Author Archives: Neil Olsen

This was a tournament that ultimately saw New Zealand emerge as the true powerhouse of International Rugby with few if any likely to be able to challenge them.  Australia were lucky to carve out a second place finish which still left them light years behind their rivals across the Tasman Straits and with a mountainContinue reading “The Rugby Championship wraps up with New Zealand in a league of their own while at the other end of the spectrum we see the demise of Springbok rugby and Australia and Argentina still with a mountain of work to do!”

The All Black juggernaut of 2016 continued to roll on unopposed in Argentina this past weekend but once more it was put to the Test by a resurgent Puma side in the second half.  We said all along that New Zealand needed to stamp their authority quickly in the first half as Argentina were likelyContinue reading “Round 5 of the Rugby Championship sees New Zealand remain dominant but challenged by a feisty second half performance from the Pumas, while South Africa score a ramshackle win as Australia once more slips back into mediocrity!”

We all know who will be lifting the trophy on October 8th, what we don’t know is how the rest of the table will look when all is said and done.  New Zealand have clearly been in a class of their own this year and the only question mark is whether or not they canContinue reading “With the Rugby Championship already sewn up by New Zealand, Round 5 sees South Africa, Australia and Argentina jockey for second place.”

The only real surprise in Round 4 was Australia’s dramatic resurgence against a brave Pumas challenge.  Australia may not quite be the finished product yet but Saturday’s performance in Perth against Argentina finally saw them mount a challenge worthy of the Wallaby jersey.  Outstanding in defence, with some sparkling attacking rugby at times, the WallabiesContinue reading “Round 4 of the Rugby Championship sees New Zealand clinch the title, Australia start to rise from the ashes at Argentina’s expense and South Africa hoping that the return to home soil will end the misery of the last month!”

As we have for much of the Rugby Championship this year we find ourselves with an easy game to call and one that could go either way.  South Africa travel to New Zealand to take on an All Black team that is likely to leave them in their dust, while Argentina travel to Australia toContinue reading “Round 4 of the Rugby Championship sees New Zealand seemingly invincible with everyone else struggling to catch up with perhaps Argentina looking the side most likely to lead the charge!”

Despite the result which ended up being well and truly in New Zealand’s favour, we were nevertheless treated to some outstanding rugby last Saturday in Hamilton as the All Blacks were asked lots of difficult questions by Argentina for almost an hour. It was exciting stuff from both teams and at one point the PumasContinue reading “Round 3 of the Rugby Championship sees some exquisite displays of skill by New Zealand and Argentina while Australia finally dig themselves out of a hole at South Africa’s expense!”

As Round 3 of the Rugby Championship gets underway this weekend, New Zealand take on Argentina and look set to consolidate their stranglehold on the tournament. Argentina are likely to give as good as they get but taking on the All Blacks in New Zealand is a task that most would relish but one thatContinue reading “Round 3 of the Rugby Championship sees the highest stakes possible for Australia and South Africa while it’s business as usual for New Zealand as Argentina face their biggest challenge of the year!”