New Zealand go into this year’s Rugby Championship as the reigning champions, but, potentially for the first time since the Rugby Championship began in 2012, they are not favourites.
They won last year’s tournament with a game to spare but, after losing to South Africa in the final round, New Zealand have had a disappointing 12 months. Last month’s home series defeat to Ireland, who had previously never won in New Zealand, means that the All Blacks go into the Rugby Championship having lost four of their last five matches. Head coach Ian Foster probably needs a good tournament to stay in the job.
He has to navigate a difficult start though, with two away matches against world champions South Africa. While the Springboks did not have the best of competitions last year as they finished third, and were not at their best in the home series win against Wales in July, New Zealand’s poor form and both matches against the All Blacks being at home gives South Africa the edge.
Australia impressed in the Rugby Championship last year, beating South Africa twice. With both their games against the Boks at home they could pose a problem again, but like New Zealand the Wallabies have not had the best year, having only won one game since.
Argentina did not win a single game in last year’s Rugby Championship. Coming off a home series win against Scotland last month, Michael Cheika’s Pumas will hope for an improvement this year.
(All times BST)
By Charlie Morgan
Michael Hooper, Australia’s inspirational captain, has withdrawn from the squad to face Argentina, saying he is not in the right mindset to play.
The back-rower, a mainstay of the recent series loss to England who was poised to win a 122nd cap for the Wallabies on Saturday, will
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