The short side: Round Two, lock battle, Mo’unga’s shot

Adam Kyriacou

The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the major talking points ahead of this week’s second round of the Rugby Championship.

New Zealand v South Africa

Two of the great rivals in rugby union renew acquaintances when New Zealand host South Africa and extra spice has been added to this encounter. Only last year, the Springboks produced a remarkable display to stun the All Blacks 36-34 and set them up nicely for their World Cup preparations.

Spirits have duly been lifted, even if they wasted an opportunity to defeat the world champions a second time in the 2018 competition when the hosts succumbed 32-30 in October. It was still a positive tournament for Rassie Erasmus’ men, however, and they have started the 2019 version in ideal fashion, beating Australia 35-17 with a weakened side.

Meanwhile, Steve Hansen’s charges struggled against Argentina, narrowly winning 20-16 in Buenos Aires, but they should be much better this weekend with all the big guns returning. The Crusaders players are back involved, with Richie Mo’unga’s selection at fly-half the headline pick and the front-row bolstering the forward pack.

South Africa have also strengthened, making 12 changes to the XV, meaning that Malcolm Marx, Duane Vermeulen and Faf de Klerk start. They will look to put Hansen’s outfit under pressure once again with De Klerk aiming to repeat the job he did on Aaron Smith when he goes head-to-head with TJ Perenara in Wellington.

A wounded All Blacks are a dangerous beast, though, and they will be out for revenge at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, which means a positive start is vital for the Springboks, otherwise the hosts could run away with it.

Australia v Argentina

Both sides come into this game on the back of defeats and have also had to deal with making respective long flights to Brisbane from Johannesburg and Buenos Aires. Because of this the Wallabies have wisely rolled out a starting XV that sees five pairs of fresh legs come in. Argentina meanwhile have also made five alterations as they look to bounce back from an agonising defeat to New Zealand in Buenos Aires last weekend.

The last time Argentina were on Australian soil they edged the Wallabies 23-19 – their first win in the country since 1983 – so they will be feeling confident of going back-to-back on Saturday. However, Australia did exact revenge in their reverse fixture in Round Six of last year.

Suncorp Stadium has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Australia as, according to Opta stats, they have won their last five games on the bounce at the ground – four by a single digit margin – and have not lost at the Brisbane venue since June 2016 when they fell 39-28 to England. Factor in Argentina’s dire away form – they’ve won only two of their last 15 Tests played on the road – and they’re underdogs for a reason.

However, this is a different Pumas side following the improvements the Jaguares have made so it wouldn’t be a big shock to see them make to successive wins on Australian soil. That really would crash the Suncorp farewell for Will Genia and comeback party for Christian Lealiifano.

Player to watch – Christian Lealiifano (Australia)

What a wonderful moment it will be when the playmaker runs out at Suncorp Stadium. After recovering from cancer, the fly-half will play his first match for the Wallabies in three years on Saturday, which will cap a remarkable return to the sport.

Lealiifano was outstanding for the Brumbies in Super Rugby this season and thoroughly deserves his chance at attempting to steer the Australia ship. While Bernard Foley is perhaps more a victim of the team’s struggles, his form has certainly been patchy over the past couple of years.

There are also continuing questions as to whether Foley is simply good enough to direct a World Cup challenging team around the field, but it would be unfair to pin the current issues on him. However, the proof will be in how Lealiifano performs against Argentina and then New Zealand, if selected.

One-v-one battle to watch – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand) v Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Two of the outstanding locks in world rugby face-off on Saturday as Retallick goes head-to-head with Etzebeth in Wellington. Both were excellent in the opening round of the competition and will be crucial to the teams’ efforts this weekend.

They have exceptional all-round games, with them similarly impressive in carrying, physicality and lineout work, but Retallick’s pace, skill set and brilliance at the breakdown sets him apart from the South African powerhouse.

However, if the Springbok can dominate the gain line with the ball, force New Zealanders back in defence and show his usual work ethic at close quarters then it may just open the door for the visitors to secure another shock victory.

Subplot to watch: The Richie Mo’unga-Beauden Barrett experiment

Both of New Zealand’s leading fly-halves will run out in the same line-up this weekend when Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett start at 10 and 15 respectively against the Boks. This pair are devastating attacking weapons who have the ability to unlock defences at will, with their pace off the mark a joy to watch and we think they’ll have a big say in this game. The Springboks are going to have a job containing them.

Mo’unga has had the stronger recent Super Rugby season as he helped lead a strong Crusaders side to the title, thus furthering his claims to grab this fly-half shirt from the former World Rugby Player of the Year on a long-term basis. Much more reliable off the kicking tee, this is a serious opportunity for him to do just that and give head coach Steve Hansen a sizeable decision to make so close to the Rugby World Cup.

Full-back remains a decision up for grabs too as Ben Smith could stay on the right wing so don’t be surprised if this experiment becomes a regular fixture for the All Blacks later this year. Both Barrett and Mo’unga will pop up at first receiver and we can’t wait to see this play out.

Best of the rest

The Pacific Nations Cup will kick off this weekend with Tonga taking on Samoa before Japan clash with Fiji in what should be a thrilling game. Fiji name the likes of Levani Botia, Viliame Mata and Leone Nakarawa in their XV while Japan start Lappies Labuschagne and Amanaki Mafi, with the latter looking to build confidence and momentum in the country ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which starts in less than two months.

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