RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP NEEDS A SHOT IN THE ARM; Rugby 365

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP HAS BECOME TOO PREDICTABLE OVER THE YEARS WITH NEW ZEALAND'S DOMINANCE OVER THEIR OPPONENTS.

 

The All Blacks picked up their fifth Rugby Championship in six years, but despite their dominance, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen believes South Africa, Australia and Argentina are still worthy opponents.

 

Hansen is being nice of course, but the reality is that the other three teams still have a lot of catching up to do to make the tournament interesting again in terms of being more competitive.. 

 

New Zealand will end their 2017 Rugby Championship campaign against the Springboks at Newlands on Saturday after virtually securing the title again after four rounds of competition.

 

Probably the most eye-catching result of the competition was their 57-0 victory over the Boks in Round Three, which was a clear example of the gulf in class and professionalism between the two sides.

 

However, Hansen once again came to the defence of his opponents two days before their return match in Cape Town.

 

"The scoreline doesn't really indicate how tough the games are," said Hansen.

 

"It probably doesn't do you [media] and your fans over here any comfort but for us we know it was a tough game and it was physical.

 

"If they managed to take a couple of their opportunities that were there [in Albany], it could have been a whole different game.

 

"Yes, we have been fortunate is the last couple of years to play really well and win the thing but there is not that bigger gap. I don't think."

 

The All Blacks are clear favourites once again for Saturday's clash, but Hansen said the Boks have are a different beast at home. Although, Newlands might not bring too many home comforts for the Boks with the support the All Blacks receive in the Mother City.

 

"We are really looking forward to the game and we know there is a big challenge.

 

"We've never been disappointed by the Boks at home by their performances, so we know we are going to have to be at our very best, so we looking forward to it,' said Hansen.

 

By Warren Fortune

@FortuneWarren

 Sadly the comp is not as good as it was, the ABs may find tougher games in Europe or they may have to wait until they play England for a really tough game.
Still, any game can go south and the ABs can be beaten or at least put under tremendous pressure. That's why we still watch them.

 The 6 nations wouldnt be any harder to win ,atm the Boks and Wallabies are a wee bit below par but year in year out have been way tougher opposition than the NH wankers.

 Don't hold your breath Wardad, the Boks are not going to get better soon, not under Coetzee and company, and there's no hope post Coetzee either while the future of our rugby lies in the palms of the SARU zombies.

 Cant you guys buy Coetzee a ticket to a Country and Western show somewhere ? Just driving around while guilty of being black in the US should see him bumped off .

 Don't mind palming him off to you guys as the next AB coach......I wish..

 Mate he isnt even qualified to take out the ABs official half time oranges!