We are over the halfway stage in The Rugby Championship, and it is on a knife edge as the teams take a week off before the final two rounds of matches in late September and early October.
We are over the halfway stage in The Rugby Championship, and it is on a knife edge as the teams take a week off before the final two rounds of matches in late September and early October.
Two points separate Australia at the top from Argentina in fourth, with New Zealand in second and South Africa in third on 10 points each.
There were two excellent matches this weekend. Argentina enjoyed another day in Sydney with a 28-26 victory, while South Africa were supreme in Wellington to inflict a 43-10 win on New Zealand, the All Blacks record defeat.
With two rounds to go, New Zealand host Australia and then travel over the Tasman. South Africa welcome Argentina, and the pair then close the tournament at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
In France, the Top 14 hit round two, the Prem Cup gave us a first glimpse of Newcastle Red Bulls, and the problems continued for Major League Rugby (MLR).
Here’s the best soundbites of the week…
“We’ve achieved nothing. We’re in the mix for the Rugby Championship, but Australia and New Zealand will sort each other out, and we have to play a really energetic, well-drilled Argentinian team in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Rassie Erasmus is keeping his feet on the ground:
“Right now, it’s probably a little bit of set-piece stuff. Front of mind, that’s probably an area where we thought we’d made a shift, and they just got energy from it and probably grew in confidence for the rest of their game.”
New Zealand captain Scott Barrett pinpoints where South Africa got their edge:
“We’re going to enjoy tonight. We’re going to definitely enjoy tonight, but when you’re back on the plane and landing in South Africa, then it’s back to reality again.”
Erasmus is happy to play party-pooper…when the time comes:
“You just can’t hide. We were well off par. They played well, but we have to be a lot better. We have to look at ourselves really hard, and that starts from the coaching group.”
All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan refuses to blame the players:
“We weren't able to start fast and start well. Argentina dictated stuff in the first half. This is probably the third game where we let the lead slip and try to come back. You can't give a world-class team like the Argentinians a head start like that.”
Australia’s Rob Valentini laments his side’s lacklustre start:
“This orange card is pointless. There are so many video calls. I'm telling you frankly, we're going to piss everyone off.”
Clermont coach Christophe Urios ain’t a fan of the Top 14’s new discipline measure:
“I’m still locked in for another year. I’m just looking forward to this finals series and enjoying the moment where I am now, because these things don’t last forever. I’m enjoying my time here a lot.”
Australian union to league convert, Mark Nawaqanitawase stonewalls talk of him returning:
“It is with much sadness that we announce that we will not be participating in MLR’s 2026 season. To our passionate fans and valued sponsors – thank you for your support.”
Huston Sabercats are the latest MLR team to go:
“They’ll not walk into the side, mind, because the lads tonight made a claim on those shirts, and that’s the kind of healthy competition you want in a squad. We’ll not go overboard. We’ll take our win and move.”
Newcastle Red Bulls director of rugby Steve Diamond warns his new signings to bring their a-game:
“We're still hungry.”
Toulouse centre Pierre-Louis Barassi warns their rivals after winning two from two: