Matera et Carreras de retour pour l'Argentine

The Australian sports public won’t turn out to watch their team lose to New Zealand teams. Imagine if the last time an Australian team won the NRL was in 2014, and it was dominated by New Zealand teams. It would not rate.

The experience the players will get will flow through to Super Rugby proper. The Australian teams were not far off the pace in 2025. If they get a bit better in 2026, due to more games, and get some wins hopefully that will start a virtuous cycle.

I think you can train it out, for sure, though it will take longer for someone from South Auckland, but I wonder how much is consciously controlled as well. Theres a few aspects I think Fozzie’s team was slow to adapt and learn, a NZ in general problem (I think aussies have adopted trends or have adapted to changes faster than NZ over the years).

Will be an interesting scrum battle this week, considering how solid the Chiefs have been despite the lackluster international experience of their front row.