Rugby internationals – weekend overview
As the 2011 World Cup comes more firmly into view the home nations will be looking for strong performances as they take on southern-hemisphere opposition on Saturday.
It all starts with Wales taking on New Zealand early in the morning, then England play their second Test against Australia while the evening match sees Scotland face Argentina.
Wales will arrive in Dunedin knowing that the statistics are not on their side - it has been 57 years since they have beaten New Zealand.
However there may be a cause for hope for the travelling Dragons. In 36 home matches played under Graham Henry, the All Blacks have only lost three matches. Two of those defeats have occurred at Saturday’s venue - one against South Africa, the other against France.
But that shouldn’t be a problem for the hosts as their young, fluent side should have too much class against a Welsh team that are a long way short of the heights they hit three years ago.
Another side that should dominate their northern-hemisphere counterparts is Australia, who will be looking to once again steam-roll England, following last week’s victory in the first Test.
England have made two changes to the side that was beaten 27-17 last weekend. Scrum-half Danny Care and front-row Simon Shaw have paid the price for their lacklustre performances and have been replaced by Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs.
Leicester scrum-half Youngs performed well after replacing Care last weekend, while Northampton lock Lawes added more impetus in the forward areas when he was thrown on.
"This is a great opportunity for Ben, who has been with us since the middle of the Six Nations... the same for Courtney," said England coach Martin Johnson.
"Ben brings something different to Danny but it is not a reflection on Danny's performance. It is just an opportunity to get Ben on the field.”
England will hope that the changes will make a significant difference to their performance, as they were very disappointing. But with the return of the influential Matt Giteau for the hosts, Australia should improve, which doesn’t bode well for Johnson’s sides chances.
Scotland head to the Atlantic resort city of Mar del Plata aiming for a second win against Argentina and a historic first overseas Test series victory.
The Tartan Army battled to a well deserved victory in the first Test last week, where the pace and creativity of their back-line was a pleasure to watch.
Simon Danielli has been added to the starting XV, meaning Max Evans can play in his more favoured position at outside centre. While fly-half Dan Parks continues to mature into one of the best kickers in world rugby, he will be crucial to their chances.
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