First June tests

Everyone is announcing yesterday's tests as the unofficial start of the RWC campaign - which starts in 15 months or so, and fewer than 20 test matches time.

After the four matches, it's hard to guess who is happiest.

The Boks stuffed Les Bleus. That's been a bogie match for the Boks for a few years, so it must feel good for PDV et al. There's that little question of was it just a bad day for France that will linger but still a great result for South Africa.

Australia must be happy too. Their front row started with 2 caps, and it showed. England dominated the scrums completely and essentially scored all of their points via the scrum - a penalty kick and two penalty tries. Australia showed willing there but were completely outplayed. However, in every other aspect, the opposite was true. Even when Foden and Ashton combined to counter-attack, the next pass was to the only player supporting them... Simon Shaw who was promptly wrapped up, tackled and turned over. That's not to be critical of Shaw, he at least was doing the right thing but where were the other runners to keep pace on the move? Australia completely deserved their win, and as front row forwards come back their scrum will improve. No panic from Deans and a happy glow of satisfaction I think.

New Zealand will be happy too. The red card and sin binning in short order destroyed the game as a contest. Despite that, Dagg, Franks, Vito, Whitelock and Stanley all produced very accomplished looking performances. Crudden - a bit less accomplished but looking like he could grow into the replacement for Carter that the All Blacks have been lacking for some time. Muliaina in particular must be feeling a little worried about Dagg's performance. Franks, Franks, Woodcock and Tialata will make an awesome pool of 4 high quality props. Thorne and Williams are probably still the dominant locks, but Boric, Eaton and Whitelock in some order look good for stepping up to the plate. Thorne will probably go after the world cup, but New Zealand won't be lacking in replacement options.

And, of course, New Zealand have the Maori side too - playing Ireland next week, so a complete second 22 playing internationals gaining experience, match practise and the like.

And finally Andy Robinson must be happy and proud. Beating Argentina in Argentina is always hard. They'd never lost at that stadium until yesterday. He must have concerns too though - his side are still looking limited, albeit less limited than England.

It's also a toss-up for the angriest between Johnson and Kidney. Heaslip and ROG should both know better and they gave the game away. England just looked flat and clueless. It's hard to believe that even if Johnson was solely concentrating on the forwards he'd produce a team that clueless.

But apart from Scotland, it has that feel of business as usual. The Tri-Nations this year and next will sort out the pecking order and barring a miracle it will be a Southern Hemisphere side keeping the RWC on this week's showing. They're only going to build and improve after all.