany 26-9 Hong Kong
Canada 65-19 Kenya
Dragons 38-24 Russia
Italy 7-26 Australia
Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Scotland 20-26 South Africa
France 28-13 Argentina
Romania 5-31 United States
Hong Kong 42-17 Kenya
Uruguay 7-68 Fiji
Georgia 27-19 Samoa
Spain 34-13 Namibia
Canada 29-10 Germany
Chile 0-73 Māori All Blacks

23 November

17:00 Kenya v Germany
20:00 Hong Kong v Canada

24 November

14:00 Italy v New Zealand Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2
14:30 Scotland v Argentina BBC1
15:00 England v Australia Sky Sports
17:20 Wales v South Africa BBC2
20:05 France v Fiji Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2

12:00 Romania v Uruguay
14:00 Georgia v Tonga
14:05 Japan v Russia
14:45 Spain v Samoa
15:00 Portugal v Namibia

1 December

14:30 Barbarians v Argentina BBC

[Peg Leg]

24 November

14:00 Italy v New Zealand Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2
14:30 Scotland v Argentina BBC1
15:00 England v Australia Sky Sports
17:20 Wales v South Africa BBC2
20:05 France v Fiji Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2

The middle 3 are a cracking batch of fixtures, with each of the 6 expecting to win here.
I think I'll record sco v arg, watch the colonial clash, record Wales v Munster.

[Oldschool]

24 November

14:00 Italy v New Zealand Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2
14:30 Scotland v Argentina BBC1
15:00 England v Australia Sky Sports
17:20 Wales v South Africa BBC2
20:05 France v Fiji Premier Sports 1 / Eir Sport 2

The middle 3 are a cracking batch of fixtures, with each of the 6 expecting to win here.
I think I'll record sco v arg, watch the colonial clash, record Wales v Munster.

Surely Wales v PFKAM.

[Peg Leg]

Or CFKASA?

[Ruckedtobits]

There were three fixtures last weekend worthy of World Cup quarter-final status.

SA snuck past Scotland, who conceded 14 soft points before they opened their account and then inexplicably turned down a penalty to equalize at 23-23. Scotland could have won this game but momentum is with the Springboks at present and confidence comes from success.

France played a second SH team in a row, Argentina, and showed some exquisite back play in what was a rehearsal of the opening game in next September's World Cup. Argentina found it difficult to cope with the French scrum but their young pack never backed down in a very physical encounter won by the French by 28-13.

Ireland's performance against NZ was intense, with unflagging defensive pressure which refused to yield a try to their opponents and caused the men in black to look mortal with knock-ons and other uncharacteristic errors.

All three games were played in fairly benign conditions - the French game in Lille was under a closed roof - but all three were played in Northern Hemisphere style. There were prolonged scrum contests, driving mauls, attacking box kicks, heavily populated rucks at breakdowns, breakdown turnovers and even drop goal attempts. All three contests were pulsating, competitive, games hallmarked by very evident levels of fitness and physical preparation. Skill levels were high throughout and these international games were clearly a step above the recent European fare.

On the evidence to date, it looks like the best in both hemispheres are now at their closest for perhaps a decade and a half. Australia look the weakest of the antipodeans, but are not far away from being real challengers with a big muscular set of backs. Wales are on a two-season unbeaten streak and Gatland looks like he has unearthed further new talent from the valleys to produce a very competitive Squad. Scotland Coach Townsend has improved each facet of their game and is now waiting for the time when it all comes together.

As for England, who knows? The country, with the most players by a distance, appear to have as many flaws with their coaching staff as with their administrative officials. But their first-quarter performance against NZ demonstrated that power, pace and size can be impossible to oppose. They may have made a large financial loss and suffered the resignation of their Chief Executive, whilst being led by a Head Coach who behaves like a buffoon, but the reality is that their team can never be ignored when they are at anything like full strength.

So, eleven months away from RWC19, at least nine teams can claim to have realistic chances of claiming at least a semi-final berth. NZ, Ireland, SA, France, Wales, England, Australia, Argentina and Scotland all have legitimate reasons to believe they can come through their Pool games to claim a quarter-final spot. Each of their Head Coaches believes that they can beat any of the other contenders in a one-off knock-out game.

When you add in the prospect that Italy, Fiji, Samoa and possibly Japan could claim an upset win against almost any of the top eight contenders in the Pool stages, its clear that RWC19 is looking like the most competitive World Cup tournament ever.

And we all know who Steve Hanson considers to be the favorites for that competition........

[Oldschool]

There were three fixtures last weekend worthy of World Cup quarter-final status.

SA snuck past Scotland, who conceded 14 soft points before they opened their account and then inexplicably turned down a penalty to equalize at 23-23. Scotland could have won this game but momentum is with the Springboks at present and confidence comes from success.

France played a second SH team in a row, Argentina, and showed some exquisite back play in what was a rehearsal of the opening game in next September's World Cup. Argentina found it difficult to cope with the French scrum but their young pack never backed down in a very physical encounter won by the French by 28-13.

Ireland's performance against NZ was intense, with unflagging defensive pressure which refused to yield a try to their opponents and caused the men in black to look mortal with knock-ons and other uncharacteristic errors.

All three games were played in fairly benign conditions - the French game in Lille was under a closed roof - but all three were played in Northern Hemisphere style. There were prolonged scrum contests, driving mauls, attacking box kicks, heavily populated rucks at breakdowns, breakdown turnovers and even drop goal attempts. All three contests were pulsating, competitive, games hallmarked by very evident levels of fitness and physical preparation. Skill levels were high throughout and these international games were clearly a step above the recent European fare.

On the evidence to date, it looks like the best in both hemispheres are now at their closest for perhaps a decade and a half. Australia look the weakest of the antipodeans, but are not far away from being real challengers with a big muscular set of backs. Wales are on a two-season unbeaten streak and Gatland looks like he has unearthed further new talent from the valleys to produce a very competitive Squad. Scotland Coach Townsend has improved each facet of their game and is now waiting for the time when it all comes together.

As for England, who knows? The country, with the most players by a distance, appear to have as many flaws with their coaching staff as with their administrative officials. But their first-quarter performance against NZ demonstrated that power, pace and size can be impossible to oppose. They may have made a large financial loss and suffered the resignation of their Chief Executive, whilst being led by a Head Coach who behaves like a buffoon, but the reality is that their team can never be ignored when they are at anything like full strength.

So, eleven months away from RWC19, at least nine teams can claim to have realistic chances of claiming at least a semi-final berth. NZ, Ireland, SA, France, Wales, England, Australia, Argentina and Scotland all have legitimate reasons to believe they can come through their Pool games to claim a quarter-final spot. Each of their Head Coaches believes that they can beat any of the other contenders in a one-off knock-out game.

When you add in the prospect that Italy, Fiji, Samoa and possibly Japan could claim an upset win against almost any of the top eight contenders in the Pool stages, its clear that RWC19 is looking like the most competitive World Cup tournament ever.

And we all know who Steve Hanson considers to be the favorites for that competition........

Foinavon won the Grand National at 100/1 (I know virtually nothing about horse racing and have even less interest but I usually watched the GN back in the day).
Point is, it happens.
You are right tho', the gap between the top nine teams has tightened (IRB points notwithstanding) and there are a few banana skins lurking too.

[Fan with smartphone]

All blacks pick Fifita at 6, Naholo on one wing and Jordie Barrett on the other for the Italy match. They only have a handful of test left before the World Cup.

[neill_m]

How the bookies see it (based on the even money handicap bet):

Italy +34 points v NZ
Scotland -8 points v Argentina
England -9 points v Australia
Wales -2 points v South Africa
France -18 points v Fiji

[Ruckedtobits]

How the bookies see it (based on the even money handicap bet):

Italy +34 points v NZ
Scotland -8 points v Argentina
England -9 points v Australia
Wales -2 points v South Africa
France -18 points v Fiji

Think Italy v NZ will be closer but still NZ win. The middle three require a bit more team analysis before a prediction. Fr v Fiji could be the entertainment of the weekend.

[FLIP]

Fiji beat France 21-14. Surprisingly little talk about it