David Pocock and Beauden Barrett headline our Rugby Championship players to watch

Alex Broun 18:28 14/09/2018
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  • David Pocock will captain the Wallabies against Argentina

    Round Four of the Rugby Championship on Saturday sees the All Blacks host the stumbling Springboks in windy Wellington (11.35 UAE time) while the Pumas are on the Gold Coast to face the Wallabies.

    We pick out a player to watch from all four teams:

    David Pocock (Wallabies)

    The turnover king returns to the Wallabies starting line-up this weekend after being left out against South Africa due to a troubling neck injury. With Michael Hooper being ruled out Pocock has also been elevated to captain as well as being moved to his favoured No7 jersey. Pete Samu comes in at No8, with Lukhan Tui at blindside and how this new-look trio combines will play a big part in deciding who comes out on top against the impressive Pumas.

    Nicolas Sanchez was in superb form against the All Blacks

    Nicolas Sanchez was in superb form against the All Blacks

    Nicolas Sanchez (Pumas)

    The fly-half was superb in Nelson against the All Blacks putting in one of his best-ever Test performances, fitting as during the match he overtook Felipe Contepomi’s points record of 651 as Argentina’s all-time top point scorer. Sanchez has recently signed a big-money contract for Stade Francais and the Paris team look like they have a bargain on this form. He scored a try as part of a 14-point haul to go with 74 metres run including three linebreaks, seven tackle busts, one try assist and three offloads.

    Siya Kolisi led the Springboks to victory over England in his first Test

    Siya Kolisi led the Springboks to victory over England in his first Test

    Siya Kolisi (Springboks)

    The Stormers flanker must being started to feel like he has been handed a poisoned chalice. Everything looked rosy when he started his tenure with a series victory over England but the Boks have now lost three of their last four and were woeful against an under-strength Wallabies in Brisbane last Saturday. Kolisi was among South Africa’s best that night with eight carries for 68 metres and he’ll need to be again if the Boks are to avoid a heavy loss.

    Beauden Barrett races over for one of his four tries against the Wallabies in Auckland.

    Beauden Barrett races over for one of his four tries against the Wallabies in Auckland.

    Beauden Barrett (All Blacks)

    The Hurricanes maestro sat out last weekend as his would be usurper, Richie Mo’unga, put in a patchy performance against the plucky Pumas. Rumours have surfaced this week of Lyon plotting a 1.5m raid for the No10 after RWC 2019 which would make him the world’s best-paid player. It is nothing less than BB deserves after his record 30-point four-try haul against the Wallabies and he is set for a similar haul against the Boks on his home ground on Saturday.

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