What Did We Learn from the Southern Hemisphere Tournament?
The southern hemisphere teams have finished another competition of the premier competition.
The Springboks overcame the Pumas at the London venue on Saturday to earn successive trophies for the first time.
It was a thrilling tournament where each team had two victories from the initial four matches.
What insights have we gained about all four teams before they visit the northern hemisphere in the autumn?
Pumas Show Promise but Fail to Push On
Two victories from six games will be viewed as a letdown for an Argentinian squad who beat each of their three opponents for the very first instance in the previous year's tournament.
This season, the Pumas, who entered the tournament in 2012, finished fourth position for the very first instance since the 2022 season.
A pioneering win at home over the All Blacks in round two was the peak for the Pumas squad.
However, letting slip a 14-point advantage against the Wallabies in round three – which they corrected the subsequent match – will come as the primary letdown as one more win would have prevented them from placing bottom.
Deciding to stage their last home fixture at the London venue will bring monetary gains, but London's large expat South African community provided the Springboks an advantage.
Dropping a two-Test series against the English side in July had already put pressure on securing wins this campaign.
And following up a significant victory to have a realistic title charge still continues to be the next step for Argentina, who play an thrilling and speedy type of the game.
With a program of Wales, Scotland and England in November this could still prove to be a productive campaign.
Coach Departs with Australia Improving
Would the Lions tour tour of Australia be closely contested? That inquiry has proven relevant for the developing Australian team.
The Australian mentor began leading Australia at their most difficult period after their inability to advance to the knockout stages of a global tournament for the very first instance in 2023.
They had a notably stronger showing at this year's tournament with victories over the Springboks and the Pumas allowing them to finish third – an progress on consecutive last-place finishes in consecutively.
Their season progressed toward a landmark attempt to recapture the prestigious trophy for the first time since the year 2002, with New Zealand coming into the last two matches against the Wallabies after a record defeat by the Springboks.
However, his leadership ended with dual defeats and he was could not wrest the Bledisloe from the New Zealand team.
Nevertheless, he passes an exciting squad to the new coach who is taking over as head coach.
"I believe there's progress in the team and I can't guarantee that's going to be steady but I can pretty much guarantee the dedication's going to be evident," he said.
Dynamic attacker Max Jorgensen, twenty-one, and centre Joseph Suaalii, 22, are difference makers and lethal attackers with room.
The participation of pack players the veteran forward and the dynamic flanker could be decisive in challenging autumn games that feature England, the Irish and France.
Coach Relies On Veteran Fly-Half Barrett
Earlier than the head coach assumed the New Zealand managerial position, the New Zealand team had won multiple of the last seven Rugby Championships.
For the consecutive year in a row, the All Blacks were defeated to South Africa.
A positive is that Robertson has deployed 43 players this campaign and still has matches to come against the European sides in November.
Leroy Carter registered points in his opening three matches on the flank, with back rower Peter Lakai, 22, also getting a debut start in the All Blacks shirt.
Robertson has initiated creating crucial squad depth for the World Cup in 2027, while still defeating Argentina, South Africa and Australia.
However, a historic defeat in Argentina and a surprising heavy loss by the Springboks had negative consequences for the New Zealand's championship aspirations and leave grounds for apprehension.
The experienced playmaker, thirty-four, featured in five out of six of the six matches at playmaker as the coach shifted from the prior campaign's starting fly-half the former starter.
The skilled number ten began the global championship decider at fly-half in the past and his comeback to the All Blacks will present a further alternative.
Not many would have expected the veteran, who has 142 international appearances, in pole position to play at the future world championship, but he is displaying no indications of declining just yet.
And he will have an dynamic half-back partner – if number nine Cam Roigard, twenty-four, who appears prepared to nail down a first-team place, can remain healthy.
Erasmus Develops Talents and Continues Succeeding
The Springboks were selected the world team of the year at the World Rugby awards last year.
Having picked up successive Rugby Championships, the world's number one-ranked team could be winning the prize again.
But what makes the accomplishment more remarkable is the amount of players head coach the Springbok leader has utilized.
"I think we used close to numerous squad members and I'd love to have given further appearances," he commented.
Setbacks by Australia and the All Blacks over the first three games increased scrutiny on the coach – but following results demonstrated the "gamble" to nurture players was rewarding.
A trio of successes from three games came next to claim the championship, with young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starting each match.
A Springbok record {37 points|
