2021 Rugby Championship
| Date | 14 August 2021 – 2 October 2021 |
|---|---|
| Countries |  Argentina Australia New Zealand South Africa |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | New Zealand (18th title) |
| Bledisloe Cup | New Zealand |
| Freedom Cup | New Zealand |
| Mandela Challenge Plate | Australia |
| Puma Trophy | Australia |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 12 |
| Tries scored | 63 (5.25 per match) |
| Attendance | 275,317 (22,943 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Handré Pollard (66) |
| Most tries | Andrew Kellaway (7) |
← 2020 2022 → | |
The 2021 Rugby Championship was the ninth series of the annual southern-hemisphere competition, involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 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.[1] The tournament returned to its normal window of August, kicking-off on 14 August and concluding on 2 October.
Sponsorships[edit]
The competition was operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions, and known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Fortinet Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The eToro Rugby Championship in Australia, and The Zurich Rugby Championship in Argentina.[2]
Travel disruptions[edit]
With continued restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.[3]
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. The restrictions also meant that New Zealand would not host their tests against Argentina, and were eventually played in Australia.[4]
On 24 August, it was announced that all games in Rounds 3–6 would be hosted in Queensland, Australia.[5] 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.[6]
New laws trialed[edit]
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.[7] For some of the law adaptions, they had previously been trialed at Super Rugby 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.[8] The championship was won by New Zealand after the 19-17 win against South Africa on 25 September.[9][10]
Table[edit]
| Place | Nation | Games | Points | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Table points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | |||||
| 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 218 | 104 | +114 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 2 | Australia | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 160 | 163 | –3 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 3 | South Africa | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 152 | 128 | +24 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| 4 | Argentina | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 60 | 195 | –135 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures[edit]
Round 1[edit]
| 14 August 2021 19:05 NZST (UTC+12) |
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 57–22 | Australia |
| Try: Ioane 3' c Retallick 23' c Savea 32' c Taylor (2) 46' c, 59' m Reece 53' c Jordan 64' c Havili 80+2' c Con: Mo'unga (5/6) 5', 24', 34', 47', 54' B. Barrett (2/2) 65', 80+3' Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 52' | Report | Try: Kellaway (2) 7' m, 68' c McDermott 39' c Con: Lolesio (2/3) 69', 40' Pen: Lolesio (1/1) 30' |
| Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 25,121 Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand) [a] |
       New Zealand |     Australia
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- New Zealand score their most points against Australia - previously 54 set in 2017.
- New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.
| 14 August 2021 17:05 SAST (UTC+02) |
| (1 BP) South Africa | 32–12 | Argentina |
| Try: Reinach 14' c Fassi 18' m Hendrikse 78' m Con: E. Jantjies (1/2) 15' Pen: E. Jantjies (5/5) 2', 23', 37', 47', 58' | Report | Pen: Sánchez (4/4) 17', 35', 40', 43' |
| Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 0 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
    South Africa |     Argentina
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Herschel Jantjies (South Africa) had been named on the bench but withdrew ahead of the game due to injury and was replaced by Jaden Hendrikse.
- Joseph Dweba and Jaden Hendrikse (South Africa) and Carlos Muzzio (Argentina) made their International debuts.
Round 2[edit]
| 21 August 2021 17:05 SAST (UTC+02) |
| Argentina | 10–29 | South Africa |
| Try: Matera 80+5' c Con: Sanchez (1/1) 80+5' Pen: Miotti (1/3) 24' | Report | Try: Mapimpi 45' c Marx 51' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 46', 52' Pen: Pollard (5/5) 10', 17', 22', 29', 32' |
| Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 0 Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
| Argentina | South Africa
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Lucio Cinti and Ignacio Mendy and Nico Janse van Rensburg (South Africa) made their international debuts.
- Lood de Jager (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
- No replacement was issued for Jaden Hendrikse.
| 5 September 2021 [b] 14:00 AWST (UTC+08) |
| Australia | 21–38 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Fainga'a 49' c White 65' c Banks 78' c Con: Lolesio (1/1) 50' Hodge (2/2) 66', 79' | Report | Try: J. Barrett 16' c Havili (2) 39' m, 60' m Jordan 54' m Lienert-Brown 68' m Bridge 71' m Con: B. Barrett (1/4) 17' Pen: B. Barrett (2/2) 8', 14' |
| Perth Stadium, Perth Attendance: 52,724 Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia) [c] |
| Australia | New Zealand
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Samu Kerevi (Australia) became the first Australian player to play for the Wallabies after an amendment of the Giteau's law 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.
- This was Australia's first defeat in Perth since 2009 when they lost to South Africa 25–32 in the 2009 Tri Nations at Subiaco Oval.
Round 3[edit]
| 12 September 2021 17:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 39–0 | Argentina |
| Try: R. Ioane 9' c Reece 36' m Papalii 40+2' c Jacobson (2) 45' c, 69' c Con: B. Barrett (1/2) 10' J. Barrett (3/3) 40+4', 47', 69' Pen: B. Barrett (1/1) 33' J. Barrett (1/1) 77' | Report |
| Robina Stadium, Gold Coast Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) |
| New Zealand | Argentina
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) was named to start but withdrew ahead of kick off and was replaced by Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea 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's record of 89 caps.
- This was New Zealand's first win in Queensland since 2014 when they beat Australia 29–28 in the 2014 third Bledisloe Cup match at Brisbane's Lang Park.
| 12 September 2021 20:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| (1 BP) South Africa | 26–28 | Australia |
| Try: Mbonambi 27' m Marx (2) 58' c, 71' m Con: Pollard (1/2) 59' Pen: Pollard (3/5) 5', 11', 45' | Report | Try: Kellaway 16' c Con: Cooper (1/1) 17' Pen: Cooper (7/7) 7', 13', 32', 40', 52', 62', 80+1' |
| Robina Stadium, Gold Coast [d] Attendance: 15,191 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
| South Africa | Australia
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| Player of the Match Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Allan Alaalatoa and Reece Hodge (both Australia) earned their 50th test caps.
