The Rugby Championship delivered high drama this weekend as Australia stunned Argentina with a last-gasp comeback in Townsville, while New Zealand edged out the Springboks to preserve their fortress at Eden Park.
The Wallabies, led by captain Harry Wilson’s relentless work-rate, overturned a 21-7 half-time deficit to triumph 28-24 thanks to a dramatic match-winning try from prop Angus Bell six minutes after the final hooter.
Earlier, Juan Cruz Mallia looked to have sealed it for the Pumas with a nerveless 79th-minute penalty, but indiscipline cost Argentina dearly.
Meanwhile in Auckland, the All Blacks responded to last week’s defeat with a gritty 24-17 victory over South Africa, extending their unbeaten Eden Park streak to 51 matches across three decades.
Ardie Savea marked his 100th Test with another world-class display, while Scott Barrett and Nick Frost excelled in the engine room.
With so many standout performances across the weekend, here’s our Rugby Championship Team of the Week, featuring a mix of Wallaby resilience, Pumas flair, and All Black brilliance.
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15 – Juan Cruz Mallia
Mallia continues to grow into one of Argentina’s most reliable players. Calm under pressure, he produced a near-flawless performance from the back, organising the defence and countering smartly.
His nerveless long-range penalty in the 78th minute briefly put the Pumas ahead, a testament to his composure in clutch moments.
Though it wasn’t enough for victory, Mallia showed yet again why he is indispensable, steady, accurate, and a player teammates instinctively trust.
14 – Max Jorgensen
The young Wallaby flyer is maturing fast on the Test stage.
Jorgensen’s ability under the high ball was outstanding, constantly defusing Argentina’s aerial bombardment.
On attack, he demonstrated his trademark agility, gliding through traffic with deceptive ease.
Though occasionally isolated in defence due to structural lapses around him, his overall contribution was excellent.
Praised by Michael Hooper during commentary, Jorgensen showed why he’s being earmarked as a long-term Wallaby star.
13 – Santiago Chocobares
Chocobares produced a masterclass in midfield play, marrying attacking creativity with defensive steel.
His angled run and perfectly timed pass set up Argentina’s opening try, encapsulating his vision and execution.
Every carry was purposeful, and his first-half performance especially oozed authority. Defensively, he stood firm against a strong Australian centre pairing. ‘
Rarely outshone, Chocobares once again proved he belongs among the world’s elite centres, consistently offering more than just raw effort.
12 – Len Ikitau
Ikitau is quickly becoming the Wallabies’ midfield general.
His work against Argentina showcased his subtle brilliance, linking play beautifully, offloading under pressure, and constantly putting teammates into space.
He played a pivotal role in both of Joseph Suaalii’s tries with deft touches and intelligent positioning.
While not the typical crash-ball centre, Ikitau thrives on guile and timing, making him a nightmare for defenders.
This was another excellent outing from a player Australia can build around.
11 – Mateo Carreras
The electric winger brought his usual energy on both sides of the ball.
Carreras scored a fine try with his sharp instincts and relentless running lines, leading the team in carries.
He was always busy, asking questions of the Wallabies’ defence, and never shirking his defensive duties. However, his yellow card proved costly as Australia struck immediately during his absence.
Still, Carreras remains one of Argentina’s most influential attacking threats every time he plays.
10 – Beauden Barrett
Barrett once again showed why he’s considered one of rugby’s great fly-halves.
With his composure and vision, he orchestrated the All Blacks’ attack, mixing his kicking and passing game to perfection.
His sublime assist for Narawa highlighted his class in tight moments.
While the match grew frantic at times, Barrett’s calm control ensured New Zealand stayed composed.
He has now firmly re-established himself as the clear first-choice 10, ending lingering debates in style.
9 – Finlay Christie
Christie stepped into the scrum-half role with remarkable authority despite New Zealand’s injury crisis at nine.
His service was sharp and snappy, giving his forwards momentum, while his kicking game was precise and controlled.
What impressed most was his decision-making, never rushed, always measured.
This performance showed he can handle the pressure of big occasions, perhaps elevating him into permanent contention even when senior options return.
A standout, composed display from the Blues man.
1 – Angus Bell
Thrown into the fray at half-time, Bell transformed the Wallabies’ scrum and injected fresh energy around the field.
His carrying was forceful, often dragging defenders with him, and his scrummaging power made an immediate impact.
Bell capped his effort with the match-winning try, sealing Australia’s dramatic comeback.
His influence off the bench epitomised what you want from a replacement, energy and dominance.
Bell showed he is both the present and the future for Australia’s front row.
2 – Billy Pollard
The young hooker delivered a tidy, composed performance that underlined his growing importance.
His lineout throwing was reliable, giving Australia a strong platform, while his work at the breakdown was sharp and disruptive.
Pollard carried with determination and defended with intensity, ensuring he contributed in all facets.
It wasn’t flashy, but it didn’t need to be, this was a strong, accurate shift from a player who is quietly making himself invaluable to the Wallabies’ pack.
3 – Joel Sclavi
Argentina’s giant tighthead got through an enormous workload in hot conditions.
Sclavi anchored the scrum solidly against formidable opposition and showed his value around the park with big defensive shifts and a key turnover.
His 50 minutes were marked by consistency and effort, qualities that often go unnoticed but make all the difference at Test level.
Not just a set-piece man, Sclavi proved again that he’s an all-round contributor for Los Pumas.
4 – Scott Barrett
The All Blacks skipper silenced critics with a ferocious display at lock.
Barrett was relentless in the collisions, harassing Springbok carriers and disrupting breakdown ball.
In the lineout, he provided stability while also challenging opposition throws.
His leadership shone through in a bruising encounter, setting the tone for his pack with sheer work-rate and intensity.
This was the commanding, physical performance many had been calling for, a captain’s outing in every sense.
5 – Nick Frost
Frost continues to fly under the radar as one of the most efficient locks in world rugby.
His lineout work was exemplary, a central factor in Australia’s set-piece success.
Beyond that, he offered himself tirelessly as both a carrier and tackler, rarely missing a beat.
There’s nothing flashy about Frost’s style, but his consistency and reliability are priceless.
Against Argentina’s strong forwards, he was quietly brilliant once again, proving why he is so highly rated.
6 – Juan Martin Gonzalez
Gonzalez was quietly effective in a slightly less familiar blindside role, albeit a role that he has played plenty of times before.
Though not as prominent as when given a freer roaming license, he did the hard graft his team needed, providing a dependable lineout option, covering acres defensively, and tackling tirelessly.
His adaptability is what makes him so valuable, seamlessly adjusting to different back-row requirements.
Gonzalez may not always grab headlines, but his work-rate and intelligence are crucial to Argentina’s balance and competitiveness in the pack.
7 – Ardie Savea
Savea produced yet another performance that underlined why he was World Rugby Player of the Year in 2023, and why he has now made a century of international appearances.
Whether carrying powerfully into contact, jackalling over the ball, or making clutch tackles, he seemed everywhere at once.
In his milestone game, he led by example with trademark dynamism and relentless effort.
Few players blend skill, power, and heart the way Savea does.
This was a display of leadership and brilliance from one of rugby’s finest.
8 – Harry Wilson
The Wallabies captain embodies graft, and against Argentina he once again emptied the tank.
Wilson’s relentless work-rate was on show in both defence and attack, regularly breaking tackles and keeping phases alive.
His solid left boot added another dimension, while his leadership never faltered during the comeback.
Wilson might not always get the spotlight, but he is the heartbeat of this Wallaby side, a tireless competitor who leads with deeds, not words.
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