2015 Rugby Championship: 5 Players Under Most Pressure After 2nd Round of Games

A tense week of waiting lies ahead for Bledisloe Cup opponents Australia and New Zealand, who will clash in Sydney on August 8, with the victor wrapping up this year's crown in climactic fashion.

That encounter undoubtedly stands to be tournament's must-see matchup, but there's also pressure on South Africa and Argentina to perform well in Durban as they close their competitions.

After the Rugby Championship's first two rounds, fans are still waiting on certain flag-bearers to produce their finest, while the results at stake point out certain team leaders to dazzle in Week 3.

We've picked a sample of players carrying the heaviest burdens leading into the final round of fixtures, including captains from the All Blacks and the Pumas.

1. Ma'a Nonu, New Zealand

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Despite the expectations an incredible quest to this year's Super Rugby final with the Hurricanes built up, Ma'a Nonu hasn't quite had the triumphant Rugby Championship Steve Hansen was hoping of his centre.

And it's largely thanks to an iffy outing against the Springboks on Saturday. Nonu needs to rediscover his stride in time to have any impact against the Wallabies.

In uncharacteristic fashion, the Toulon-bound midfielder was far from his physical best and succeeded in only half of his eight attempted tackles, making just 17 metres with ball in hand.

A shoulder injury meant Nonu's Ellis Park venture was cut short after 46 minutes, however, and ESPNScrum.com reports he's now doubtful for the title-decider in Sydney.

With Michael Cheika's own midfield in some state of indecision, Nonu has the capacity to cause a huge disruption at ANZ Stadium, but Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel showed the veteran is only human.

2. Jesse Kriel, South Africa

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Speaking of the centre star, Kriel is swiftly learning what it means to be under the international spotlight after scoring twice in his first two Test appearances for the Springboks in a dream start to his South Africa career.

The 21-year-old Bulls phenomenon has exploded onto the Test stage in a major way and arguably sits as the Rugby Championship's most impressive player thus far.

However, whereas once Kriel had a world of possibilities ahead of him, now his options are dramatically more refined, and expectations demand his astronomical surge be maintained.

Of course, it's no fair responsibility for one so young, but then a sport is seldom fair on its youngest talents, the ones who would take their places as tomorrow's superstars.

Thankfully for Kriel, he did the hardest work against Australia and New Zealand, but standards will not be allowed to drop against the Pumas.

3. Agustin Creevy, Argentina

Backing captain Agustin Creevy to finish the Rugby Championship as Argentina's top try-scorer might have nabbed a hefty payday for anyone lucky enough to invest, and it looks entirely plausible with just one game remaining.

The hooker's brace of scores against New Zealand in Week 1 remain the only tries scored by Daniel Hourcade's men at this year's tournament, with the armband-wearer leading by example as per usual.

Rugby World's Owain Jones dubbed Creevy "immense" in the wake of that display, but even the player himself would think of any merit as useless without results coming for the Pumas.

Argentina drew against South Africa 16-16 in 2012 and certainly won't discount the idea of staging a surprise at Growthpoint Kings Park to claim their second Rugby Championship victory.

Creevy was the man in charge of last year's historic result over the Wallabies, and the pressure falls on him to once again lead the Pumas through their current winless gloom.

4. Israel Folau, Australia

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As much as one can for one of the most celebrated athletes in rugby right now, you feel for Israel Folau, who continues to play his role as the caged lion of the Wallabies back line, just waiting on his chance to let loose.

Of course we've seen glimpses of the Waratahs full-back at his finest so far in the tournament, but the constant rotation among Cheika's back line, particularly at 10 and 12, doesn't help his progress.

Folau was like a beacon under the high ball against South Africa, as the Wallabies' official Twitter account was only too happy to show, while his 93 carrying metres against Argentina were also an impressive feat.

However, with the All Blacks threat next Saturday comes the inevitable burden on Australia's biggest star to guide them to a Rugby Championship after enduring such disappointment in recent years.

There's no telling what kind of confidence the Wallabies would gain from such a massive triumph before the World Cup, and Folau will be looked upon as the key ingredient capable of wresting it from New Zealand's grip.

5. Richie McCaw, New Zealand

And so it came to be that Richie McCaw, almost 14 years after making his All Blacks debut against Ireland, would have the chance to lead New Zealand to one more southern-hemisphere trophy before taking his leave.

Of the 12 Tri Nations/Rugby Championship tournaments in which McCaw has featured, New Zealand have won 10, but the flanker will be as motivated as ever to ensure he retires from the team with 11.

It was his 73rd-minute score at Ellis Park last Saturday that salvaged the All Blacks' pivotal win, and although SuperSport's Brenden Nel questioned the validity of the try, McCaw continues to show how key he is to the team's success.

It's only to be expected that a captain bears the most pressure in any match scenario, but McCaw shoulders that weight like no other—he thrives on that charismatic ability to lift those around him.

The first of two Bledisloe Cup meetings this year, the 140-cap veteran is sure to savour every remaining moment he spends in international colours, which could spell bad news for Australia.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPNScrum.com.