The Rugby Championship ends as it began, with the All Blacks as champions. In fact, the all-blacks have already won the Southern hemisphere trophy with a match to spare, beating the Argentine Pumas last week. Today, therefore, the last day is just for show and, maybe, to get some satisfaction - talking about Argentines and South Africans. In fact, the former are still looking for their first victory in the tournament, which by now would almost be due to them, given the showy improvements and, perhaps, too many referee favoritism which relegates them once again to bringing up the rear of the tournament, when they demonstrated be fully capable of competing at this level, if not winning at times. The latter, on the other hand, would have had the benefit of a direct clash at the top in the final of the tournament if the All Blacks had made the much-dreamed-of misstep away against the Argentines. Unfortunately for the show, this afternoon's match will certainly give warmer emotions than those that would have come from a real final.
In the New Zealand household, however, they don't seem inclined to give anyone gifts. So much so that the punished Cruden – ousted from the selection for two weeks following a hangover with annexed delay to the meeting – has been forgiven and is back in the squad that will challenge the South African gazelles captained by the eternal De Viliers for the umpteenth match. The All Blacks arrive at this last challenge with a further charge. The coach of the New Zealanders has in fact declared that the metamen Julian Savea – all-black winger – is stronger than the totem Jonah Lomu. A confession certainly more like a fan, which, however, if it is made by someone who understands something about rugby, should make any opponent's skin crawl, including South Africans.
South Africa, for its part, didn't make too much of a mistake in this tournament. He surrendered in two games that were fatal to him, but where he certainly couldn't have done too much more. They fought it out against the All Blacks, but the pitch then inexorably proved the New Zealanders right. Against Australia, most saw the victory of the Kangaroos as a backlash towards the end that led them to beat the South Africans. Upon closer reading, however, it becomes clear that the match for most of its duration was much more in the hands of McKenzie's team than Heineke Meyer's boys.
In Australia, on the contrary, there is an air of failure, of a faded dream. As written in the tournament presentation article, the Australian squad is one of the best ever, with individuals who would find space as a starter in any formation in the world. Just think of the immense Israel Folau, or the powerful Kuridrani – who in terms of comparisons with Jonah Lomu is among the most similar – or even the veteran Ashley Cooper. The missteps against South Africa and the All Blacks in their respective return matches denounced a national team certainly capable of anything, but still immature and looking for continuity. The new dispute starring the usual Beale is just the umpteenth example (the kangaroos fullback and opener became part of a lively argument with the flight staff in a team move, following which the player was removed from the team and the Australian Rugby Union has launched an internal investigation).
Argentina could finally be the Cinderella among the greats in the world, but the glass slipper broke again this time. The last chance to win the first match of this new edition of the Tri Nations, the Pumas will play it at home in La Plata, with the further push of the public who will have to put aside the disappointment for all the missed opportunities this month and half of rugby among the big names. Whatever happens, Argentina would have deserved more from this season, which has seen them mature and square, fully at the level of the strongest national teams in the world. We just have to hope he doesn't vent his anger over the next test match against Italy.
