A look ahead at the upcoming international tests

The mid year tests are upon when the North descends on the South. This years fixtures will see a repeat of two matches we saw during the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Lets a take a quick and predict the possible winners.

New Zealand vs England

In the build up to this match, there has been a strong narrative surrounding the All Blacks suggesting that they may have lost their unbeatable aura, and that this is the perfect time for England to win their first ever series in the land of the long white cloud. With Ian Foster departing after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, former Crusaders coach Scott Robertson now takes the reigns after a spell at the Crusaders that saw him win 98 of 117 matches coupled with seven straight Super Rugby Titles. This will be a new beggining for the All Blacks under Robertson, and the rugby world eagerly awaits to see how they fair against a confident English side. 

The Rose are coming off a third place finish in the 6Nations, a campaign that saw them beat defending champions Ireland, and lose by just two points to the French who finished in second place. Steve Borthwick and his men will look make a statement against the three time World Champions in the two match test series. Indeed it will tough battle between English fly-half and talisman Marcus Smith, and New Zealands 'smiling assasin' Damian Mckenzie at the number 10 position.

Prediction: New Zealand win

Australia vs Wales

The last time the Welsh played a series down under was all the way back in 2012, where the Wallabies white washed the Dragons 3-0 in a series. However, in recent time things have dramatically changed as the last time the two teams met at the Rugby World Cup, Wales hammered Australia 40-6. Needless to say it was a  dismal world cup campaign for the Wallabies, and much like New Zealand, they are now under new management. On Saturday Joe Schmnidt will take charge of a Wallbies side that hasnt played a game of rugby since September last year.  In the Welsh camp, they will be looking to dust themselves off after a bruising loss to the Springboks at Twickenham two weeks prior, not to mention a dismal performance in the 6Nations earlier this year.

Both teams have seen better form, and both teams annouced by either coach, are teeming with young blood. Needless to say this will be a very competitive match, one where we will see how both teams adjust to one anothers philosophy in the crucial moments. However, with the Wallabies boasting of players who have had an excellent Super Rugby season, its easy to believe the home ground advantage may be the difference.

Prediction: Australia win

Ireland vs South Africa

Perhaps the biggest match of the weekend. World number two ranked Ireland, will look to make an emphatic statement against the world champions and number one ranked Springboks. The Springboks have not beaten the Irish since 2016, and again suffered a loss in their previous encounter against the Irish during the pool stage of the world cup. TAlthough the Irish would lose to eventual finalists New Zealand, they would bounce back by retaining the 6Nations title, suffering only one loss in their campaign. The United Rugby Championship semi-final between Leinster and the Bulls went down to the wire resulting in a Bulls a win, against a Leinster team boasting with Irish national players. And while club and test rugby are to of a kind, South Africans will have the confidence factor in their corner.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has not beaten Irish head coach Andy Farrell since taking over as South African head coach. Although the Irish are fresh back-to-back 6Nations titles, the Springboks are coming off back-to-back world cup titles (albeit four years apart) and dominant performance against Wales at Twickenham. I believe the momentum will be on the side of the South Africans, and the high altitude in Pretoria will be a factor.

Prediction: South Africa win

Argentina vs France

After hosting and losing out to South Africa, France continue their season without captain and Talisman Antoine Dupont who has opted to join the French Olympic squad. They have also added 19 uncapped players, making up over half their squad. One may think of it as risky to play such an inexperienced squad against an Argentina team that made it to the world cup Semi-Final. However on the other hand, Los Pumas are also led by one the countries legends Felipe Contempomi, who also has no head coaching experience. 

Argentina exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals, and against a fairly inexperienced side, much like their rugby championship counterparts, the homeground advantage will be the difference.

Prediction: Argentina win