David Campese’s predictions: ‘Tin hat’ on after All Blacks call and the ‘assassin’ who could decide Springboks v Ireland

As rugby swings into its mid-year Test series period, Planet Rugby are delighted to announce the signing of the peerless David Campese as one of our pundits.

‘Campo’ will be on hand to give us his expert analysis twice a week in his predictions and talking points pieces from the big games, bringing you experience gained in 101 Test matches from a genuine all-time great of the sport.

This week we feature the three big Tests of the weekend as Campese predicts a good return for the Southern Hemisphere.

New Zealand v England

“This is a banger of a match and one I’m looking forward to immensely. A settled and, for once, an attractive England against an All Blacks side in the process of a rebuild under Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson means we’re likely to an open and expansive game of rugby,” he said.

“For me, New Zealand’s selection shows that Razor isn’t ready yet for an overhaul and wants to blend experience and youth for continuity. Scott Barrett is a decent choice as a skipper – a player improving, but one worry is his disciplinary record isn’t the best and he’s known for attracting a few cards.

“But, whilst I do expect to see both sides prepared to play fast and attacking footie, I do believe that this one is going to be all about that gainline collision and winning the set-piece basics, as many Tests are.

“England have their best chance for a win in New Zealand, but starting hot is the key for them. If they don’t own the board early then playing catch up against the Kiwis is almost like playing Russian Roulette – it’s only a matter of time until they kill you off.”

Head-to-head: “No question – Damian McKenzie against Marcus Smith is box office. D-Mac is probably a little further developed as a player than Smith at this point so I’d say he holds the advantage, even if he’s only there due to Richie Mo’unga’s unavailability from playing in Japan,” Campese continued.

“I’m delighted to see Steve Borthwick hand the reins to Marcus though – he’s not a Pommie style player but he’s a magician.

All Blacks v England preview: ‘Genius’ Scott Robertson to begin reign with tight win over talented England side

“McKenzie has the greater experience, but does Smith have the better structural game? Saturday will tell us.”

Players to watch: “Both 10s have brilliant partners at half-back. England’s resurgence is partly down to finding Alex Mitchell, who is an outstanding nine, but the old warhorse TJ Perenara asks different questions than Aaron Smith does and the England loosies will have to contain him,” he added.

“I’m a big fan of Chandler Cunningham-South, a rangy and skilled back-rower but he’ll have a new level of physical test against the All Blacks.

“I’m also keen to see Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – he’s electric alright, but his superpower is his strength in post-contact carry, an unusual feature for a smaller wing.”

Campo’s call: “England will push New Zealand all the way but this is Dunedin and the All Blacks are formidable. But something in me says that the extra Test in Japan might help the Poms so I’m calling this 33-21 to England and I’m donning my tin hat for the post match comments!”

Australia v Wales

“Two sides rebuilding, and both also need to rebuild the trust of their supporters. There’s little promotion of this match here in Australia which hurts me greatly and shows how far Union is falling behind the other codes, so I hope both sides put on a thrilling display of rugby,” said the Wallabies great.

“Australia may have an advantage up front with a settled front-row and with Wales carrying a number of injuries. But the Welsh lads stood up brilliantly for a half against South Africa and they will take confidence from that.

“The aerial battle will be key and Wales have a couple of aces in Liam Williams and Rio Dyer at the back, so expect a fierce contest there. It’s a bit strange that we see two sides with huge rugby heritage with Kiwi coaches and that disappoints me from an Aussie perspective, but Joe Schmidt is a details man and that’s exactly what Australia have lacked for the last few years.”

Head-to-head: “Breakdown is key and Fraser McReight versus Tommy Reffell will be a dinger of a battle, both brilliant over the ball, both able to support and get over the whitewash. Australia cannot afford to be a millimetre off at ruck-time otherwise Reffell will pick your pocket like a trained thief,” Campese warned.

Players to watch: “I love Liam Williams as a player – he’s brave, athletic and also a little spiky, perfect for a Test match animal! I also like the look of Aaron Wainwright at eight, a man who plays to his peak every time he puts on the red shirt,” he praised.

“For the Wallabies, that experience in the front-row as a unit is key, and also the performance of Noah Lolesio, a man who needs to own the shirt at 10 as Australia are threadbare there.”

Campo’s call: “This will be close as you like and I can honestly toss a coin, but the Aussie blood in me says the Wallabies by a point – 25-24 in a tight match.”

South Africa v Ireland

“The big one – two heavyweights going toe-to-toe with Ireland having won their last three matches against the Springboks, including the Rugby World Cup pool stage game. But the Boks aren’t world champs for nothing and they learned from that close loss to take the silverware at the end, proving the World Cup is a marathon, not a sprint,” Campese explained.

“Ireland have only won once in South Africa – Newlands in 2016 – and this is up on the highveld at Loftus, something that really won’t help them at all. Your lungs burst up there and if the game is as physical as it promises to be then the Irish will be hanging out of their backsides come the last quarter.

“Do Ireland have the physicality? For me, there’s a big difference of power in the locks and that’s where South Africa crush and enforce, with Eben Etzebeth a key figure. I also fancy that the Boks will use their flyers down the wing to get around Ireland, but don’t underestimate how the Irish will look to bring their kicking game into play, especially the huge boot of James Lowe at altitude.”

Head-to-head: “Easy – it’s at 12 where Bundee Aki and Damian de Allende will go up against each other, two of the best inside centres around. Both are glue players for their teams, crashing up and committing numbers,” he said.

Players to watch: “Willie le Roux is an attacking genius for the Boks and the number of assists he makes is outrageous. Kwagga Smith must be the smallest eight in Test history, but he’s an assassin over the ball and has immense skills from his time on the Sevens circuit,” praised Campese.

“For Ireland, Joe McCarthy needs to stand up and strut his stuff against the Bok locks – the biggest test, and I also think that the hugely experienced Irish back-row as a unit need to be at their very best to batten down the hatches around the breakdown.”

Campo’s call: “South Africa are irked by that Rugby World Cup loss and their recent form run against Ireland so this one is personal for them. I expect them to really show up and for Ireland maybe to fall off the pace as altitude hits them. 32-19 to the Springboks.”

READ MORE: Springboks v Ireland preview: ‘Bomb Squad’ to power world champions to another ‘nail-biting victory’