This weekend saw 4 southern hemisphere teams comfortably beat the northern hemisphere opponents.
Whilst most of the northern teams have come down here with depleted teams, they will certainly suffer psychologically come world cup time. The other worrying aspect for them must be the lack of points, and especially tries being scored.

All Blacks suffer 2 key injuries in beating France

The All Blacks started off super saturday by beating a negative french team 42-11 at Eden Park. The All Blacks looked quite rusty, and by their own standards their ball handling was sloppy, but they looked dangerous with ball in hand and made easy metres going forward each time they attacked. While they will get better, the injuries to Carter and McCaw could worrry them.

New Zealand42: Tries: Aaron Mauger 2, Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Rodney So’oialo; Conversions: Nick Evans 2, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter; Penalties: Carter, Weepu, Evans.
France11: Try: Jean-Francois Coux; Penalties: Benjamin Boyet

Wobblies produce better second half to overcome Wales

The Wobblies then played Wales at Suncorp stadium. The introduction of Grogan at halftime provided the impetus to get the back 3 into the game more and score some tries. Their set pieces still look shaky and one really has to question whether Connelly has a plan of the team he wants at the world cup, or whether he is still experimenting. They should stuggle come tri-nations time.

Wobblies 31: Tries: Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Julian Huxley. Conversions: Stirling Mortlock 2. Penalties: Mortlock 3.
Wales 0:

Argentina finish off Ireland

Argentina completed a 2-0 series victory over Ireland, winning the second test 16-0. Ireland were sloppy all over the park, and the Argentinian defence held firm to provide a morale boosting victory ahead of the world cup.

Argentina 16: Manuel Contepomi try; Federico Todeschini, 3 penalties, conversion,
Ireland 0:

Springboks gain pscyological edge for world cup

A packed out Loftus was the scene for the second test between South Africa and England. The English started of well with a flat in your face defence that put the Springboks on the back foot. Whilst the English didnt really look like scoring tries, a steady stream of penalties and an intercept try scored whilst Habana was off the field for a dubious yellow card, saw them go into the break with a 2 point lead. But the Boks came out after the break and played with a deeper attacking alignment and got go forward ball, which produced 6 great second half tries. The raw pace and power of Spies and Habana making the difference. The wory for the Boks will again be the set pieces, with CJ Van Der Linde proving he is better as an impact player as his tight phases work is not up to scratch and Wynand Olivier proving he is not classy enough for test level. Skinstad had a late introduction but his sublime touches proved to White he has to get more game time. But we know they will improve in the set pieces so they still look to be in a great position and the ability to score 6 second half tries quite easily was encouraging. The Boks will go into their world cup game against England with alot more confidence than they did 4 years ago.

South Africa 55: Tries by Ricky Januarie, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha, Pierre Spies, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Habana, Spies. Percy Montgomery 5 conversions and 1penalty; Butch James 1 conversion.
England 22: Try by Dan Scarborough. Jonny Wilkinson 1 conversion and 5 penalties