Now on to four more in part two. The Springboks host Italy, Tonga lines up the Canadians, England ventures to Argentina, and Ireland face an impressive Eagles lineup in Texas.
SOUTH AFRICA vs ITALY
Saturday, June 8, 15:15 GMT, Durban
In the second match of the four team mini-tournament, Willie le Roux makes his Springbok debut at fullback, with two others, Jano Vermaak and Arno Botha, similarly honoured. J.J. Engelbrecht gets a first test start at centre in place of injured Frans Steyn, while Trevor Nyakane and last year’s World u20 player of the year Jan Serfontein hope to win their first caps from the reserves. The Beast, Tendai Mtawarira, returns to his familiar loosehead position after missing the November tour with health issues.
With Kris Burton’s international retirement, Jacques Brunel has opted for veteran Treviso flyhalf Alberto Di Bernardo to make his first test appearance at the age of 32. Considered by many to be Italy’s most consistent flyhalf, it remains to be seen what impact he will have at this level. Marco Bortolami returns to Azzurri colours to win his 95th cap, one behind captain and no8 Sergio Parisse, edging towards a century with his 96th.
A somewhat experimental Springbok side nonetheless features more than enough power in the forwards to handle an experienced but underwhelming Italian side. Despite the presence of classy Ghiraldini at hooker, the tight five as a whole threatens little and asks too much of a strong but likely overworked back row. The game might still be close at half, but South Africa should have little trouble running away with it at the end, eventually winning by a 20 point margin.
SOUTH AFRICA
Willie le Roux; Bjorn Basson, J.J. Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt.), Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Jano Vermaak; Tendai Mtawarira, Andries Strauss, Jannie du Plessis; Eben Etzebeth, Juandre Kruger; Francois Louw, Arno Botha, Pierre Spies. RES: Chiliboy Ralapelle, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Flip van der Merwe, Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Pienaar, Patrick Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
ITALY
Andrea Masi; Giovanbattista Venditti, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi, Luke McLean; Alberto Di Bernardo, Edoardo Gori; Alberto de Marchi, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Lorenzo Cittadini; Antonio Pavanello, Marco Bortolami; Alessandro Zanni, Robert Barbieri, Sergio Parisse (capt.). RES: Davide Giazzon, Matias Aguero, Martin Castrogiovanni, Joshua Furno, Valerio Bernabo, Tobias Botes, Luciano Orquera, Tommaso Iannone.
CANADA vs TONGA
Saturday, June 8, 18:00 GMT, Kingston
Kieran Crowley continues to rotate his squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers later this year, selecting his third flyhalf in as many games with leading 7s scorer Nathan Hirayama wearing the no10 jersey for the first time since 2010. Two other specialists from the abbreviated code, John Moonlight and Sean Duke, are also called into the side that sees the return to fitness of veteran fullback and goal kicker James Pritchard. London Irish powerhouse Jebb Sinclair slots in on the flank, while captain Aaron Carpenter is in line to win his 50th cap at the base of the scrum.
Tonga have made several changes to the side that beat Japan in impressive fashion. Among them Gloucester lock Lua Lokotui bolsters the engine room, while the World Cup halfback pairing of Taniela Moa and Kurt Morath are recalled. Viliami Fihaki earns his first test start, and Viliami Hakalo returns for the first time in three years.
This will be a difficult match for the Canadians, who will be forced to front up again only three days removed from victory over Fiji. Both of their key lineout men, Jon Phelan and Tyler Ardron, are absent, and Hirayama will be under a much different kind of pressure than he is accustomed to. The Tongans looked good against Japan, and have now had almost two weeks to prepare for this one. Expect Nili Latu & Co. to be too fresh and physical for the unfortunate Canucks. Tonga by 12.
CANADA
James Pritchard; Matt Evans, Ciaran Hearn, Nick Blevins, Sean Duke; Nathan Hirayama, Sean White; Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill, Jason Marshall; Brett Beukeboom, Tyler Hotson; Jebb Sinclair, John Moonlight, Aaron Carpenter (capt.). RES: Ryan Hamilton, Doug Wooldridge, Tom Dolezel, Tyler Ardron, Nanyak Dala, Phil Mack, Liam Underwood, Patrick Parfrey.
TONGA
Viliami Hakalo; Fetu’u Vainikolo, Siale Piutau, Sione Piukala, Viliami Helu; Kurt Morah, Taniela Moa; Eddie Aholelei, Ilaisa Ma’asi, Taione Vea; Emosi Kauhenga, Lua Lokotui; Hale T-Pole, Nili Latu (capt.), Viliami Fihaki. RES: Elvis Taione, Kamaliele Sakalia, Sila Puafisi, Josh Afu, Paula Kaho, Tomasi Palu, Viliame Iongi, Tevita Halaifonua.
