We look back on some of the biggest talking points from Round 2 of the Rugby Championship.
“Great performers inspire great performers” – Steven Hansen. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes Beauden Barrett can still get a lot better after the Hurricane’s number 10 record-breaking antics in Auckland which included four tries in Bledisloe 2 against Australia.
Barrett continues the All Black legacy of talaneted No 10’s after Dan Carter and Andrew Mehrtens.
His 30-point haul included five conversions and four tries which means he is now in front Andrew Mehrtens with the most points scored in a Bledisloe Test, Mehrtens who scored 29 back in 1999.
Barrett is also now the first no 10 to ever score four tries in a Test match.
Special win for Argentina
Argentina recorded their third ever win against South Africa after they ran out 32-19 victors in Mendoza. The Pumas ended their 11 match losing streak to the Boks, with Nicolas Sanchez instrumental in the victory as he scored 17 points.
Bok embarrassment
Rassie Erasmus described the Springboks’ loss as embarrassing after their disastrous return leg in Mendoza. The Boks were found wanting and went into the sheds trailing 27-7. The Springboks played a better second half but it was too late as Argentina’s running rugby caught the Boks in a bit of a haze as they were outscored four tries to three.
Australia look to fight for second
With two losses on the trot, the Australians will now try to put their back-to-back defeats against the All Blacks behind them.
They will face South Africa at the Suncorp Stadium on the 8th of September in a match that should be a closer run thing. Michael Chieka feels his side got killed at the breakdown against New Zealand although they had a better showing in the set pieces. These are issues he’ll use to prepare for his outfit’s upcoming match with the Springboks.
A league of their own
The All Blacks look well on their way to to a sixth Rugby Championship. Their next two matches will be against Argentina which allows the All Blacks to use a wider group of players as an experiment. From the 33 Rugby Championship Tests matches they’ve played in, the All Blacks have only lost two.
Match Highlights
Argentina vs South Africa
New Zealand vs Australia
Round 2 Try of the Week
