The Australia and South Africa looks the pace, on the other hand, Argentina is yet to make a breakthrough
In the series of Irish and British Lions, the All Blacks juggernaut hit in a road bump, but for the world champions, it should be a usual business when they take on Australia, Argentina and South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
When New Zealand took the title last year, they reduced their opponents to road kill by winning all six matches that they played with try-scoring points (bonus) and with crushing win bookending their campaign in South Africa (57-15) and Australia (42-8).
The pressure that the Lions were able to impose the All Blacks in June and July under in their drawn series would offer hope for the Springboks and Wallabies and were not the proud nations of rugby at such a low ebb.