A decision weekend in the Rugby Championship

The weekend ahead will decide whether the winner of the competition will be known. Two big derbies await us. A true delight for rugby connoisseurs.

Who will win the Rugby Championship?

Argentina and South Africa will directly decide who will win the trophy at the end of the competition. The math is clear, Argentina needs two wins against the Springboks to win at least one bonus point, provided South Africa doesn’t win any. On the other hand, if Rasi Erasmus’ chosen ones win, everything is over.

The match is played in Argentina, starting at 11 pm our time. Given that it is Saturday, we can say that the date is favorable for us, if you are not a radical early riser on weekends. As always, you can follow all the matches by registering for free on the NZR+ portal, which gives you a good live stream, where you can enjoy fantastic commentary from rugby experts.

Who will win the Bledsoe Cup this year?

The New Zealand-Australia doubleheader will definitely mean more to the All Blacks who will be looking to regain confidence against a struggling Australia. Hand on heart, both teams really need a win, because they are in a very unfavorable position. We don’t remember when Australia and New Zealand had 1 win and 3 losses after four rounds. And that the Bledsoe Cup derby is behind. The All Blacks are absolute favorites, but don’t be surprised if Australia plays a good game. Who knows, maybe they oscillate positively this weekend. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 7:45. If you are an extreme weekend early riser, you can also do market day activities before the match.

Round table rugby players have given their verdict on the past two rounds

In order to always be well informed and to enjoy the analysis, we highly recommend that you read the views of the rugby players of the round table, who analyzed the results and the play of the past two rounds. You will find it interesting to read before the matches themselves.

To remind you, South Africa beat New Zealand twice. While Australia surprised Argentina in the first match by stealing the victory from them in the last attack, but in a dope match they collapsed after 30 minutes, where they led 20-3, and eventually lost 67-27.

After all, read the professional analysis of our rugby players, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed writing the article.

South Africa beat New Zealand twice in 7 days. What impressed you the most about the Springboks game?

Milan Orlović: The team is carefully balanced. Some new solutions and execution by quite experienced individuals. The most fascinating thing for me is that the intensity in the defense was maintained even though Nienaber left. So much running and believing that someone will get there even if you miss the takedown because you went “120%” is unbelievable. Also, the introduction of some new faces that goes according to some great plan, expands the playing potential and all this without affecting the result. Really impressive.

Nemanja Babić: Efficiency and versatility both in attack and defense. Simplicity in attack with aggressive defense.

Bogdan Mihajlović: I’m a little surprised how easily New Zealand gave up the throne to the South Africans. I expected more fight, more desire, but the Zeelanders didn’t seem to have the strength for it.

Photo: SA rugby

Dragan Petrović: The biggest impression on me personally was the indomitable Springboks defense. The All Blacks simply had no solution for a Springboks defense they couldn’t penetrate. It’s rare that the All Blacks can’t score an essay throughout a game. A big impression on me is the bomb squad or the changes that the Springboks and Races have in the second half. The exit of good players and the entry of even better ones who always turn the score in favor of the Springboks. It should be kept in mind that these were not the best squads of Sptingboks. Seaman, Faf De Klerk, Pollard…etc were missing. It’s amazing how many top players the Springboks have to put together two equally good teams.

Marko Žeravica: The list of players made the biggest impression on me. It is not known which one is better. Whether the players in the first 15 or the bench or the rest of the extended list. If you follow South Africa, there are another 5-6 serious talents coming through. To all that game strategy. Great rugby!

Stevan Ilijašević: Winning mentality. It is built up over the seasons and it is impossible to have it immediately. And it is built on the basis of mutual trust that the players have in each other, together with the coaching staff. We are watching a game where South Africa is losing but deep down we know they will win in the end. The same situation as with New Zealand ten years ago.

It is not often that the All Blacks fail to score a try in a match, as happened in the second game against South Africa. Is it time for younger forces, because with one victory in four matches, the theoretical chance of winning the Rugby Championship has been lost?

Milan Orlović: This is the blackest series of powerful blacks since I know about rugby, a quarter of a century of circus. Although it was known that it will not be easy for Robertson, that he will not focus primarily on the result but will focus on the development of the game, this is not going in the right direction. It is obvious that Super Rugby, in which they play, is not tactically demanding enough to prepare them for the highest level matches. What they will change I don’t know, but although there is talent among the younger players, the level required to be feared and trembled in the world of rugby is something else entirely.

