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The Rugby Championship Week 2: The big questions

21st August, 2014
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Michael Hooper breaks free from a tackle against the All Blacks. (Photo: Paul Barkley/LookPro)
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21st August, 2014
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The big questions went down a treat last week, which was great news. Diggercane, Biltongbek and I have returned to the roundtable to fire off another instalment of nagging questions for Week 2 of The Rugby Championship.

The week sees the return legs of Week 1, with New Zealand hosting Australia at Eden Park in Auckland, and Argentina welcoming South Africa to the Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium in Salta.

Brett McKay asks: What was the biggest surprise for you coming out of Week 1 of The Rugby Championship?
For mine, it was quite obviously the performance of Argentina in Pretoria. The way the Pumas were able to not just compete with the Springboks, but at times dominate the collision, the breakdown, and the set piece, tells me that their admission into TRC is already bearing fruit.

Moreover, if we have to consider the conditions for the respective performances of the Wallabies and All Blacks, then we have to really upshift our ratings and perceptions of Los Pumas, because that was proper rain. I do like to make the joke about ark-building weather, but I seriously expected the halftime entertainment at Loftus last weekend to comprise of animals walking into the stadium two-by-two!

The Pumas backrow was outstanding, and Nicolas Sanchez really looks one to watch. The return of Juan Martin Hernandez at inside centre, and Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino back on the wing gives them a bit more strike power, and I honestly think they’re a good chance this weekend back at home.

Biltong: One might suggest the conditions; it seems as if there was a storm cloud over the Rugby Championship from the East coast of Australia all the way to Pretoria.

However, it was the performance of the All Blacks. I can’t remember the last time they played so little rugby with ball in hand.

Digger: Obviously the All Blacks not winning was a surprise to me. (Joking, sort of…)

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But seriously, the first was the Wallabies defence. We have all acknowledged the improvements this squad has made under Ewen McKenzie but I was seriously impressed by the aggressiveness and teamwork shown by the Wallabies in forcing numerous errors and dare I say it, ill-discipline. Significant improvement from last year’s Championship.

The other was the strength of the Pumas set piece and forward effort. We all know they have a seriously good forward pack but to get on top of the Springboks as they did was unexpected in my view and I keenly wait for the return match at Salta to see if they can back that up.

Diggercane asks: Nominate the one player that each team in the Rugby Championship cannot afford to lose and why?
Wallabies – James Slipper: the often-maligned Wallaby scrum has found a cornerstone in James Slipper. Throw in a very high work rate and he is invaluable for the Wallabies in this championship. At only 25, he will only keep improving.

All Blacks – Aaron Smith: A vital cog in the All Blacks machine, his speed, accuracy, and length of pass makes him invaluable to the cause and irreplaceable. The All Blacks cannot afford to lose him if they wish to retain the Championship.

Springboks – Duane Vermeulen: Seriously underrated number 8; his work rate, skill, and physicality is second to none and fits perfectly within a strong Springbok loose forward mix. His absence would be sorely missed.

Pumas – Nicholas Sanchez: A quality first five, he will be required to convert the strong platform his forwards are likely to provide. If the Pumas are to break their duck in the Championship, Sanchez will be essential to that aim.

Biltong: Wallabies – Michael Hooper: his work rate, enthusiasm, and effect in general play will cause the Australian back row to lose much impetus.

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All Blacks – Conrad Smith: It was pretty clear this past weekend that Conrad Smith was missed, the All Black backline missed his organisational skills, maybe not so much in defence, but their attack severely lacked a spark.

Springboks – Willie le Roux: without him, the back line has simply no creativity and unpredictability.

Pumas – Nicholas Sanchez: he has shown to be the most valuable player on attack for Argentina; he looks to be very capable of breaking the line, runs well at the gaps. If Argentina has any hope of upsetting one of the big three, Argentina will have to score tries, and Sanchez has the ability to attack the line, find the gaps, and create space for his support runners.

Brett: Wallabies – Nathan Charles: for the simple fact that McKenzie is already to down to state hooker number six or seven in Saia Fainga’a, so another injury to a rake would render the cupboard pretty bare. We’d be nearly back at the point where a Phil Kearns is picked from second grade. Or maybe even picking the actual Phil Kearns.

All Blacks – Sam Whitelock: yes, there would be other to full into his place, Patrick Tuipulotu probably, but Whitelock gives the All Blacks pack so much more than just at set piece. His ability to get over the gain line consistently is unheralded, in my humble opinion.

Springboks – Bismarck du Plessis: again, Adriaan Strauss could wear the No.2 jersey very well, but replacing Bismarck is a whole other prospect. Such an inspirational leader on the field, even when not carrying the armband, and also a gauge of how the team is going. If Bismarck on ‘on’, then ‘Boks can beat anyone.

Pumas – Juan Manuel Leguizamon: it’s a reasonable argument that Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe provides more around the field, but Leguizamon is to the Pumas what Parisse is to Italy, and what Dusatoir is to France: that ‘follow me, boys’ leader that just keeps putting in. I think the Pumas rely on his leadership more than they admit.

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Biltongbek asks: How much do we really read into each team’s performance of last weekend?
I think it is hard to fathom the form and ability of each team due to the conditions. Conditions such as this past weekend is a great leveller as the attacking game plan pretty much goes out the window, it is harder to step, long passes are more difficult to execute accurately, handling errors are more pronounced, and the game is more attritional and much slower, not allowing teams to get into a rhythm or build momentum.

This coming weekend will be a complete reversal of tactics and skills, it might tell us a lot more about each team.

Digger: When you consider the weather conditions and the fact it was the first round, I guess you cannot take a lot from the performances and prospects for each team.

What can be reasonably assured is that each team will be better for the run and with presumably more favourable conditions this weekend we will get a better understanding of where each team stands.

In saying that, these conditions can pop up at any time and I felt the Springboks and All Blacks were the worst at adapting to what they were presented with and subsequently outplayed and one would hope that better strategies would be implemented and executed in case of a repeat in say, I dunno, twelve or so months’ time.

Brett: The obvious answer is probably ‘not much’, but I think there are definitely improvements to be seen in the Wallabies and Argentina. And that’s not to say that New Zealand and South Africa were terrible, or that they didn’t cope with the conditions well, but rather that Australia and Argentina just had so much more improvement (needed) in them.

But I agree with my esteemed colleagues here, all four teams will be ‘better for the run’, as the cliché goes, and we should – hopefully – be in for some really enjoyable Test rugby this weekend.

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The tips for TRC Round 2
Brett
: #NZLvAUS – Surely the hoodoo has to end at some point. I was still in primary school the last time Australia won at Eden Park, and to say the Wallabies are overdue for a win there is an understatement.

The big question then becomes whether the Wallabies have the improvement in them to match the ‘bounce’ factor of the All Blacks returning to their fortress. Heart says Wallabies by 3, head says All Blacks by 7.

#ARGvRSA – I know I see this about the Wallabies last week, but I’ve got another genuine feeling about Los Pumas getting up. I’m just not sure about South Africa at the moment. On paper, they should win well, and look as dangerous a Springboks side as we’ve seen in years. But few games are played on paper, are they? Pumas by 5 in an upset.

Digger: #NZLvAUS – Wallabies are a very real chance but I believe the All Blacks will bounce back from a less than memorable display in Sydney and take this match at home. All Blacks by 12 (again, Groundhog Day)

#ARGvRSA – I would not be surprised to see the Pumas snaffle one here, but in the end, I have to favour the Springboks. By 10.

Biltong: #NZLvAUS – Australia missed a golden opportunity this past weekend and the All Blacks won’t be happy with their performance. Eden Park is a tough place to win, while both teams will play to a whole new level in hopefully better conditions, based on historical value, I tip the All Blacks by a score.

#ARGvRSA – Heyneke Meyer may have been polite in the post match interview in regards to his young charges, but he will expect a lot more from them. Argentina will feel very satisfied with their performance this past weekend, but they have shown their hand and Meyer will be able to prepare his youngsters better. I expect a backlash from the Boks, a four-try bonus point may be a tough ask, but they sure as hell are going to try. South Africa by 14.

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