Rugby Champs stats: Los Pumas' vast improvement
STAT ATTACK: It was the closest tournament in several years with the title only being decided by the result of the last match of the season.
In the end, New Zealand won the 2022 Rugby Championship courtesy of their big 40-14 bonus point victory over the Wallabies in Auckland and the Springboks’ 38-21 win over the Los Pumas in Durban.
The All Blacks and Springboks went into the last and sixth round tied on 14 points each, with Australia on 10 points and Argentina on nine points. Mathematically all teams still had an outside chance of lifting the trophy depending on the results of the final round.
While South Africa had to win with a bonus point and by a margin of 39 points.
It all came down to bonus points in the end as both New Zealand and South Africa won four matches in the series. New Zealand finished the championship with 19 points, courtesy of that bonus point win in Auckland, to South Africa’s 18.
However, while New Zealand top the log standing, the performance of Argentina has captured the hearts of the Southern Hemisphere.
The Los Pumas players have been amazing and contributed immensely to the intensity of the tournament.
After the 12 rounds, No.6 Pablo Matera shares the No.1 spot with All Black Ardie Savea for the most carries.
The former Crusaders star made 60 carries, while fullback Emiliano Boffelli shares the top spot for most points with Richie Mo’unga.
Michael Cheika will be a proud coach with his team dominating the defence.
Marcos Kremer leads the way with 80 tackles, ahead of captain Julian Montoya (67), lock Tomas Lavanini (66) and Pablo Matera (60).
Springbok lock Lood De Jager (26) tops the chart for the most line-outs won, narrowly beating his teammate Eben Etzebeth (25) in second and Matias Alemanno (24).
All Blacks’ hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho was on fire this season beating Puma Juan Martin Gonzalez (4) and Wallaby Fraser McReight to top the try count.
