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This weekend's local rugby games at Malabar promise to be entertaining and full of surprises. Unfortunately, they may not be many spectators as most of the island bound fans will be glued to the flat screen watching the mouth watering prospect of the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup (RWC) streamed live from France courtesy of Montpelier Re's sponsorship.

Saturday's two RWC matches have Australia taking on beleaguered current title holder England in Marseille, whilst pre-tournament favourites New Zealand take on hosts France in Cardiff. England have suffered a set back with former rugby league great Andy Farrell's late withdrawal due to a training injury. Australia is without injured Steven Larkham but otherwise they are fielding a full strength side.

Prediction: Epic trench warfare upfront but the Wallabies back line will be too dynamic for the patched up English three quarters- disappointing England to exit the tournament 32-13. The All Blacks relentless march to the coveted Webb Ellis trophy will face its sternest challenge of the tournament against their nemesis France who defeated them in an inspirational display back in the 1999 RWC semis. However despite being hosts of the 2007 RWC, Les Bleus will bizarrely not have home field advantage. Their strength, depth of talent and fear of losing will drive New Zealand to victory- Prediction: 41-18 to New Zealand.

Sunday's RWC bracket has South Africa taking on Fiji and Argentina facing Scotland. South Africa are a strong well organized team and Fiji will hope to entertain with their devil may care flair but the Springbok will grind the south islanders down with discipline forward play and should stroll this game.

Prediction: South Africa should win 55-10.

Argentina is the team no one wants to play at the moment. They have all the momentum with impressive wins over France and Ireland. They have approached each game with a shrewd strategy and astute tactical kicking. The question will be have they enough discipline to negate Scotland's deadly penalty kicker Chris Paterson? In this age of professionalism the answer is obvious; despite Scotland's emphasis on bulking up their players for the World Cup, Argentina will prove too strong.

Prediction: 35-9 to the rampant Pumas.

Local games

Meanwhile local games kick off at 1:30pm on Saturday with the battle of the undefeated- Police versus Renegades. Police are sporting several new players and are responding well to the coaching of Ken O'Shea who has emphasized strong forward play and ball retention.

Renegades have arguably the most talented back line on the island sporting West Indies star Tom Heally, South African standoff Paul Walburger and Bermuda Irish winger Darragh O'Donnoghue.

The game will no doubt come down to who makes the least errors and the capitalization of the opponent's mistakes. Either way it should be a barn-burner.

The 3:45pm game will pit Teachers against Mariners. Teachers will hope that their talismanic standoff Chris Naylor's place kicking returns to form as they can ill afford another repeat of last weekend's woeful display.

Judging by the fierce tackling that both sides put into last weekend's losses this should be a bruising encounter.[[In-content Ad]]

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