We must point out that this time we have set a very challenging task for the rugby players of the round table, and that is, in addition to answering our questions, to put together the ideal team of the competition, that is, which players left the biggest impression on them. It might seem easy, but it’s not at all, because once you dig in, it takes a lot of time to choose your ideal 15. If you think it’s just our phrase, try to put together the best team of players in Serbia who played in the 20s of this century, and you’ll see. And we’ll leave it for this winter. Let’s be a little cryptic.
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South Africa won the Rugby Championship. Is this the era of the Springboks? Are they capable of doing what no one has done before, winning three World Cups in a row?
Milan Orlović: It seems that this is the only real challenge of this generation, but also of Rasi himself as their conductor. They will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest teams ever. We should expect some changes in the composition, it seems that is the key to stay at the top. It is of great importance that younger forces are already slowly being introduced and are very close to the level of their trophy-winning compatriots. And we can already say that he will be among the closest favorites.
Nemanja Babić: Surely they have already managed to do a lot of things that other selections have failed to do. They still have space and I believe that this is their time and that many books will be written and we have already witnessed several documentaries.
Bogdan Mihajlović: Definitely. A set of players in all positions, great safe play when needed and it can be said that this is their era. Whether they can win three World Cups in a row is difficult to predict, given that there is still a lot of time, and I think that the games against Ireland and France will be more and more difficult for them in the future because both national teams are progressing at lightning speed and between them and the Springboks to decide the fine nuances.

Dragan Petrović: It seems like an easy question, but in reality it is very difficult to answer. This is definitely the era of South Africa trampling everything before it. Why do I say it is difficult to answer? Primarily because it will be very difficult to win the third World Cup in a row. Why? Many players of today’s South African team will be 30 or so years old in 2027. Eben, Faf de Klerk will be 35 years old. Vincen Koch and Mampipi 37 years each. Kolbe and Reinach 33 years each, Franco Mostret 36 years and so on. I think that these are players who will already have some years behind them and the question is whether Rasi will find a decent replacement for these great players? Will they call Le Roy who will then be 36 years old? Can Rasi then win a third World Cup with players aged 33-37? Will they find decent young replacements? Will it fit in? Can they repeat the success of this already old generation of Eben and Faf De Klerk? Difficult!
Marko Žeravica: We will see. For now, they are heading that way. I don’t know how many of you have followed, but there are 7-8 more serious young announcements to strengthen the team that are already seriously announced on the net. On top of that, I don’t know if we’ve ever seen as much innovation in team management as Erasmus has done in the past year or two. In my opinion, their biggest advantage is the playing staff, which of the 40 players is in the top 15. Sweet pain…
Stevan Ilijašević: South Africa is now where New Zealand was in 2016. . Only in a much better position, because almost the entire team remained together and another rush of the golden generation to the World Cup is expected. Now they have half the position in relation to all the teams, and we have no doubt that Rasi will tighten the team even more in these three years. Defensively they are fantastic, now they have shown that they can handle the All Blacks attack two weekends in a row.
We ask the old question even after this competition. Has the exit of South African clubs from Super Rugby and going to Europe strengthened club rugby in SA and weakened it in New Zealand and Australia?
Milan Orlović: Definitely. It is known that competition additionally hones talent, promotes work and progress. The Springboks were not deprived of competition, while the same cannot be said for those from the Pasifika. The results are obvious. We will have to work on bridging this problem. The question is how much the Argentinians are interested in returning to the club level, while the Japanese already have a very high-quality domestic league. They are in bad grapes, but they are to blame for it.
Nemanja Babić: A topic for a much wider debate. I think he brought a different experience, and many believe and claim that JA is benefiting from the games of his franchises in Europe
Bogdan Mihajlović: As time passes, it will turn out to be so. The competition is definitely not the same anymore, considering that the South Africans were one of the more numerous clubs in the league, but we will see what kind of response New Zealand and Australia will make, considering that Argentina also plays in that league, and I think they are improving every day.

