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Southern comfort Blacks, Wallabies, 'Boks too strong for northern rivals
Europe’s leading rugby nations could be disappointed if they’re expecting to upset the game’s ‘Big Three’ this Northern Hemisphere autumn. World champion Australia and its Tri-Nations rivals, New Zealand and South Africa, are all making short European tours before the end of the year. And despite signs of vulnerability, the Southern Hemisphere giants should still win all of their internationals. Australia is able to put together a strong squad, despite losing roughly half of the team that won the 1999 World Cup. International retirements and injuries mean that players like Tim Horan, Jason Little, David Wilson, Stephen Larkham and George Gregan will be missing. But coach Rod Macqueen has compiled a young and ambitious touring party, determined to prove the cynics wrong. The Wallabies’ biggest danger is a November 18 international against England. With a new half combination (probably Sam Cordingley and Rod Kafer) and a limited preparation, the Australians could be vulnerable against Clive Woodward’s huge English pack and the boot of flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, especially if conditions at Twickenham are heavy. Even so, Australian captain John Eales should be to steer his team to victory with the help of new Wallaby vice-captain Daniel Herbert. New Zealand plays two tests against France and one against Italy. Unlike the Australians, its squad has had plenty of good rugby in the last few weeks, with its very strong National Provincial Championship won by Jonah Lomu’s Wellington. The All Blacks have lost flanker Josh Kronfeld and centre Alama Ieremia, who’ve accepted lucrative club contracts abroad. But their 26-member squad is full of experience and includes just one new cap. After its disappointing World Cup and Tri-Nations campaigns, New Zealand will have plenty to prove. The Blacks have the potential to gain revenge against France with a 30 or 40-point victory in one of the internationals. With its new coach Harry Viljoen and his controversial assistant Andre Markgraff, South Africa will play four tests in Argentina, Ireland and Britain. Even with several injuries to key men and 14 uncapped players in the 40-strong squad, the Springboks have a formidable and imposing look. The most daring and commendable selection is former fullback Percy Montgomery as one of the fly-halves, as part of Viljoen’s vision to play a more expansive and flowing kind of rugby. Former coach Nick Mallett tried and failed to change his team's style. The pressures for success are great after South Africa’s mediocre results in 2000, including an embarrassing home loss to England. But Viljoen seems adventurous (the squad has a record eight black players) and has the perfect platform to take South African rugby into the 21st century. South Africa, New Zealand and Australia may be playing out-of-season and with under-strength squads, but they’ll still have too many tricks for their European opponents. Australian-born Jason Dasey is an anchor for World Sport, a 30-minute sports highlights and news program shown on CNN International and CNN/Sports Illustrated.
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