Rugby Championship – Round 4

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: 109.1
Units Back: 125.2
Overall Result: +16.1

The Rugby Championship – Round 4 Preview

Australia vs South Africa

Saturday 3rd September 2022 @ 7:35pm AEST – Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia

This is the second game of the afternoon/evening and it’s going to take place at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, which just 24 hours earlier would have hosted its first event since being rebuilt.

Despite the scoreline, South Africa wasn’t all that bad against the Wallabies and really dominated in many key areas aside from the scoreboard. One of those key areas was the line out, where the Springboks pinched 6 of the 13 Wallaby thrown lineouts, which is massive. The thing that really hurt the Springboks in Adelaide was their handling. They conceded a whopping 16 turnovers and they looked nothing like the team that faced New Zealand a fortnight ago. They also missed two penalty goals in areas where they should have slotted them through.

The Wallabies to their credit kept up the intensity until the final ten minutes, when they let in two late tries, but by then the game was over. They did something similar against England in Game 1 of the tour earlier in the year and against Argentina in Game 1 also. Teams seem to figure the Wallabies out after one game, which as a fan has me a bit worried yet optimistic for the future.

I am expecting South Africa to really hit back and become the enemies in Sydney, and for a nation that loves their Rugby Union, they would be crushed to come to Australia and come away with nothing.  Coming back to a rectangular pitch will actually improve the Springboks when it comes to their bearings and another week in Australia will have them ready. The crowd will push the Wallabies to keep this close, but I can see the Springboks hitting back.

Predictions:

Tip: South Africa ($2.00)

Line: South Africa +1.5 ($1.85)

Margin: South Africa 1-12 ($2.90)

*Prices via NSW TAB as of 02/09/22

Bet: 

South Africa H2H – 2u @ $2.00

New Zealand vs Argentina

Saturday 3rd September 2022 @ 5:05pm AEST – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

Argentina created history (it really has been a history-making year in terms of test matches) by beating the All-Blacks on home soil for the very first time. Argentina was clinical yet took the opportunity for points whenever they could and backed themselves defensively. What helped their cause, was their glue-like hands, and unlike the All-Blacks, they didn’t concede many turnovers.

The All-Blacks were really handled in all facets of the game on the weekend and their kicking was abysmal, to say the least, yet still kept the scoreline as respectable as possible. In their minds, they probably thought as long as Argentina keeps kicking penalty goals, we will peg them back, but Argentina stayed strong and really caught the All-Blacks off guard.

I will put my hand up and say, that’s back-to-back matches against different opponents that I underestimated the Pumas, and it won’t be happening again. I won’t be betting into this one with the All-Blacks facing an identity crisis and the Pumas on the charge, but if you really want to have a punt, Argentina with the line seems the logical way to go. Either way, I am kicking back and watching this one.

Predictions:

Tip: New Zealand ($1.13)

Line: Argentina +13.5 ($1.90)

Margin: New Zealand 1-12 ($3.10)

*Prices via NSW TAB as of 02/09/22

Bet: 

No Bet.