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Posted: 2018-06-10 03:28:01

Paenga-Amosa will settle into this series and there is much better to come. The same goes for Caleb Timu. His strength is ball carrying but with the Wallabies so starved of the ball it was a tough night for Timu to show what he can do.

Not so Pete Samu. He was right at home in the tough defensive work and when the Wallabies’ casualty ward clears out the competition for back row spots is going to be intense.

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3. Irish frustration will likely lead to improvement

Ireland’s frustration boiled over late when Conor Murray was pulled up for a slight knock-on after Tolu Latu’s cynical hand in the ruck was missed by the officials. However, Ireland will probably look back at the game and identify their own lack of a cutting edge as a more significant factor than the referee.

They dominated most statistical categories – possession, territory, metres made – but frankly didn’t translate that into enough points. We got plenty of evidence of their patience and willingness to churn through the phases but putting some big names on the bench – Tadhg Furlong made an impact when he came on – didn’t help their attack.

But this is the beauty of this series. For all the metaphorical punches thrown by both sides on Saturday it feels like they are well matched to go toe-to-toe for another two games.

4. RG Snyman has a debut for the ages

What a thrill it was to see a transformed South Africa – in both senses of the word – express themselves against England in Johannesburg. Wingers S'busiso Nkosi and Aphiwe Dyantyi threw themselves into everything, halfback Faf de Klerk was a livewire and Duane Vermeulen was massive at the breakdown.

Yet the real star, given it was his debut, was giant Bulls second-rower RG Snyman. He excelled at the lineout, dominated the contact areas and even went on a 60-metre run in the second half. This was a new Springboks team and, if this is any indication, the Rugby Championship is going to be superb.

Don’t be fooled by the scoreboard. For about an hour England did nothing but tackle, and their pack looked heavy-legged and sluggish as the Springboks played with width, passion and ambition if not always accuracy.

5. NZ rugby is more beast than beauty at the moment

Every weekend for the past month an All Black forward has been cited or, in the case of Ofa Tu’ungasfasi in the France game, was somewhat fortunate not to be cited. The offence has been the same – hitting blokes around the neck or head area.

It’s not good enough. The All Blacks are the world’s best side, and revered for being so, but they are now putting opposition players in hospital, as was the case with French winger Remy Grosso after the All Blacks 52-11 win at Eden Park on Saturday.

There is no point in calling them dirty – that would imply malicious intent – but the way they play the game is now firmly falling out of step with how the rest of the world, and World Rugby, expects it to be played in regards to protecting the head. The governing body must be watching this Grosso case very closely.

Team of the Week
1. Rob Evans (Wales)
2. Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
3. Dillon Lewis (Wales)
4. RG Snyman (South Africa)
5. James Ryan (Ireland)
6. David Pocock (Australia)
7. Michael Hooper (Australia)
8. Luke Whitelock (New Zealand)
9. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
11. Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
12. Kurtley Beale (Australia)
13. Samu Kerevi (Australia)
14. S’Busiso Nkosi (South Africa)
15. Willie le Roux (South Africa)

Paul Cully

Paul Cully is a rugby columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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