The 2019th Annual Champions of Rugby Championships Competition for 2019 Thread

[cashead]

Right-o, time for the annual Southern Hemisphere rugby dust-up. You shitheads know the drill, right? All Blacks will probably win, unless it's a World Cup year, where the Wallabies have a fairly decent record.

Fixtures
Round 1
South Africa v. Australia (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Argentina v. New Zealand (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)
Referee: Angus Gardiner (Australia)


Round 2
New Zealand v. South Africa (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Australia v. Argentina (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)


Round 3
Australia v. New Zealand (Perth Stadium, Perth)
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)

Argentina v. South Africa (Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)


Expect to see
1. Teams send out B-Teams overseas, resting their top players - a.k.a. Doing a Jake White.
2. Australia win, and no one give a shit.
3. The French refs to ruin the last couple of games, with Garces responsible for some sort of contentious call. Poite will be a spineless turd.

[J Dory]

Thanks Cas.

Looking forward to seeing the new guys running out against Argentina, especially given it will be in my timezone.

[cashead]

Argentina
The Johnny-Come-Latelys of the competition, having joined up in 2012, which, in turn, led to the renaming of the Tri-Nations to the Rugby Championships that we know and sort of vaguely tolerate today.
Despite being the punching bags of the competition, they are coming off of their players having a bit of a hot streak in the Super Rugby, where the Jaguares made it all the way to the finals, tipping over some more fancied teams like the Chiefs in the process (let's not speak of the fact that the Crusaders shut them right the fuck down in the final), not to mention the 2018 tournament being a bit of a break-through, having finally won more than 1 game, beating the Springboks at home and the Wallabies in Australia.

Trophies contested
Puma Trophy (Australia)


Tournament Pedigree
Clean Sweeps - Nope
Champions - Nope
Runners-up - Nope
Wooden Spoon - 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
Reverse Sweep Wooden Spoon - 2013, 2016, 2017


Why you should support them
You're a hopeless romantic, and those pesky Commonwealth bastards need to be knocked down a peg or two.


Squad
Coach - Mario Ledesma
Captain - Pablo Matera

Agustin Creevy (Jaguares)
Julian Montoya (Jaguares)
Santiago Socino (Jaguares)

Nahul Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares)
Mayco Vivas (Jaguares)
Juan Pablo Zeiss (Jaguares)
Javier Díaz (Jaguares)
Santiago Garcia Botta (Jaguares)
Juan Figallo (Saracens)
Ramiro Herrera (Stade Francais)
Santiago Medrano (Jaguares)
Enrique Pieretto (Jaguares)
Lucio Sordoni (Jaguares)

Matías Alemanno (Jaguares)
Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares)
Guido Petti (Jaguares)
Lucas Paulos (Jaguares)

Rodrigo Bruni (Jaguares)
Facundo Isa (Toulon)
Marcos Kremer (Jaguares)
Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Jaguares)
Pablo Matera (Jaguares)
Javier Ortega (Jaguares)
Tomás Lezana (Jaguares)

Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares)
Tomás Cubelli (Jaguares)
Felipe Ezcurra (Jaguares)
Martín Landajo (Jaguares)

Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (Jaguares)
Domingo Miotti (Jaguares)
Nicolás Sánchez (Stade Francais)
Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres)

Santiago Carreras (Jaguares)
Jerónimo de la Fuente (Jaguares)
Bautista Ezcurra (Jaguares)
Santiago González Iglesias (Jaguares)
Lucas Mensa (Argentina XV)
Matías Moroni (Jaguares)
Matías Orlando (Jaguares)

Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares)
Sebastián Cancelliere (Jaguares)
Juan Cruz Mallía (Jaguares)
Bautista Delguy (Jaguares)
Manuel Montero (Argentina XV)
Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares)
Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares)

[cashead]

Australia
Australia are currently a team in a bit of turmoil, having become the No Folaus Club (you can have one Folau, but no more than that). They've hit record lows in their world rankings, and most of their players would struggle to make most other Starting XVs elsewhere. While they tend to do well in the Rugby Champs during World Cup years, there really is little to be optimistic about. They're still a team that have the capability and players to beat more fancied opposition, but those days are becoming few and far between.


Trophies contested within the Rugby Champs
Bledisloe Cup (v. New Zealand)
Mandela Challenge Plate (v. South Africa)
Puma Trophy (v. Argentina)


Tournament Pedigree
Clean Sweeps - 2015
Champions - 2000, 2001, 2011
Runners-up - 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2017
Wooden Spoon - 1996, 1997, 2009
Reverse Sweep Wooden Spoon - 2005


Why you should support them
To their credit, they got rid of Israel Folau, so good on them for that.


