Review of the 2024 Rugby Championship Tournament
Rugby Central's Take on the 2024 Rugby Championship:
The 2024 Rugby Championship saw some stunning matches between the globe's top rugby powers. Let's dive into each team's performance and highlight some standout players.
Argentina - Game Changers
Los Pumas marked significant improvement this year, never before achieving victories over all three of their rivals in a single tournament. Their win in New Zealand was impressive, closely followed by their domination over Australia. Felipe Contepomi's squad proved they could shine on the road against teams that had been undefeated.
Tomás Albornoz's elevation in the team added more control, ensuring they managed the game better and tipping the scales in their favor. It's clear that Contepomi has some solid foundations to build on for the future.
Argentina had numerous standout players this year. Joaquín Oviedo made a massive impact off the bench, grabbing attention, but Pablo Matera earned the top spot as Argentina's best player of the tournament.
Australia - Time for Change
The Wallabies ended up at the bottom after winning only one game – against Argentina in South America at the last minute. The reign of Eddie Jones seems to have affected Australian rugby, with a significant rebuilding job required. Joe Schmidt has a challenge on his hands, especially with enhancing the quality of the forward pack, particularly in the tight five, and finding a flyhalf capable of taking control of the game.
There were positives to focus on, such as the emergence of young loose forwards like Carlo Tizzano and Fraser McReight, and the potential growth of Harry Wilson. Len Ikitau also provided defensive strength and attacking creativity.
The most valuable player for Australia is debatable, but Harry Wilson consistently demonstrated his abilities in challenging circumstances.
New Zealand - Time for a Comeback
The mighty All Blacks are used to sitting at the top, but they ended this tournament in third place. Their once-intimidating aura seems to have faded, but they're not in crisis like the Wallabies. Scott Robertson isn't disheartened, though, and identified the bench's inability to finish games as a crucial area for improvement.
Despite the challenges, there were some high points for New Zealand, such as their Bledisloe victory over Australia. Ardie Savea, Tyrel Lomax, and Wallace Sititi stood out throughout the season, but it's Tupou Vaa'i who made the biggest impact this year, becoming invaluable for the All Blacks.
South Africa - Unrivaled Depth
It's hard to find another team in the world that can match South Africa's depth. The Springboks' dominance was evident in the Rugby Championship, which they won on one loss. Rassie Erasmus has molded this Springbok side into one of the greatest teams of all time, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The Springboks possess an efficient and effective playing style, consistently delivering top-notch performances even with frequent changes to the team. With a roster filled with talented players, it's challenging to single out the most valuable, but Pieter-Steph du Toit shone brighter than any other player this tournament.
Sources:- [1] [#] "Argentina Rises in the Rugby Championship". World Rugby. 2024.- [2] [#] "World Rugby Rankings". World Rugby. 2025.- [3] [#] "Super Rugby Americas Season Review". Super Rugby Americas. 2024.- [4] [#] "Fixtures Announced for the 2025 Rugby Championship". Rugby Championship. 2024.- [5] [#] "U20 Rugby Tournament Analysis". Rugby Union. 2024.
- The betting world will be eagerly awaiting the 2025 Rugby Championship, given the impressive performances of teams such as Argentina, particularly their historic victories over all three rivals in a single tournament, making predictions challenging.
- Sports analysts are already discussing the potential future of Australian rugby, with the team's third-place finish in the 2024 Rugby Championship, and the need for Joe Schmidt to enhance the quality of the forward pack and find a commanding flyhalf for the Wallabies.
- South Africa's depth in talent and consistency in performance has secured them the 2024 Rugby Championship title, making them a strong contender for any sports betting enthusiast's predictions in the upcoming tournaments.
