BBC Rugby Union Roundup: New Coaches Shine, South Dominates North
The rugby union world witnessed an action-packed weekend, with new coaches making their mark and the southern hemisphere sides asserting their dominance.
New Coaches Make Their Mark
Scott Robertson and Joe Schmidt, the newly appointed All Blacks and Wallabies coaches respectively, got off to a winning start. New Zealand edged out England 16-15 in Dunedin, while Australia overpowered Wales 25-16. Both teams showcased the clear vision and influence of their new mentors.
South Dominates North
In another significant result, the Springboks finally beat Ireland 27-20 at Loftus Versfeld, their first victory over the Irish since 2016. Rassie Erasmus praised the impact of assistant coach Tony Brown, saying:
“We’re trying to develop our attacking game.”
The Pacific nations also shone, with Samoa staging a brilliant second-half comeback to defeat Italy 33-25 at home. Fiji also secured a hard-fought 12-21 win over Georgia, further demonstrating the rising prowess of rugby union’s emerging powers.
Individual Accolades
Individual accolades were also handed out, with Blues star Hoskins Sotutu being named the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year after a standout season.
While the southern hemisphere sides enjoyed a clean sweep over their northern rivals, England’s kicking woes and Wales’ extended losing streak were areas of concern. Argentina also suffered a heavy 13-28 defeat to a new-look French side, raising alarm bells ahead of the Rugby Championship.
The rugby union landscape is shaping up for a captivating remainder of the season, with the northern teams eager to respond and challenge their southern counterparts in the upcoming fixtures.
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