Rugby Championship: 4 Players To Watch

The curtain falls on what has been undoubtedly the best Rugby Championship in a very long time, the showpiece has been ultra-competitive and as it goes into the 6^th and final round, every team still has a chance to win it mathematically. It is highly unlikely for the Pumas and Wallabies to win, but they retain hope they can get over the line against the Springboks and All Blacks respectively who are favourites. Bet Central looks at 4 players – 1 from each team – who could be the difference for their nation.

Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)

Very rarely have the All Blacks lost if Sam Whitelock is playing well and while he may be aging and his best are behind him, his influence on this All Black team is still significant. One gets the feeling that at Eden Park, he will need to have a vintage performance to help hold off an ever-improving Wallabies side.

This week, his lineout work should get the better of an inexperienced 2^nd row in Dave Rennie’s side, he has ruled the skies for the last decade or so against better lineout technicians. It would not be a Sam Whitelock performance without 1 or 2 crucial turnovers. This is not an All Blacks golden generation, but don’t be surprised when one of the golden generation remnants reminds all why he is one of the best ever.

Lan Ikitau (Australia)

In stark contrast to Sam Whitelock who is slowly drifting towards the end of his Test career, Len Ikitau is at the very beginning of his, but one would not say considering how influential he has been for the Wallabies this season. The Brumbies centre possesses incredible maturity for his age particularly at 13.

Ikitau is the defensive lynchpin for this relatively young Australian side and his silky skills on attack unlock many defences, if Australia are to create history at Eden Park tomorrow, then you feel the 23-year-old will have a big part to play. He definitely exudes match-winning qualities.

Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

Malcolm Marx has been biding his time behind former incumbent Bongi Mbonambi, but the burly wrecking ball is now well and truly established as the Boks’ number 1 hooker. His performances in this Rugby Championship render his un-droppable at the moment.

Against Los Pumas in Durban, the Springboks will need Marx more than ever, they need to play very well and comprehensively outplay the Argentines if they are to win the Rugby Championship. His set-piece accuracy is non-negotiable for the Springboks as they are heavily reliant on the set-piece. Also, those momentum halting turnovers will come in handy if Michael Cheika’s men get a head of steam.

Santiago Carreras (Argentina)

There have been moments where his inexperience has been evident, but on the whole, Santiago Carreras has had a great Rugby Championship campaign at flyhalf. Free of goalkicking duties as the deadly accurate Emiliano Boffelli assumed that role, he has thrived as a playmaker when the opportunity presented itself while also showing his tactical kicking has improved.

In tight arm wrestles one would feel a Boffelli or perhaps Julian Montoya would be Argentina’s most important weapon, but in a Test match where Argentina need to play to get the points they need – the Gloucester man is crucial. His ability to bring his backline into play will have to be on show and perhaps the likes of Juan Imhoff may repeat their heroics of yesteryear.

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