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I need to declare several conflicts of interest. I grew up playing and watching rugby in New Zealand and like many of my compatriots, I am an ardent All Blacks supporter. I’ve also lived in Australia since I was 11, and have a South African girlfriend who I subject to hours of rugby watching.
Moving to Australia at an early age could have swayed my loyalties – at least from a rugby sense – from the men in black to the Wallabies, who experienced a pretty healthy level of success over the All Blacks in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.
To my father’s approval, I’ve remained a steadfast All Blacks supporter, though have always followed the Wallabies and South Africa’s rugby pretty closely.
Both nations bring different approaches to the game. Australia, with their rugby nous and individual brilliance, have always been a threat to the All Blacks, and despite a few turbulent years with mixed results, coach Michael Chelka has added some real rigour to the squad. They’ve got a couple of tricky assignments to get out of their pool of death in the Rugby World Cup, but with a renewed sense of confidence following a couple of hard fought Rugby Championship victories, will be a real threat.
I really enjoy watching the All Blacks and the Wallabies duke it out, but I particularly enjoy the rugby rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa, and see the Boks as the biggest threat.
The two nations have traditionally played sharply contrasting styles of rugby: the All Blacks preferring a fast-paced, highly skilled, athletic game versus the sheer might, tactically astute and devastatingly strong forward game employed by the Boks.
The contrasting styles have been fairly equally rewarded on the international stage, at least in the Rugby World Cup where both nations (and Australia) have won two apiece. The Boks’ game is evolving under Heyneke Meyer, who is complementing their strong forward pack and the ability to dominate most teams in both the set piece and the break down, with a resurgent backline led by Handre Pollard and the in-form and devastating Jesse Kriel and Damien de Allende.
Despite a couple of recent narrow losses, South Africa are building a formidable squad and playing style, and will be a huge danger in the Rugby World Cup.
The enduring features of the All Blacks/South Africa rivalry are two-fold: intense competition on the field and respect for each other off it. There is an obvious mutual respect between the two teams and a lot of the players genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Steve Hansen and Meyer are fierce competitors during the game, but are happy to catch up for a beer afterwards, which typifies the relationship between the two teams.
Seeing images of Charles Piutau and Willie Le Roux having a chat and a laugh after the recent Ellis Park Test made me wonder why these two nations can manage that camaraderie after such a brutal game, and why it doesn’t seem to be extended towards the Wallabies.
I’m not suggesting Australia doesn’t enjoy a cold beer and a yarn with their opponents after a match, but they don’t seem to have that same level of amicability with their opponents. Perhaps this is an Aussie trait – after all, Michael Clarke recently got criticised for not having a beer with the Poms after losing the second Ashes Test.
After Day 1 of the latest Test match, I can’t imagine he’s keen on a drink with the enemy just now either!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.