Arendse can light up the World Cup
RUGBY MATTERS
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NO sooner had it started than the abbreviated Rugby Championship is nearly over with New Zealand in the box seat going into the final round next week.
It's not been without interest though, far from. The short sharp shock nature of this year's tournament has led to dynamic high energy rugby and provided much food for thought. European rugby is reaping all the plaudits at present but to these eyes southern hemisphere rugby is beginning to re-energise and reboot again.
Let's start with reigning world champions South Africa who, as Eddie Jones helpfully pointed out when their team was announced to play Australia, were showing disrespect by putting out a Second XV. Nonetheless they thrashed the Aussies 43-12 after which Eddie then called one journo a “smart arse” when he pointed out that Australia had just lost to the Boks' second string. Glorious, distracting nonsense from Eddie. Absolutely nothing changes.
More seriously, that first Test underlined what we already knew from the autumn that South Africa have unearthed an absolute gem ahead of the World Cup in Kurt-Lee Arendse who scored a stunning hat-trick which rather threw down the gauntlet to Cheslin Kolbe. Kolbe, one of the heroes from RWC2019, has displayed less than stellar form during an unsettled spell at Toulon, was one of the few First XV Boks who played to their full potential seven days later in New Zealand. He senses a challenge although of course it is possible that South Africa could incorporate both for the big matches ahead in France.
Arendse, like Kolbe, is a product of the South African Sevens squad and had played virtually no senior fifteens before Covid struck at the start of 2020. That caused a rethink, i.e: he needed with some urgency to find professional employment, and he signed for the Blue Bulls where he hasn't looked back since. In eight Test matches he has already clocked up 10 tries and like Kolbe looks the full package in defence as well. Less than two months out, I would nominate Arendse as a sure-fire World Cup star.
It's instructive, in passing, to identify the kind of sevens graduates that seem to bat on and make an impact at fifteens these days. Arendse and Kolbe are the same build and share the same qualities in attack and defence as France's Gabin Villiere and Arthur Retiere. All four are pocket rockets whose defensive qualities and ability to thrive as jackals is almost as conspicuous as their raw pace and try scoring ability.
And what about the Boks sending their Gun XV over to New Zealand more than a week ahead of the game to acclimatise and avoid any jet lag issues. It sounds fine in theory, but you are also playing with fire and can be quite divisive within a squad. It can also cloud the overall picture. I remember Graham Henry glorying in fielding almost two separate teams when New Zealand toured up here in 2006, it seemed an awesome display of power and strength in depth yet come the 2007 World Cup it accounted for little. The big problem on this occasion was that South Africa's Gun XV were also all short of rugby. They were certainly way off the pace during the first 20 minutes against an admittedly inspired All Blacks.
The Boks revived a little after that, but it was a painful defeat with the scoreline slightly eased by an opportunist late try from Kwagga Smith, another sevens veteran. Why do South Africa seem to get so much more value out of the sevens than other nations?
As for Argentina's bunch of travelling nomads, they were badly left in the starting blocks first up against New Zealand when they lost 41-12 and that is always on the cards when they gather from various corners of the rugby world but they recovered very well in Sydney to beat Australia 34-31, a particularly sweet win for former Australia coach Michael Cheika who is now in charge of the Pumas. Argentina's trajectory is still up in my opinion.
Which leaves New Zealand who have been the standout team in both rounds. They appear to have rediscovered their attacking mojo, Richie Mo'unga gives them a nice balance at fly-half alongside the excellent Aaron Smith and their front row reinforced the good impression they made last season. Tongan Shannon Frizzell is beginning to fulfil his promise in the backrow – he was Lomu-esque on the charge against South Africa – and Will Jordan is all class on the wing.
There are still health concerns over Jordan who is being monitored and managed for frequent migraines and periods of dizziness. The New Zealand medics haven't revealed much more than that – and why should they, personal medical details should remain personal – but obviously there is speculation as to whether this is concussion related or a more complex medical condition. Migraine covers a very wide field of symptoms and possible causes.
For the time being New Zealand have decided to restrict travel and quick turnarounds in the hope that gradually things settle down. We should hope that as well. Jordan is a phenomenal all court back, silky creator and jet heeled try scorer. Thus far it's 22 tries in 22 Tests and all being well he will light up the World Cup regardless of which team you support.
