The Rugby Championship has seen as many thrills and spills
as ever but the destination of the trophy is likely to go a significant way to
being decided when New Zealand and South Africa meet in a blockbuster clash of
the first and second best sides in world rugby, and the first and second favourites
for the World Cup to boot, all taking place at Eden Park today.
Steve Hansen’s men have been World Rugby’s dominant side in
the two years following the World Cup, losing only once, on the road to England
when they were suffering in midweek from sickness, and generally being
unchallenged while also being able to integrate plenty of new talent into the
side in a bid to freshen things up by the time 2015 comes around with legends
Dan Carter and Richie McCaw coming to the twilight of their careers.
Henyke Meyer had a rough start to his time as South Africa
coach, with some unhappy that he didn’t change their conservative, forceful
playing style, but after getting through a spate of injuries last year his side
have now won their last 9 on the bounce and sit a comfortable second in the IRB
rankings.
While no-one can argue with their current winning streak,
what has been really exciting from a Springbok point of view have been two Rugby
Championship performances – their absolute destruction of Argentina on the
first weekend and more importantly, their battering of Australia last weekend.
A massive bogey team for the Springboks on their travels,
the Wallabies were second best from the kick off to the final whistle and never
threatened the Springbok tryline properly once during the whole game, and
during the second half some of the play that South Africa’s backline produced
off their huge physical platform that the backrow of Lowe, Vermulen and Alberts
put in place against their Australian counterparts, with Willie Le Roux and
Zane Kirchener combing to great effect on many occasions including for one of
the tries of the weekend.
New Zealand have lost Richie McCaw a fairly serious injury
but are more blessed in his department than any other and will have Sam Cane to
replace him alongside Liam Messam – the driving force behind back to back Super
Rugby titles for the Chiefs – in the backrow battle.
With the backline undoubtedly the world’s best and Dan
Carter as influential as ever based on his performance against Argentina last
week, this looks set to be a pretty damn special clash if all play to form.
New Zealand have only lost 3 of their previous 50 at Eden
Park and average a winning margin of 21 points there, but are likely to be
given their hardest test since going to England last year. A poorer side came
to New Zealand and lost by only 10 points in a game they really should have won
given the amount of points they left off the tee, and while New Zealand can
take the Championship lead, South Africa are more than capable of pushing them
to within a 12 point margin.
Advice
1 pt New Zealand to win by 1-12 points (13/8 general)
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