Weekend previews and predictions 20/11/09

The weather may be dreadful up here in Joburg, and the Springbok tour may be teetering on the edge of disaster, (well not really, but this opening paragraph needs some drama) but there is plenty sport to look forward to this weekend.

Rugby
Right so we have Italy on Saturday, they simply could not have come at a better time and are just the opponents that the Boks need right now.
In all fairness this tour doesn’t mean that much especially after the year we have had and successes that we have enjoyed. Our players are tired and you can see the okes aren’t playing with the same intensity. Still, when the Springboks run on to a field they are expected to win and that hasn’t happened in 240 minutes on this tour.

Italians will be ready for the Boks

With 4 changes to the starting line-up in the forward pack, this team may have a bit more wind in its sails and should produce the kind of rugby we have come to expect against slightly more accommodating opponents.
Not to say Italy are going to be a walk over, they are a much improved unit and coached by Nick Mallet who will certainly have a few tricks up his sleeve come game time.

England host the All Blacks which is certainly a mile too far for them right now. They may have beaten a surprisingly lackluster Argentina last week, but this current side is very average and the All Blacks will expose them in all areas.
Wales take on Argentina in what should be a tightly contested match, France play Samoa which should be a brutal encounter, Scotland host Australia who will still be a bit upset after their draw to Ireland and finally Fiji travel to the self-same Irish who will certainly be to strong for them.

Cricket

If you live in Joburg and you look out the window you would be hard pressed to think it’s summer, but it is and today sees a big game taking place. After the savaging that England got last Sunday in the second 20/20 match, it’s very much advantage South Africa going into the first ODI today. Our batsmen look menacing and our bowlers are starting to settle a bit better.

English Summer - now seen in S.A

England on the other hand haven’t got an Englishman that can bat other than Collingwood, but he is carrying a niggle. Their bowler attack looks thinner than Amy Winehouse and the decent players they have all seem to be carrying an injury of sorts.
Their International players Morgan , Trott and Pietersen hold the key to their batting success but if they don’t fire then they are very much up a smelly creek with no rowing device.
Great chance for the Proteas to get a good couple of punches in this weekend and take this tour by the scruff of the neck early.
Just hope the weather plays along

Golf

The hotly contested European Order of Merit is drawing to a close and its very much a 3 horse race between Rory Mcilroy, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Along with these three chaps there is a world class field playing at a great new golf course in Dubai. It’s going to be a cracking event to watch over the weekend and one where we just my see the coming of age of golfs next superstar, Rory Mcilroy.

Football

With world cup qualifiers an international friendlies out of the way, The English Premiership gets back on track this weekend with a range of interesting fixtures. Liverpool will be looking to scoop their season out of the toilet as they host Man City, Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light to hopefully keep their goal scoring streak going against Sunderland, Chelsea host Wolves, Man Utd welcome Everton and Tottenham will be keen to stay with the top three by collecting all three points against Wigan.

You bet it is!

Weekends Predictions

Cricket
SA vs England ODI’s
Friday – SA
Sunday – SA

Rugby
Italy 13 – South Africa 28
England 12 – New Zealand 25
Wales 18 – Argentina 14
France 27 – Samoa 11
Scotland 15 – Austrlia 22
Ireland 32 – Fiji 11

Golf
Dubai World Champs
Rory Macilroy

Football
Liverpool 2 – Man City 1