If you missed the weekend’s action of rugby, it’s fair to say you’ve missed a whole lot and it’s hard to really pinpoint any event on the weekend that tells the tale of what really happened. So without further ado, we’ll do our best to get you up to speed with what happened in this weekend’s rugby fixtures…
Wallabies v All Blacks – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – 27-19
It was a quality performance by the Wallabies who went some way to winning back the revered Bledisloe Cup, a trophy that the Australians haven’t got their hands on since 2002. It was never going to be easy after failing to beat the All Blacks in the last 10 attempts but noone said that to Michael Cheika who, with the help of an ARU-eased selection policy and some subtle changes to the team, blunted the All Blacks attack and emerged victorious after a grueling 80.
By no means was it a perfect performance by the Wallabies after a fumbling first stanza and they consistently gave opportunities to the All Blacks to steal the game (which they, surprisingly didn’t take, a slight omen ahead of the Rugby World Cup?). But they were good enough to put the sword to the All Blacks on this occasion with Brumbies Nic White and Matt Toomua taking the game by the scruff of the neck to be influential in the Wallabies’ two final tries.
To say that Pocock and Hooper were dominant is a significant understatement after they completely took Richie McCaw out of the game. But as good as their work was, it almost looked to be undone by half-back Nick Phipps who, after his performance in Sydney, will be lucky to be apart of the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad.
After posting their first win over New Zealand since 2011, Australia’s confidence will be sky high. However, they will have to be a lot better if they are to claim the Bledisloe Cup this week in Auckland with the All Blacks typically responding in strong fashion after a loss (winning the RWC after losing to Australia in final test of 2011 Tri Nations).
The Rugby Drum’s Player of the Match – David Pocock
Starting at no.8 for the first time since he was 12 years old, Pocock was immense. His pace at the breakdown, his relentless defence and his hunger told the story of the night.
The Rugby Drum’s Ghost of the Match – Sonny Bill Williams
The word ghost says it all. Absolutely no where to be seen and his fitness looks well behind of where it needs to be. On attack, he was slow and lumbering. On defence, he was lazy and sloppy.
Wales v Ireland – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff – 21 – 35
In the first Rugby World Cup warm up match of the season, a slightly experimental Welsh side was shown the door to their own stadium after Ireland dispatched them with ease. Despite fielding a very young team, Wales Coach Warren Gatland will be hoping it’s not a sign of things to come at next month’s World Cup after their scrum was demolished, their defence at times non existent and a benign and often feeble attack.
Captain Jamie Heaslip was impressive as he opened the scoring followed by tries to Darren Cave and Keith Earls with Ireland essentially continuing where they left off in the 2015 6 Nations, exhibiting a style of high pace running rugby. Ireland were sharper in everything they did and the match was essentially over at halftime after going in to the sheds leading 25-7.
As for the home side, Gatland will be very disappointed in how some of his younger players went. Debutant Ross Moriarty looked to impress however he and fellow back-rower and Vice Captain Justin Tipuric were nowhere to be seen as Wales were dominated at the set piece and at the break-down. Wales’ 1-5 also looked to struggle not only with pace but fitness and they were lazy around the fringes and in close.
The Rugby Drum’s Player of the Match – Jamie Heaslip
Heaslip was impressive, becoming Ireland’s most capped back-rower and his ‘lead-by-example’ deameanour said it all for Ireland. He will be huge for Ireland in the upcoming World Cup
The Rugby Drum’s Ghost of the Match – Warren Gatland
He wasn’t a player on the field but he was just as much at fault for the heavy loss (it would have been heavier if not for some consolation tries) as the players were. With the teams named, the result was determined well before the match. Who sends their team out to get spanked?
South Africa v Argentina – ABSA Stadium, Durban – 25 – 37
In the final match of the Rugby Championship (the reverse fixture in Buenos Aires next week is NOT part of the Rugby Championship), Argentina were simply superb in taking advantage of a very very poor Springbok side and putting them to the sword – a characteristic they’ve never been particularly known for. Their forward pack was immense as their scrum constantly troubled South Africa’s and the way in which they refined their play is super impressive ahead of the World Cup.
There will be three aspects remembered from this match; Argentina winning their first ever away match in the Rugby Championship and their first win ever over South Africa, the very very poor skills showed by the Springboks and Jean de Villiers’ injury in his first test back after a 9 month injury lay-off which may see him miss the World Cup.
Ahead of the return fixture in Buenos Aires this week, it will be interesting to see if Heyneke Meyer sets out for revenge or whether he tries to get a look at some different combinations for next month’s keystone event. There is one thing that is sure and that’s if the Springboks lose again to Argentina this week, Meyer’s job will most likely be on the line, immediately before or after the World Cup.
The Rugby Drum’s Player of the Match – Marcos Ayerza
Outlined his credentials as one of the best props in the world. His scrummaging is sublime and he pulled his weight around the fringes.
The Rugby Drum’s Ghosts of the Match – the entire Springbok forward pack
The award doesn’t often go to a number of players but in this case, it is true. Taking nothing away from Argentina who were very good, but the Springboks whole forward pack looked off as it looked like they underestimated the Pumas.