CHAMPIONSHIP

Rugby Championship standings after week two

By Benold Okumu

Posted on August 14, 2022

Argentina squad. Photo Courtesy/Los Pumas

Argentina were the biggest climbers of the Rugby Championship this weekend moving from the third position to the first position after pocketing five points with a bonus point victory over the Wallabies 48-17.

Argentina raced to a 26-10 half-time lead with the Wallabies unable to repeat the second-half surge that led to their Mendoza Test win last week. The Wallabies were unable to build into the second half through errors and poor decision-making while the hungry Pumas marched on.

Wallabies drop

Gallo grabbed his second and then Boffelli crossed before a try by Tomas Albornoz after full-time capped a memorable match for the home.

The wallabies dropped to position two with five points after a defeat to the Pumas.

On the other side, All Blacks who are fourth in the Rugby Championship turned things around on Saturday in an exciting match in which world champions South Africa led by two points with six minutes remaining before conceding two converted tries.

Editor’s pick:

New Zealand opened the scoring in the 25th minute via a penalty and soon raced into a 15-0 lead when a try from captain Sam Cane was followed by hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho barging over from close range after incessant pressure.

The Springboks had a good close to the half, though. Lukhanyo Am showed great strength to score, and fly-half Handre Pollard landed a penalty to make it 15-10 at the break.

The teams traded penalties before Makazole Mapimpi scored South Africa’s second try, and they took the lead for the first time on 68 minutes at 23-21 thanks to a Pollard penalty.

But the All Blacks produced a big finish when David Havili and Barrett scored late tries to complete the win.

Both SA and All Blacks are tied on four points.