New Zealander's view of The Rugby Championship - "Stars and Bars"

TalkingRugbyUnion's Scott Donaldson didn't make the trip to Argentina this weekend to witness the penultimate round of The Rugby Championship, instead our New Zealand-based reporter watched the game at home.

Here is what he savoured, with some help from his beloved All Blacks.

The cream has risen to the top of the Rugby Championship with bonus point wins for the All Blacks and Springboks over the Pumas and Wallabies respectively.

The All Blacks got ideal conditions in La Plata to claim The Rugby Championship 2014 title with one match remaining, although there will be plenty of psychology behind gaining a victory in South Africa against the Springboks next weekend. The Springboks weathered the challenge posed by the Wallabies to run away with a 28-10 win in at Newlands thanks to three late tries.

New Zealanders attended bars to watch their national religion of rugby rather than attending churches with the different timezone presented by playing a game in Argentina, even if it was the start of daylight savings, meaning an hour less sleep.

But it was worth it in the main part to see the All Blacks cut loose and look ridiculously dangerous in the backs against the Pumas. Julian Savea on the All Blacks wing was the Man of the Match, although it was hard to play favourites. Argentina had some chances too, but the ability of the All Blacks to make the Pumas pay that was the main difference since the hosts couldn't return the favour until finally scoring a try in the 79th minute.

There were some interesting calls by the referees in this game which left me scratching my head, but both teams would be a little perplexed so does that make it fair?

Anyway, Richie McCaw stood up for the All Blacks, including one great run. Players under pressure like Keven Mealamu, Beauden Barrett and Malakai Fekitoa all played well.

You must remember that the days of putting an easy 50 points past the Pumas are long gone. The final score was a fair reflection of the game which was never really in doubt after the early All Blacks tries. This match went like clockwork for the All Blacks, allowing them to make some substitutions to rest and blood players.

The Springboks vs Wallabies game was more of a contest. The Wallabies have some dangerous ball running backs and scored a great try to hold an early lead. The Springboks got plenty of value off the bench and only really kicked clear in the final ten minutes thanks to Patrick Lambie's influence and a double by Jean De Villiers.

It leaves you wondering if they were starting the right players or if some of the quality from the bench should be rewarded with a start next week against the All Blacks?

Both of these winners were picked by most tipsters, although most people thought the Springboks wouldn't beat the Wallabies by quite so many points.