|
Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Rugby Championship Round 5 - Number 10s! 5 views
27 September 2012 by The Swede Eaters
|
|
|
Scotty Donaldson looks at the Rugby Championship and the impact of that the Number 10s will have on the weekend of games!
The Rugby Championship 2012 is pretty much decided with the All Blacks hot favourites to win. There has been plenty of interest surrounding the competition after the week off with the Number Tens in the middle of the controversy. First five eighth, fly half, outside half, pivot, whatever you call it, it is one of the most important positions in any rugby team. Dan Carter is a modern day legend, but it will be interesting to see if he returns to face Argentina for the All Blacks. Johan Goosen has been handed the starting spot replacing the usually reliable, but not very exciting Morne Steyn when South Africa host Australia. Quade Cooper re-hurt his knee and will not be playing for the Wallabies after airing his frustration at coach Robbie Deans, although until the team is named, it is anybody's guess as to who will play in the Number 10 jersey, although Kurtley Beale appears to have the front running. Argentina has the most settled lineup in the competition which is ironic since they haven't won a game all season, but now that Juan Martin Hernandez is back from injury, he is a shoe in for the Number 10 jersey. Most of these players as goalkickers are influential in the Rugby Championship Round 5.
South Africa vs Australia
The big news is that Johan Goosen is starting for the Springboks and he will allow them to play a more fluid game and he will hopefully attack the line rather than standing back in the pocket all the time. There is also interest in how Kurtley Beale will go at pivot given his mixed form this season. He played well there for the Rebels in Super Rugby this season, but has been a mixed bag. The Wallabies will also be without Stephen Moore. South Africa will be sweating on the fitness of Francois Steyn and if he can't play then Jaco Taute will start. The Springboks forward pack will look to bully the Wallabies and the battle at the breakdown between Francois Louw and Michael Hooper at the breakdown will be a beauty. I also can't wait to see Johan Goosen and Kurtley Beale hopefully help make for a more attacking style of play by both sides.
Players to buy in www.testrugby.com - Adrian Strauss, Johan Goosen, Kurtley Beale, Nathan Sharpe, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Bryan Habana.
My pick- South Africa by 3 points.
Argentina vs New Zealand
The Pumas will be facing the All Blacks for the first time at home in six years. They haven't beaten the All Blacks or won a Rugby Championship match yet, so they must be feeling inspired. They have named an unchanged side and have come a long way from that team in 1997 that conceded 93 points to the All Blacks resulting in Sean Fitzpatrick getting the referee to blow the whistle early to avoid conceding one hundred points. They will slow the game down at the breakdown and frustrate the All Blacks who haven't been as sharp on attack as we have become used to. The last time these two teams met, it took the All Blacks well into the second half to hit their straps. Hopefully conditions will be better this week!
The All Blacks welcome back Dan Carter to start in the Number 10 jersey. I can't wait to hopefully see the All Blacks play on a dry track. They have also included Sam Cane on the bench which will not only give Richie McCaw the chance to have a breather if the All Blacks are winning, but it also shows the All Blacks intention to move the ball. Make no bones about it, this game will be physical.
Players to buy - Sam Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Israel Dagg, Kieran Read, Dan Carter, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Patricio Albacete. If you need to make up some placings then it is worth picking Julian Savea.
My pick - All Blacks by 10
Here are the teams for the Rugby Championship Round 5? Who do you think is going to win this weekend?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/09/the-rugby-championship-round-5-preview.html
|
|
➜ Previous Story
Next Story ➜
|
Tags:
|
|
|
|
|