Rugby Championship – Round 3

The Rugby Championship is an International competition between Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, which are the top four Rugby Nations in the Southern Hemisphere. Inside the Rugby Championship, there are other trophies contested like the Bledisloe Cup (New Zealand vs Australia), The Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate (South Africa vs Australia), Freedom Cup (South Africa vs New Zealand), and the Puma Trophy (Australia vs Argentina).

Each year, each team will play each other twice, totaling of six games. The host nations alternate each year, so in 2022 Argentina host 2 games against Australia, South Africa host 2 games against New Zealand, Australia host 2 games against South Africa, and New Zealand host 2 games against Argentina. For the close nations, they host one game apiece, so Australia vs New Zealand and South Africa vs Argentina will be split.

This year it will be held from Sunday, August 7, 2022 – Sunday, September 25, 2022.

History of The Rugby Championship

The Rugby Championship began in 2012 following the expansion of the traditional Tri-Nations which consisted of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Argentina entered the fray as a chance for Rugby to build on the worldwide growth of the sport. Since then, New Zealand has won seven of the nine years played (2020 was contested as a Tri-Nations with South Africa’s COVID situation) with Australia winning in 2015 and South Africa winning in 2019. Argentina has finished last in all but one year, that being 2015 when South Africa finished in last place.

Here are the defending champions of the other trophies:

Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand (Since 2002)

Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate: Australia (Since 2021)

Freedom Cup: New Zealand (Since 2009)

Puma Trophy: Australia (Since 2000)

Rugby Union Bets Overall (2022):

Units Used: 106.1
Units Back: 125.2
Overall Result: +19.1

The Rugby Championship – Round 3 Preview

Australia vs South Africa

Saturday 27th August 2022 @ 3:30pm AEST – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia

We are up to our next legs of home games as South Africa head to Australia for what is an intriguing contest.

Historically, these teams have played some fantastic games against one another, with the Springboks leading the charge, winning 48 to the Wallabies 39 with 3 draws. But when it comes to playing in Australia, the Wallabies are much more dominant, leading 27-12 with 2 draws. Australia won their previous two encounters in the Rugby Championship last year, by 2 points and 13 points respectively.

South Africa won their first match against the All Blacks at home before losing in front of their fans in game two, which was definitely a wake-up call for both teams as they look to remain undefeated for the remaining matches against Australia and Argentina. The Wallabies were good in game one but much like the Springboks, they were beaten in game two, but the Wallabies weren’t just beaten but they were embarrassed as their back three were exposed in a 31-point romp.

Australia being at home will give them an edge and the return of a few injured stars will help their cause, but it’s the Springboks I want to be with in game one as they look to show the world why they are the World Champions. I am expecting this to be a close encounter at an unusual kick-off time in Adelaide, but the Springboks should get the job done.

Predictions:

Tip: South Africa ($1.55)

Line: South Africa -4.5 ($1.90)

Margin: South Africa 1-12 ($2.80)

*Prices via NSW TAB as of 26/08/22

Bet: 

South Africa -4.5 | 3u @ $1.90

New Zealand vs Argentina

Saturday 27th August 2022 @ 5:45pm AEST – Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand

The All-Blacks finally hit back to a respectable standard of Rugby in their second game against the Springboks, winning the game nicely by 12 points and they will be relishing heading home for this two-game hitout with Argentina. The Pumas will be on a high following their smashing of the Wallabies but know that the All-Blacks are a different beast, especially when at home.

Historically, the All-Blacks have won every single game except for two. They drew with the Pumas back in 1985 and remained undefeated until the 2020 Tri-Series which was destroyed thanks to COVID, where the Pumas won their first game against the All-Blacks in a 25-15 win. Since then, the All-Blacks have won 38-0, 39-0, and 36-13 in the last three clashes, and they have been on neutral ground.

I am expecting the All-Blacks to flex their muscles here but it won’t be without a Pumas fight. Due to the All-Black’s recent form and the Pumas being on a high, I think the All-Blacks still win comprehensively but Argentina to keep it lower than what’s expected. I won’t be betting into this because the All-Blacks for once have been a very unreliable betting proposition, but this is a lot easier than what they have contested against Ireland and South Africa.

Predictions:

Tip: New Zealand ($1.03)

Line: New Zealand -21.5 ($1.95)

Margin: New Zealand 13+ ($1.40)

*Prices via NSW TAB as of 26/08/22

Bet: 

No Bet.