RUGBY: SOUTH AFRICA v NEW ZEALAND(Port Elizabeth, 4.05pm): South Africa must impose their style of play on New Zealand if they are to beat them in the Tri-Nations before heading to the World Cup to defend their title, captain Victor Matfield said yesterday.
“We need to force our strong points on to them, rather than allowing them to force theirs on us,” Matfield said. “We believe in a certain style of play, for instance it will be nice to make them throw into a line-out once in a while. The last time we played them, I think there were just three line-outs in the whole game because they kept taking quick throws.”
The lock was among a lengthy list of Springboks who missed the opening two matches of the Tri-Nations because they were involved in a “rehabilitation camp”.
Even if the Springboks win today, they will still finish at the bottom of the Tri-Nations table.
SCOTLAND v ITALY(Murrayfield, 5.0pm): Scotland's John Barclay gets a chance to impress against Italy at Murrayfield today, with the World Cup looming large.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson this week named a side showing 14 changes from the team which beat Ireland 10-6 a fortnight ago, with Graeme Morrison the only member of the starting line-up to remain for the final World Cup warm-up match.
Barclay will start at openside flanker in his first competitive action since the Six Nations win over Italy at Murrayfield on March 19th.
WALES v ARGENTINA(Millennium Stadium, 2.30pm): Martyn Williams will make his final Wales appearance at the Millennium Stadium today – and then hope he has done enough to feature in a fourth World Cup.
The Cardiff Blues flanker will be 36 the day before Wales arrive in New Zealand for their World Cup campaign. Sam Warburton, Wales’ World Cup captain-in-waiting, has nailed down the number seven shirt, while young Ospreys openside Justin Tipuric is viewed by many as a possible selection bolter.
