[nelsonone]

well the internationals have now started in the lead up to the RWC and I can't really see too much to read into the form.....with the one exception....South Africa

They have easily thrashed an England B or even C team on both of the last weekends.....not too unpredictable but the way they have done it has been most impressive.....good strong defense, good ball security and play amongst the forwards and some great backline manoevres which is where I think they are really becoming a world class team again.....if they continue in this form they will shorten greatly for the RWC....I already put some money on them whilst the Super 14 was in progress.....

All Blacks werent particularly great to watch with a journeyman win over a third string French team on the weekend.....the hob cobbled French team did themselves proud in taking the game to the very end....Chabal was out on his feet....but without any of the flair or charm of the no1 team......ABs should improve with a second run next weekend

Wallabies have been experimenting against Wales and have looked very ordinary but in the second half of the second game with gregan + Larkham in they started to gel a little......still a long way behind AB's and SA though IMHO.....

and the Pumas have seen off Ireland to become the most improved team of the last 12 months....

Not much to read into all of these trial matches (they shouldn't realy be called "Tests")....except to say watch the Springboks