November tests general

First topic message reminder :


The list is below. Any predictions as to what might happen?
https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/2018/


WEEK 1
Saturday 3rd November 2018

-Japan v New Zealand
Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Kick off: 5:45am

-Wales v Scotland
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick off: 2:45pm

-England v South Africa
Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick off: 3:00pm

-Ireland v Italy
Soldier Field, Chicago
Kick off: 8:00pm



WEEK 2
Saturday 10th November 2018

-Italy v Georgia
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
Kick off: 2:00pm

-Scotland v Fiji
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick off: 2:30pm

-England v New Zealand
Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick off: 3:00pm

-Wales v Australia
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick off: 5:20pm

-Ireland v Argentina
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick off: 6:30pm

-France v South Africa
Stade de France, Paris
Kick off: 7:45pm



WEEK 3
Saturday 17th November 2018

-Italy v Australia
Stadio Euganeo, Padua
Kick off: 2:00pm

-Wales v Tonga
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick off: 2:30pm

-England v Japan
Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick off: 3:00pm

-Scotland v South Africa
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick off: 5:20pm

-Ireland v New Zealand
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick off: 7:00pm

-France v Argentina
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Kick off: 7:45pm



WEEK 4
Saturday 24th November 2018

-Italy v New Zealand
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick off: 2:00pm

-Scotland v Argentina
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick off: 2:30pm

-England v Australia
Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick off: 3:00pm

-Wales v South Africa
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick off: 5:20pm

-Ireland v USA
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick off: 6:30pm

-France v Fiji
Stade de France, Paris
Kick off: 7:45pm



WEEK 5
Saturday 1st December 2018

-Barbarians v Argentina
Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick off: 2:30pm

Cyril wrote:It’s a tricky one. I’d say the gap between the ‘top’ nations and the rest is as strong as ever. The four SH Nations + the top 5 NH nations (Italy are going backwards) are a big leap above everyone else. Gone are the days when the likes of Fiji and Samoa are going to cause upsets in the World Cup now that Wales, Scotland and Ireland have got their act together. Georgia, for all their promise, are weaker than Italy. USA and Canada haven’t come good. Japan had their moment with Eddie but are on a downward trend. It’s business as usual.

The US have had a good enough year. First wins over Scotland and Samoa.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Cyril wrote:It’s a tricky one. I’d say the gap between the ‘top’ nations and the rest is as strong as ever. The four SH Nations + the top 5 NH nations (Italy are going backwards) are a big leap above everyone else. Gone are the days when the likes of Fiji and Samoa are going to cause upsets in the World Cup now that Wales, Scotland and Ireland have got their act together. Georgia, for all their promise, are weaker than Italy. USA and Canada haven’t come good. Japan had their moment with Eddie but are on a downward trend. It’s business as usual.

The US have had a good enough year. First wins over Scotland and Samoa.

While they have improved when looking at those two results there is more to it. Scotland took a weaken squad and played their weakest team against them. Samoa have fallen so much that they finished bottom in the Pacific Nations Cup behind Fiji, Tonga and Georgia.

USA 17 - 21 Georgia Summer 2017
Georgia 21 - 20 USA November 2017

So about the same as Georgia who are worse than italy

That's true but USA used to routinely lose to Canada and they beat them every time now and I believe than in the past they would also have lost to Scotland B teams. I think they are marginally better than they were but not going to threaten anyone in the top 10 yet.

Collapse2005 wrote:That's true but USA used to routinely lose to Canada and they beat them every time now and I believe than in the past they would also have lost to Scotland B teams. I think they are marginally better than they were but not going to threaten anyone in the top 10 yet.

They have improved but still well off Tier 1.

Canada have gone from second strongest Aremicas team worse than USA and Uruguay. To be fair they got a draw against the USA at home but lost badly way. Lost both games to Uruguay though one was by a point. Until they sort their domestic league the slide will continue

Brendan wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Cyril wrote:It’s a tricky one. I’d say the gap between the ‘top’ nations and the rest is as strong as ever. The four SH Nations + the top 5 NH nations (Italy are going backwards) are a big leap above everyone else. Gone are the days when the likes of Fiji and Samoa are going to cause upsets in the World Cup now that Wales, Scotland and Ireland have got their act together. Georgia, for all their promise, are weaker than Italy. USA and Canada haven’t come good. Japan had their moment with Eddie but are on a downward trend. It’s business as usual.

The US have had a good enough year. First wins over Scotland and Samoa.

While they have improved when looking at those two results there is more to it.  Scotland took a weaken squad and played their weakest team against them.  Samoa have fallen so much that they finished bottom in the Pacific Nations Cup behind Fiji, Tonga and Georgia.

USA 17 - 21 Georgia Summer 2017
Georgia 21 - 20 USA November 2017

So about the same as Georgia who are worse than italy

Did Samoa have all their northern based club players?

Don't know but it was played during June.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_World_Rugby_Pacific_Nations_Cup

But they are playing each other this November. Samoa are quickly becoming the little brother to Tonga and Fiji