First of all, my apologies to Show and all fellow Scots, I should have done this ahead of the Australia - Scotland game (which I would have got wrong, probably by a record margin).
Anyway, its the usual 2 pts for the right outcome, 1 for getting the margin to +/- 5, 1 for being the most accurate predictor and 1 for getting all 4 games right (the "grand slam" bonus)
Argentina v Italy - Actual Margin: Argentina by 15
Somewhat of a difficult one this, as my familiarity with both sides is poor, Italy seemed to fair much better than I thought in the Six Nations and Argentina seemed to be sliding a bit at the last World Cup with an apparently ageing squad, on this rather flimsy basis I'll go for Italy by 4
SARS - Italy by 4 - 0 pts
Aristodemus - Argentina by 10 - 3pts
Cobnob - Argentina by 12 - 4pts
Mmaxx - Argentina by 3 - 2pts
Sporty & Portly - Italy by 10 - 0pts
theresgonnaebeashow - Argentina by 18 - 4pts
Average Forecast: Argentina by 5
Australia v Wales - Actual Margin - Australia by 8
I guess the question here is how Australia react, it seems to be a tough one to call but Wales go in with their tails up, a fantastic Grand Slam and a Pro-12 win for the Ospreys, but equally will they miss Warren Gatland and if so to what degree? I just slightly fancy the Welsh to edge this one - though the Warburton-Pocock clash will be great to watch as a neutral, I'll go for Wales by 3
SARS - Wales by 3 - 0 pts
Mmaaxx - Wales by 5 - 0pts
Aristodemus - Australia by 3 - 3pts
Cobnob - Wales by 7 - 0pts
Sporty & Portly - Australia by 5 - 3pts
theresgonnaebeashow - Australia by 7 - 4pts
Average forecast: DRAW!
New Zealand v Ireland - Actual Margin - New Zealand by 32
Never a place any side really wants to go, even less when they're World Champions, I believe Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks and despite Leinster's Heineken Cup triumph you'd be a brave man to predict otherwise - and I'm afraid cowardice will have to prevail - New Zealand by 10
SARS - New Zealand by 10 - 2 pts
Mmaxx - New Zealand by 15 - 2pts
Aristodemus - New Zealand by 40 - 3pts
Cobnob - New Zealand by 15 - 2pts
Sporty & Portly - New Zealand by 12 - 2pts
theresgonnaebeashow - New Zealand by 20 - 2pts
Average forecast: New Zealand by 19
South Africa v England - Actual Margin - South Africa by 5
A few things seem to be a touch in England's favour here, first its a relatively new Springbok side - though have you seen that fellow Etzebeth's biceps - Christ, they're bigger than my thighs (and I eat a lot of pies) - anyway after that brief aside. The fact that England have had longer to prepare, and that its at sea level may offset home field advantage. I think a fully organised Springbok side on home turf would be too much for England - at least at this stage - but I also sense that England believe that they have to seize this opportunity, though I'm not sure about putting Foden out on the wing, anyway, England by 3
SARS - England by 3 - 0 pts
Mmaaxx - South Africa by 10 - 3pts
Aristodemus - South Africa by 5 - 4pts
Cobnob - South Africa by 8 - 3pts
Sporty & Portly - South Africa by 5 - 4pts
theresgonnaebeashow - South Africa by 11 - 2pts
Average forecast: South Africa by 5
Bonus points
SARS - 0
Mmaxx - 0
Aristodemus - 1
Cobnob - 0
Sporty & Portly - 0
theresgonnaebeashow - 1
Totals
SARS - 2 (Ouch!)
Mmaxx - 7
Aristodemus - 14
Cobnob - 9
Sporty & Portly - 9
theresgonnaebeashow - 13
Winner: ARISTODEMUS !!! (who I think won our first Six Nations forecast too?)
PS - Has anyone looked at the schedules the week after, it might be possible to watch rugby solidly from about 02:30 (Fiji - Scotland) to about 21:00 - Not that I'd advocate doing that, but in case anyone wanted to boost the share price of Gold Blend (does that still exist??)
International Predictions
posted on 7/6/12
Let's try get this rugby board properly going now!
I say:
NZ by 15
Wales by 5
SA by 10
Regarding SA the team looks settled and solid even though there has only been a week to prepare. One week under Heyneke and Rassie is as good as three under Peter de Villiers.
The new caps are pretty exciting. Kruger is not a young up and commming player. He is already established with two years, i think, with Northhampton where he made team of the season and two years learning and growing at the Bulls behind Matfield, Botha and Roussow.
Coetzee has been awesome for the Sharks and you don't keep a plpayer like Broussow out of the team unless you are seriously good.
posted on 7/6/12
Comment Deleted by Article Creator
posted on 7/6/12
Argentina by 10
Australia by 3
New Zealand by 40
Springboks by 5
I think the Wales and England first matches will go a long way to determine the nature of the tours. I feel Ireland dont have a chance, as I would if any NH team was playing them.
posted on 7/6/12
Hi
Argentina by 12
Wales by 7
NZ by 15
Boks by 8
Cracking games to look forward to, shame I have exams on tuesday!!
posted on 7/6/12
Sorry about that, meant to put:
Mmaxx - what are your thoughts on the Argentina - Italy game?
posted on 7/6/12
Oh sorry, missed that one. I'm going for Argentina to win in a low scoring game about 12 - 9
posted on 7/6/12
Argentina v Italy
I really liked the ball retention the Italians began showing in the 6 Nations. I think they'll win this one well so going Italy by 10.
Australia v Wales
This is the hardest one for me to predict....on paper I can't see past a Wales win, indeed they really should win. That being said I can't help but think the Aussies are going to pull out some amazing performance like they seem to do sometimes.
Aus by 5
New Zealand v Ireland
As amazing as the Irish clubs are I think the All Blacks will win handsomely after a tight opening 30 minutes.
NZ by 12
South Africa v England
I think this games a few matches too early for England, i really like the direction the teams taking but a few key positions are still not quite right. I suspect home advantage will see the Springboks to a narrow win.
SA by 5
posted on 8/6/12
Can I join in with this. No great analysis of each game, just the PD, if that's OK.
Argentina by 18
Australia by 7
NZ by 20
Boks by 11
Cheers SARS
posted on 9/6/12
Aristodemus -
I look forward to your predictions again next week.
As soon as they're in, i'll be off down the bookies
posted on 10/6/12
Haha, it started like this for me in the six nations but SARS won in the end.