Argentina to Win the Rugby Championship?

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Something seems to be brewing in Argentina. The Jaguares are currently top of their conference in Super Rugby with 8 wins from 13 games including some good wins away in SA, NZ and Aus. They are 2nd in the overall standings with a real chance of hosting a quarter final in Argentina for the first time ever. Their form is definitely peaking given that most of their five losses came at the start of the season and they have won 6 of their last 7 games, a narrow loss away to the highlanders being their one recent loss.

Given that New Zealand have a recent habit of not winning the Rugby Championship held in a world cup year (Australia won the last two) is it Argentina's chance to shine being the form super rugby side? The form guide would probably suggest that this years championship is more than likely going to be one of the more hotly contested championships in recent memory so why not Argentina? I suspect their super rugby form will give them renewed belief that they can challenge the other SANZAAR sides and away wins might help them achieve some consistency on the road.

You also know you are good when people like Phil Kearns start to complain about the Jaguares basically being an international side. Kearns also fears that this gives them a huge advantage at the RWC, does it? Probably.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/113139439/jaguares-coach-gonzalo-quesada-hits-back-at-phil-kearns-comments-on-super-rugby-inclusion

SA who claimed a good away win in NZ and who are probably moving in the right direction despite a desperate win loss ratio for 2018 will probably be contenders too albeit more than likely without captain Kolisi who has picked up a fairly serious injury. New Zealand of course are almost always favorites have picked up a few losses in recent years and have some selection quandaries. Who to pick in the back row, is Aaron Smith still their number one guy at 9 and who is Barrett's back up? This particular debate may have gained another dimension as the talented but still relatively inexperienced Mo'unga is subject to some controversy following a recent tour to SA. As usual Australia appear to be a sinking ship which probably means they will be contenders for everything.

Anyway long story short, I knows its still a couple of months out but I would like to call on our resident Kiwis to provide their expert opinions and anyone else why enjoys the rugby championship to chime in and declare who do you think will come 1st to last in this years championship and why? Will it be Los Pumas time to shine?

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
Is mise le meas,
Collapse.

That's a view which is shared more widely than yourself. In these cases however ie no arms clear out to the head and off the ball clearance round the neck I'm afraid it's your own players being brainless.

7.5, yet you minimise the significance of Farrell’s multiple shoulder charges to the head of opponents that aren’t even penalised. You lack consistency 7.5.

Good bounce back effort from the ABs. Holding the Wallabies to zero points was a bonus.

Great comeback win as predicted.

The first 20 minutes or so I felt we were still in it. Then those 2 quick tries against the run of play led to the inevitable end result. Thought the Wallabies played relatively well for 0 points. Doesn't feel as bad as the scoreline looks - but still a huge credit to the way NZ played with such intensity and ruthlessly exploited those critical errors to rack up quick points.

I'm hoping it's a lot drier in Japan. The Wallabies should be there... or thereabouts but I still think the ABs are the team to beat.

The ABs, SA and Aus have each had ‘statement’ games in this RC and they’ll all probably be comfortable with where they’re at. Each team seemed to get the result they wanted in the game they put the effort into. Cheika’s post match tonight was like ‘meh’. The ABs have been meh all RC except tonight when the BC was on the line.

ebop wrote:The ABs, SA and Aus have each had ‘statement’ games in this RC and they’ll all probably be comfortable with where they’re at. Each team seemed to get the result they wanted in the game they put the effort into. Cheika’s post match tonight was like ‘meh’. The ABs have been meh all RC except tonight when the BC was on the line.

Todays game wasnt in the RC. Dont kid yourself NZ wanted to win last week too.

Probably, didn’t seem like it, although it was 14 v 15 thanks to a very vigilant French referee that has form. But we have the Bledisloe Cup tucked away (again) with a 36-0 scoreline for the 17th year in a row so can’t complain Guns. As the ABs have said, the important trophies are the Bledisloe Cup and RWC. You’re Australian aren’t you Guns?

It was 14 vs 15 thanks to Scott Barrett and NZ's inability to address ongoing dicipline issues.

Garces has an eagle eye for sure when it suits him. He’s pretty good at turning a blind eye though.

I've never seen farrell should charge an opponent to the head ebop. I keep asking for examples but no one has yet given me one.

Exhibit A

Good on you though 7.5, defending your guy like that by burying your head in the sand shows character, of some sort

No 7&1/2 wrote:I've never seen farrell should charge an opponent to the head ebop. I keep asking for examples but no one has yet given me one.

He made contact with the head in the group match v Australia in the last RWC, he got a yellow for it though.

Farrells dangerous tackles arent generally to the head.

If they occurred at ‘twickers’ I doubt you’d see all the replays from all angles that show the millisecond of head contact that warrants the red card that seems to be so readily dished out

I dont know if its because I'm using the phone app but I can see a video attached to your exhibit a ebop.
Dont remember that one collapse, it's not the one near the try line is it?

Any update on Mounga? Would be a shame to see him get injured. He had a good game today, maybe his best for NZ to date?

Expected a response from the No.2 team in the world , but it wasn’t on TSN unfortunately. Giving how straightforward our big and direct game is I’m a little worried about facing both teams in the World Cup.

Collapse2005 wrote:Any update on Mounga? Would be a shame to see him get injured. He had a good game today, maybe his best for NZ to date?

hes fine. kinda knew we had this performance in us back at HQ. Many stepped up, seven shoving 8 back as well? All about the attitude.

ebop wrote:Exhibit A

Congrats on providing nothing.

LondonTiger wrote:

ebop wrote:Exhibit A

Congrats on providing nothing.

7.5’s response was Exhibit A of one of his typical responses burying his head in the sand. I think that went over your heads. Is the below enough evidence?

You've shown a still showing farrell putting his shoulder into the chest of a bok. Think you need a lie down ebop.

Lol, you are special 7.5

What do you mean by that ebop? It's not that special to be able to read rugby laws and interpretation s and then apply them.

Shoulder charge is a penalty or yellow card and if there’s head/neck contact it’s a red card. Farrell should have gone for a skate. Although you’re so one-eyed, in your mind, you probably see Farrell’s arm wrapping the player and Farrell’s shoulder no where near the players head/neck.

Well you've provided proof that it's not head so it's be down the scale from a red obviously.

That photo is not proof there ‘wasn’t’ head/neck contact. It’s just a single photo 7.5. There you go again drawing erroneous conclusions. Besides, it looks like the shoulder and chin are in contact.

Oh. Ok. So we go back to you providing no example then. You could find an example in that same game of snyman charging kruis and making contact with the head if you're looking for examples of inconsistency.

Farrell isnt even England's dirtiest player, Itoje is. He uses his elbows at almost every collision, at the maul, all elbows, at the ruck elbows. Id say he will be Englands next red.

England still arent as ill diciplined as NZ though.

Just laughing at this thread Great prediction, Guns. Hope you’re not a betting man. Talk about being wide of the mark!

Cyril wrote:Just laughing at this thread Great prediction, Guns. Hope you’re not a betting man. Talk about being wide of the mark!

It wasnt really a prediction however if it was the only certainties in the life Cyril are death and taxes and maybe the probability that you will lurking about for a whinge about something. Am I right?

Last was daly wasnt it? Personally I'd say hes the most likely as well due to his high ball technique!

Thought Daly had a decent enough game, yeah though his high ball technique needs work. What about Biggar though how does he catch some of those up and unders.

Steve Hansen cant figure out how Wales, a team who have just lost 1 game in two years have overtaken his side in the rankings (three losses and a draw in the same period). Not the brightest?

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/bemused-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-16773877