Discussing plant’s isn’t something we would readily associate with pre match Rugby promos, but, in advance of Ireland’s clash with Australia tomorrow, RTE have taken the road less well traveled in what could only be described as a weird promo.

Pundit Tom McGurk set’s the scene by wandering around Dublin’s botanical gardens and waxing lyrical about Michael Cheika.

Well, RTE, if nothing else, you’re original.

Youtube Credit: RTE Sport.

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Prior to next months South African leg of the HSBC World Sevens, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens Tournament , the tournaments organizers have produced this funny video depicting stereotypical characters from some of the participating nations, England, Scotland, Australia & France.

Also, the South African 7’s team provide a cameo appearance.

Youtube Credit: BokTube SARU.

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Ellia Green, the Australian Women’s 7’s team speedster, had an opportunity to make a career in  track and field and, judging from this magnificent solo try, she could have easily ran at a high level.

Thankfully, she chose Sevens and all her qualities were on show as she ran 75 metres, including stepping Canada phenomenon Magali Harvey, to touch for a score of supreme pace and evasiveness.

Youtube Credit: irb

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Judging from this video of New Zealand School’s and Australia School’s clash, the All Black conveyor belt of talent shows no signs of abating.

The Kiwi’s roared into a three try 24-3 lead before Australia, to their immense credit, almost staged the most epic of comebacks; taking the score to 27-24 until New Zealand scored a late try to kill off the game.

Particularly impressive for New Zealand was scrum half Sam Knock, who appears to have a big future in the game.

Youtube Credit: NZAUTV Rugby Internationals

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The Springboks are ranked second and the Wallabies third going into the penultimate-round southern hemisphere contest at tradition-steeped Newlands stadium. But the Wallabies would rise to second behind world champions New Zealand if they can end a 22-year Cape Town jinx.

Since a 26-3 win there in 1992 over opponents making only their second appearance after years of apartheid-induced isolation, the Wallabies have suffered six consecutive losses.

Australia turned the tables this month with a 24-23 win in Perth that proved anything but a celebration for Springbok wing Bryan Habana as he reached the 100-cap milestone. He was controversially yellow-carded late in the second half for a tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper and the Wallabies took advantage to snatch victory via a late Rob Horne try.

South Africa lost again one week later, going down 14-10 to nemesis New Zealand, albeit after a much more passionate, defensively strong display. Those losses and Australia being beaten away to New Zealand have left the Springboks and Wallabies six points adrift of the All Blacks with two rounds to go.

And if New Zealand gain an expected win in Argentina later on Saturday and collect a four-try bonus point they will seal a third consecutive Championship title. Given they have the tougher final-round fixture – at home to the All Blacks – South Africa must overcome Australia to have a realistic chance of finishing runners-up for the second successive season.

“This will be a tough outing and we have to fire on all cylinders for the full 80 minutes,” said Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer. “It is great to be back in South Africa after three tough games on the road and we are looking forward to playing in front of our supporters.

“We have had a couple of great training sessions and there is a definite resolve to improve the quality of our performance on Saturday.”

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie believes the set-piece contests are set to play a crucial role in the outcome of the test.

“Set pieces are always an important focus for us – even more so when you play South Africa,” said the former Wallaby prop. “We realise the outcome of the scrums and line-outs will be vital to the final result. The Springboks always rise to another level when playing at home and we are under no illusions as to the challenges ahead.

“But we are looking forward to those challenges, in South Africa and in Argentina, as we continue evolving and improving our game.”

South Africa have made two injury-enforced changes to the side that started against New Zealand with scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and flanker Teboho Mohoje replacing Ruan Pienaar and Francois Louw.

Meyer has dismissed concerns about run-on debutant Mohoje, a 24-year-old who made his senior rugby debut only this year, being ring rusty.

“His match sharpness is a concern having last played in July, but he is very fit,” said Meyer of a forward expected to play 50 minutes before veteran Schalk Burger comes off the bench.

McKenzie has changed both wings from the team that edged Argentina with Adam Ashley-Cooper and Joe Tomane replacing Peter Betham and Horne. The other alteration is at hooker with Saia Fainga’a coming in for injured Tatafu Polota-Nau, and the inclusion of experienced prop Benn Robinson is among the bench changes.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Joe Tomane v Cornal Hendricks

Finally injury-free, Tomane makes a welcome return to the Wallabies backline for his first Test start since Australia’s win over Wales last December. Tomane replaces Rob Horne on the left wing, and the Brumbies flyer can expect anything other than a quiet reintroduction to Test rugby. That’s if the Wallabies follow the instructions of Fox Sports Rugby expert Rod Kafer, who says Tomane’s direct opponent — Hendricks — represents a weakness in the Boks backline.

“This is where the opportunity is for the Wallabies — get the ball and target Cornal Hendricks,” Kafer said on Rugby HQ. “He gets caught a lot in defence. There’s absolutely an opportunity for the Wallabies, if they can move the ball to the far left they’ll score some tries down Cornal Hendricks’ wing.” Of course, Hendrick does pose a big attacking threat of his own having scored five tries in his seven Tests to date, so Tomane will also have to aim up in defence.

