South Africa vs Australia LIVE: Rugby Championship result and reaction as Springboks thrash Wallabies
Australia seek a first win at Loftus Versfeld as Eddie Jones begins his second stint in charge of the Wallabies
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South Africa put Australia to the sword as Eddie Jones’s second stint in charge of the Wallabies got off to a disastrous start.
Kurt-Lee Arendse’s hat-trick powered the Springboks to a seven-try 43-12 victory in Pretoria as the hosts flexed their strength.
Jacques Nienaber had named a side short of several regular first-choice stars for the Rugby Championship opener, but it mattered not as Australia were blown away.
Showing early attacking ambition and then taking full control with their power game, South Africa produced a statement performance in their first fixture of this World Cup year.
Australia twice had players sent to the sin bin after conceding penalty tries, Dave Porecki shown a yellow card after hauling down a ball before Suliasi Vunivalu’s deliberate knock on denied Arendse a walk-in fourth score.
It leaves Jones with plenty of thinking to do as Australia prepare to host Argentina in Sydney next weekend.
Argentina welcome New Zealand to Mendoza later on Saturday in round one’s other fixture.
Follow all the live updates from the Rugby Championship below:
Argentina 5-36 New Zealand, 75 minutes
The scrum will also be reason for Foster to smile. Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Nepo Laulala pick up where Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax left off, leaving Argentina’s replacement front row on the turf and winning a penalty.
TRY! Argentina 5-41 NEW ZEALAND (Emoni Narawa try, 77 minutes)
A first try in an All Blacks shirt for Emoni Narawa!
A sliver is all he needs! A fatiguing Argentina’s edges are tested by New Zealand’s twin ball-handlers, Damian McKenzie flicking smartly out to Caleb Clarke to put the left winger in space.
Back to the other side, and Richie Mo’unga spots Finlay Christie tied up, the replacement fly-half stepping in at the base. McKenzie is alive to it, too, filling in for Mo’unga at first receiver to swiftly sweep the ball into Narawa’s hands. It’s a combination we’ve seen plenty this season for the Chiefs - Nicolas Sanchez tries in vain to force the wing out but over he goes for a debut score.
Argentina 5-41 New Zealand, 80 minutes
Mateo Carreras’s nose is the colour of some of the Mendoza’s vineyards finest produce as the wing bangs his schnoz on the back of Richie Mo’unga. He’ll be patched up quickly - the wing’s hard work has earned a penalty and a chance for a last home hurrah.
The hooter blares as Argentina kick a subsequent penalty to the corner. The crowd lift the noise, hoping to be sent home a little happier...
TRY! ARGENTINA 12-41 New Zealand (Agustin Creevy try, 82 minutes)
Agustin Creevy has the final word!
He’s a popular scorer, the veteran hooker, pumping a fist as the crowd leap to their feet. Argentina’s maul creates a crater for their former captain, Creevy felled just short but extending his left arm like a chameleon’s tongue to make sure of the score.
FT: Argentina 12-41 New Zealand
All rather ominous from the All Blacks, that, powering out of sight in the first 40 minutes before moving back down the gears in the second half. It was great to see Argentina come out with some extra intensity - they were much better after the interval, but will rue a flat first half as the visitors blew them away.
New Zealand, World Cup outsiders? Not on that evidence.
FT: Argentina 12-41 New Zealand
And how nicely does that tee up next week’s likely decider between New Zealand and South Africa in Auckland? Remember, we’re down to just three Rugby Championship rounds this summer with attentions squarely on the business to come in France later in the year.
FT: Argentina 12-41 New Zealand
Still plenty to come from New Zealand, too, a couple of engine room centurions sure to be back in over the summer, and Will Jordan an almost certain starter once fit again. Does Damian McKenzie get more of a run at ten, though? He was excellent today, shaking off his first clearing kick being charged down to knit everything together neatly.
Oodles of options for Ian Foster, though I think he has now found a permanent partnership in the centres. Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane just give the All Blacks so much variety in midfield.
Next up in the Rugby Championship...
We’re straight back amongst things next weekend - a crucial round two of the Rugby Championship sees Argentina head to Sydney to face a battered and bruised Australia, while New Zealand host South Africa in an eagerly-anticipated encounter.
Round two (15th July):
New Zealand v South Africa - Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland (8:05am BST)
Australia v Argentina - CommBank Stadium, Sydney (10:45am BST)
Eddie Jones admits woeful Australia need quick improvement after South Africa drubbing
Australia were not good enough in every department and thoroughly outplayed by a rampant South Africa but coach Eddie Jones believes they will be better for the lessons learnt in their 43-12 Rugby Championship loss in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jones cut a disconsolate figure as he assessed the manner in which his side were picked apart by a Springbok team who scored six tries despite being without several of their regulars who were sent as an advanced party to New Zealand for next weekend’s fixture against the All Blacks in Auckland.
“We were outplayed everywhere, beaten in every department,” Jones told reporters. “Really disappointing but no excuses. We got a realistic appraisal of where we are as a team.”
Australia conceded two penalty tries, received two yellow cards and were forced into numerous errors with ball in hand.
“The discipline breakdown comes from pressure,” Jones said. “If you look at the stats, they (South Africa) had 66% territory and 66% possession. We were forced into the errors.
“There is a game next week (against Argentina in Sydney) and we will be better. It is a bad day at the office and we have to front up and play better than that.
“The only positive we got from the game is the first 20 minutes, we tried to play with pace and we looked dangerous but were not able to sustain that effort.”
Jones praised South Africa’s attack and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who scored a hat-trick of tries.
“They were good today. Good with their forward carry, they moved the ball skilfully. They took their opportunities. (Arendse) is a real talent to come out of the South African system.”
Reuters
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