Observing the coaches ahead of the Rugby Championship

The 2024 edition of the Rugby Championship is set to begin next week, after all four participating nations (New Zealand who are current holders, South Africa, Australia and Argentina) each faced a foe from the north in a two match test series. 

Argentina, New Zealand and Australia welcomed new coaches at the healm, and  it was the perfect oppurtunity for the each nation to build towards the Rugby Championship. Join us as we take a quick look at where each coach stands ahead of the competition.

New Zealand 

Scott 'Razor' Robertson got his campaign off to a razor thin series victory against England. The first test in Dunedin saw the All Blacks escape with a one point 16-15 victory. In the second test, Robertson preserved the All Blacks 47 game unbeaten run at Eden Park with a 24-17 victory over The Roses that saw them the extend the record to 48. A 57-23 win over Fiji in the United States calmed the nerves for the All Blacks, which would be their last match until their opening fixture against Argentina in Wellington.

Having led the Crusaders to seven straight Super Rugby titles, Scott Robertson will look to secure his legacy with a triumphant introdcution to his first tenure of test rugby by defending the Rguby Championship title. 

South Africa (heitada!)

Fresh off a 64-21 hammering of Portugal in Blomefontein over two weeks ago, the reigning world champions were fresh of a bruising 24-25 loss to world number two Ireland just a week prior. However a first test 27-20 victory ensured the Springboks drew the home series against the Irish.

For Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus, this was the first oppurtunity to get the Irish monkey off his and South Africa's back, having never tasted victory against Ireland coach Andy Farrell since his involvement with South African rugby. After finishing second behind New Zealand in last years competition, a successful world cup campaign would see them beat the All Blacks in the final. Rassie will be looking to secure his first Rugby Championship title since 2019, however, waiting for them in the first round are familiar foes Australia.

Australia

The Wallabies have been in a shambles as off late, and have seen former Ireland and now Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt take over a team that was knocked out of the pool stage of a world cup for the fisrt time in its history. Through it all Australia are the second of the four nations to win both their incoming tests. Their series against Wales saw them win 25-16 in Sydney, before sealing the series in a 36-28 thriller in Melbourne. Their last fixture came in a comfortable 40-29 win over Georgia.

There is no doubt that Joe Schmidt has breathed much needed life into Australian Rugby. As a result, Schmidt will look to lead the Wallabies into the Championship seeking redemption after last years last place finish under the leadership of Eddies Jones.

Argentina

2023 was a good year for the Argentines, as they avoided the wooden spoon in last years Rugby Championship, resulting in a third place finish, coupled with a fourth place finish at the World Cup. Los Pumas legend and former Fly-half Felipe Contempomi took the reigns at the end of last year, and was tasked with welcomong a young French squad to Argentina. Contempomi's tenure did get off to the ideal start, losing 13-28 in the first test in Mendoza. However the second test in the nations captial, Buenos Aires Los Pumas would walk away 33-25 victors, before humbling South American neighbours Uruguay 79-5.

Contempomi will have his work cut out for him in this years championship. He will however look to go a step further than his predecessor in this years tournament.