HUGE Test Match This Weekend

I can feel the tension building at the moment as the ABs shape up to take on France. All the talk has remained civil so far this week, but one gets the impression that the AB s are preparing for a torrid encounter and expect the French to really take it to them, especially up front. Henry has made no bones about the fact that Oliver has been selected for one reason only - the scrum. I'm looking forward to a titanic struggle among the tight five, with France seeking revenge for the humiliation of 2004. The scene is set for a mighty clash in Lyon, and let's hope that the game delivers.

The bookies are rating the ABs very highly at $1.35 to win, while France are only attracting $3.20. Those are pretty heavy odds in favour of the All Blacks, considering the untried midfield, changes to the forward pack, a hooker that has been wobbly at lineout time, the return of new locks...this really is a confident position. I mean, this is the number one ranked team in the world against the number two ranked team...seems like those are pretty good odds for anyone considering not backing the ABs. Still, you'd have to be pretty game to not back the All Blacks after the season that they have had, and the hype coming out of the camp this week. This is a difficult game to call, the French have been largely quiet in the lead up to the game, the All Blacks have been trying to say that they wont be surprised, but this is when the ABs are at their most vulnerable. It will be interesting, either way.

Jerry Collins is one forward who will be wanting to have a big game this weekend. He needs it, he has been playing well, but it has been a long time since we saw him pull off a big hit and really make a mark on the opposition. He is a great back up for McCaw, and has a high work rate, but we'll be looking to see him really throw himself into this one and exhibit some of the passion he has been praising in the French this week. The photos of Jerry in boxing gloves at training will no doubt inspire visions of a firey encounter this weekend.

This will be a cracker and I am really looking forward to taking this one in. A titanic struggle that will be much more interesting than the Wallabies fumbling their way around the Northern Hemisphere. George Smith has returned at the expense of the Phil Waugh, and Mortlock makes his return to the starting side which should see more cohesion in the backline ahead of an anticipated thrashing of Italy. One wonders why Italy weren't the warm up side?

South Africa kick off heavy underdogs against a well oiled Irish side. This will be an interesting game in terms of watching the new South African players perform and see how they will get on against some good opposition. Just in the nick of time the Africans are blooding some new players on the international scene for RWC 2007. Hello - that is only a few months away boys, you really ought to have blooded new players before now...anyway, they are doing it now and eventually South African Rugby could be stronger for having tried something new. This weekend could be tough on the SA faithful I fear.