Rugby Championship – Round 5

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: 111.1
Units Back: 129.2
Overall Result: +18.1

The Rugby Championship – Round 5 Preview

Australia vs New Zealand

Thursday 15th September 2022 @ 7:45pm AEST – Marvel Stadium, Victoria, Australia

The first game of the two-game series for the Bledisloe Cup between these two proud nations who have both had mixed matches so far in the Rugby Championship.

Australia defeated South Africa in their first encounter before the roles were reversed at Allianz Stadium, where it took 78 minutes for them to score a try, and by that time, it was all over. South Africa dominated them in the ruck and despite both teams having handling issues, discipline issues, and line-out issues, the Springboks highlighted a glaring weakness in the Wallabies, being their maul. Thirteen times the Springboks won a maul which is massive and something that the All-Blacks will be looking to expoit.

There isn’t much to say about the All-Blacks after they were beaten by the Pumas on home soil for the first time, and atoned themselves with a 53-3 thumping, returning the All-Blacks to the glory that they are used to. These players are very familiar with each other thanks to the Super Rugby season, so many of the same fundamentals will be used in this one.

Australia will fight hard being at home and should make the scoreline a bit more respectable than what probably would happen if they were in New Zealand. Playing at Marvel Stadium may throw a few curveballs throughout the game, but both teams have experience in round stadiums. Australia generally performs well against teams in their first match-ups, but I think New Zealand will be ready for them following their confidence-boosting display last round.

Predictions:

Tip: New Zealand ($1.23)

Line: New Zealand -10.5 ($1.90)

Margin: New Zealand 13+ ($2.10)

*Prices via NSW TAB as of 12/09/22

Bet: 

New Zealand -10.5 – 2.5u @ $1.90

Argentina vs South Africa

Sunday 18th September 2022 @ 5:10am AEST – Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, Argentina

There has been some news in the week that may have thrown the Springboks preparation into disarray, but I won’t touch on it here.

They hit back in their last-round match-up against the Wallabies despite not being overly flashy themselves. The key area they dominated was their mauls, which is something that Argentina isn’t too shabby at themselves. The Springboks will need to work on their line-outs for when they play the talented Pumas as well as really working on their discipline, which has been a sore point for them so far this year.

The Pumas must be hurting after being dominated by the All-Blacks following so much promise when smashing Australia and handling the All-Blacks in their first encounter. They really struggled in all facets of the game and the All-Blacks made them pay. Having the two weeks off and heading back home will do them the world of good and I am sure Michael Cheika will have them ready to go.

I am expecting a Springboks onslaught following the off-field drama and I think the line represents those problems. I am not confident enough to be in this game as Argentina have showed that they can take it to any team on their day.

Predictions:

Tip: South Africa ($1.44)

Line: South Africa -6.5 ($1.85)

Margin: South Africa 13+ ($2.60)

*Prices via NSW TAB as of 12/09/22

Bet: 

No Bet.