The 2021 Rugby Championship was the ninth edition of the annual southern hemisphere

competition Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero-sum game). Competition can arise between entities such as organisms, indivi ...

, involving

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

and

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. The Springboks returned to the tournament after a year out in 2020 due to South African government travel restrictions and player welfare and safety concerns related to COVID-19. The tournament returned to its normal window of August, kicking-off on 14 August and concluding on 2 October.

Sponsorships

The competition was operated by

SANZAAR SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby; previously known as SANZAR) is the body which oversees Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship competitions in rugby union. SANZAAR meets annually and is composed of the CEOs from ...

, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions, and known for sponsorship reasons as ''The Castle Rugby Championship'' in South Africa, ''The

Fortinet Fortinet is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The company develops and sells cybersecurity solutions, such as physical firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion prevention systems, and endpoint secur ...

Rugby Championship'' in New Zealand, ''The

eToro eToro is an Israeli social trading and multi-asset Investment management, investment company that focuses on providing Financial trading, financial and copy trading services. Its headquarters are located in Central District (Israel), Central I ...

Rugby Championship'' in Australia, and ''The Zurich Rugby Championship'' in Argentina.

Travel disruptions

With continued restrictions relating to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

, most of the tournament was staged in Australia and New Zealand, with South Africa also hosting two games - their two matches against Argentina in the opening two rounds. On 3 August, the original schedule was altered due to travel restrictions imposed in New Zealand, meaning the first and second tests between Australia and New Zealand (Bledisloe 2 & 3) were reversed and rearranged, and New Zealand would play at Eden Park instead of

Wellington Regional Stadium Wellington Regional Stadium (known commercially as Sky Stadium through naming rights) is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. The stadium's bowl site size is . The stadium was built in 1999 by Fletcher Construction and is situa ...

. The restrictions also meant that New Zealand would not host their tests against Argentina, and were eventually played in Australia. On 24 August, it was announced that all games in Rounds 3–6 would be hosted in

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia. This came after COVID restrictions in New Zealand meant South Africa (and Argentina who were already set to play the All Blacks at a neutral venue) were unable to travel to New Zealand. In addition, due to the uncertainty over the original scheduled for the Championship, the All Blacks also delayed their travel to Australia for their round 2 clash in Perth.

New laws trialed

The 2021 Rugby Championship became the first international competition to include the new World Rugby global rugby laws trials, designed to support the priority mission of head impact reduction and potential welfare advancements across the game. For some of the law adaptions, they had previously been trialed at

Super Rugby Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Building on various Southern Hem ...

level in Australia and New Zealand; the goal-line drop out and the 50:22, whilst the others are new to help reduce injury risk at the breakdown. In addition, outside the World Rugby global law trials, this years Rugby Championship will also trial a 20-minute red card which like the goal-line drop out and 50:22, had been used in Australia and New Zealand respective Super Rugby tournaments. The championship was won by New Zealand after the 19-17 win against South Africa on 25 September.

Table

Fixtures

Round 1

Notes: * New Zealand score their most points against Australia - previously 54 set in 2017. * New Zealand retain the

Bledisloe Cup The Bledisloe Cup is an annual rugby union competition originally staged between the national teams of Australia's Wallabies and New Zealand's All Blacks that has been contested since the 1930s. The frequency that the competition is held has va ...

. ---- Notes: *

Herschel Jantjies Herschel Jerome Jantjies (born 22 April 1996) is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and the in the URC. His regular position is scrum-half. Rugby career Jantjies was born in Stellenbosch, wher ...

(South Africa) had been named on the bench but withdrew ahead of the game due to injury and was replaced by

Jaden Hendrikse Jaden Hendrikse (born 23 March 2000) is a South African professional rugby union player for the in Super Rugby Unlocked and the Sharks (Currie Cup) in the Currie Cup. His regular position is scrum-half. Hendrikse was named in the squad for t ...

. *

Joseph Dweba Joseph Dweba (born 25 October 1995) is a South African professional rugby union player for in the United Rugby Championship competition. He previously played for in the Pro14 and the in the Currie Cup. His regular position is hooker. Club c ...

and

(South Africa) and Carlos Muzzio (Argentina) made their International debuts.

Round 2

Notes: *

Lucio Cinti Lucio Constantino Cinti Luna (born 23 February 2000) is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the Argentina national team. Club career He joined Premiership Rugby side Lon ...

and

Ignacio Mendy Ignacio Mendy (born 29 June 2000) is an Argentine rugby union player who plays for the Benetton. He made his debut appearance at the Olympics representing Argentina at the 2020 Summer Olympics. His playing position is fullback. Career He rep ...

and

Nico Janse van Rensburg Nicolaas Jacobus Janse van Rensburg (born 6 May 1994) is a South African professional rugby union player, currently playing with in the French Top 14. His regular position is lock. Career Youth He represented the at the Under-16 Grant Khomo ...

