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We preview the best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this weekend.
International: New Zealand vs Wales (Saturday June 18, 3:35pm HKT)
Wales gave All Blacks fans a scare last weekend, leading at halftime and looking a good shot at their first win on New Zealand soil well into the second half. The All Blacks left it until the final 20 minutes to take over, and by full time had run up a comfortable 18 point margin. The worry is that this weekend’s match in Wellington could see those final 20 minutes continue over a full game. It has been a dark week for the Welsh, losing George North to a hamstring injury for the rest of the tour and being dusted up by the Chiefs 40-7 in a midweek fixture. That halftime lead suddenly seems a distant memory.
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International: Australia vs England (Saturday June 18, 6:00pm HKT)
Quarter of an hour into the first test last weekend a familiar sense of dread must have been settling into the pits of English stomachs. Down 10-0 and with the Wallabies running riot all over Suncorp Stadium, another ignoble defeat looked on the cards for the touring team. Then the men in white caught up to the pace of the game and started implementing their tactics and something beautiful happened. It ended 39-28 to England, who are now 7-from-7 since Eddie Jones took the helm. The rematch in Melbourne this weekend should be a belter.
International: Japan vs Scotland (Saturday June 18, 6:20 HKT)
Japan have a score to settle here. They last played Scotland at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the game after their famous win over South Africa, and many fancied them to put one over the Scots. Blame the short turnaround from their Herculean effort a few days earlier for their disappointing 45-10 loss, which ultimately cost them a place in the playoffs. This week they host the Scots for the first time, and are on the hunt for their first win. In five encounters so far Scotland have won all five, including a 100-8 thumping in 2004. Safe bet: this week’s result will be a bit closer than that.
Top 14: Toulon vs Montpellier (Sunday June 19, 2:45am HKT)
No real surprises from the Top 14 quarterfinals: Racing 92 defended and kicked their way to victory over Toulouse – Dan Carter landing six penalties from six attempts – while Montpellier were too good for Castres, running in three tries to none in their 28-9 win. From a neutral’s point-of-view the more appealing semi final prospect would seem to be their match-up with Toulon, who had the luxury of a weekend off after finishing 2nd on the table. The two last met as recently as three weeks ago, when Montpellier won 36-21 at home. With rest and home advantage in their favour this time Toulon will be favourites to reverse that result, but you probably wouldn’t want to put money on it.
NRL: Warriors vs Roosters (Sunday June 19, 2:00pm HKT)
For most of the season the Warriors’ Round 5 game against the Roosters seemed like it would be the highlight of their season. Star fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who scored a freakish try to win the game in golden point, suffered a season-ending injury not long after that and they began slumping to a series of truly depressing defeats. But since the Origin period started they’ve risen Icarus-like from the bottom of the table, and after back-to-back wins over the Broncos and Knights they find themselves flirting with the Top 8 once more. They look to go 3-in-a-row this weekend against a beleaguered Roosters side who sit second-last on the table – if they can win here, and they really should, the Warriors season is officially back on.
