As the 2025 Test season got underway, the Springboks and All Blacks managed to scrape through with victories that were anything but polished. Meanwhile, a shorthanded England squad, buoyed by George Ford, secured a solid win over Argentina.
In Dunedin, the All Blacks barely held onto their shorts as they edged past France with a 31-27 nail-biter. It seemed like the team was playing hot potato with the ball rather than rugby. Over in Sydney, the British & Irish Lions made the Waratahs rue their missed opportunities, clinching a 21-10 victory in a match that had more drops than a clumsy bartender.
Meanwhile, down in Pretoria, the Springboks put on a slightly more convincing show, dispatching Italy with a 42-24 scoreline. The Italians, bless their hearts, tried to keep up but ended up looking like they were chasing shadows rather than rugby players.
The real surprise came from La Plata, where England, despite missing several key players, trounced Argentina 35-12. George Ford, stepping up as the makeshift savior, orchestrated the victory with the precision of a maestro. "It was about sticking to our basics and playing the English way," Ford commented after the match.
"It was about sticking to our basics and playing the English way,"
Over in Tbilisi, Ireland didn't bother with niceties as they steamrolled Georgia with a convincing 34-5 victory. The Irish displayed a blend of brute force and balletic precision that left the Georgians grasping at straws.
This round of matches might not have been the prettiest, but it certainly set the stage for an intriguing season. As teams shake off the rust, it'll be interesting to see who can turn their early stumbles into a championship stride.