Ben McCalman v Duane Vermeulen

Wycliff Palu’s continued absence through concussion provides McCalman with another chance to lock down a starting role for the Wallabies. The Western Force star has shrugged off the challenge of Scott Higginbotham to hold on to the No. 8 jersey, but will have his hands full up against the big Boks pack and particularly Vermeulen.

The abrasive back-rower was a powerhouse when he went toe-to-toe with reigning world player of the year Kieran Read in Wellington a fortnight ago. The Wallabies — in particular prop James Slipper, who was on the receiving of a brutal hit that was harshly penalised in Perth a fortnight ago — also know full well the damage that Vermeulen can cause. McCalman was solid in Australia’s narrow win over Argentina last start, and his ball-carrying and strong work-rate will be needed to help the Wallabies match the Springboks up front.

Bernard Foley v Handre Pollard

Foley’s return to the No. 10 jersey has coincided with back-to-back victories for the Wallabies, and he has the chance to steer them to a drought-breaking third-straight win when he starts a Test on the road for the first time. The Waratahs star’s attacking stats make for good reading — two line breaks, six tackle busts, and 122 run metres in those two triumphs — and he continues to impress as a goal-kicker.

Along with his clutch match-winning conversion against South Africa in Perth, Foley is yet to miss a penalty goal attempt in this season’s Rugby Championship, landing nine from nine. This weekend he’ll line up for the first time against young gun Pollard, who wins his first Test start against the Wallabies after being overlooked for the Perth loss. The occasion certainly won’t worry the 20-year-old, who was thrust into South Africa’s subsequent clash with the All Blacks in Wellington. He looked right at home against the world champions on their home turf, and should feel even more comfortable on home soil.

Prediction

The Wallabies are yet to find consistency this year, but will need to do so if they are to have any hope against the Springboks at their hoodoo venue.

Both the Wallabies and the Springboks need to win to stay in contact with the All Blacks at the top of the table, while at the same time hoping Argentina can pull off an upset against the All Blacks.

The Springboks have the obvious strength in the forwards and will be looking to exploit that later today. The Wallabies will need to ‘hang-tough’ to be in with a chance of pulling off an upset against the No. 2 ranked team.

The Wallabies have made a habit of making matches close, and I don’t expect that to change tonight, however, I can’t see them getting on top of the Springboks in Cape Town. I’m tipping the South Africa by 5 in a last 10 nail-biter.

Teams

Australia: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Sekope Kepu, Sam Carter, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper (captain), Ben McCalman.

Bench: James Hanson, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Nic White, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne.

South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard; Tendai Mtawarira, Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Marcell Coetzee, Teboho Mohoje, Duane Vermeulen.

Bench: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen.

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Tatafu returns from a knee injury to earn his 50th cap for the Wallabies and to re-claim the cursed #2 jersey. Polota-Nau strengthens the Wallabies scrum, which was embarrassed by the All Blacks in Auckland and sent backwards on two occasions when Rob Simmons was yellow carded and they decided to scrum with only seven, and by the Boks in Perth, resulting in two penalties. They could battle again on Saturday against a Pumas pack that dominated South Africa in Salta and sent the All Blacks pack backwards on a number of occasions in Napier.

If the Wallabies can achieve parity at scrum time it will allow them to unleash their dangerous backs, including Israel Folau and Tevita Kuridrani. The Pumas have no such game breakers and will rely heavily on their big men to stay in the contest.

The Wallabies and Pumas have both made three changes to their starting lineups.

Apart from Polota-Nau’s return, Ben McCalman replaces Wycliff Palu (concussion) in the gold No 8 jersey and Peter Betham comes in for Adam Ashley-Cooper (neck) on the wing. For the visitors, Juan Imhoff and Manuel Montero replace Horacio Agulla and Lucas González Amorosino on the wings respectively, while Matias Alemanno starts at No 5 lock in place of the suspended Tomas Lavanini.

The Pumas have not beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 1983, but have come close since joining the Rugby Championship, with a 23-19 defeat on the Gold Coast in 2012 followed by a 14-13 loss in wet conditions in Perth last year. If it rains (there is a 50% chance) Argentina will really fancy their chances of finally getting the job done.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Tatafu Polota-Nau v Agustin Creevy

Australia’s hooking crisis has been abated – somewhat – by the timely return from injury of human wrecking ball Polota-Nau. The Waratahs No.2 has recovered from a knee injury and will line up for his 50th Test on Saturday night. The Wallabies pack faces a massive challenge against the renowned Pumas scrum, but having a top-line hooker back should ready the front-row.

Polota-Nau will also provide plenty of punch around the field, with his aggressive defence and ability to bust through tackles with ball in hand. Creevy has been front and centre as Argentina demolished the Springboks scrum in the opening two rounds of the Rugby Championship and then gave the All Blacks plenty of headaches last weekend. But while Creevy and his fellow front-rowers will again try and establish set-piece dominance, it’s a victory on the scoreboard that they crave.

