ARN Forecast August 22

The countdown to the Rugby World Cup is on. The largest global sporting event of the year is quickly approaching and three of the four teams from the Americas competing in England and Wales are to ply warm-up matches this weekend. Uruguay is to face Japan in Fukuoka in the early hours of Saturday while Canada will play host to the USA Eagles in an afternoon test match in Ottawa.

August 22 – Japan v Uruguay

Paul – Uruguay is treating the game with the utmost respect while Japan is continuing with the policy of rotating players as only Eddie Jones really seems to know who will be involved in Japan’s opening Rugby World Cup match against South Africa. Indeed Uruguay’s team to face Wales will likely be very similar which suggests that Japan’s superiority should not be as large as it would otherwise be. Japan, nonetheless, has depth and the players are professionals while Uruguay’s team is mainly made up of Montevideo based players.  Prediction: Japan to win by 10 points.

Bryan – Japan are fielding a mix-and-match side while Uruguay are sending out pretty close to their best team. Having beaten Argentina ‘A’ recently, Los Teros will be full of confidence, but have a long journey to overcome not to mention a much better prepared Japanese team. The scrum battle will be very interesting given both sides will hope to get the edge. Whoever comes out on top there could well take the match. Male Sa’u is a key addition to the Japanese attack, which should be just a little more potent than Uruguay’s. Prediction: Japan by 9.

Ted – This should be an interesting matchup, mostly because Eddie Jones is sticking to his “not playing my best until we face South Africa” policy. Hard to see a team clicking if they don’t get game time together, but hey… that’s his choice. With that said, Japan still has quite a bit of depth and some solid players in the lineup to face Uruguay. Passion will only take Uruguay so far. Japan will need to avoid letting Uruguay stick around in the match too long. If Uruguay is within striking distance in the second half anything could happen. Prediction: Japan wins by 13 points

August 22 – Canada v USA

Paul – Canada has not been playing well for quite a long time and the constant changes to the lineup certainly do not make it any easier. A number of selections in the team to face the Eagles appear experimental while the visitors look to have selected a settled lineup, albeit not a full strength team. There is enough class around the park from the Eagles to lead me to believe that they should be the stronger side, picking a big win though is not something I am prepared to do. As was the case in the Pacific Nations Cup and in Toronto in 2013 I feel it will be a close scoreline with tries not deciding the game. Prediction: USA to win by 3 points.

Bryan – Tough call. The heart desperately wants a win for the home team before they head overseas, but the Canadian lineup looks a bit makeshift, while the Eagles are nearer their first choice side. Most worrisome from a Canuck perspective is that the halfback combination has never played together before. That’s rarely a good thing at test level. The set piece battle will be important, and if Canada can keep the Eagles off the scoreboard in the ten minutes either side of half, they’re in with a shout. Have to side with the head this time though, Eagles hold all the cards but home turf. Prediction: USA by 6.

Ted – It has been a long time since the USA could honestly say that they were the favorites over a Canadian side. The USA has never beaten Canada three times in a row and come into this match as the favorite to do so. They have played better rugby this Summer and have a couple wins to show for it. Canada continues to tinker with their lineup, but are putting out a better side than the last time the two teams faced each other. The Eagles are starting to settle in on a lineup and are putting out a strong side. Still, it is always a battle between the two rivals. Even when Canada is struggling, they find a way to keep things close against the USA. The USA needs to avoid penalty trouble. Prediction: USA wins by 5 points.