David Campese’s predictions: Springboks and All Blacks to play out ‘brutal and thrilling’ Ellis Park classic as Wallabies front ‘hostile’ Pumas
Wallabies great David Campese makes his predictions for round three of the Rugby Championship.
With the Rugby Championship swinging into round three, the Springboks stand on top of the standings looking on a different level to the chasing pack as they hone and develop their game.
With both Argentina and the All Blacks recording a win each and the Wallabies sat at the foot of the table, we’re joined once again by the great David Campese to examine this weekend’s fixtures.
Argentina v Australia
“This is a game that the Wallabies didn’t need in many respects, but in others they need to fully embrace the opportunity to demonstrate improvement,” Campese noted.
“Playing at La Plata is always a hostile environment with a noisy baying crowd, low sun and a rock-hard pitch and, to compound matters, against a highly physical and capable Los Pumas team.
“I really despair the direction of travel of this Aussie side. It’s a statistical fact that the Wallabies are averaging less than one point per 22 entry, a remarkably low return from a country that has always had attacking and handling rugby as part of its DNA, as I wrote yesterday,” Campese stated.
“Los Pumas by comparison have many routes to the scoreboard. A footballing nation, their goalkicking is both long-range and deadly accurate, so discipline is absolutely vital, and upfront they possess one of the finest back row trios in the game, bricks in defence, boulders in attack.
“For Australia to win, we need our starting front row to dominate and go deep. It’s the one area of clear advantage the Wallabies have and a solid platform is vital when your scoring yield is so low. I worry about our half-backs and whether they have the game smarts to really get on that scoreboard under pressure. The pack battle is going to be huge and if that loosie trio of Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera and Juan Martin Gonzalez get motoring it could be a hard day at the office for the visitors.”
Argentina v Australia preview: Los Pumas to edge wobbly Wallabies in Agustin Creevy’s last hurrah
Head to head: “For me it’s at six, where the best Wallaby carrier, Rob Valetini, comes up against the iconic Argentinian warrior, the great Pablo Matera. Matera has already demonstrated his ability in his performance v New Zealand at Wellington, whilst Valetini has performed well in defeat in both Tests against Sputh Africa.
Players to Watch: “When Agustin Creevy comes onto the pitch for the very last time it will be a special moment. At 39 he’ll become his country’s most capped player, a man who led them 51 times and has been absolutely wonderful as an ambassador for the sport in South America. I read earlier that he made his test debut on the flank – hardly surprising given his immense mobility. For the Wallabies, keep an eye on the collective back three and how the halfbacks get Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete and Tom Wright into the game.
Campo’s Call: “I simply cannot see where Australia can get a foothold on the scoreboard, which concerns me greatly. On the flip side, Argentina are aware of their DNA, they’re evolving as a team and have some super exciting backs who are prepared to take risks to win, which I applaud. 28-13 to Argentina is my shout.
Springboks v All Blacks
“A massive game held at the Ellis Park fortress and one that I believe will be an absolute classic.
“NZ have a full complement of Barrett brothers with Scott Barrett finally over his injury issues and returning into the second row alongside the much improved Tupou Vai’i. However, the Springboks seem to have about 65 world-class locks in their stocks and in Ruan Nortije they appear to have unearthed another absolute baller of a player from the Blue Bulls production line.
“I love Rassie Erasmus’ call to leave Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the starting lineup at fly-half. I have rarely seen a more talented and skilled youngster in recent times in the 10 jersey and it demonstrates clearly that Rassie wants to evolve the Bok style from the immense platform he has built over his last six years in charge.
“For New Zealand, there’s an uncertainty in camp with the departure of Leon McDonald in what appears to be challenging circumstances, where clearly his coaching philosophy differs from that of Scott Robertson. New Zealand are very much in transition at the moment and have nowhere near the stability and player depth that the Springboks have, so for the All Blacks to win they have to deliver one of their finest performances.
“It will be an absolutely titanic match – but if New Zealand want any chance of victory, they have to start hot, get on top of the scoreboard and maintain discipline against a massive and physically dominant side – a huge ask! It’s key to get the Springboks playing catchup and then look to attack off turnover – an easy plan on paper but somewhat harder in the rarified atmosphere of Ellis Park in front of a packed crowd!”
Head to head: For once, I’m going with the big boys – Tamaiti Williams is a massive scrummager but he’s up against an all-time great in Frans Malherbe. The All Blacks need front foot ball and their platform is key, as is the legality when delivering it.
Players to Watch: “I have to give you my second H2H here- Sacha v DMac! Two wonderfully balanced runners, both with an all-court footballing game and two players that can turn a test in the blink of an eye. Above all, they’re entertainers- and they put bums on seats- exactly what you need in test rugby.”
Campo’s Call: “Whilst I think this will be a brutal and thrilling encounter, so many things have to go right if the Kiwis are to win, whereas the Springboks come home after two wonderful displays v Australia with momentum behind them. 33-24 to the Boks in a classic.
