What is harder to win: the Rugby World Cup or the Greatest Rivalry series? Steve Hansen answers

What is harder to win: the Rugby World Cup or the Greatest Rivalry series? Steve Hansen gives his verdict as The Third Voice opens Part 3, explaining why one bad World Cup performance can end everything and reflecting on New Zealand’s 2019 campaign. The conversation then turns to the Raeburn Shield — rugby’s unofficial lineal title stretching back to the first international — with Steve backing the idea of giving it greater recognition and building its history into the modern game. A listener question prompts a wider discussion about coaches’ responsibility for discipline, player welfare and tackle technique before attention turns to Argentina’s remarkable performance against South Africa. With more than 20 frontline players unavailable, Los Pumas pushed the world champions to the final play and may have uncovered exactly the depth they need heading towards 2027. Steve also identifies South Africa’s aerial game as a major warning for the All Blacks ahead of the Greatest Rivalry Tests.

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In this episode:
00:00 🏆 What is harder to win — the World Cup or Greatest Rivalry series?
02:00 🏴 Steve Hansen reflects on the All Blacks’ 2019 World Cup exit
03:00 🛡️ What exactly is the Raeburn Shield?
05:00 🌍 Steve Hansen backs rugby’s unofficial lineal title concept
09:00 🧑‍🏫 Should coaches take more responsibility for cards and penalties?
11:00 🧠 Coaching tackle technique, anticipation and player welfare
14:00 🇦🇷 Depleted Argentina push the Springboks to the final play
17:00 🔥 Argentina’s new depth creates serious competition for places
19:00 🎯 Is South Africa preparing an aerial assault on the All Blacks?
21:00 🕊️ Rugby Unity remembers young Fijian player Simoni Vuinalagi

Call to action:
📌 Which matters more to you — winning the Rugby World Cup, the Greatest Rivalry series, or defending something like the Raeburn Shield?

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