The challenge will be to topple the All Blacks
HOLDERS New Zealand face a fresh assault on their Rugby Championship title this year, but for the four sides involved in the southern hemisphere battle, next year’s World Cup in Japan will be front of mind.
The world champions have been the dominant force in the competition with 15 titles, including five in the last six years.
The All Blacks have won all 12 of their matches in the competition since, rarely looking troubled in doing so, and will once again be heavy favourites to lift the trophy this year. Just claiming an All Black scalp would provide a massive boost in confidence for the trio of other contenders, with Australia coming off a poor Super Rugby season, South Africa rebuilding under new coach Rassie Erasmus and Argentina hoping to end a horror run under their new tactician Mario Ledesma.
We look at the line-up and the pedigree of this year’s contenders. Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Anton LienertBrown, Sonny Bill Williams*, Ngani Laumape#, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith.
(* currently injured; # injury cover )
................................................ 5 ...................... 4 ..................................................... 2nd .................................. Michael Cheika .............................. Michael Hooper
Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon PaengaAmosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou
Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Matt Toomua
World ranking: .................................................. 6 Titles (including Tri-Nations): ........................... 3 Last year: ....................................................... 3rd Coach: .................................... Rassie Erasmus Captain: ............................................. Siya Kolisi Squad
Cyle Brink, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (captain), Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Akker van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Warren Whiteley.
Lukhanyo Am, Ross Cronje, Faf de Klerk, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Andre Esterhuizen, Elton Janjies, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse.
World ranking: ................................................ 10 Titles (including Tri-Nations): ........................... 0 Last year: ....................................................... 4th Coach: .................................. Mario Ledesma Captain: .................................. Agustin Creevy Squad
Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo
Bruni, Marco Ciccioli, Agustin Creevy, Lucas Favre, Diego Fortuny, Santiago Garcia
Botta, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Ignacio Larrague, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera,Vivas Mayco, Santiago Medrano, Franco Molina, Julian Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Juan Zeiss, Juan Figallo
Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano Boffelli, Sebastian Cancelliere, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Bautista Delguy, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Bautista Ezcurra, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Martin Landajo, Juan Cruz Mallia, Matias Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matias Orlando, Nicolas Sanchez.
FIXTURES
Australia vs New Zealand (Sydney) vs Argentina (Durban)
New Zealand vs Australia (Auckland) Argentina vs (Mendoza)
New Zealand vs Argentina (Nelson) Australia vs (Brisbane)
New Zealand vs (Wellington) Australia vs Argentina (Gold Coast)
vs Australia (Port Elizabeth) Argentina vs New Zealand (Buenos Aires)
vs New Zealand (Pretoria) Argentina vs Australia (Salta)