The 2017 Rugby Championship Review
2017 saw the All Blacks predictably retain the Rugby Championship, even doing so with two games to spare after the Wallabies and Springboks couldn’t find a way to beat one another in two consecutive tests. Meanwhile, Los Pumas bumbled their way around for six losses, none of which could be described as thrashings – but could never be described as close either.
Let’s have a look at the highs and lows of the tournament:
- All Black depth – The champions finished the competition literally at the end of their depth chart: an untested propping duo, David Havili having to play the entire second half, Damian McKenzie instead of Ben Smith or Jordie Barrett, Tawera Kerr-Barlow unexpectedly having to close a tight game out and Scott Barrett having to partner Sam Whitelock in the second row after Brodie Retallick’s absence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Fu1W24Ryc
- Michael Cheika should pay a bit more attention – Israel Folau, already unpopular due to his confusing tweet about same sex marriage, didn’t help himself in Bloemfontein when he yanked the flowing locks of Dillyn Leyds in a tackle. Wallaby coach Cheika didn’t help matters either with this take on the incident which was clearly given without him actually bothering to watch a replay. The cringing, ‘please stop talking/you’re embarrassing us’ look from Michael Hooper speaks volumes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o8zM31Arb0
- Wallabies and Boks showing some backbone – Both teams copped 50 point hidings from the All Blacks, with the Wallabies suffering that indignity in front of their own fans. A week later they managed to almost pull off an incredible victory in Dunedin, only thwarted by an even more incredible last minute try by Beauden Barrett.
- Hidings – However, the 54-35 flogging in Sydney and 57-0 apocalypse in Albany did nothing for the competition’s credibility other than showcase some highlight reel material.
- This try by Vaea Fifita – The most notable ‘out of your seat’ moment of the whole tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syxfl_hOCho
- The Argentine national anthem – Their team might not be up to much, but the Argentineans certainly have the most entertaining pre match tradition. Their match in Buenos Aires featured a group of guys beatboxing the first instrumental part, while the next game in Mendoza had a bloke with a classic ‘80’s mullet singing the tune.
https://youtu.be/OtpcsktgK_0?t=2m8s
- Aaron Smith – The All Black halfback has been through a lot, but it hasn’t stopped him from returning to career-best form in this tournament. His performance in Sydney may well be his greatest ever in the black jersey, and followed that up with efforts that have settled any debate about him and TJ Perenara’s claims to the number nine jersey.
- Marika Koroibete – There was a lot of conjecture around the former Melbourne Storm winger’s move to union, given the somewhat unsustainable model of simply taking rugby league players and offering them a spot in the Wallabies without seeing them play a game. However, Koroibete has lived up to expectations, scoring a double against the Boks and picking up another try in Mendoza.
https://youtu.be/5bweayWhCCw?t=30s
- Malcolm Marx – The Bok hooker’s performance against the All Blacks in Cape Town wasn’t just a hugely inspiring jolt back to relevance for a proud rugby nation, but also a massive turnaround personally. In the Albany disaster, Marx’s lineout throwing made people wonder if he’s been drinking heavily pre game, and majorly contributed to handing the All Blacks all the ball they needed to shoot out to a big lead.
- Whinging about the ref – Let’s get one thing straight: the colour of the card given to Damian de Allande made no difference whatsoever to the outcome of the Cape Town game. It was, however, a clear cut penalty any day of the week and that’s what put the All Blacks into an insurmountable position. Blame the rules if you want, but Jerome Garces did what they said because that’s his job.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments