Just watched Australia defeat the combined Pacific Islands rugby team. The Islanders were playing as a combined team in their first ever test match.

Even thought the Aussies won, I was impressed by the opposition. They were very physical, and at times took the game right up to the Australians. The Australians sustained a lot of injuries and looked very worse for wear by the end of the game.

Have to say the Islanders looked far better than England did a week earlier.

The Islanders play as individuals in competitions around the world, but don't have the depth to field competitive test teams from their own countries.

The captain, in an interview after the game, summed up by saying that this sort of match is a step up from what they're used to in Super 12s. Well, after they've played a few time together at test match level, I reckon they could be a new and welcome force in world rugby.