Round 2 of the Nations Championship delivers another full Saturday slate, with England, Argentina and Australia all needing to bounce back after difficult opening weekends.
Round 1 produced 54 tries and an upset as Scotland beat Argentina 47-38 in Cordoba. England were beaten 45-21 in Johannesburg, Italy lost 27-10 to Japan, France were edged 34-32 by New Zealand, Ireland won 33-31 in Sydney and Wales beat Fiji 39-24. Here is the case for each Round 2 selection.
New Zealand v Italy (07:10 SAST)
New Zealand survived a French fightback to win 34-32 in Christchurch in their first match under Dave Rennie. Italy lost 27-10 to Japan and face an All Blacks side sharpened by last week’s test.
Pick: New Zealand (-16.5) @1.17
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Australia v France (09:40 SAST)
France are reinforced for Brisbane by their Toulouse and Montpellier players absent in Christchurch after the Top 14 final. Ntamack, Meafou and Mauvaka all come in, making this near full strength. Australia lost 31-33 to Ireland despite territorial advantage and defensive lapses proved costly.
Pick: France to win @1.38
Japan v Ireland (12:10 SAST)
Ireland won 33-31 against Australia, showing their quality despite a lengthy injury list. Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Round 1 but face a significant step up. The match is played in Newcastle, Australia, as Japan cannot host at home.
Pick: Ireland to win @1.07
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Fiji v England (15:10 SAST)
England must respond after their 45-21 defeat at Ellis Park. Borthwick resists wholesale changes but brings in Marcus Smith at fullback. Fiji lost 24-39 to Wales and play this at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool – effectively an England home game.
Pick: England to win @1.06
South Africa v Scotland (17:40 SAST)
South Africa were dominant in beating England 45-21 and now host Scotland at Loftus Versfeld. Scotland produced the shock of Round 1, winning 47-38 in Cordoba, but face a very different challenge at altitude. Finn Russell returns from injury to start at fly-half. Handre Pollard, Aphelele Fassi and Edwill van der Merwe all come into the Bok side.
Pick: South Africa (-9.5) @1.36
Argentina v Wales (21:10 SAST)
Argentina lost 38-47 to Scotland at home in Cordoba and face a Wales side strengthened by the return of Jac Morgan, Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit from club commitments. However, Argentina at home in San Juan, with a point to prove, is a different proposition from last week.
Pick: Argentina to win @1.11
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Saturday accumulator
New Zealand (-16.5) @1.17
France @1.38
Ireland @1.07
England @1.06
South Africa (-9.5) @1.36
Argentina @1.11
Total accumulator odds: 2.76
Booking code: BW620B3C50
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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