(Just give me the ball, and don't take it again)
So two massive matches coming up this weekend!
First up is Blesidloe 2, at Eden Park where the All Blacks haven’t lost for 20 years. New Zealand have a few injury enforced changes, with Kaino out for quite a while. In come Messam, and Crotty with his run on debut. The All Blacks need to find their traditional mojo, as displayed in the first 20 minutes last week, then they need to keep it going for 80 minutes, so they can continue the 20 year tradition of ‘bringing the pain’. I don’t think they are in any real danger of losing this, as while Australia, in horrible, horrible weather, managed to shut down the All Black game, they didn’t really show a style or rhythm of play. Last week the Wallabies kept the dam intact, this week, I’d say it’s going to break, as the AB’s impose their game, and go on to keep their 20 year record.
Meanwhile, In Salta in Argentina, the Pumas will be fancying their chances of recording their first win in the Rugby Championship. In a boost to their hopes, the Springboks have persisted with the side that put the clunk into clunky last week, apart from the inclusion of Juan Smith. In fairness, their mid field was a mess, JDV hasn’t played for ages, not ever or often with Pollard, not ever with de Allende, who’s a 12, and Pollard and Pienaar wouldn’t have played much together either. But they have a week’s experience under their belt, and they probably won’t play in a monsoon this week. The Pumas too had a thrown together backline, but it’s their forwards that are the real threat. On paper, the Springboks, between their run on team and the bench, have too much for Argentina. If their scrum mans up, they will take this no problem. Otherwise, it could be close.
Rugby Championship
Saturday , August 23
New Zealand vs Australia
Argentina vs South Africa
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