ARGENTINA vs ENGLAND
Saturday, June 8, 19:10 GMT, Salta
The first of two tests in Argentina features two exciting debutants for England as Gloucester-bound flanker Matt Kvesic slots in at openside and Wasps diminutive dynamo Christian Wade gets a much-anticipated start on the wing. Flyhalf Freddie Burns spearheads a backline designed for running, and in-form Bath lock Dave Attwood adds steal to the pack. Tom Wood leads the side in the absence of Chris Robshaw.
Argentina have picked a largely second string side, to be lead by continually retiring legend Felipe Contepomi who partners Gonzalo Tiesi in an experienced midfield. Towering lineout specialist Mariano Galarza returns after a long term shoulder injury, and there is plenty of beef in the back row headed by Southern Kings recruit Tomas Leonardi. First choice scrumhalf Martin Landajo should provide speedy service to left-footed Oyonnax flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta.
The Pumas are notoriously difficult at home, and have won both of their previous matches at Ernesto Maltearena, including one over England in 2009. Their forward pick is full of hard men who thrive in the tight phases, but England have picked a side to play expansive rugby and if they can achieve parity in the set pieces there’s every reason to think they should come out on top. The English back row in particular looks too classy for this bit-part Argentina side, and should dominate proceedings en route to a solid 10 point win.
ARGENTINA
Martin Bustos Moyano; Matias Orlando, Gonzalo Tiesi, Felipe Contepomi (capt.), Manuel Montero; Benjamin Urdapilleta, Martin Landajo; Pablo Henn, Martin Garcia Veiga, Maximiliano Bustos; Esteban Lozada, Mariano Galarza; Julio Farias Cabello, Benjamin Macome, Tomas Leonardi. RES: Mauricio Guidone, Guillermo Roan, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Tomas Vallejos, Tomas de la Vega, Nicolas Vergallo, Gabriel Ascarate, Belisario Agulla.
ENGLAND
Mike Brown; Christian Wade, Jonathan Joseph, Billy Twelvetrees, David Strettle; Freddie Burns, Lee Dickson; Joe Marler, Rob Webber, David Wilson; Joe Launchbury, David Attwood; Tom Wood (capt.), Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan. RES: David Paice, Paul Doran-Jones, Henry Thomas, Courtney Lawes, Billy Vunipola, Richard Wigglesworth, Kyle Eastmond, Ben Foden.
UNITED STATES vs IRELAND
Sunday, June 9, 02:30 GMT, Houston
The last match of the weekend has the Eagles hosting Ireland in the sweltering heat of Texas. Coach Mike Tolkin has named the strongest American side for some time with only injured Paul Emerick an obvious absentee. Bruising Northampton star Samu Manoa makes only his second test appearance, forming a menacing back row together with Stade Francais regular Scott LaValla and captain Todd Clever. Young UCal Berkeley centre Seamus Kelly fills in for Emerick at centre, and there are returns for test veterans Mike Petri, Chris Wyles, and Biarritz flyer Zee Ngwenya.
Ireland are of course missing several players on Lions duty, but have still, to their credit, opted to bring an otherwise full strength side. Munster workhorse Peter O’Mahony captains for the first time, and is joined in the pack by Leinster strongman Mike Ross and fit-again hooker Richardt Strauss. In the backs there are first caps for exciting youngsters Stuart Olding and Robbie Henshaw, and in-form Ian Madigan will hope to show that he should be the next on the plane should the Lions require another flyhalf.
This is a tough one to call. The Eagles have picked a lineup intent on playing direct, in your face rugby, and have some formidable athletes capable of getting the job done. Ireland are somewhat weakened, yet still have some class players to go with some of their top prospects. An upset win isn’t outside the realms of possibility, but the class of Madigan combined with the professionalism of the Irish pack should be enough to see this one through. Ireland win a tight one by 7.
UNITED STATES
Chris Wyles; Takudzwa Ngwenya, Seamus Kelly, Andrew Suniula, Luke Hume; Toby L’Estrange, Mike Petri; Shawn Pittman, Chris Biller, Eric Fry; Brian Doyle, Louis Stanfill; Samu Manoa, Scott LaValla, Todd Clever (capt.). RES: Zach Fenoglio, Nick Wallace, Phil Thiel, Peter Dahl, John Quill, Robbie Shaw, Adam Siddall, James Paterson.
IRELAND
Robbie Henshaw; Fergus McFadden, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Simon Zebo; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; David Kilcoyne, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Mike McCarthy, Devin Toner; Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Peter O’Mahony (capt.). RES: Mike Sherry, Tom Court, Jamie Hagan, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O’Donnell, Paul Marshall, Paddy Jackson, Felix Jones.
