With a wet start last weekend, the Rugby Championship flamed into action on Saturday. After a pretty average day at the office, the All Blacks confirmed against Australia that the rest of the world is catching New Zealand at round about the rate of continental drift – about 1cm every hundred years. They completely blew Australia away, boom! running up their highest total ever against the Wallabies, although probably not their biggest win, as the Australians picked up a few late tries. The speed at which they play is amazing to watch, even with Richie McCaw finally having a ref put a few manners on him didn’t slow them down. The Wallabies aren’t the worst team either, although how much better did they look with Foley and Phipps and the NSW backline? Their best player was Toomua, and I think McKenzie wants him on, which is why Beale is playing 10. Anyway, you’d be brave or foolish to bet against NZ racking up another Rugby Companionship.
In Salta, the Springboks proved how cruel sport can be, picking the pockets of the Pumas, and getting a win they scarcely deserved. Argentina’s scrum was way on top, probably not always done fairly, but anyway, and their ball retention and kick chases were superb. They scored 3 tries, and butchered a few more, and if there was any justice theyd have got a bonus point win. The Springboks waited until the last 20 minutes to get their act together, finally played in the right areas, and found the Argentinian defence wanting. South Africa’s defence out wide was abysmal, their scrum is ailing and they can’t afford to give Pollard more chances until he matures. Having said that, they found a way to win.
Rugby Championship
Saturday , August 23
New Zealand 51 - 20 Australia
Argentina 31 - 33 South Africa
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