Squad
Coach - Michael Cheika
Captain - Michael Hooper

Folau Fainga'a (Brumbies)
Tolu Latu (Waratahs)
Jordan Uelese (Melbourne Rebels)

Allan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)
Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Tom Robertson (Waratahs)
Scott Sio (Brumbies)
James Slipper (Brumbies)
Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds)

Rory Arnold (Brumbies)
Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels)
Izack Rodda (Queensland Reds)
Rob Simmons (Waratahs)

Jack Dempsey (Waratahs)
Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Isi Naisrani (Melbourne Rebels)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Queensland Reds)
Rob Valentini (Brumbies)
Liam Wright (Queensland Reds)

Will Genia (Melbourne Rebels)
Joe Powell (Brumbies)
Nic White (Exeter Chiefs)

Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)

Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels)
Samu Kerevi (Queensland Reds)
Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Matt Toomua (Rebels)

Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs)
Tom Banks (Brumbies)
Dane Haylett-Petty (Melbourne Rebels)
Marika Koroibete (Melbourne Rebels)
Jack Maddocks (Melbourne Rebels)

[cashead]

New Zealand
The seemingly perennial champions of the competition, they are also currently a team that is in transition (something they've handled better than in 1998/1999). This has seen some of their performance levels drop, including a first-ever home loss since the rebrand in 2012, when the Springboks tripped them up in Wellington. For all his faults though, Hansen and his coaching team have consistently proven that they can easily adapt to setbacks and often learn well from their losses, but they also tend to play their cards close to their chest. So are they a vulnerable winner? Maybe. No team can stay dominant forever, and there are some contenders already emerging out of the darkness of Europe that are fancying a go on the throne, but the All Blacks will also be wanting to prove that it's not their time yet.


Trophies contested within the Rugby Champs
Bledisloe Cup (v. Australia)
Freedom Cup (v. South Africa)


Tournament Pedigree
Clean Sweeps - 1996, 1997, 2003, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017
Champions - 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014. 2018
Runners-up - 2000, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015
Wooden Spoon - 2004
Reverse Sweep Wooden Spoon - 1998


Why you should support them
It's the done thing, isn't it?


Squad
Coach - Steve Hansen
Captain - Kieran Read

Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Dane Coles (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Liam Coltman (Highlanders/Otago)
Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)

Owen Franks (Crusaders/Canterbury)
Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
Atu Moli (Chiefs/Tasman)
Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs/Taranaki)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues/North Harbour)
Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues/Auckland)

Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke’s Bay)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues/Auckland)
Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury)

Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders / Manawatu)

Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty)
Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman)
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs/Waikato)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues/Auckland)
Kieran Read (Crusaders/Counties Manukau, Captain)
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Matt Todd (Crusaders/Canterbury)

TJ Perenara (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
Brad Weber (Chiefs/Hawke’s Bay)

Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki)
Josh Ioane (Highlanders/Otago)
Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)

Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes/Manawatu)
Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
Sonny Bill Williams (Blues/Counties Manukau)

George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
Ben Smith (Highlanders/Otago)

Braydon Ennor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki)

[cashead]

South Africa
South Africa are starting to turn into a team that is brimming with potential, but perhaps may be about to turn the corner, going from being a good team, to a great team. Their Super Rugby teams were a weird bunch, delivering big performances here and there, only to limply and meekly get beaten when they weren't expected to. The Springboks have also shown that Jekyll and Hyde quality, beating the All Blacks in Wellington coming off of an thumping from the Pumas the previous round. Regardless, Erasmus has put in place a fairly simple game plan that seems to agree with the team, consistently picking the right squad to implement it. The question now is whether they've been able to build on those gains from last year, and evolve further after their breakthroughs.


Trophies contested within the Rugby Champs
Freedom Cup (v. New Zealand)
Mandela Challenge Plate (v. South Africa)

Tournament Pedigree
Clean Sweeps - 1998
Champions - 2004. 2009
Runners-up - 1996, 1997, 2005, 2013, 2014, 2018
Wooden Spoon - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
Reverse Sweep Wooden Spoon - 2015


Why you should support them
You like a team that is back on the rise, that plays smartly, to their strengths. Hey, a good team is a good team.

Squad
Coach - Rassie Erasmus
Captain - Siya Kolisi

Schalk Brits (Bulls)
Malcolm Marx (Lions)
Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers)

Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
Vincent Koch (Saracens)
Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
Trevor Nyakane (Bulls)

Lood de Jager (Bulls)
Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse)
Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
Franco Mostert (Gloucester)
Marvin Orie (Lions)
RG Snyman (Bulls)

Marcell Coetzee (Ulster)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
Francois Louw (Bath)
Kwagga Smith (Lions)
Marco van Staden (Bulls)
Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)

Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks)
Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints)

Elton Jantjies (Lions)
Handre Pollard (Bulls)

Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
Damian de Allende (Stormers)
Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
Jesse Kriel (Bulls)
Francois Steyn (Montpellier)

Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
Warrick Gelant (Bulls)
Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse)
Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
Dillyn Leyds (Stormers)
Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
S'busiso Nkosi (Sharks)

[Lizard]

Man, that Aussie squad is weak. Outside of the midfield, none of them would even be in the conversation in NZ.

That said, Hansen is on record that he doesn’t give a shit about the RC. It’s RWC first and Bledisloe second.

To be fair, that’s the right call. Winning the RC in a RWC year is usually a bad omen for us.

