Dan Carter Cited?

One for two. I have not watched the England v. Australia game, but from the sound of it England did not get off the ground. I had slated them for victory, especially since Jonny Wilkinson is on the top of his game right now. But, alas, one man does not make a team. New Zealand, on the other hand, kept Wales at bay. However, the story of the weekend is how the mighty Springboks fell to Leicester and their new player, Lote Tiqiri. No one would have predicted this, Tiqiri or no Tiqiri.

Lote Tiqiri is a fantastic player and one of the best wingers in the game. But, I have one question for Leicester: Why? Why do you need to become the New York Yankees of rugby? They consistently hire the best players and it does not put them leagues above the rest as it should and does on paper. They currently sit in fourth place, two wins and a bonus point out of first. By the way, first place is in the hands of Saracens. They are the same team that dumped players and payroll last year during transition of management. Go figure.

This coming weekend will have an interesting assortment of games, with few of them looking to provide upsets.

Wales v. Samoa

Don't expect another 1991 RWC repeat here. Samoa has not performed well at all against bigger nations. Wins against USA and Japan don't count for much here. However, Wales will need to be ready for the stereotype "Samoan tackles" this weekend. A Welsh win is nearly inevitable.

France v. South Africa

Here is a good game. South Africa is coming off of a bad weekend against Leicester, albeit with a less-than-best squad. France had a big win against New Zealand in New Zealand in June, but not much after that. Their domestic league is going well, but South Africa is the best team in the world right now. South Africa will win this game so long as they can keep France to less than three tries.

Italy v. New Zealand

Dan Carter might miss this game against Italy due to being cited for a high tackle against the Welsh, but he was not likely to start anyway. There are multiple fly halves waiting for selection for the All Blacks. I'm guessing Stephan Donald will get the nod, with McAlister going to inside center again. Italy usually has better luck against Australia, and the All Blacks should win this one.

England v. Argentina

The last time we saw this match-up, it proved to be a historic victory for Argentina. However, Agustin Pichot and Ignacio Corleto have retired. Juan Martin Hernandez and Felipe Contepomi have retired. I am a big believer in Argentina, and have been since before their "sudden" arrival on the international scene in the 2007 RWC, but even I can't hope for a win here. Well, I can hope. But Argentina should lose this one to Wilkinson and the rest of England.

Scotland v. Fiji

Fiji has a short list of test matches since their glory of the 2007 RWC, with most of those games against lesser opponents. Fiji has the ability to defeat the Scottish, but the Scots play very well at home. Scotland has only lost once to Fiji, back in 1998 in Fiji. Scotland should win this game, but I do not quite understand this seemingly reluctant choice of putting Chris Paterson into the lineup. He is their best player.

Ireland v. Australia

Ireland is starting to lose the high from last season, although three of the top five teams in the Magners League are Irish. Australia does well against England, but has not done very well against Ireland in the Northern Hemisphere recently. I'd love to pick Ireland outright to win this game, but I am having difficulty doing so. Ronan O'Gara has been less than effective lately, especially with his kicking. Jonny Sexton wouldn't be able to defeat Australia if he were to be tossed in instead of O'Gara. Nonetheless, I think Ireland can win.

~Tyler