New Zealand, rugby world champions. It has a nice ring, but now the All Blacks have an opportunity to prove it. Photo / Getty Images.
Patrick McKendry of APNZ lists five reasons to look forward to the Rugby Championship:
Wallaby-baiting
There is no doubt Steve Hansen wants to put one over his old Canterbury adversary and Australia coach Robbie Deans. The pair coached together at the Crusaders a decade ago but relations have cooled since.
Hansen made it clear at the squad naming on Sunday that this isn't about Hansen v Deans but in fact the All Blacks v Wallabies, and can we now talk about the rugby please? (A sentiment, incidentally, that could easily have come from the mouth of Deans). The three tests against Ireland - Hansen's first assignment as big chief - are long gone, and anyway many New Zealanders were cheering for the Emerald Isle underdogs in June. There is less chance of that happening with our cousins from the "Lucky Country".
World Champs
New Zealand, rugby world champions. It has a nice ring, but now the All Blacks have an opportunity to prove it against Australia and South Africa, ranked 2nd and 3rd, and Argentina, ranked 8th, for the first time since last year's World Cup triumph. The form of Australia's players in the Super Rugby competition was ordinary, with perhaps halfback Will Genia the exception. The South Africans were much better - the Sharks, Stormers and Bulls making Super Rugby's top six. The Chiefs from humble Hamilton had the final say, though.