Nemanja Babić: I am not sure that this is the limit of OB. I believe they tried something new. Don’t forget that the new coach is also on the bench. They need time.

Bogdan Mihajlović: I expected that more young players would get a chance and that after the defeat against Argentina, the New Zealanders would start more. They simply did not seem like a team that could match them in the match against the Africans. It’s just unbelievable that they didn’t have an idea in the attack.

Photo: Americas rugby news

Dragan Petrović: It’s really incredible that the All Blacks didn’t score a try and that really surprised me. I think it’s time for Razor to release new young forces instead of Sam Kane, Barrett and some other players who have already won everything and played everything. Obviously, there is a lack of new blood and players who do not lack motivation. I think NZ have got a lot of great new players and it’s time to include them in the All Blacks squad.

Marko Žeravica: AB have the most difficult task, because everyone expects them to win. Marketing is a miracle and people who don’t follow rugby still think it’s the best team in the world. There are no more easy games for them and rugby in the top 10 teams has reached and overtaken their former level. Also, the home field did not work for them in this championship, although I don’t know how much their dead fan atmosphere would have helped them compared to JA fans. We can notice the same in Australia, where the audience is observant without any temperament. AB are playing well, but not well enough to win. I can’t criticize them in game.

Stevan Ilijašević: Robertson will complete the whole picture, it just takes time and test matches. The team must definitely be refreshed in some positions. The All Blacks will have an opportunity to improve their optimism in the matches against Australia, which has a lot of problems and is oscillating quite a bit.

Enter headline text here Australia were very focused in Argentina until the 30th minute in the second match. After that there was a complete collapse. How is it possible for a Tier 1 team to lead 20-3 in the first half hour of a match, and then lose 67-27?

Milan Orlović: As we can see, it is possible, especially when there is no first line. The Pumas have never been stronger and the Wallabies have never been in a worse situation. They have no leader, and they have no greatness. The result is too big, but it happens. We should not forget that the Sprongboks also conceded 57 to the Kiwis a few years ago. A tough job ahead of Schmidt, whose core of players is also playing in a competition of highly debatable quality.

Nemanja Babić: If anything could have gone downhill, it was against the Wallabies in that game. They have individually good players, they clearly lack cohesion and chemistry. That the slap is hot and hurts, that’s what it says. They need time and I believe that in two years it will be much better.

Bogdan Mihajlović: Rugby is a game of nerves, nerves and concentration, plus strength and endurance and experience. If one segment is lost, the car can go downhill, and that probably happened. There was a relaxation and instead of safely bringing the game to an end, there was a serious setback.

Photo: Rugby Australia

Dragan Petrović: Good question and even harder to answer. I don’t think even coach Schmidt is clear about what happened in the second half in the match against Argentina. Personally, I don’t remember seeing such a drop in the game and Australia getting so many points and losing. The Argentinians are very they played poorly in the first half. In the second, it was as if coach Filipe gave them some secret potion that revived them and they seemed to kick into gear and break Australia. I don’t think Australia remembers this kind of defeat especially not against Argentina. I think Australia and rugby fans will be looking for a long answer to this question of how it is possible for a Tier 1 team to lose by such a margin.and.after the lead.

Marko Žeravica: That is what we commented on earlier. Something is missing in that team. Are they Rugby League players from their youth, then moved up to the R15 code because they’re not good enough for R13, that’s how it seems to me. As if they don’t understand the R15 sport and game system. Individually they are good, but in group play they are bad. Defence, as I see rugby league, is primarily an attempt to tackle high, yet focused on avoiding cards. Because of that, the opposing players get away with it. As they can easily get some advantage, but it is not a continuous game in 15 code. I am writing this mostly for line players, while scrum players, due to their inability to play 13 code with their build, have knowledge, but they are not good enough for greater resistance to strong teams.

Stevan Ilijašević: There was no one to stop the car on the downhill. Similar to domestic rugby. I think the exit of Tupou caused a collapse in the scrum, but on the other hand, if you play at this level, you have to have quality options in the front line. After 30 minutes nothing worked. Total collapse. The Uzzies had no chance against Argentina’s fast game, they completely failed defensively, especially in knockdowns and rucks.

