Key Takeaways from the Rugby Championship?
The southern hemisphere nations have wrapped up another tournament of the annual tournament.
South Africa defeated the Pumas at the London venue on the weekend to earn successive trophies for the initial occasion.
It was a exciting tournament where all four sides had dual successes from the initial four matches.
What conclusions can we draw about each squad before they head to the European nations in the autumn?
Argentina Displays Potential but Fail to Push On
Two victories from six matches will be viewed as a disappointment for an Pumas team who defeated each of their three opponents for the first time in the previous year's competition.
This season, the Pumas, who joined the tournament in 2012, placed fourth position for the initial occasion since 2022.
A historic win at home over New Zealand in the second round was the highlight for the Pumas squad.
However, letting slip a significant margin against the Wallabies in the third round – which they corrected the subsequent match – will come as the biggest frustration as another victory would have enabled them to escape placing bottom.
Deciding to stage their last home fixture at the London venue will bring economic advantages, but the significant overseas South African fans gave the South African team an benefit.
Dropping a two-Test series against England in the summer had already heightened demands on achieving victories this season.
And supporting a big result to have a realistic title charge still remains the following stage for the Pumas, who display an thrilling and speedy style of rugby union.
With a schedule of the Welsh, the Scots and the English in November this could still turn out to be a positive season.
Coach Departs with Australia Improving
Could the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia be competitive? That inquiry has become significant for the improving Australian team.
The coach began leading Australia at their most difficult period after their failure to qualify for the playoff rounds of a World Cup for the first time in the previous year.
They had a significantly improved performance at this season's competition with successes over South Africa and Argentina enabling them to secure third place – an advancement on consecutive last-place finishes in a row.
Their season built towards a historic attempt to recapture the trans-Tasman prize for the first time since the year 2002, with the All Blacks entering the last two matches against the Australian team after a historic loss by South Africa.
However, the coach's period finished with dual defeats and he was could not capture the trophy from the All Blacks.
Nonetheless, he hands an exciting group to his successor who is beginning leadership as head mentor.
"I believe there's growth in the team and I cannot promise that's going to be steady but I can almost promise the dedication's going to be there," he commented.
Versatile backline player the young talent, twenty-one, and midfielder the young star, 22, are match winners and dangerous attackers with room.
The availability of forwards the veteran forward and Rob Valetini could prove crucial in tough autumn matches that feature the English, Ireland and France.
Robertson Leans On Veteran Fly-Half Barrett
Before the head coach assumed the New Zealand head coach job, the All Blacks had won half a dozen of the past seven competitions.
For the another season in a succession, Robertson's side were defeated to the Springboks.
A favorable is that the coach has deployed numerous squad members this season and still has games to come against the European sides in November.
Leroy Carter registered points in his initial three appearances on the flank, with back rower the emerging star, 22, also receiving a first start in the national team kit.
Robertson has begun developing important depth for the World Cup in 2027, while still overcoming Argentina, South Africa and Australia.
However, a historic defeat in Argentina and a unexpected major reversal by the Springboks had negative consequences for the New Zealand's title hopes and leave reasons to worry.
The veteran fly-half, 34, started five of the six fixtures at fly-half as the coach moved away from the prior campaign's regular number 10 the previous incumbent.
Richie Mo'unga began the World Cup final at fly-half in the past and his comeback to New Zealand will provide a further alternative.
Not many would have expected the veteran, who has 142 Test matches, in leading contention to begin at the upcoming global tournament, but he is displaying no indications of declining currently.
And he will have an explosive half-back partner – if scrum-half the emerging star, twenty-four, who seems set to establish a regular position, can remain healthy.
Coach Nurtures Players and Continues Succeeding
South Africa were selected the men's team of the year at the World Rugby awards the previous year.
Having earned consecutive tournament titles, the leading international squad could be winning the award again.
But what causes the accomplishment more impressive is the quantity of athletes head coach Rassie Erasmus has used.
"I think we used close to forty-seven athletes and I'd love to have given additional opportunities," he said.
Defeats by Australia and the All Blacks over the first three games put pressure on the coach – but later results confirmed the "gamble" to build squad depth was justified.
Three wins from three fixtures ensued to secure the title, with 23-year-old the emerging star featuring in every game.
A South African milestone {37 points|
