Rugby Championship Wrap: Round 2

Dunedin drama

Without a doubt, Saturday served up one of the best Test matches in recent memory.

Completely unpredictable? Check. Utterly dramatic? Yes. Edge of your seat entertainment? Yes. The second Bledisloe Cup match was one to savour. Australia couldn’t have started better – Israel Folau scoring with an intercept try after just 25 seconds. Smashed and embarrassed last weekend by the All Blacks, the Wallabies came out with a huge point to prove. And prove it they did with an amazing opening spell.

Michael Hooper crossed after 10 minutes as the dream start for Australia continued. New Zealand were bumbling and fumbling, Sonny Bill Williams’ hands in particular letting him down. When Bernard Foley scored their third try in the 14h minute it was already 17-0. All of Australia’s dreams had come true. But in a way they had scored too early. There was plenty of time for the All Blacks to come back, and come back hard they did.

First Reiko Ioane barged over, then Aaron Smith snuck through right on half-time. At the break it was 17-14 and New Zealand had a sniff. The drama continued in the second half. Bernard Foley had a terrible night with the kicking tee and it would be costly. The All Blacks took the lead in the 60th minute through Beuden Barrett. The inevitable back cloud was set to envelop the game.

But for once, that didn’t happen. The Wallabies kept punching away and getting results. Will Genia, having the game of his life, dummied and danced through to score six minutes later. Australia had the lead again. The Wallabies were showing real ticker that had been absent in recent games. The see-sawing nature rolled on, with Ben Smith touching down in the 70th minute. The All Blacks had poked their noses in front again.

But there was still time for more twists and turns. With just five minutes left Kurtley Beale crossed right under the sticks. Advantage to the green and gold. Australia had it at 29-28 with 180 seconds remaining. Surely, surely they were home. Then the All Blacks reminded the world of why their number one. Slick passing put Barrett over once more and there was no time left for another Aussie charge.

35-29 to New Zealand at full-time and everybody needed a lie down after 10 tries and 80 minutes of pure exhilaration. Euphoria for the All Blacks and deep heartbreak for the Wallabies. As Test rugby union goes from the neutral viewpoint it surely cannot get any better.

Springboks seize the moment

South Africa have kept touch with New Zealand at the top of the Rugby Championship with a second consecutive win over Argentina. The Pumas worries continued as they shipped 41 points in an 18-point loss to the Springboks. Discipline was the big problem for the South American side with Tomas Lavanini sent off for two yellow cards. South Africa, in a weird red kit, took full advantage with Siya Kolisi grabbing a brace.

Argentina might have taken an early 3-0 lead but Lavani’s first yellow opened the door for the Boks. The Pumas then had Juan Manuel Leguizamon also sent off for 10 minutes right before half-time, making them work harder again with a man less. This put more strain on an already over-worked defence. With Lavanini finally got his marching orders in the 57th minute it was a bridge too far for the men in blue.

South Africa were given a penalty try and then Jean-Luc Du Preez put it out of reach in the second half. The Pumas kept battling away but they were their own worst enemy. The Argentina of the 2015 World Cup, so full of power, pace and attacking brilliance, seems a world away right now. Argentine rugby is in a bit of hole and needs to find a way out. They will get no relief from either New Zealand or Australia in the weeks ahead.

For the Springboks things are looking up. With a 41-23 win confidence will be rising that they can match their old foes the All Blacks.