July Internationals, 2/7/22

I’m going to be somewhat abbreviated about at least some of these because I only saw highlights for various reasons. It’s hard to judge the whole match well from the highlights. In time order here we go.

Japan v France

This match rarely looked in doubt from what I saw, but France looked oddly out of sync for a while. I suspect that’s the new halfbacks just putting the timings off a little and everything certainly settled down over the course of the match. They also looked a bit heavy in the legs at first and, while I can concoct reasons for that, I’m not really sure why. Something to look out for next week. Nevertheless a good win for Les Bleus.

New Zealand v Ireland

This match was billed as a heavyweight battle. Ireland have beaten NZ a few times recently, including their last match in November. NZ had lost two in a row for the first time since 2011, they haven’t lost three in a row since 1998… would Foster face losing that record and the “Fortress Eden Park” tag - they haven’t lost there since 1994.

Ireland started more brightly, a try in the first few minutes but, although they had the best of the easy stats (territory and possession) for the first twenty, that was it for the scoring. Then a crack, and suddenly the All Blacks were scoring for fun. By half time it was 28-5. In the second half, both sides added 14 and, although Ireland created more opportunities, the All Blacks defended like crazy and wrapped them up, preventing grounding every time. This was a pretty match to watch, unless your Irish.

Australia v England

While the previous match had a lot of questions hanging over it, this match was not without its intrigue. Since Jones, proud Australian and former Australian coach, has taken over the reins at England he has an 8-0 nil record against his country of birth. But, as anyone who watches the 6N can tell you, England have been underperforming for the last two years.

The first half was ugly, ending 6-6 as both sides lacked skill and self-possession and it devolved to an arm wrestle. The most notable event was the literal wrestling when Hill pulled Swain’s hair and Swain responded with a head butt. Hill saw yellow, Swain saw red just before half time.

Then Australia went on to run up a 30-12 lead that, in the last five minutes, got pulled back to 30-28. While performing like this down a player for somewhat over a half is impressive, part of me thinks it says more about how broken England are. They lack creativity, they can’t play to support Smith when he makes a break, and a team like Australia that plays the All Blacks three times a year can certainly tackle him when he does. I’m expecting a series sweep now.

South Africa v Wales

All the pundits wrote this off as an easy win for the Bokke. I wonder what they’ll write now, because, barring a good but somewhat lucky, 50 metre run back at the death, then a penalty that was correctly given but didn’t have to be, South Africa would have lost.

Wales pulled out to a comfortable first half lead, South Africa came back and took the lead, then Wales retook it, and had their hearts broken with the last kick of the game.

I expect South Africa will win all these matches, although I hope they’re all as close as this and Wales have the potential to pinch one if they are, but if they are it has the potential to be the best series of them all this year.

Argentina v Scotland

This match looked very one-sided on both the scoreline and the highlights. Argentina looked fluent and actually left a lot of points behind as their kicker missed a lot of shots. Scotland took pretty much all their points, they had a decent few minutes when they camped down on the Pumas’ try line and scored a couple of tries from pressure. It’s a clash of styles but on this occasion the ability to stop Scotland getting down there and to strike from range certainly worked in Argentina’s favour. Unless the conditions change dramatically for next week, I can’t see that changing for the next test.