[Puja]

Notable that Argentina are now picking overseas players again, albiet only 5 of them at a time. They'll be a much better team for it, as it's got them two tighthead props who'll fill 3 and 19, a starting fly-half, their best 8, and their best winger.

Annoying that they were crap when the ranking for the RWC draw happened and, as soon as they became the third team in England's group, they start to rise again. I wouldn't be surprised if they got a first NZ win this tournament.

Puja

[cashead]

Man, that Aussie squad is weak. Outside of the midfield, none of them would even be in the conversation in NZ.

That said, Hansen is on record that he doesn’t give a shit about the RC. It’s RWC first and Bledisloe second.

To be fair, that’s the right call. Winning the RC in a RWC year is usually a bad omen for us.

I'd say Kepu, Dempsey, Genia, Haylett-Petty, Hodge and Kuridrani would be mentioned as possibles (and Genia would probably be in the squad), but I won't say they'd be starters.

[J Dory]

Teams for ABs vs Springboks, lots of changes......

All Blacks:

1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Matt Todd
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. TJ Perenara
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Ben Smith
15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Vaea Fifita, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. George Bridge.

Springboks:

1. Steven Kitshoff
2. Malcolm Marx
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Franco Mostert
6. Kwagga Smith
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
8. Duane Vermeulen (c)
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Handré Pollard
11. Makazole Mapimpi
12. Damian de Allende
13. Lukhanyo Am
14. Cheslin Kolbe
15. Willie le Roux

Reserves: 16. Bongi Mbonamb, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Francois Louw, 21. Herschel Jantjies, 22. Frans Steyn, 23. Jesse Kriel.

[paddy no 11]

.......looks weak



Should be a ripper, NZ by 7

[cashead]

Looking at the decision to drop Tuinukuafe and opting for Moli's mobility, I can actually see the logic behind it. The Springbok gameplan is built around feints and misdirection.

The Squidge video brought up a good example: Herschel Jantjies passes the ball directly to P-S du Toit after a scrum, as the Wallabies forwards are repositioning themselves, leaving a big enough gap, and du Toit is mobile enough to be too fast for the Wallabies forwards (the ones nearest at this stage are the front rowers), so wanting faster, mobile tight five players here makes a lot of sense.

This directly leads to a try for the Springboks. A week later, similar scenario, and the All Blacks forwards are clearly keeping an eye on him. Faf observes this, and instead of passing it to du Toit, it goes directly out wide, nearly leading to a try to the Boks. This sort of misdirection also played a big role in creating the final try to draw the game, and give the Boks a moral victory, when le Roux seemingly drifted away and out of play, but into the right position to be a part of the attack. There was a lucky bounce of the ball, but there was also some impressive skill from Herschel Jantjies as well.

The Springboks' attack is built more or less around creating these mismatches, or the perception of going for one, and it'll be a real pain in the neck for any team that has put a lot of heads-up play into their system, because it really creates some blindspots that would be hard to detect out on the pitch.

That said, the All Blacks were also great at breaking down the Springbok defence, as they took advantage of one of the key weakspots of their system - the Boks rely on their wingers covering huge amounts of ground and cutting off play in the midfield by having them rush in, artificially creating space out wide. Teams see this and try to take it out there, but oop, here comes the defensive pressure and oh dang, that's a dropped/missed pass and a setpiece to the Springboks - who know their business in that department.

What the All Blacks did instead, once they worked it out and the forwards withstood the initial Bok rush, was to create doubt in the wingers, who suddenly don't know if the ball's going to go out to Ioane or Reece (both of whom are proven finishers), or if Sbwuh or God's Glorious Mullet are going to go straight for it - both of whom have proven capable of doing this too. The Bok wingers end up struggling to work out whom to focus on, because Perenara and Smith were getting it immediately out through Mo'unga (who gets an extra half-second or so) to get the ball further out to the midfield before the Bok defenses can really kick in, effectively depowering that defensive structure.

The frustrating thing was that the All Blacks weren't able to convert enough of their attacks into points (the 2 missed penalties would have been nice, but shoulda coulda woulda, and the Bok supporters would also be able to point to a missed penalty by Pollard, so it is what it is), but it's definitely going to be interesting to see how many of their cards the Boks and All Blacks have actually shown at this stage, and more than Ireland, Wales or England, I'd say the Springboks are going to be the biggest threat later this year.

[paddy no 11]

Etzebeth jumped there? Penalty other way

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Etzebeth jumped there? Penalty other way

And the fucking obvious forward pass before it. Sucked all the momentum out of the Pumas.

[paddy no 11]

Argentina at nothing, puja sleep easy yer in the qf's

[Puja]

Argentina at nothing, puja sleep easy yer in the qf's

Yeah, I'm certainly feeling a lot better about our group after watching the Rugby Championship this year. Even with the European based players back, they look toothless and devoid of ideas. Inditement of the coaching team actually, as they've got the players to be a decent side.

Puja

[paddy no 11]

I think they're probably underpowered only matera seems able to compete physically