(South Africa) made their international debuts. *

Lood de Jager Lodewyk de Jager (born 17 December 1992) is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and in the English Premiership. He usually plays as a lock. Career De Jager played at youth level for the and als ...

(South Africa) earned his 50th test cap. * No replacement was issued for

. ---- Notes: * Samu Kerevi (Australia) became the first Australian player to play for the Wallabies after an amendment of the

Giteau's law Giteau's law, or the Giteau law, is a name given to a practice by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) introduced in 2015 to allow overseas-based Australian rugby union players to be eligible to play for the Australian national rugby union team. The po ...

that allowed three players with less than the limit of 60 test caps to be picked. * Jordie Barrett (New Zealand) became the first player at international level to receive a 20-minute red card. * This was New Zealand's first ever match victory and their first ever win over Australia in

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

. * This was Australia's first defeat in

since 2009 when they lost to

25–32 in the 2009 Tri Nations at

Subiaco Oval Subiaco Oval (; nicknamed Subi) was a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia, located in the suburb of Subiaco. It was opened in 1908 and closed in 2017 after the completion of the new Perth Stadium in Burswood. Subiaco Oval was the high ...

Round 3

Notes: *

Anton Lienert-Brown Anton Russell Lienert-Brown (born 15 April 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a second five-eighth or Centre for the in Super Rugby, and in the Mitre 10 Cup. He made his debut for New Zealand (the All Blacks) in ...

(New Zealand) was named to start but withdrew ahead of kick off and was replaced by

Rieko Ioane Rieko Edward Ioane (; born 18 March 1997) is a New Zealand professional rugby union footballer who plays as a wing or as a centre for New Zealand team Blues in Super Rugby and the New Zealand national team. In his youth career, he was select ...

Quinn Tupaea Quinn Puketahinga Claude Tupaea (; born 10 May 1999) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for New Zealand province Waikato. In his youth career, he was selected to play in the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Champio ...

replaced Ioane on the bench. * Gonzalo García (Argentina) made his international debut. * Nicolás Sánchez became Argentina's most capped player with 90, surpassing

Agustín Creevy Agustín Creevy (born 15 March 1985 in La Plata) is an Argentine rugby union player. He currently plays for the national Argentina team '' The Pumas'' and for London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership. Creevy is the most-capped Argentine rugby ...

's record of 89 caps. * This was New Zealand's first win in

since 2014 when they beat Australia 29–28 in the 2014 third

match at

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

Lang Park Lang Park, also known as Brisbane Football Stadium, by the sponsored name Suncorp Stadium, and nicknamed: 'The Cauldron', is a multi-purpose stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located in the suburb of Milton. The current facility co ...

. ---- Notes: *

Allan Alaalatoa Allan Ala'alatoa (born 28 January 1994) is an Australian rugby union professional player who plays as a prop for the in Super Rugby and the Australian rugby union team, the Wallabies. Ala'alatoa's father Vili is a fan of cricket and named him ...

and

Reece Hodge Reece Hodge (born 26 August 1994) is an Australian professional rugby union player for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby. A utility back, Hodge can play fly-half, outside centre, wing or fullback. Hodge completed his secondary Education at Man ...

(both Australia) earned their 50th test caps. * Feleti Kaitu'u and

Rob Leota Robert Leota (born 3 March 1997) is an Australian professional rugby union player for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby and for in international rugby. His usual position is flanker and Number 8. Rugby career Leota attended Thornbury Hig ...

(both Australia) made their international debuts.

Round 4

Notes: * Michael Hooper captained the Wallabies for a record breaking 60th time, surpassing the previous record of 59 set by

George Gregan George Musarurwa Gregan AM (born 19 April 1973) is a retired Australian rugby union player, and is currently Australia's most capped international player. Gregan was born in Lusaka, Zambia. He played Super 12 (now Super Rugby) for the Brumbi ...

. * Australia win back-to-back matches against South Africa for the first time since their 2015/2016 victories. * Australia reclaim the

Mandela Challenge Plate The Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate is a rugby union trophy contested between Australia and South Africa. It is named after South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. History Initially designed to be held every two ye ...

. ---- Notes: * This was New Zealand's first win at

since 2014, when they beat Australia 29–28 in the third

match. * New Zealand reclaimed the No.1 World Rugby Ranking.

Round 5

Notes: *

Luke Jacobson Luke Brittain Jacobson (born 20 April 1997) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the in the Super Rugby competition, and for the All Blacks. His plays in the forward pack. Jacobson made the New Zealand Schools team in 2014. He ...

was named to start but withdrew ahead of kick-off with

Ethan Blackadder Ethan J. Blackadder (born 22 March 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for in the Bunnings NPC and the in the Super Rugby competition. His position of choice is flanker. He is the son of former All Blacks player Todd Blackadd ...

replacing him in the starting XV.

