Rugby Championship – Round 6

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: 113.6
Units Back: 129.2
Overall Result: +15.6

The Rugby Championship – Round 6 Preview

New Zealand vs Australia

Saturday 24th September 2022 @ 5:05pm AEST – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand

You have to feel for the Wallabies after what went down last week, but we won’t go into it as that’s not what this article is about.

New Zealand will retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year and Australia will now head to New Zealand to try to get revenge on their loss last week. In a game that had 4 yellow cards (3 for Australia) and 24 penalties, the referee lost a bit of control and the points flowed. Both teams were equally matched throughout the breakdown, defensively and when it came to errors conceded. The All Blacks pinched two lineouts but the Wallabies had the wood on their opposition in the scrum.

The Wallabies face the tough task of entering the cauldron that is an All Blacks home game though it might not feel so daunting as the All Blacks have lost three of their last five at home which included historical wins by Argentina and Ireland. The All Blacks also have a few injuries entering this game which brings the Wallabies well into it.

I think the line is absolutely silly considering how the All Blacks have played in recent weeks and the fact they are playing a much better Wallabies team than they have faced in previous years.

Predictions:

Tip: New Zealand ($1.11)

Line: Australia +15.5 ($1.90)

Margin: New Zealand 1-12 ($3.00)

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

Bet: 

Australia +15.5 – 1.5u @ $1.90

South Africa vs Argentina

Sunday 25th September 2022 @ 1:05am AEST – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban, South Africa

This game was riddled with penalties last weekend with four yellow cards handed out and an immaculate 24 penalties blown. The Springboks were utterly dominant throughout the game and especially in the breakdown but to the Pumas’ credit, they fought hard in the lineouts and scrums which put the Springboks on the back foot in parts of the game.

The scoreline flattered the Pumas as there was a yellow card and penalty try awarded in the 64th minute which led to another try for them just minutes later. In the end, the Pumas couldn’t peg back the margin despite getting a few points in the final quarter of the game.

They now have to travel to South Africa knowing that the Springboks will know the result of the All Blacks game just hours prior, and a big win will hand them the Rugby Championship for 2022. With that, I expect South Africa to throw everything they can at Argentina and that the scoreline will be big, knowing there is a chance to take the title.

Predictions:

Tip: South Africa ($1.07)

Line: South Africa -17.5 ($1.90)

Margin: South Africa 13+ ($1.52)

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

Bet: 

South Africa -17.5 – 1.5u @ $1.90