The Rugby Championship is almost upon us for another year, and it’s no surprise to see New Zealand are primed to take out the competition once again.
All Blacks
The All Blacks are undoubtedly the best rugby team in the world, as they have been since 2010 when the Springboks last ruled.
New Zealand will be looking for an improved performance than they showed in 2017, when they failed to win the series against the Lions, almost lost to Australia in Dunedin, almost lost to South Africa in Cape Town and then lost to Australia in Brisbane.
In June, they defeated France 3-0.
They had likely the strongest scrum in the world in 2017, and will be hoping to maintain that strength in 2018. They have a line-out reminiscent of South Africa during Victor Matfield’s career, a strong defence and the best counter-attacking game in the world.
They do, however, have some questions to answer during the Rugby Championship.
Is Beauden Barrett still the best 10 in New Zealand, or does his lack of game management, coupled with Richie Mo’unga’s form, mean that we should see 10. Mounga, 15. Barrett?
Who will be New Zealand’s midfield? Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty were preferred last year, but will that remain the case?
The All Blacks will, as usual, be looking to clean sweep the Rugby Championship.
Rugby Championship prediction: First
Player to watch: Brodie Retallick
Rising star: Richie Mo’unga
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Australia
The Wallabies are in a strange position.
After dire results in 2016 and 2017, they appear to be improving, despite having lost four of their last five Tests.
The Wallabies’ scrum, for many years their Achilles heel, is now a strength. The line-out, which for many years was strong, has been inconsistent in recent years, but between Adam Coleman and Izack Rodda in the row and Lukhan Tui at flank, should be competitive in 2018.
While the Wallabies have some of the best attacking backs in the world, there are questions marks around the defence, especially with both Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani injured.
Australia should be aiming to beat Argentina both home and away, and a home victory over South Africa. While they are of course aiming to beat New Zealand I believe most fans would be happy with some close-fought losses.
Rugby Championship prediction: Third
Player to watch: Kurtley Beale
Rising star: Taniela Tupou
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
South Africa
If Australia has had a bad period since the last Rugby World Cup, then South Africa has had a diabolical one.
A team that has traditionally been either the best or second best in the world has suffered through two losing seasons, including a defeat to Italy.
However, with a new coach in 2018, the Springboks seem to be turning results around. They won their June series against England 2-1 and were playing with a level of passion and intelligence that has been missing in recent years.
South Africa has never struggled to find powerful forwards, and this year it is no different. Their breakdown work, scrum and line-out should all be world class.
In Handre Pollard they have found a 10 capable of guiding their team around the field, and who can also be trusted to kick his goals.
They have also unearthed some brilliant wingers to assist the extremely talented Willie Le Roux at fullback.
Additionally, they have one of the best players in the world in Malcolm Marx.
Issues still remain on account of how many of the team’s top players are abroad, and the lack of Duane Vermeulen for the Rugby Championship will certainly weaken their pack.
South Africa will be hoping to beat Argentina home and away, Australia at home (at least) and will be hoping for their first victory over the All Blacks since 2014.
Rugby Championship prediction: Second
Player to watch: Malcolm Marx
Rising star: Aphiwe Dyantyi
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Argentina
Argentina have, like Australia and South Africa, had a tough time since the last World Cup.
Their form over 2016, 2017 and thus far in 2018 has not been impressive.
There are reasons to hope for Los Pumas fans, however. After their dire performances against Wales and Argentina, they have a new coach, Mario Ledesma, who this year took Los Jaguares into the Super Rugby finals for the first time.
Argentina has traditionally had a powerful scrum but this appears to have been lost in recent years. They will have to improve it quickly or else will have to score far too many tries through counter-attacking in broken play. I have not seen the quality of structured attack required to beat teams like New Zealand or even South Africa or Australia.
The biggest issue for Argentina is that they cannot select overseas-based players for their side. This means the squad is severely hamstrung when it comes to competing with Australia, who have four Super Rugby teams to select from as well as the Western Force, New Zealand, who have five teams, and South Africa, who can select from all their international based players.
Between this and the travel schedule, it is difficult to see Argentina having great results in the 2018 Rugby Championship. Even so, they should be targeting home wins over South Africa and Australia, which they have managed before.
Rugby Championship prediction: Fourth
Player to watch: Agustin Creevy
Rising star: Emiliano Boffelli
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Relative term maybe TM but Dan Carter to me 'was the most complete playmaker' I have seen play. For me before Carter the player I have my eye on was Nicky Allen (College Rifles? - you'll recall, I'm sure ), the young Auckland flyhalf who passed away too soon in a rugby accident in Aussie (from concussion issues). Never had a chance to realise his potential. From memory he only played a couple of tests for AB and a few tour games but I recall a young player who seemingly had it all, could kick of both feet and a player I'd like to think that young Perofeta could become given the right mentoring.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
" Sexton has also won more games against the ABs than most players, he certainly has the best win loss ratio against the ABs than any other out half at the moment. " .... ?? .... a rather superfluous statement I would have thought ... For Ireland in all the attempts he has had one victory, in Chicago .... then in 2017 a single victory in Wellington, not for Ireland but for the B&I Lions... do you really think that is startling? ... I mean to say for his country, Foley has done as well for Aussie.
JohnGalt
Guest
The Pumas review, has a lot of common places, there is no much analysis there. Mario Ledesma has requested three players based in Europe, Figallo, Herrera and Facundo Bosch (hooker). And there are a lot of players to watch more than Creevy, I can say that Guido Petti and Pablo Matera are important as Creevy. Also rising star could be for Bautista Delguy or Gonzalo Bertranou.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, but never single-handed, and I’ve seen a few games where he’s kind of quiet. Great great lock...
