A money making exercise for the unions involved is what lies ahead over the next four weeks, and one wonders whether it really contributes anything to the game, its spectators and the players who are tackling an already crammed schedule.

The matches take players away from club games where the spirit of the game lies. In the case of the Wallabies some have not played one club game in 2004, while others are told when their quota is up and they have to take a break or return to camp Wallaby -- as the seaside haven of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales has become known.

In the opening game, the Wallabies showed they were jet-lagged and weary with a lack-lustre second half during which they were outscored by the Scots 14 points to three. The first half performance by the World Cup 2003 finalists was brilliant with four tries scored from classic backline play.

The Wallabies win was overshadowed after the game by the allegations leveled at the Scottish officials by Coach Eddie Jones accusing the locals of changing the dimensions of the pitch. It seems Jones can always find a bad word for someone after the game and Aussie fans are looking forward to the day when he is satisfied.

The game was played before 38,000 people at Murrayfield with a haze over the ground in the first 10 minutes that would have made a London fog look pale by comparison.

In the other major, International Wales put up a great showing against Tri Nations champions the South African Springboks and trailed by only two points at the final whistle going down 36 to 38. The Welsh continued to show their good improvement that was there at the conclusion of the 2003 World Cup. Like the Wallabies -- the Springboks suffered from a second half lapse and this could be due to these tours coming at the end of what has been a torrid representative season with the Currie Cup only finishing three weeks ago in South Africa.

This coming weekend sees another full set of Internationals with Wales vs. Romania; England vs. Canada; Ireland vs. South Africa, and Australia vs., France. All three southern hemisphere teams can be expected to struggle against European sides fresh for the start of a new season in the northern winter.

Meanwhile, talks continue for a ?global? season and the announcement is made that top Irish club side Munster will taken on the South African provincial side the Western Stormers in Dubai in February next year in what will be billed as the ?duel in the desert? and staged by the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union.