Rugby Championship
Kick-off: 9:10 am Sunday 17
Venue: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba
For the first time in some time, the All Blacks are in the rare category of challengers in The Rugby Championship instead of titleholders. As was the case under Scott Robertson last year, the title was won by the Springboks, who have amassed a four-game winning streak against the All Blacks, including stunning victories in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
To top that, we have a Wallaby team going back to life and a Pumas outfit who have beaten every top test team in the last year or so. That gives us the building block of what looks like the most compelling series of tests in some time.
Main discussion points:
- All Blacks’ Workload
Big Simon Parker has been introduced, but loose forwards have been a strength of the team throughout the season. The greatest question mark surrounds the number of minutes Ardie Savea will play on the field; he has played 15 matches this season thus far. The burden is furthered by the reality that every match in this competition has been a close-knit contest. Scott Robertson may need to play the best-possible starting XV each week, and this may take a toll on his headline players. The attrition rate of the season has proved to be exceptionally high.
- Pressure on the Pumas
Interestingly, the Pumas have only beaten the All Blacks once, and only ever did so when they were not at home, and they are looking to make some history back home in front of their lively fans. A historic average score of 33-14 in the All Blacks’ favor when playing them back in Argentina, and a 41-12 thrashing the last time they played them back home, makes life difficult for the Pumas. Overcoming the pressure placed upon them by their fans has to be an important challenge they need to achieve.
- Are the Wallabies on the Rise?
Tailing poor form in recent matches against the Lions and a disastrous start to the season, the Wallabies rounding a corner would be an odd proposition to take forward. But having hit rock bottom at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, anything good from here on in gets written about across the ditch, and with promising young player Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii thrown into the equation, things may just be looking up. But we have been optimistic about the Wallabies before, back in 2019, only to be disappointed rather noticeably. - Pressure at Eden Park
All Eden Park contests have meant more to the All Blacks in recent years. In this instance, though, the Springboks have been under the microscope, seeking to end a 50-test Eden Park losing streak and join the pantheon of all-time great teams. They have a harsh reality, however: they last won Eden Park in 1937. This contest has the flavor of a World Cup final about it, considering how it comes on the back of two colossal tests against the Wallabies.
- Title Decider in London?
The Rugby Championship finale will be at Twickenham, a Springboks and Pumas encounter, and the All Blacks play the Wallabies a night previously in Perth. No side will go through the tournament unbeaten, so the trophy might come down to that game.
Season Results Summary:
- All Blacks: 31 – 27 vs France, 43 – 17 vs France, 29 – 19 vs France
- Springboks: 42 – 24 Italy, 45 – 0 Italy, 55 – 10 against Georgia
- Wallabies: 21 – 18 against Fiji, 19 – 27 against British & Irish Lions, 26 – 29 against British & Irish Lions, 22 – 12 against British & Irish Lions
- Pumas: 28 – 24 vs British & Irish Lions, 12 – 35 vs England, 17 – 22 vs England, 52 – 17 vs Uruguay
This tournament really has the potential of a thrilling competition because these teams are playing to win honors!