- Feleti Kaitu'u and Rob Leota (both Australia) made their international debuts.
Round 4[edit]
| 18 September 2021 17:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| (1 BP) Australia | 30–17 | South Africa |
| Try: Ikitau (2) 13' m, 20' c Koroibete (2) 61' c, 67' m Con: Cooper (2/4) 22', 63' Pen: Cooper (2/2) 28', 50' | Report | Try: Am 41' m Pen: Pollard (4/4) 17', 26', 31', 37' |
| Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 40,000 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
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| Player of the Match Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Michael Hooper captained the Wallabies for a record breaking 60th time, surpassing the previous record of 59 set by George Gregan.
- Australia win back-to-back matches against South Africa for the first time since their 2015/2016 victories.
- Australia reclaim the Mandela Challenge Plate.
| 18 September 2021 20:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| Argentina | 13–36 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Boffelli 52' c Con: Boffelli (1/1) 53' Pen: Boffelli (2/2) 8', 44' | Report | Try: Tuipulotu 5' c Perenara 26' c Vaa'i (2) 40' c, 78' c Taukei'aho 46' m Con: J. Barrett (4/5) 6', 28', 40', 78' Pen: J. Barrett (1/1) 13' |
| Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 38,215 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- This was New Zealand's first win at Lang Park since 2014, when they beat Australia 29–28 in the third Bledisloe Cup match.
- New Zealand reclaimed the No.1 World Rugby Ranking.
Round 5[edit]
| 25 September 2021 17:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| New Zealand | 19–17 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Jordan 3' c Con: J. Barrett (1/1) 4' Pen: J. Barrett (4/4) 31', 36', 61', 78' | Report | Try: Nkosi 6' m Pen: Pollard (4/4) 11', 14', 58', 67' |
| North Queensland Stadium, Townsville [e] Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
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| Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Luke Jacobson was named to start but withdrew ahead of kick-off with Ethan Blackadder replacing him in the starting XV. Hoskins Sotutu replaced Blackadder on the bench.
- Trevor Nyakane (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
- This was the 100th meeting between these two nations.
- New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup.
| 25 September 2021 20:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| Australia | 27–8 | Argentina |
| Try: Hodge 5' c Kerevi 19' c Kellaway 69' c Con: Cooper (2/2) 7', 19' O'Connor (1/1) 71' Pen: Cooper (1/1) 32' O'Connor (1/1) 60' | Report | Try: Montoya 43' m Pen: Boffelli (1/3) 21' |
| North Queensland Stadium, Townsville [f] Attendance: 23,184 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
   Australia |     Argentina
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| Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Mateo Carreras, Rodrigo Martínez and Joaquín Oviedo (all Argentina) made their international debuts.
- Australia retain the Puma Trophy.
Round 6[edit]
| 2 October 2021 17:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| Argentina | 17–32 | Australia (1 BP) |
| Try: Gallo (2) 62' c, 71' c Con: Boffelli (2/2) 62', 71' Pen: Boffelli (1/1) 40+2' | Report | Try: Fainga'a 26' m Kellaway (3) 33' c, 53' c, 57' m Kerevi 42' m Con: Cooper (2/5) 34', 55' Pen: Cooper (1/1) 10' |
| Robina Stadium, Gold Coast [g] Attendance: 20,441 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
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| Assistant referees: |
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.
| 2 October 2021 20:05 AEST (UTC+10) |
| South Africa | 31–29 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: De Allende 5' m Mapimpi 51' m Pen: Pollard (4/5) 11', 23', 40', 44' E. Jantjies (2/2) 57', 80+2' Drop: E. Jantjies (1/1) 76' | Report | Try: Reece 12' m Savea 27' c Weber 32' m Con: J. Barrett (1/3) 28' Pen: J. Barrett (4/4) 8', 66', 75', 78' |
| Robina Stadium, Gold Coast [h] Attendance: 20,441 Referee: Matthew Carley (England) |
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| Assistant referees: |
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 South Africa since 2018 when they beat New Zealand 36–34 in the 2018 Rugby Championship round match at New Zealand's Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.
- This was South Africa's first game victory in Australia and in Queensland since 2013, when they beat Australia 38-12 during the 2013 Rugby Championship round match at Brisbane's Lang Park.
Statistics[edit]
Points scorers[edit]
| Try scorers[edit]
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Squads[edit]
| Nation | Head coach | Captain(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Mario Ledesma | Julián Montoya |
| Australia | Dave Rennie | Michael Hooper |
| New Zealand | Ian Foster | Sam Whitelock |
| South Africa | Jacques Nienaber | Siya Kolisi |
Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 14 August 2021 – the starting date of the tournament
Argentina[edit]
On 29 July, Argentina announced a 47-man roster for the 2021 Rugby Championship.[12] On 30 September, Pablo Matera, Sebastián Cancelliere, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago Medrano and Santiago Socino were expelled from the tournament for breaching COVID-19 protocols.[13]
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Matches Played | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facundo Bosch | Hooker | 8 August 1991 (aged 30) | 5 |  La Rochelle |
| Julián Montoya (c) | Hooker | 29 October 1993 (aged 27) | 66 |  Leicester Tigers |
| Ignacio Ruiz | Hooker | 3 January 2001 (aged 20) | 0 | Jag
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