The skipper is no slouch around the field either and will be leading from the front to try as the Argentines chase their first win in The Rugby Championship.

Ben McCalman v Leonardo Senatore

An injury to Wycliff Palu has paved the way for McCalman to earn just his third Test start since 2011. The Western Force No.8 edged out Scott Higginbotham for the starting role, with coach Ewen McKenzie lauding his “abrasive and physical” play. Nicknamed the “Big Dog”, McCalman will be looking to bite into a powerful Pumas pack.

Along with their scrum, the back-row has been a source of strength for Argentina and McCalman’s opposite number Senatore slotted in nicely against the All Blacks when he replaced the injured Pablo Matera for his first start of the tournament. He was controversially denied what appeared a straightforward try at a crucial period early in the second half, but will be hoping for more joy on Saturday night.

Matt Toomua v Juan Martin Hernandez

Kurtley Beale’s late cameo off the bench against South Africa – and his combination with fellow Waratahs Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley and Israel Folau in particular – has left many questioning the starting claims of Toomua. The Brumbies playmaker has held on to his spot at inside centre but will be looking for a big game to silence the doubters.

While Toomua’s defensive abilities might tip the scales in his favour at present, he’ll still have his work cut out containing his rival on Saturday night. One of world rugby’s outstanding fullbacks over the years, Hernandez has moved closer to the action for Argentina. He’s getting on at 32 but his class remains and, alongside in-form flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, shapes as a dangerous attacking threat.

Prediction

If the Wallabies pack manages to hold strong at scrum time, and keep the penalty count for the Argentines low, we should see the Wallabies run away with it with the wealth of talent they possess in the back-line.

The Puma’s are not the push-over they’ve been in the past, and strong performances against the All Blacks and the Springboks indicates that. However, we see the likes of Folau, Foley, Kuridrani, Toomua ect… being too much for the Puma’s to handle out wide. Wallabies by 15.

Teams

Wallabies – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Bench: 16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Matt Hodgson, 22 Nic White, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Argentina – 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Mariano Galarza, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Bench: 16 Matías Cortese, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Benjamin Macome, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 23 Lucas González Amorosino.

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In Australia’s 24-23 Rugby Championship win over South Africa on Saturday last, Duane Vermeulen unleashed the beast all over Australia’s James Slipper with a thunderous tackle.

This is, we would imagine, what would happen if a freight train hit a bull Rhinoceros.

Youtube Credit: NZAUTV Rugby Union.

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James O’Connor is clearly a wanted man with both the Reds and his current club, Toulon, claiming that Australian utility back will play for their club after the World Cup.

Last week, O’Connor announced that he would be joining the Queensland Reds in advance of the 2015 World Cup to secure a place in the Wallabies World Cup squad.

Upon the announcement, the Reds claimed that O’Connor had signed a two year deal which would keep him at the Suncorp Stadium until 2016.

However, contrary to the Reds’ statement, Toulon President, Mourad Boudjellal, has claimed that O’Connor has signed a three year deal with the Mediterranean side, with O’Connor being allowed to return to Australia for six months to try and claim an Australian squad berth.

In an interview with RMC Radio,  Boudjellal was confident that the Australian’s future is at the Stade Mayol.

“We always said that James signed a three-year deal with a possible six month absence to be able to play in the World Cup, so we respect what was signed.”

“He’s signed on for two years after the World Cup, ” said the millionaire comic publisher.

Despite Boudjellal’s claims, the Reds’ Chief Executive, Jim Carmichael, maintains that O’Connor’s post World Cup season will be at the Reds’

“In the interest of all parties, I’m not going to discuss the detail of any players’ contract.

“However, I’m completely satisfied that the agreement we have set is in the best interests of the QRU, the Reds, Australian Rugby and James O’Connor,” said Carmichael.

Article Source: Planet Rugby.

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As per his interview with the Irish Times, Leinster coach Matt O’Connor is confident that one of the Dublin based teams new signings, Kane Douglas, will be available for the opening round of the Champions Cup.

The 25 year old Super Rugby winning lock is currently committed to NSW Country, who play in Australia’s second tier, The National Rugby Championship, but O’Connor is confident that the fourteen time capped Australian  lock will be available for selection soon rather than later.

“We’ve had a few positive conversations in relation to that and it will certainly be well in advance of that date,” Said the former Leicester Tigers’ backs coach to the Irish Times

“We’re just trying to work out the logistics of when that will actually be. There is a release process.

“We need to get him signed off by them. Nothing can happen until that’s achieved.

“All things being equal, that’s looking quite positive. It will be sooner rather than later”.

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Remember this? How could you forget?

During the 2013 Lions Tour, George North, who is still yet to be confirmed as human, picks up 102kg of world class full back named Israel Folau and decided to go for a jog with the Australia upon his broad shoulders.

There will forever be moments synonymous with Lions tours; O’Driscoll’s try in 2011, Guscott’s drop goal in 1997, and, in 2013, George North’s massive carry of Israel Folau

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