Dragan Petrović: Yes! I think that has helped South African clubs who have been franchised and play in Europe in the United Rugby Championship plus a lot of African players have settled in Europe and a lot of them have returned to their home clubs in South Africa. The quality of Super Rugby Pacific has gone down because of the absence of the Argentinians, the Jaguars team and the teams from Africa. The rest are weaker tics from Australia and teams from NZ, from which many players also left, so to speak, to Japan, for example. Of course Super Rugby Pacific is still of decent quality, but far from what it used to be. South Africa made a good move.
Marko Žeravica: I think it would be the same in any case, because rugby is a mega popular sport in JA and staff are being created every day. What is certain is that the time zone is more convenient, and the journey is twice as short when you look at flight websites. I see from the point of view of playing, as well as from the point of view, an example of an audience that can follow their favorite club in the evening. What is good for Fiji and Samoa is getting into the club competition with NZ and AUS. It may not be the top story at first, but in a few years it will be close games. I am guided by the example of Argentina, which was an outsider in the beginning, but now it could already compete with the strongest teams in the 4 nations, while they play smart club Super Rugby America.
Stevan Ilijašević: What a big shakedown of the entire organization of South Africa. An incredible move, both as a game, as well as a marketing and organizational success. With one move, they weakened the others in the southern hemisphere and additionally motivated their clubs in the United Rugby Championship and in European competitions. An incredible move that managed to shake up the club scene in South Africa.
This cycle was the last dance of the experienced stars of New Zealand, do you expect an even faster and more motivated All Blacks now in November?
Milan Orlović: This was not a great performance by the OL Blacks. We are used to them always being the more dominant team on the pitch, but that is no longer the case. Now that there is no such aura of invincibility and superiority, it is necessary to see how much they can do, when they are completely relieved. I have no doubt that with new forces they will start a showdown with everyone. In November, the French announced the B team, which we fans did not want, and neither did the leaders of NZ Rugby. It remains to be seen how all this will affect the team, kind of bad times for the All Blacks.
Nemanja Babić: Definitely a change of generation. A new era is also being started by the coach, and it should be understood that the World Cup is only three years away.
Bogdan Mihajlović: I expected them to be motivated by now and I think they were, but they simply didn’t feel like showing more. They started badly, surprised everyone, including themselves, and that may have led to a worse game later on.

Dragan Petrović: Yes! The All Blacks will play 5 Test matches in November and it will be bloody tough for them as Reizor the All Blacks coach is still searching for his squad. They play their first match against Japan, then they visit the Irish, English and French. Finally they have Italy. I’m afraid that if the team is not rejuvenated with players who have the motivation to die for the All Blacks jersey, they will go barefoot.
Marko Žeravica: As we mentioned, this year is the first of four for preparation before the World Cup. There will be more testing, while in the coming years the team will begin to integrate with new and experienced players. Everyone adheres to the same principle, which is a combination of youth and experience. We will see at the end which team will be in each national team.
Stevan Ilijašević: Why not? I expect a much faster, high-tempo game. They will practice that because they will play against European teams that will not have time to adapt to fast rugby. Robertson has done a lot of research and experimenting, so with the addition of some players who have been injured, the All Blacks will be the real deal again.
Argentina beat every team, but also lost to every team. How much potential do Pumas have to reach the very top?
Milan Orlović: Those victories speak more than any words. They instilled the belief that when they play their best rugby they can beat anyone, there is virtually no defence. Those victories will mean a lot on the psychological level in the long run, they realized that they can depend on themselves and not only on the poor play of their opponents. It is obvious that they are capable of great deeds. If they reduce swings and increase their defensive capacity, it will be enough to establish themselves as the shadow favorite for the next World Cup.
Nemanja Babić: There will be a certain number of changes for them. Also a new coach and the pieces are slowly being put together.
Bogdan Mihajlović: The Argentinian tango made everyone dance and dance at this championship. They showed that there are no more jokes with them, that they are ready to go all the way and that they still need to stabilize their ranks and become a serious stumbling block for the teams that aspire to be number 1 in world rugby.

Dragan Petrović: Pumas are on the right track. Filipe knows what he’s doing. If you look at the table, you can also see that if they had won the first game against Australia, they would have been 2nd in the Rugby Championship. I think that the team will mature by 2027 and that there are a lot of young players who have already tasted win against the All Blacks and South Africa, so I hope that they will pleasantly surprise us.
Marko Žeravica: They are on the right track. They are no longer like Italy in the 6 Nations where fantasy players get rich. Their playing and coaching staffs are getting better and better. In many encounters, the younger selections are better than the renowned rugby countries. Somehow, it’s all a natural flow when stronger games are played that they themselves become better and better. The motive cannot be absent.
Stevan Ilijašević: Injuries prevented them from beating South Africa in the last match, but this Championship is a definite success for them. They got some players who were fantastic, and who showed that they can compete with the best in the world. Argentina was in the ½ finals of the last World Cup, and they have an excellent starting point to build perhaps even the strongest team in history.
Is there enough time for Australia to build a squad for the 2027 World Cup?
Milan Orlović: Certainly there is. As I said before, there is a lot of talent. They showed at times that the team is capable of playing the kind of rugby required at the highest level. However, oscillations are a big problem for now, in addition to a slightly smaller physical scrum. Experimentation at this stage is to be expected, but progress in the game is welcome. I hope that Schmidt stays for the long term, that could be the best guarantee for the future of rugby in Australia.
Nemanja Babić: There is time! The question is what they want… Marko Žeravica said in one of the texts, i.e. a review of their game, that they have excellent players individually, but something is missing in the team. I’m honestly not thrilled with the selection of the coach and I’m not sure Schmidt can start a new era for the Wallabies.
Bogdan Mihajlović: There is time, even if it is necessary for younger players to carry the biggest burden. This will serve as an excellent indicator of what they must and can fix in 3 years.

