Julian Montoya, Harry Wilson, Scott Barrett, Siya Kolisi. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs. Photo: Photosport
Pumas v All Blacks
Kick-off: 9:10am Sunday 17 August
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Córdoba
Live blog updates on RNZ
Analysis - For the first time in a long time, the All Blacks head into The Rugby Championship as challengers rather than holders. Scott Robertson's first season in charge last year saw the title go to the Springboks, with the victories achieved in Johannesburg and Cape Town part of a no four-game winning streak the world champions have over the All Blacks.
That, along with a seemingly resurgent Wallaby team and a Puma outfit that's managed to beat every other major test team in the last year, makes for probably the most interesting competition in ages.
Here are the main talking points:
There will be All Blacks playing big minutes
Ardie Savea discusses a try that was later disallowed with referee Nic Berry. Photo: Peter Meecham / www.photosport.nz
Big Simon Parker has been called up, but the loose forwards would have to be one of the success stories of the year so far. One big issue that probably needs to be addressed though is just how many minutes Ardie Savea will play, given that he's already had 15 matches already this year.
He's not alone, either. There are no gimme matches in this tournament anymore, so really a case can be made for Robertson to be playing his best XV every time. That's a big workload on some key players, and as we've seen so far this year the attrition rate will be high.
Can the Pumas get out of their own heads?
Argentina players celebrate a try, Rugby Championship, New Zealand All Blacks v Argentina. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
It is curious that the Pumas' wins against the All Blacks have all been away from home, given their passionate home support should surely make them a formidable opponent on Argentine soil. However, the average scoreline between the two sides in Argentina is a very comfortable 33-14 in favour of the All Blacks - including a 41-12 walkover the last time they were there.
The Pumas clearly want to create a bit of history in the next fortnight, but it feels like the expectation to perform in front of their own fans is one of the biggest hurdles they'll need to overcome.
Have the Wallabies turned a corner?
Australia's Dylan Pietsch celebrates try score Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher / PHOTOSPORT
It seems a bit strange to be thinking this considering they've just lost a series to the Lions and almost got tipped up by Fiji, as well as changing coaches halfway through the season. But given that the Wallabies hit absolute rock bottom at the 2023 World Cup, any sort of positive signs are being taken very seriously over the Tasman, not least because they now have one of the most exciting players in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
But the issue is that we've been here before with the Wallabies, most notably in 2019 when they handed the All Blacks a record loss in Perth. Hopes were sky high that they'd win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, but it stayed put and has been in NZ Rugby's trophy cabinet longer than a number of current Wallabies have been alive.
Who's under more pressure at Eden Park?
Damian de Allende of the Springboks. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
From a New Zealand point of view, every time the All Blacks play at Eden Park has now become more than just a test match. However, the expectation is now seriously on the Springboks to end the 50-test streak as it would cement their current status as one of the greatest teams of all time. However, the Springboks have a streak of their own to contend with: they haven't won at Eden Park since 1937.
This is shaping up as a bit of a World Cup final for the Boks, who will come in off two tests against the Wallabies that should tell us plenty about where both sides are at.
It may well come down to the last game
The final match of the Rugby Championship actually takes place in London, with the Springboks and Pumas set to meet at Twickenham and the All Blacks and Wallabies playing the night before in Perth. It's highly unlikely any team will go through unbeaten, so the way the draw is set up, the title may well be decided in that unlikely spot.
Team results so far this season
All Blacks 31 - 27 France
All Blacks 43 -17 France
All Blacks 29 - 19 France
Springboks 42 - 24 Italy
Springboks 45 - 0 Italy
Springboks 55 - 10 Georgia
Wallabies 21 - 18 Fiji
Wallabies 19 - 27 British & Irish Lions
Wallabies 26 - 29 British & Irish Lions
Wallabies 22 - 12 British & Irish Lions
Pumas 28 - 24 British & Irish Lions
Pumas 12 - 35 England
Pumas 17 - 22 England
Pumas 52 - 17 Uruguay
