Both NZ and Australia to the fore
By Roger Childs
This win is right up there, especially since it has been 60-odd years since we tasted success in Jo’burg, –Australian prop James Slipper
Decisive wins
The 2025 southern hemisphere rugby competition known as the Rugby Championship includes South Africa for the first time in recent years. In the first match over the weekend the Springboks, who won the last World Cup, were expected to easily beat the Wallabies at home in Johannesburg. However, the Australians, coached by Kiwi Joe Schmidt, proved to be much fitter and slicker in the end, to cruise to a 38-22 victory.
Meanwhile in Argentina the All Blacks looked to have the game sewn up as they lead 31-10 at half time, however with two classy back tries the Puma fans were feeling confident as the score closed to 31-24. But in the end New Zealand pulled away in the last 10 minutes with two late tries from lineout drives by the unstoppable replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho.
A game of two quarters
The Wallabies faced a trouncing as the Springboks raced out to a 22-0 lead after 18 minutes. Speedy passing and hard running netted the home team three excellent tries in the first quarter. However they wouldn’t score again. The Aussies scored three tries in the last quarter and stunned the massive crowd of predominantly South African fans.
Captain Harry Wilson ran rapidly to score two tries from over 30 metres out and the Boks couldn’t catch Aussie speedsters Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Dylan Pletsch, Max Jorgenson and Tom Wright who dotted down for the visitors’ other tries. Although the South Africa mounted a number of attacks in the second half staunch tackling by the Wallabies held them out.
One would expect the home team to come out firing in the second test in Cape Town next Sunday.
A comfortable win but plenty to work on
The All Blacks scored four tries in the first half with two to right winger Sevu Reece. Half back Cortez Ratima scored under the posts after a brilliant break by Will Jordan and the hard working loosie, Ardie Savea, picked up the fourth try from a characteristic New Zealand lineout. Bautista Delguy scored for the Pumas in the left-hand corner after a classy long pass from centre field. Nevertheless 31-10 to the visitors at half time looked like an unassailable lead.
However, the Argentinians were back in the game with two slick tries in the second half which pulled them back to 24-31 by the 63rd minute. But in the end Taukei’aho’s double scores put the result beyond doubt.
The Puma forward played an aggressive, bustling game and their backs often ran with speed, trickery and flair, however missed passes let them down at times. The All Blacks didn’t lose a lineout and stole a couple from their opponents. Captain Scott Barrett took plenty of clean ball and led by example. Savea was his usual hard-working self and his captain’s decisions late in the game to turn down penalty shots at goal in favour of lineouts, paid off with the lineout drives in the last ten minutes.
The All Blacks two yellow cards showed that discipline is an area to work on for the second test next weekend. Scott Robertson will be pleased to take the win and with the Springboks losing the New Zealand regaining top ranking in World Rugby is a feather in his cap.