O’Connor the man to face tough Pumas – the Wallabies will need all the experience they can get

James O’Connor’s missed kicks at the end of the Springboks Test in Cape Town have come under scrutiny, although it’s likely the veteran was just as hard on himself for the dipping pass that put Andrew Kellaway under pressure, leading to a costly knock-on. But O’Connor did more than enough in South Africa to retain the No.10 jersey for the Test against Argentina on Saturday, despite the return of Tom Lynagh to the squad.

His ability to make those around him feel comfortable was evident in Cape Town, especially as he twice ran effective back-door plays with makeshift No.12 Tane Edmed in the second half. The Wallabies will need every bit of experience available against Argentina, who — by my count — have three genuine World XV contenders: No.6 Pablo Matera, No.12 Santiago Chocobares, and No.15 Juan Cruz Mallia. In an insightful interview on Stan Sport, former Argentina coach Michael Cheika revealed that the Argentinians sometimes struggled to believe how good they were — but that self-doubt must surely be eroding each year. The Wallabies will need to be as good as they were at Ellis Park — although they’ve been given a bit of a helping hand (see item No. 2).

The playmaker Argentina will sorely miss

The Wallabies have plenty of injury issues of their own, but the most significant absence over the next few weeks could well be Tomas Albornoz, Argentina’s brilliant No.10. Albornoz was injured early against the All Blacks during Los Pumas’ 29–23 win in Buenos Aires, and while they didn’t miss too many beats when Santiago Carreras came on to replace him, it’s clear Argentina are a different side with Albornoz at five-eighth — thanks to his brilliant running game and excellent left boot. Carreras can play, but Albornoz’s low centre of gravity and power through the hips made him a nightmare to defend.

Santiago Carreras has big shoes to fill at five-eighth for Argentina.Credit: AP

Super Rugby must steer clear of the USA

Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley was, encouragingly, somewhat lukewarm in his enthusiasm for expansion when asked about it last week. I’d go significantly further: Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby would need to have rocks in their heads to spend a cent on exploring a USA team — which would presumably be based on the West Coast. Super Rugby Pacific can’t afford to make American rugby’s problems its own, and the idea of strengthening rugby in the US before the 2031 World Cup should be on World Rugby’s to-do list — not Australia and New Zealand’s. Super Rugby Pacific has its own issues — the Western Force, for example, have been dudded by missing out on Super Round next year — but setting up an expansion team in the US isn’t the way to solve them.

The Junior Wallaby worth bringing back

Gordon product Tomasi Maka is making every post a winner in New Zealand, and Rugby Australia must already be wondering how to bring him back. The 120kg hooker and former Junior Wallaby signed for Moana Pasifika and is now a standout for Tasman in the NPC, scoring two crucial maul tries against Otago on Saturday night.

Tomasi Maka.Credit: Getty Images

With his size and set-piece accuracy, the 22-year-old looks to have a very high ceiling. The Western Force have a strong relationship with Tasman, so that’s one possible route back to Australia — but the Waratahs will also have a gap in 2027 if new recruit Ioane Moananu’s spell in Sydney is for one year only.

It’s getting shaky in the Shaky Isles

The mood in New Zealand before the All Blacks host the Springboks at Eden Park on Saturday is as follows: growing discontent, with the potential to turn feral. Scott Robertson’s honeymoon period as All Blacks coach is well and truly over after their performance against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires, and talkback radio has been running hot with callers lining up to outline the All Blacks’ numerous deficiencies. If the All Blacks lose their Eden Park record against the Springboks — they haven’t lost at the ground since 1994 — Robertson will be roundly accused of taking the team backwards since stepping into the hot seat. This is real pressure. This is a crossroads moment after 19 Tests in charge.

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