Hoskins Sotutu Hoskins Sotutu (born 12 July 1998) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the in Super Rugby. His playing position is flanker. His excellent form for the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa resulted in a call-up to the All Blacks squad ...

replaced Blackadder on the bench. *

Trevor Nyakane Trevor Ntando Nyakane (born 4 May 1989) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for Racing 92 in the French Top14, and also the South Africa national rugby team, His regular playing position is prop and he has the ab ...

(South Africa) earned his 50th test cap. * This was the 100th meeting between these two nations. * New Zealand retain the

Freedom Cup The Freedom Cup () is a minor international rugby union trophy contested between South Africa and New Zealand, during The Rugby Championship and previously during The Rugby Championship's predecessor, the Tri Nations. It was first contested in 2004 ...

. ---- Notes: * Mateo Carreras,

Rodrigo Martínez Rodrigo Martínez ( la, Rudericus Martini) (died July 1138) was a Leonese nobleman, landowner, courtier, military leader, governor, and diplomat, "the most powerful lay figure in the region of the western Tierra de Campos," who "emerges as far an ...

and Joaquín Oviedo (all Argentina) made their international debuts. * Australia retain the

Puma Trophy The Puma Trophy () is an international rugby union competition between Argentina and Australia. The trophy is a bronzed statue of a puma. Argentina and Australia first played against each other in 1979 and the trophy itself was established in 20 ...

Round 6

Notes: * Eduardo Bello and Thomas Gallo (Argentina) both made their international debuts. * Greg Holmes becomes the oldest player to represent the Wallabies at the age of 38 years and 113 days surpassing Tony Miller's record by one day. * Australia win four matches in the Rugby Championship for the first time, while also winning four consecutive test matches (in any competition) for the first time since 2017. ---- Notes: * South Africa came from behind at half-time (20–14) for the first time against New Zealand since their 24–23 win in 1998. * This was South Africa's first win over New Zealand and their first win against New Zealand outside

since 2018 when they beat New Zealand 36–34 in the

2018 Rugby Championship The 2018 Rugby Championship was the seventh edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, featuring Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The competition is operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four ...

round match at

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by me ...

. * This was South Africa's first game victory in

and in

since 2013, when they beat

38-12 during the

2013 Rugby Championship The 2013 Rugby Championship, known as ''The Castle Rugby Championship'' in South Africa, ''The Investec Rugby Championship'' in New Zealand, ''The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship'' in Australia and ''The Personal Rugby Championship'' in Argentin ...

round match at

Statistics

Points scorers

Try scorers

Squads

Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 14 August 2021 – the starting date of the tournament

Argentina

On 29 July, Argentina announced a 47-man roster for the 2021 Rugby Championship. On 30 September, Pablo Matera, Sebastián Cancelliere,

Joaquín Díaz Bonilla Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (born 12 April 1989) is an Argentine rugby union player. His position is fly-half and plays for Old Glory DC of Major League Rugby (MLR) in the U.S. He was part of the national Argentina team, ''The Pumas''. Bonilla pl ...

Felipe Ezcurra Felipe Ezcurra (born 15 April 1993) is an Argentine rugby union player. He plays as a scrum-half for French Pro D2 side FC Grenoble. Born in Buenos Aires Ezcurra played for Hindú Club in the Nacional de Clubes. He played for Pampas XV and fo ...

, Santiago Medrano and

Santiago Socino Santiago G. Socino (born 7 May 1992) is an Argentine rugby union player for Gloucester in Premiership Rugby, his primary position is hooker. He previously played for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby and in Super Rugby. Socino moved to ...

were expelled from the tournament for breaching COVID-19 protocols.

Australia

On 25 July, Australia named a 42-man Wallabies squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship. On 26 July,

Quade Cooper Quade Santini Cooper (born 5 April 1988) is a professional rugby union player and occasional boxer. Although born in New Zealand, he has represented Australia in rugby at international level. He currently plays for Hanazono Liners in Japan, ...

was a late addition to the squad. On 10 August, Samu Kerevi was added to the squad to be available for selection ahead of Australia's second round match (Bledisloe 3) against New Zealand in Perth.

New Zealand

The All Blacks 36-man squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship was named on 19 July.

South Africa

On 8 August 2021, a 42-man squad for the 2021 Rugby Championship was announced. On 15 August, Jean-Luc du Preez was recalled to the squad

References

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rugby Championship 2021 in Argentine rugby union 2021 in Australian rugby union 2021 in New Zealand rugby union 2021 in South African rugby union 2021 rugby union tournaments for national teams August 2021 sports events in Africa August 2021 sports events in New Zealand September 2021 sports events in Australia October 2021 sports events in Australia

2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...

Sponsorships

Travel disruptions

New laws trialed

Table

Fixtures

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Statistics

Points scorers

Try scorers

Squads

Argentina

Australia

New Zealand

South Africa

See also

References

Notes