The Springboks’ 24-13 win illustrated their depth and quality of players, which seems to improve on an almost weekly basis. My prediction is that Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be the player of the 2027 World Cup in Australia. He glides across the grasslands like a cheetah chasing prey and will dominate the world’s number 10s, much like Dan Carter did for the All Blacks.
Also congratulations goes to Malcolm Marx, the South African hooker, named World Player of the Year shortly after the Ireland game.
Ireland gave their all but it still wasn’t enough and coach, Andy Farrell has a significant problem with a lack of discipline. Playing the Springboks with 15 is tough but with 13 or 14, it is near impossible.
On a lighter side-note, I loved the Irish commentator in the game against South Africa who described the following incident: “Kelleher forklifted Snyman.”
Maligned
The much-maligned New Zealand coach Scott Robertson made several changes for this clash with Wales, and the expected scoreline was reached in the final quarter (26-52). A stadium full of pride is all Wales had to offer. The ghosts of yesteryear shake their heads. Where is the talent, the class, the improvisers, the brilliance? The pathway looks bare of emerging talent.
Australia fell to a 48-33 in Paris and, while the jury is still out, they need to start winning soon. Paris is a fortress and France have a wealth of emerging young talent so their future looks bright.
A much-changed England team faced the dangerous Argentinians, a team that is never affected by the score, as their win in Scotland the previous weekend proved. Even when England jumped to a 17-point lead there was no emotion on the Argentinian faces. In the final seconds of the game, Los Pumas almost pulled it off. Why did they kick for touch and risk the lineout when they could have tapped and run? It meant the hosts emerged victorious 27-23.
England has a squad of depth and some quality, but uncertainty remains. The back row lacks balance. The midfield is uncertain. Who are the best wingers? I hope they run the ball more. Kicking is an option, but it should not be used at the expense of creative decision-making or seizing opportunities.
Elsewhere, Scotland team beat Tonga 56-0 and Italy beat Chile 34-19.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.