The best of the best in the Rugby Championship

It has come to my attention a lot in social media within the last fortnight that the success of each nation’s Super Rugby team translates into successful for the national team.

While not everyone has this mindset, it seems the proud Australian culture has cemented this belief following the dominance of the Waratahs this Super Rugby season as well as honourable mentions to the recently consistent Brumbies, and the big improvers the Western Force.

Of course, the problem within lies in the fact that these club teams have had a whole year to gel together and form partnerships. No club team in Tier 1 rugby has the same starting XV as their nation.

So, in a bid to help my fellow Roarers with their Rugby Championship predictions, I will outline how the nations should rank in certain criteria. No disrespect to Argentina, but they haven’t been included in this article as they don’t (yet) participate in Super Rugby and their June Internationals were hard to judge given the number of players unavailable.

Front Row
I don’t think we need to look at the individual squads to recognise this is where the Springboks will shine. Australia look to be in strife. Don’t get me wrong, the New Zealand front row are always up for a contest, and have experience to boot in their props, but Dane Coles is still learning the ropes and coming up against Bismark du Plessis where 99 times out of 100 you come off second best.

Locks
This will be one of the more interesting areas to watch and one of the harder to pick. Eben Etzebeth in his prime was an IRB Player of the Year nominee and one of the best locks playing, but his time out injured must have surely left him rusty.

South Africa loses only experience with the injury to Victor Matfield as they have a great prospect in Lood de Jager looming as a permanent starting option. The All Blacks have the best options and most depth in this position. Brodie Retallick has been immovable all year and his partnership with Sam Whitelock is enough to make most teams steer clear of finding touch should they have to oppose these men.

Backrow
Take your pick. This will be the best chance to pick your dream team backrow as the abundance of talent in this area is phenomenal and worth the price of admission alone. Liam Messam, Richie McCaw and Keiran Read have formed a winning combination, and although one of the most feared backrows in the world, opposition aren’t any less frightened by the prospect of having to face Jerome Kaino when he emerges from the bench.

South Africa boast one of the best backrows I’ve seen and yet they still don’t have the reputation they deserve. Australia have one of the more in-form backrows with Mike Hooper and Wycliff Palu being instrumental in the Warathas’ first ever Super Rugby win. Supported by Scott Fardy, this backrow doesn’t have the same experience as New Zealand or size of SA but they have a great combination of being a mongrel in rucks, pilfering balls, being great in broken play and the ability to do hit up after hit up gaining metres every time.

My mind says Springboks, my heart says Wallabies and history says All Blacks. Like I said, take you pick.

Halves
Aaron Smith. There’s scrum-half sorted. As for fly-halves this area may be a bit less one-sided. The loss of Dan Carter is massive, but Aaron Cruden is a very handy replacement.

As Ewen McKenzie stated, “they have an embarrassment of riches”, in that position. Handre Pollard of the Bulls has been in good form for his country in the junior championships and I won’t be surprised to see him start over Pat Lambie. Either way, I think the best battle will be between Bernard Foley and Aaron Cruden, the Waratah just edging him out in form.

Centres
Until Australia decide to keep players in position, I’ll find it hard for me to back our centres pairing against the two best rugby nations in the world. Kurt Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper are the centre pairing of the Super Rugby championship side, boast better stats than most and yet neither of them are in the centres for their national side.

I can’t go past the midfield combinations that New Zealand have, especially since the discovery of Malakai Fekitoa and Ma’a Nonu’s addition of tactical kicking to his skillset.

Back Three
New Zealand again have to take this one surely. Julian Savea, Conrad Smith and Cory Jane were lethal against England and the inclusion of Charlie Piutau and Israel Dagg is even more dangerous.

Willie Le Roux and Bryan Habana are no slouches and Israel Folau is quickly becoming the best fullback in the game at present, but New Zealand’s depth is what keeps winning them matches.

Based on this, it looks a lot closer than it might have from afar. As an Aussie, I want the Wallabies to win, and there’s nothing to say they can’t with the current team and form they have (not to mention Ewen), but against Kiwi and South African opponents that still pose so many threats, it’s a tough ask.

I’m cautiously optimistic, but will leave the final predictions to you. Who do you think has got the rights to the Rugby Championship this year?