Dragan Petrović: There is, of course, because a period of three years is a lot of time and Šmit will have time for that. The problem is whether he will succeed because rugby in Australia is in decline. Club rugby is of a lower quality and there is no strong competition except Super Rugby Pacific, which we noted has declined in quality. I think that’s why they lobbied to win the World Cup to popularize rugby even more in Australia.
Marko Žeravica: Australia is the most confusing team for me. It’s as if the players of two codes of rugby are trying to play one code. I think they will survive the status of top 10 teams, but for now I don’t see any great chance for the World Cup.
Stevan Ilijašević: Yes, and they will make a good team. They will hardly be one of the favorites to win, but a good draw could take them far. We saw in the last World Cup that in the same group were Ireland and South Africa, who were crossed with New Zealand and France, and they were the top four favorites in the bookies. Sometimes luck is needed to ease the way.
We know we're asking a lot from you. Can you summarize who was the player of the tournament for you and give an ideal 15?
Milan Orlović: Considering the result and the game they provided, it should be said that the Springboks are competitors for all possible positions. But to be fair to everyone, I’ll try to somehow give credit to the others. As for the best player, it’s either Tot or Ezebet for me, but since the latter became the record holder, he should be recognized in some way. Chocobares are the revelation of the tournament.
15. Fullback: Will Jordan (New Zealand)
14. Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
13. Center: Jesse Kriel (South Africa)
12. Center: Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)
11. Wing: Tom Wright (Australia)
10. Flayhalf: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)
9. Flayhalf: Cortez Ratima (New Zealand)
1. Prop: Ox Nche (South Africa)
2. Hooker: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
3. Prop: Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
4. Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Lock: Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
6. Flanker: Pablo Matera (Argentina)
7. Flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
8. Number 8: Huan Martin Gonzales (Argentina)
Nemanja Babić:
15. Fullback: Juan Cruz Mallía (Argentina)
14. Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
13. Center: Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)
12. Center: Damian de Allende (South Africa)
11. Wing: Caleb Clarke (New Zealand)
10. Flayhalf: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)
9. Flayhalf: Cortez Ratima (New Zealand)
1. Prop: Ox Nche (South Africa)
2. Hooker: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
3. Prop: Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
4. Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Lock: Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)
6. Flanker: Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
7. Flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
8. Number 8: Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
Bogdan Mihajlović:
15. Fullback: Juan Cruz Mallía (Argentina)
14. Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
14. Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
12. Center: Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)
11. Wing: Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
10. Flyhalf: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
9. Flyhalf: Tomas Cubelli (Argentina)
1. Prop: Thomas Gallo (Argentina)
2. Hooker: Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa)
3. Prop: Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
4. Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Lock: Ruan Nortjé (South Africa)
6. Flanker: Markos Kramer (Argentina)
7. Flanker: Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
8. Number 8: Harry Wilson (Australia)

Dragan Petrović: My 15 ideals from the Rugby Championship are as follows:
15. Fullback: Juan Cruz Mallía (Argentina)
14. Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
12. Center: Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)
12. Center: Damian de Allende (South Africa)
11. Wing: Caleb Clarke (New Zealand)
10. Flayhalf: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)
9. Flayhalf: Cortez Ratima (New Zealand)
1. Prop: Ox Nche (South Africa)
2. Hooker: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
3. Prop: Frans Malherbe (South Africa)
4. Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Lock: Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)
6. Flanker: Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
7. Flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
8. Number 8: Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
Marko Žeravica:
15. Forward: Will Jordan (New Zealand)
14. Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
13. Center: Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)
12. Center: Damian de Allende (South Africa)
11. Wing: Mateo Carreras (Argentina)
10. Flyhalf: Tomás Albornoz (Argentina)
9. Skrumhalf: Tate McDermott (Australia)
1. Prop: Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
2. Hooker: Malcome Marx (South Africa)
3. Prop: Thomas Gallo (Argentina)
4. Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Lock: Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)
6. Крилни: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
7. Flanker: Fraser McReight (Australia)
8. Number 8: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Stevan Ilijašević: For me, the player of the tournament was Peter-Steph Du Toit. Without much thought. He left the biggest impression on me. It’s just amazing what level he’s playing at.
15. Fullback: Will Jordan (New Zealand)
14. Крило: Чеслин Колбе (Јужна Африка)
13. Center: Jesse Kriel (South Africa)
12. Центар: Сантијаго Чохобарес (Аргентина)
11. Крило: Матео Карерас (Аргентина)
10. Отварач: Андре Полард (Јужна Африка)
9. Деми: Кортез Ратима (Нови Зеланд)
1. Prop: Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
2. Hooker: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
3. Prop: Taniela Tupou (Australia)
4. Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
5. Lock: Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
6. Крилни: Питер-Стеф Ду Тои (Јужна Африка)
7. Flanker: Markos Kramer (Argentina)
8. Number 8: Pablo Matera (Argentina)