Tuesday 30 August 2016 07:44, UK
Stuart Barnes has his say on the club v Lions row, picks his players to watch in the PRO12 and Premiership and praises the progress being made by the Pumas in his first column of the season...
1. The season starts for real in Britain and Ireland this week but before we get into the nuts and bolts of league rugby, a moment to ponder another significant result in the global game.
Argentina took another small step towards being recognised as a consistent world force with a well-deserved victory at home to South Africa.
One week earlier they had been muscled out of the game in the last 10 minutes. This time, despite injuries that hugely hampered their ability to close out a game, they hung on for a celebrated win.
Two wins against South Africa and one against Australia since they joined the Rugby Championship, what Italy would give for their level of progress?
2. Two men stood out for the Pumas. The outstanding player on the field was the 22-year-old No 8, Facundo Isa. The promise of the 2015 World Cup is flowering into something exceptional.
Isa spearheaded a pack that carries with dynamism and passes with an ambition, if not accuracy, that recalls the current All Blacks.
Behind the scrum, Juan Martin Hernandez only lasted 66 minutes but in the absence of first-half injury victim Nicholas Sanchez he pulled the strings superbly and played with a determination that disappeared from his game for a lengthy spell.
It was wonderful to see such a talent in such terrific form.
3. Where now for South Africa? In both matches with Argentina they were clearly the second-best team when the starting XVs faced one another.
Argentina, by not selecting European based players, has hurt the strength in depth on their bench for the short term. The Springboks have looked near their best in the latter stages of both matches. It is no coincidence.
The Australian bench is stronger than Argentina's and as for the All Blacks...
4. Many congratulations to Bryan Habana for breaking David Campese's tier one Test record of 64 tries.
He was the pick of the Springboks on Saturday, whether scoring a try, covering across to save a try or chasing with the conviction and determination of a debutant. He is one of the greats of the current age.
5. From an individual great to collective greatness. The All Blacks demolished Australia again. Although the 29-9 margin was slightly easier on the eye for an Aussie, the reality is that this was another comprehensive hammering. Four tries to nil and complete control of possession and territory.
Steve Hansen's men got the four tries and bonus point and move onto Argentina after a week's rest.
6. I see Mark McCafferty has been ruffling Lion manes. As the voice of the club game for so many years in England it is understandable to hear him question the 10-match fixture list after what will be another gruelling season.
The Lions, he sees, as an important economic driver for the game, especially the southern hemisphere rugby nations. Yet he fails to understand the magic of the Lions is in the midweek matches and also, that if they are to have any hope against New Zealand, the more preparation matches the better.
If they turn up prepared for an international in Barbarians mode, people really will ask questions of the Lions and their future.
Winning next summer's series in New Zealand would be an even greater achievement for this hemisphere than England winning the 2003 World Cup.
This vestige of the past does not sit easily in the gathering professionalism of the here and now but while the players are for it and the fans are for it, knocking it isn't the easiest way to make friends.
How many top British and Irish players are going to say no to the Lions? Winning next summer's series in New Zealand would be an even greater achievement for this hemisphere than England winning the 2003 World Cup.
7. To club matters. I have recorded Saturday night's game between Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles, but temptation being what it is, I flicked channels for the last 10 minutes of the first half.
It was so slow, so turgid, played on such a heavy surface that I feared Toulouse would never regain that magic of old. Fingers crossed France can find a way out of their rugby inertia (I will watch the game, honestly...).
8. Connacht v Glasgow is a cracking start to the PRO12 season. Scottish rugby has been decisive in the off-season with the move to install Gregor Townsend as the next Scotland coach at the end of the season and replacing him with one of the world's best coaches in David Rennie.
If Glasgow are as sharp on the field as Scotland has been off it, it is going to be a tough start for the defending champions.
I can't wait to land in Galway this Friday and get a feel for what is going to be a great atmosphere.
9. It will be interesting to see how Bath do with the Canterbury managerial influence of Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson.
Expect simpler structures, better decision-making and outstanding support lines. Bath could rise as fast this season as they fell the last one.
10. Some players to watch out for this season in the PRO12. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster), Kieran Fonotia (Ospreys), Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), Charles Piatau (Ulster), Nick Williams (Cardiff Blues), Vili Mata (Edinburgh), Corey Flynn (Glasgow), Marty Banks (Treviso).
In the Premiership, Talupe Falatau (Bath), Ollie Devoto (Exeter), Matt Toomua (Leicester), Louis Picamoles (Saints), AJ MacGinty (Sale), Schalk Burger (Saracens), Kyle Eastmond (Wasps), Ben Te'o (Worcester).
Let the games begin...
