Five Takeaways From Round Three Of The Rugby Championship
Five Takeaways From Round Three Of The Rugby Championship
Five takeaways from Round Three of the Rugby Championship as Savea celebrates his century, Sititi steps up, and the Wallabies and All Blacks find new gears.
Round three of the 2025 Rugby Championship was a weekend that captured exactly why this competition remains the toughest annual contest in world rugby.
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In Auckland, New Zealand extended their Eden Park dominance to 51 unbeaten Tests with a 24–17 win over South Africa that will be remembered as much for Ardie Savea’s 100th cap as it will for the All Blacks’ defensive grit. They started with pace and precision, scoring twice inside 20 minutes, before absorbing a bruising Springbok comeback that asked serious questions of their set piece, composure and fitness. It wasn’t flawless, but it was ruthless when it mattered most and once again Eden Park proved an unbreakable fortress.
3400 kilometres away in Townsville, the Wallabies wrote their own dramatic chapter. Trailing 21–7 at the break, Joe Schmidt’s side mounted a stirring comeback to sink Argentina 28–24.
It was the kind of performance that has too often eluded Australia in recent years – smart, disciplined and clinical when the pressure peaked. Joseph Sua’ali’i’s two tries lit the fire, but the cool decision-making of captain Harry Wilson and the impact of Angus Bell, James O’Connor and Tate McDermott off the bench were the difference.
For Los Pumas, moments of flair from Santiago Chocobares and Mateo Carreras showcased their attacking quality, but a lack of composure at the death left them empty-handed.
Here are five takeaways from another round that swung momentum in the Rugby Championship.
Savea’s Century, Sititi’s Stage
Ardie Savea’s 100th Test was never going to be a quiet one, and it finished with a defining image: the openside flanker clamped over the ball, winning a last-minute penalty that sealed another Eden Park victory. Yet while Savea rightly took the headlines, his performance was enhanced by the coming-of-age display from Wallace Sititi at No. 8. Sititi’s physicality with the ball in hand, 13 carries that bent the gain line, and his authority in the air gave New Zealand a different balance. By shouldering much of the heavy lifting, he freed Savea to do what he does best: hit breakdowns, link with backs, and defend space. Together, the pair offered a template for the All Blacks’ future back row. For South Africa, the loose trio never quite clicked, with Siya Kolisi subdued and Marco van Staden outmatched. It underlined how decisive the breakdown battle remains between these two sides.
Jason Ryan’s Pack Shows Growth
The All Blacks’ scrum creaked at times, but Jason Ryan’s forwards delivered when it mattered. Their ability to disrupt the Bok lineout repeatedly frustrated South Africa’s attack and denied them continuity. Tupou Vaa’i stole a key ball, while Rieko Ioane, often criticised for his defence, produced a game-changing hold-up on Ox Nche over the line. Ryan was honest afterwards, admitting the All Blacks were messy on their own feed and promising “never again” moments in review. But the broader story is one of progress. For two years, Ryan has quietly rebuilt New Zealand’s pack, adding edge and accuracy. Against the most physical side in rugby, they met fire with fire and held their ground. It wasn’t perfect and Wellington will be another stern test – but the All Blacks now look like a side that can mix it with the best at the set piece and win big defensive moments up front.
Springbok Sloppiness Still Costly
South Africa didn’t lose because of effort; they lost because of accuracy. Rassie Erasmus admitted afterwards that his side effectively gifted the All Blacks 14 points, and the stats back him up. Twenty-five missed tackles, 11 handling errors, seven turnovers conceded, and a lineout success rate under 80% are simply not good enough at this level. Malcolm Marx was typically destructive as a carrier and scored from close range, but his lineout throwing again faltered at critical times. Willie le Roux and Jesse Kriel had defensive lapses that allowed New Zealand’s early tries. Even when the Bomb Squad entered and tilted the scrum battle, the Boks couldn’t convert pressure into points consistently. Erasmus has promised changes for Wellington, and it’s hard to argue. South Africa has world-class players, but unless they tidy up their execution, they’ll continue to fall short in tight contests against top opposition.
Wallabies Find A New Gear
For Australia, the Townsville Test may be remembered as a turning point. Down 21–7 at half-time, this was the kind of match they’ve lost countless times in the past. Instead, under Joe Schmidt, they found composure. Joseph Sua’ali’i was the spark, crashing over twice with a mix of power and footwork. But it was the bench that swung the game: James O’Connor brought shape and variety, Tate McDermott injected tempo, and Carlo Tizzano made huge carries and forced penalties. Captain Harry Wilson made brave calls, twice turning down shots at goal to go for the corner – and was rewarded with Angus Bell’s match-winning try in the 85th minute. Discipline improved dramatically after a sloppy first half, while ruck speed went from sluggish to sharp. It was a win built on belief and accuracy – and a sign that Australia may finally be learning how to close big games.
Argentina’s Promise, Australia’s Punishers
For an hour, Argentina looked every inch a top-four side. Santiago Chocobares and Mateo Carreras produced two outstanding tries, cutting the Wallabies open down the short side with pace and precision. Marcos Kremer was immense, making 31 tackles and leading a defensive effort that initially rattled Australia. Yet the final 20 minutes exposed their old flaw: discipline. Nine penalties conceded in the second half handed the Wallabies the momentum they needed. Tired bodies slowed their ruck speed, and the accuracy they showed in the first half deserted them. This was a match Los Pumas should have won, but instead they walked away empty-handed. The flashes of brilliance remain, but closing out Tests is the next step in their evolution. Until they master composure under pressure, sides like Australia will continue to punish them late. Wellington will be a real test of whether they can learn quickly.
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