Are Argentina now the best Southern Hemisphere team?
So… Argentina are the best team in the southern hemisphere now?
Argentina’s place in the Rugby Championship was once that of a charming younger brother.
You admire their passion and are genuinely happy for them when they challenge you, because it’s nice to see them grow. You talk about how they have a “bright future” and how they’re a “good kid”.
Then, they start drinking protein powder and growing a moustache while their clothes appear to shrink by the day. Paddington becomes Chewbacca.
With their most recent win over the All Blacks, the Pumas have entered the phase where they have the audacity to scruff your hair because they know damn well you can’t do squat about it. The days of cheerful playfights are over.
The Springboks are reigning world champions, the All Blacks are the most dominant team in history and yet these famous rivals currently find themselves battling for third place, in a tournament with only four teams.
South Africa is no stranger to dips in form, their fans will remind you of how just a year out from their 2019 World Cup winning efforts, they were losing as many games as they were winning (all is well in hindsight).
As for New Zealand’s devoted rugby public, they now cling on to the slight, enduring sanity afforded to them by the recital of magic words: “We would be winning if Razor was coach, we would be winning if Razor was coach, we would be winning if…”
Perhaps the biggest wildcard in the equation is Australia.
They dominated Argentina in bursts during their first Test, enough to come away with a meaningful win. The second Test saw them take a beating, physically and tactically.
Yet, South Africa come to town and Dave Rennie’s side are a complete rugby team again.
What separates Los Pumas from the pack?
Well, one thing they’re doing well at that the others are struggling with is improving. Week-in, week-out, the Pumas are getting better. Not just being consistent, they’re developing.
The Pumas’ physicality and the NRL mind of their defence coach David Kidwell looks to be a match made in rib-tickling heaven. Channelling a passionate pack of behemoths’ energy into a disciplined, efficient machine that executes 192 tackles of their 200 attempts is a prospect that projects difficulty for any opponent.
The long-range marksmanship of Emiliano Boffelli will see rewards for any infringement within 50 meters, and the accuracy of Santiago Carreras will get you marched back to well within attacking range if the penalty be further back.
Michael Cheika’s mentality has infected the playing group, the coach does not mince his words, nor allow for confidence to be anywhere below that of winning, regardless of the opponent. The contribution of this confidence to an identity of wearing your heart on your sleeve and giving everything for your country makes for a resilient, high-performing mindset. Resilient, because it stays so true to their identity and who the Pumas have always been as a team.
The evolution of the game looks to have played right into the hands of Argentina. The coaches are implementing a game plan that plays to Argentina’s strengths and doesn’t allow the game to stray far from those strengths.
So far, the inconsistency of their opposition has been Argentina’s biggest crutch. They need to play top-level opponents to enter next year’s World Cup as battle-hardened as can be, both the Wallabies and All Blacks have failed them in that. Think about that for a minute: the Pumas need the All Blacks to play better.
For now, they’ll settle for the confidence boost, knowing it’s well earned.
Argentina are by no means through the last of their growing pains, a team like South Africa will feast on their lacklustre set-piece.
That doesn’t mean Chewy won’t steal your lunch.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
7 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
13 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
13 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments