Key events6m agoFrance XV11m agoAustralia XV36m agoPreambleToday’s referee is Englishman Karl Dickson, a former Harlequins scrum-half. He recently did an online AMA, which suggests he’s a good egg.Conditions are perfect at a sold out Lang Park. It is a mild, dry, and still winter’s evening in south east Queensland.The Suncorp Stadium pitch has been well used in recent months (most recently on Wednesday night for the final match in Australian rugby league’s State of Origin series) so may cut up in areas of high traffic. Nothing some long studs can’t cope with.Suncorp Stadium in perfect condition before the Wallabies host France. Photograph: Pat Hoelscher/AFP/Getty ImagesThis is round two of whatever the Nations Championship is. If there was a notable result from the opening six fixtures it was South Africa’s hammering of England, putting the world on notice they are on course for a Webb Ellis Cup three-peat.
double quotation markTo be inside a fervid Ellis Park, their traditional citadel, last Saturday and witness their 45-21 win over England was instructive on several fronts, but there was one entirely unavoidable takeaway. Is there anyone out there with the physical firepower to stop the Springboks when the world’s leading sides converge on Australia next year?
