Rugby Championship review: Who will stop the All Blacks?
New Zealand
It’s only been two games but who will prevent the world champions from winning the first ever Rugby Championship?
The All-Blacks demolition over their Tasman rivals suggests that, even though the Wallabies are not in the best place right now, they are a cut above the rest.
The departure of blindside Jerome Kaino was a worry but Liam Messam, who missed out on the World Cup last year, proved how much he matured this year with the Chiefs and fits in perfectly in that bruiser/strong ball carrier role.
But with Sonny Bill Williams now gone, the centres are the only apparent weakness. Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith are world-class but, with Richard Kahui injured, the back up (Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Tamati Ellison) is not yet up to scratch.
They went back to basics following the appointment of Steve Hansen as head coach with the set pieces, defence and kicking game being key to their game.
But once they click again in attack (see the 3rd test against Ireland for reference), they will run riot against any team.
As Hansen put it best following Saturday’s game: “You haven’t seen nothing yet.”
South Africa
There is a feeling of fresh air in that Springboks’ side.
With a a bunch of players retiring after the World Cup and other experienced players injured, youngsters have been drafted in but it will take them some time to get to international level.
Eben Etzebeth has shown is potential all year long with the Stormers and looks to be Bakkies Botha’s heir in the No.4 jersey.
The same can be said about Marcel Coetzee at openside taking over from the injured Schalk Burger and Heinrich Brussow.
Willem Alberts and Andries Bekker are experienced Super Rugby players but will now have to become the leaders in that Springboks pack which is so important for their game plan.
In the backs, they need to find a fly-half doing other things than kicking to bring the rest of the back line like Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers into the game. The talented Pat Lambie or even Elton Jantjies deserve a shot at it after repeated poor outings by Morne Steyn.
They now face Australia in Perth in two weeks where they will fancy their chances.
The return leg in Pretoria should be theirs and anything other than a thumping against the All Blacks will be a positive in what seems to be the start of the new era for them.
Australia
Where do we start? Super Rugby and Tri-Nations champions in 2011, set to be bottom of the class in 2012.
If things don’t change quickly, this first ever Rugby Championship is set to be an embarrassing one for the Wallabies.
The pack doesn’t go forward with ball in hand, the backs don’t have any spark and the defence is hindered by missed tackles.
Waratahs lock Sitaleki Timani and 21-year-old openside Michael Hooper are the only players standing out after both games.
The absence of inspirational captain James Horwill is evident. Their is no spirit in the pack. Nothing bad but nothing that will make you win a Test match.
The key missing player in the back line is Pat McCabe at inside centre. His strong running to put the defence on the back foot is missing. They current back line likes to play on the front foot and the Brumbies centre is much missed for that.
With the ‘Three Amigos’ (James O’Connor, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale) either injured or out of form, their spark in attack is gone and they became a very average side.
On paper, they should contest for the Championship. On form, one win against Argentina at home will be good.
Argentina
‘Los Pumas’ have been pleading with the IRB for years to be involved in an annual international competition.
Their inclusion to the Six Nations failed but they are now part of the ‘Big Boys’ tournament.
Even though they lack the composure and experience of the best sides, their performance on Saturday night proved to the world they are worthy of their place in the tournament.
Their aggression and desperation is second to none and they will be a handful to anyone not taking them seriously (the French are experts).
All their basics are on par with the best side in the world and with consistent experience at that level they are destined to become a force to be reckoned with sooner rather than later.
They do need a world-class fly-half though to organise everything and if the mercurial Juan Martin Hernandez can’t keep fit, someone will have to step up and lead the Argentines to glory.
The All Blacks will be too strong and their trip to the Gold Coast in three weeks might be a step too far yet but the return fixture against the Wallabies in Rosario for last game of the tournament could well be an historic day for Argentine rugby.