Argentinians were definitely hurt by the defeat in the first match when the Ozzies scored a penalty in the last attack. Although they got off to a bad start in the second match, they blew Australia away in the end. How much can be expected from Argentina when the oscillations stabilize?

Milan Orlović: That match was an old pain and calculations. They simply have to play attacking rugby. It’s in their blood, even if it cost them something like that. A team capable of great deeds and superbly balanced. They are still looking for themselves mentally, they have to be aware of their capabilities and then they will be one of the best in the world. In my opinion, it is already Top 5, and the potential is even greater. We will see against the Springboks how much I can do.

Nemanja Babić: Another team with a new coach. Hot blood and proud players who are in most cases under contract with clubs in Europe. I wrote about the coach, his knowledge and finding a balance. They seem good and I believe they can go far, but whether it is the final of the World Cup is hard to say now. But they play and develop!

Bogdan Mihajlović: Argentina will have oscillations, but I believe that they will get better and better. The double match with Australia was a good lesson for the Argentinians that the opponent should not be underestimated and that every match must be entered with maximum concentration and self-confidence.

Photo: Argentina rugby

Dragan Petrović: When the oscillations stabilize in the Argentina team, they can be a serious candidate for winning the Rugby World Cup in 2027. You saw those great players from Argentina against the All Blacks and Australia. I think they can do everything in the future. They have already beaten the All Blacks in Zealand. and Australia by such a margin, and previously South Africa, so why can’t they win the next World Cup?

Marko Žeravica: I don’t know how many of you follow, but Argentina has very good selections under the senior national team and there will be better reinforcements in the coming period. It is not unknown to them that, as a result, they have been playing with those national teams for years and are not afraid of them because of their name. So when we add to that serious coaches who have also gained experience through the younger selections of Argentina, we cannot but expect a good game. What gives us hope that Argentina will get better is precisely the recipe called – to be better, you have to play with strong teams, which they have the opportunity to do in this competition format in the southern hemisphere.

Stevan Ilijašević: Argentina showed little in the first match, and deservedly lost it in the last moments. However, what they showed after the 30th minute should encourage all fans. Hand on heart, they were helped in this by the Australians with a very weak defense and practically no pressure in the ruck, where they allowed the ultra-fast play of the Pumas. That definitely won’t be the case with South Africa, who are currently the best defensive side in rugby in the world.

What do you expect from the two matches in the last two rounds, when Argentina - South Africa and Australia - New Zealand will meet?

Milan Orlović: Light at the end of the tunnel for New Zealand, they will benefit from this opponent. Deepening the agony of Australia, which is currently the weakest Tier 1 team. And in my opinion, two very even games between the Pumas and the Springboks, I predict one victory each, a real test for the South Americans.

Nemanja Babić: There is no surrender in any of them. It will be tense and I believe in the new miniatures of Rasmus, and on the other hand, an opportunity for Argentina to try to have more stable minutes. Australia can use the opportunity and try to attack OB and make a miracle. New Zealand must try and do their best and finish the competition with a win.

Bogdan Mihajlović: I expect New Zealand to throw a tantrum and beat Australia convincingly, while on the other hand, in the first match, the Africans will play to the maximum and will not give many chances to the Argentinians. It also depends on which teams they will play with, of course, and in the second match I would like to see the Argentinians show their teeth and try to scalp the Wallabies.

Dragan Petrović: I expect the All Blacks to destroy Australia and get back in shape to compete with South Africa in the fight for number one in the world. I think South Africa will easily beat Argentina because today there is no better team than Africa in the world. I will support Argentina and I would like him to beat Africa, but that would be a real miracle, but miracles have to be believed and they do happen.

Dragan Petrović: I expect the All Blacks to destroy Australia and get back in shape to compete with South Africa in the fight for number one in the world. I think South Africa will easily beat Argentina because today there is no better team than Africa in the world. I will support Argentina and I would like him to beat Africa, but that would be a real miracle, but miracles have to be believed and they do happen.

Stevan Ilijašević: I expect open and very dynamic rugby in both matches. I can’t wait for the match between Argentina and South Africa and the duel in the third line and in the central positions. If Contepomi manages to motivate the players who would enter the match with extra emotion, anything can happen. As for New Zealand, I expect a much faster and more convincing game. I would like to see a more stable Australia with a structured game and a stable scrum.