It feels like the Argetina vs All Blacks match will almost go unnoticed this weekend, but since South Africa has struggled to beat the Argies at home and coming very close to losing. I really hope that the the Pumas can create an ups et.
My problem is rather a possible upset by the Aussies over the Springboks. Unlike others who only watch parts of games - and watch what they want to see - I watch whole games.
Let me explain. Before the issue of the yellow card and penalty try in the Soweto test - there was not much difference between the Springboks and Argentina in the Soweto test. That incident was followed by a brilliant kick by Willie le Roux - which led to the Engelbrecht try. Being playing with 14 men virtually the full second half - the Springboks went for the kill and the result was a runaway victory.
In the case of the match in Mendoza the situation was turned around and we were bloody lucky to win that match being outscored by two tries to one. We struggled throughout the match and was not at all convincing.
In the case of the Brisbane test - the match could have gone either way - up to about 15 minutes before the end of play when the try of De Villiers got scored. That was followed by two more tries as a result of the brilliance of Le Roux. OK it was a convincing win - but the collapse of the Aussies late in the game was clear.
What will happen in the test tomorrow. If the Wallabies can stay in touch or managed to go clear of the Springboks - like the Pumas did in Mendoza - there might be an upset. That is really what worries me. I still predict a Springbok win - but by a narrow margin. Am a bit worried about the issue though.
Now for the All Black game. I think they should win with ease - but they are going to have to outplay the Argentine forwards. They can do that by taking the ball wide all the time. I cannot see how there could be a upset in this case. Last year the Pumas did give the All Blacks some problems in the first match - but the All Blacks won the subsequent test in Argentina with ease and got a bonus point of the game as well - so I suspect much more of the same tomorrow .
Ceradyne
History means nothing in matches - it is what happens on the field of play that s affecting match outcomes.
Please brother bueno don't compare us to the hapless bok team that almost lost in Argentina if not for the sympathetic kiwi ref that saved their bacon.
The Argentinians literally feasted on you and face it, Etzabeth should have been carded for a dangerous tackle.
It would'nt have been the first time that Argentina had beaten you though.
Such an undisciplined side you have and then you cry about losing players. Funny az.
The record loss of the Wallabies against the Springboks was in 1997 when the Springboks beat them 63-22. However, they had a real coach then - now they have a dud selector - so there are no chance of a record win. If the Springboks win - the winning margin is likely to be small - I give them a 70% chance of winning by between 5 and 10 points
Even though the Wallabies is a poor team this year - the Springboks have some really deficient combinations and that is why I for one is not over-optimistic about tomorrow.
Very possible...in fact in La Plata is a different story.
Incidentally rugby history overlooks conveniently the technicality between the Jaquars (a combined S American side) and the Pumas, not taking into consideration that other countries...ie Uruguay and Chile contributed sweet fanny adams...when the following history was made :
During the second South America tour in 1982 South America won the second of the two internationals in Bloemfontein, with Porta scoring all of the 21 points in the victory.] Argentina also defeated Australia 18-3 in Brisbane at Ballymore in 1983. Another South American tour took place in 1984. Argentina also defeated France 24-16 in June 1985. Following a 20-33 loss to the All Blacks that October, the famous 21-21 draw happened on 2 November, aginst the All Blacks.
