Monday 12 September 2016 17:11, UK
New Zealand's majestic form, the importance of Australia's victory and Tommy Seymour's brilliance in a PRO12 thriller all feature in Stuart Barnes' talking points.
2. Had the tear ducts been operating at such an unseemly hour in my Glasgow hotel I might have shed a tear or two for the Pumas. How on earth can you play as well as Argentina did and lose by such a thumping margin? The first 50 minutes was a fine balance of powerful running and tactical subtlety. The last 30 was a reminder that for now they lack the strength in depth to go all the way against New Zealand.
There are young players coming through but experience is in short supply with the decision to ignore those playing in the other Hemisphere correctly made. In the antiquated world of the `best 15', Argentina are vying with England for second place. If you can only get tickets for one England autumn international, Argentina could be the one to book. That says plenty for the Pumas, hammered or not.
3. It might also say something about the state of international rugby in the southern hemisphere. Certainly the half empty Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane did little to suggest that union is holding the Aussie sports fans enthralled. Frankly it wasn't a game that deserved a capacity crowd either. Maybe it was the proximity to the New Zealand - Argentina match but - by now encamped with an ice cream in the TV truck in Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium - it was a bit of a painful watch. But don't underestimate a win when you have lost six straight games.
Michael Cheika's confidence looks to have taken something of a knock as a new found pragmatism replaces "the Aussie way". For a multitude of reasons the sport needs Australia not just winning but playing with the verve to challenge the best. Victory at home to Argentina could put them back on track. Another defeat would intensify the pressure because no one is kidded into thinking this was a strong Springbok side they beat in Brisbane.
4. Apart from looking shapeless and demoralised and short of any test match sharpness, things are looking pretty good for Alistair Coetzee's team. The slight problem is the presence of New Zealand next up. For their final two matches of the Rugby Championship it looks certain that South Africa will have a record of one win and three defeats. Even the northern hemisphere will be licking its lips at the prospect of facing wounded Springboks. With the allure of the Euro, sterling and the hovering threat of the quota system, these are challenging times for South African rugby.
5. On a happier note we had ourselves a decent Guinness PRO12 game in Glasgow. Friday night at the theatre in Glasgow's West End (a lovely converted church called Websters Theatre if you fancy some culture next time you are up in this fine city) and a thrilling game between Glasgow and Leinster, it was a good weekend. It was a great one for Tommy Seymour whose four-try haul coming in the wake of the pair against Connacht marks him as the hottest property in the league and a likely Lion if he maintains anything like this form.
Glasgow and Gregor Townsend will be delighted with a 5-0 points haul but not everything was Hunky Dory. Leinster made a mess of Glasgow's fluid offensive game for the middle part of the game. The match seemed to be drifting from the home side until the serene and exceptional Leinster fly-half, Joey Carbery, threw an intercept to Seymour. With that the momentum shifted, just as Glasgow were beginning to grind. 10 points from two games and bundles to work on. Townsend will be delighted with his club's position in the league and their room for improvement.
6. What about Stuart Lancaster? Defence coach of the statistically best defence in the league last year and on debut they leak five. It looks grim but actually their defence was aggressive and frequently effective and it's worth remembering Leinster leaked loads against the top class teams in their European pool and Connacht in the final. Lancaster is upgrading a defence for more daunting days and not a clean sheet against Zebre. The statistics can lie about both Leinster last year and Lancaster's opening day. It wasn't as bad as the facts suggest. Rugby can be a cruel game.
7. There were major wins on the road for the Blues and Ospreys. I have long fancied the Ospreys to be seriously competitive this season and having just watched a good Cardiff Blues performance in Cork, it could be that Welsh rugby is ready to play a part at the top end of the table and not before time. But let's not get too carried away.
8. The flip side of Welsh success is Irish failure but with the IRFU Player Protection Programme in place, the union has forced the provinces to play with one hand behind its back in the early weeks of the season. Everyone cares about player welfare but sometimes I think a host Union's inflexible rulings can be as harmful to clubs as clubs determination to control their own destinies can be to the international game. It helps the opposition but not the credibility of the league to start without so many of its stars. A little flexibility, that's all I am suggesting.
9. My Aviva Premiership man of the weekend is Jimmy Gopperth. The turnover, break down the short side and in-field chip for Christian Wade's score at Welford Road was as complete a set of rugby skills as you could wish to see while his cool finish at the back of the driving line out to seal Wasps first win in Leicester for eight years rounded off his efforts. It really was a matter of the number on the back being irrelevant; especially as he kicked for goal like a loose head, twice in the final few minutes. All's well that ends well, Jimmy.
10. To France and the Auvergne. Clermont thrashed the champions, Racing Metro 47-10. A couple of websites described the performance as a "statement of intent". Sure and when the pressure comes on guess what'll happen? I love this club and its kaleidoscopic supporters but Clermont will find a way to beat themselves, they nearly always do.
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