Blessing
Roar Rookie
Jacko is actually right about BB being a first five all his life. That is how he ended up playing FB for the U20. There is this misconception that he always played FB. Not true at all. I had to explain it to Nick Bishop the other week as well. Anscombe Snr realised that BB had freakish athleticism and found a way to fit him into the team so that Anscombe Jnr could play first five. It worked seeing as they won the U20 WC. Not sure it was such a good thing for BB though because he was then shifted between the two positions by the Canes. I think it affected his game development as a first five. I still think he will recalibrate his game and come good. The good ones always do.
Henry Honey Balls
Guest
If he has any way decent a November series Sexton will more than likely be shortlisted as world player of the year. So far this year he has been one of the stand out players in world rugby. Instrumental in grand slam, European cup and away series win to add to his drawn series in NZ last year. You might not rate him but his record says otherwise.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Honestly I think the Book pack could be slightly less ferocious and more focused on their short passing game and offloads. One thing the SR final showed is ball movement beats the man bulldozer.
Ralph
Guest
V. good post. The broad strokes are good and show a lot of promise but the details and finishing are missing and the clock is running.
Jacko
Guest
Yes Fionn BB won 2 times POTY because of 6 mins per test at FB...what awesome 6 mins they are eh? .I have now got over it
One Eye
Roar Rookie
Cane was anointed the Crown Prince far too easily and only really puts on a good showing when under pressure for his place. It beggars belief that in the lineage of Kronfeld and McCaw that Todd was not afforded the same 30 odd tests to get used to it as Cane has been - telling also that with Read injured for the French Tests, Cane who was previously earmarked was overlooked in favour of Whitelock. The other pint I would make is our tight five will be stronger this year than last - Moody was out early in the 4N as I recall and Franks was having his Achilles managed throughout until he eventually gave up and got it fixed - both are back and should be looking to peak in the coming weeks.
Shop
Guest
Shouldn’t stop SA from visiting Argentina in the first round though.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Sexton also got no points in the test series las5 year so wasnt considered the sides goalkicker. Barrett was, and Id say Barretts %s over the series either closely matched or bettered Farrells, though not sure of the exact numbers. For a poor series in Barrett terms, Sexton wasnt a great deal better.
taylorman
Roar Guru
No one said Barrett was a great goalkicker. We expect him to miss. When supposed good kickers miss easy shots on home soil to win matches, thats pressure. If two wins vs NZ is more than most 10s and one was a rare Lions win, the other a Chicago match, then its not saying much. Its not about wins vs the ABs so much as is impact vs them, and in general, its been somewhere between average and poor. Its against other sides he gets his reputation. Players to impress vs NZ are players like Marx, Folau, Genia, Murray, AAC, Habana, De Villiers, Pocock, and probably a few more Ive not mentioned, all players that regularly turned up. Sexton has hardly raised a mention, another in a long line of poor NH 10s.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Los Pumas vs Springboks Emiliano Boffelli; Bautista Delguy, Matías Moroni, Bautista Ezcurra, Ramiro Moyano, Nicolás Sánchez y Gonzalo Bertranou; Javier Ortega Desio, Pablo Matera y Marcos Kremer; Guido Petti y Matías Alemanno, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustín Creevy y Juan Figallo.
Fionn
Guest
Maybe, Henry, but he was the player who Australia won the first test around. After that, Ireland contained him wonderfully. Folau was very good in 2013 agains them too. I miss the days when the Wallabies played good rugby like that.
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
Folau has never really impressed that much against Ireland. He has played Ireland 6 times (3 in Oz 3 in Ireland) and is yet to score a try. He has only won 2 tests and lost 4.
Henry Honey Balls
Guest
Sexton has also won more games against the ABs than most players, he certainly has the best win loss ratio against the ABs than any other out half at the moment. Of the 8 losses you reference at least a handful of them were as sub in the early part of his career too which weakens your point further. All out halves miss kicks, Barrett more than most. Sexton's kick ratio is generally in the top bracket for international OHs.
Fionn
Guest
I didn't say it cost the Brumbies a win. I said that if the referee hadn't made that call then the Brumbies could have won. That isn't the same as saying the Brumbies lost because of the referee. The Chiefs won because they were the better team for the 80 mins. I think Beauden's best rugby has been the limited minutes he has had at 15. You disagree. That's fine. Time to get over it, Jacko.
Jacko
Guest
Fionn you may think like Cheika does and want to shift everybody to different positions they actually play, NZ selects the best team available and backs them from that point on....Which theory has been the most successful????? As for this "ALMOST won the 2nd game last year well if you are 17 up after 20 mins you damn well SHOULD win....but you did an ALMOST yet again.....Not 1 current player for AUS has won the Bledisloe....Which team is doing it right?...and which all-over-the-place selection policy is NOT working.......Didnt win the Lions series??? Well we didnt lose it either did we??? You say the ABs are playing average well thats funny because clearly their average beats the rest of the world...So this average team with an average no 10 who is getting worse and cant pass or cant control a game is still the no 1 team in the world....and you want to change them all and put a b unch of Crusaders in...thats not how the ABs work and we see the results of their option taking. As for me being one of the only people who still blames refs for losses well sorry but you were argueing with me very recently about a possible knock-on by a Chiefs player costing the Brumbies the game and a possible finals position.........Pot, kettle Black
Jacko
Guest
SBW and NMS did not travel to Aus