The emotions of international rugby begin again, with the national teams of the southern hemisphere moving up here to Europe for a month. Among the group from the old continent there is also the Italian formation, which will immediately face the islanders of American Samoa, to then continue in a tour de force to the limits of the impossible against Argentina and South Africa. The round of test matches will be a very important testing ground to begin taking stock of the forces on the field at the next World Cup, which will be held at the end of next year's summer. Obviously, the November tests are even more significant for the players of the 6 Nations which will start in a few months, while the "large Southern" are at the end of the season - but not relaxed and willing to give something up.
Italy is always a question mark, and not even a small one. We are returning from 13 consecutive defeats, one of which came last June against tomorrow's opponent. The numbers are all on the side of the islanders, both those of the scores and the physical ones. As for the former, it is enough to remember that the last two meetings between the two national teams have seen the Samoans beat the Italians first by 39 to 12, and then, last June, by 15 to 0. Tomorrow's is almost an ultimatum for Brunel's boys, and the words of captain Parisse make it clear: “We want to leave a negative year behind us without making excuses, without feeling sorry for ourselves. We worked well, as I said, but now the field test awaits us: for us, getting back to winning is fundamental”. If we add to this the proverbial physical prowess of the Samoan tattooed men, and some choices by the Italian coach that at least cause discussion, the forecasts don't seem the most optimistic. The exclusion of Allan, highly esteemed in Perpignan, for the naturalized New Zealander Haimona, does not seem very sensible even if the field will tell the truth as usual. Well, however, the rest of the back line made up mostly of under 25s, always a good sign for a sporting movement.
The most interesting challenge of the day, needless to say, will be between the champions of everything and the future hosts of the Rugby World Cup 2015 – an event that is considered the third most important after the Olympics and the football World Cup. England vs All Blacks will in fact be the match between the reigning world champions and the most probable challengers to the title. Also, don't forget that the last time the All-Blacks hit the lawn, they came away with more than a few broken bones. All the more reason therefore not to take anything for granted in a game that has a lot of symbolic, a lot of technical and even more of revenge.
Another match not to be missed is the one that sees the Welsh fight against the Australians disappointed by a poor performance in the recently concluded Rugby Championship. However, the desire for revenge will not be enough for the kangaroos to beat the British dragoons who, in addition to the friendly public, have too many lacks from them in the ranks of the Australians. In fact, the absence of the midfielder who has made thousands of fans dream for a long time continues, Will Genia and Quade Cooper will sit on the bench, in whose place we will see a rookie with a rosy future. It should be remembered, however, that Australia is heartened by the recent scramble reserved for the Barbarians (the invitational team made up of the most talented available players in the world).
Ireland vs South Africa promises a lot of entertainment and a lot of technical quality. The Springbocks arrive from Cape Town fresh from a victory against none other than the All Blacks, the same All Blacks who last year brought home a questionable victory against the Irish leprechauns only in extra-time. Just because of that precedent, Irish greens are always a dangerous field for southern peoples, whoever they are.
The French are the ones who seem to have it easier this November start. In fact, they will have to deal with the Fiji Islands, a formation that grants a lot to the show but not enough to the scoresheet. The islanders are in fact renowned for their great technical skills and inventiveness, but they too often sin of indiscipline and a poorly amalgamated game between players who are often militants as starters in first-class teams in Europe. The French, however, are always the French and there are quite a few times they have sinned by pride, engaging instead only with opponents worthy of their consideration on paper. The result, therefore, is yet to be established, given the many positions that separate the Fijians and the roosters from across the Alps in the world rankings.
Finally, the Scottish highlanders will host the pumas of Argentina, always one more difficult opponent refreshed by the long-awaited victory in the Championship. The Argentines, who will arrive at a Murrayfield increasingly united in his Flowers of Scotland, the ranks of the workforce change a bit, but essentially those who have frightened all the upper floors of the Olympus of Rugby remain, see South Africa, New Zealand and above all Australia – defeated in the last match in the tournament of four from the South.
