NEW ZEALAND v FRANCE: New Zealand will concentrate on securing ball, particularly at the breakdown, as they prepare for the second Test against France in Christchurch next week, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said yesterday.
The World Cup winners scraped to a 23-13 victory over Philippe Saint-Andre’s side at Eden Park on Saturday, courtesy of two counter-attacking tries late in the first half.
The home side were without regular captain Richie McCaw, who is on a sabbatical from top-flight rugby until the end of the month, and Hansen gave openside flanker Sam Cane the nod to cement his place as McCaw’s successor in the side.
But Cane, who scored one of the All Blacks tries, and the other forwards found the French tough to combat at the breakdown with Fulgence Ouedraogo, Thierry Dusautoir, Yannick Nyanga and Sebastien Vahaamahina particularly adept at disrupting that area of the game.
The team have no injury issues from Saturday’s game, in the build-up to the second Test in Christchurch next Saturday though first-choice lock Sam Whitelock (broken hand) was unlikely to be available, he said. Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock (hamstring, nose) and scrumhalf Piri Weepu (concussion) are likely to be considered for selection.
ARGENTINA v ENGLAND: Christian Wade was challenged to emulate Jason Robinson on his England debut and he did just that against Argentina, playing a starring role in a 32-3 triumph in Salta. Wade was at the heart of a thrilling attacking performance and he had a hand in the three first-half tries, scored by David Strettle, Billy Twelvetrees and Ben Morgan.
The Wasps wing did not score himself but his all-round contribution impressed head coach Stuart Lancaster, who said: "Christian did what he does in the Premiership. He sets our attack alight and he causes problems in defence."
SCOTLAND v SAMOA: Scotland could lose captain Kelly Brown and two other players to tour-ending injuries after a bruising loss to Samoa on Saturday in the first of three Tests in South Africa.
Loose forward Brown, experienced prop Euan Murray and debutant hooker Pat McArthur were forced out of the 27-17 loss to the Pacific islanders and are doubtful for the rest of the trip, interim coach Scott Johnson said.
Brown suffered an ankle injury, Murray a possible hamstring tear and McArthur a knee problem after a ferocious hit early in the game by Samoa’s two-try hero Alesana Tuilagi.
