2022 Rugby Championship
Date | 6 August – 24 September 2022 |
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Countries | Argentina Australia New Zealand South Africa |
Final positions | |
Champions | New Zealand (19th title) |
Bledisloe Cup | New Zealand |
Freedom Cup | New Zealand |
Mandela Challenge Plate | Australia |
Puma Trophy | Australia |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 12 |
Tries scored | 76 (6.33 per match) |
Attendance | 463,702 (38,642 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | Emiliano Boffelli (71) Richie Mo'unga (71) |
Most tries | Samisoni Taukei'aho (5) |
← 2021 2023 → |
The 2022 Rugby Championship was the tenth edition of the annual southern hemisphere competition, involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament returned to being staged across all competing nations after the disruption from COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.
The competition is 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.[1]
The tournament was restructured for the first time since Argentina joined the competition, with each team playing their games both home and away. Each country hosted three games, but not evenly across the competing nations.[2] Argentina hosted Australia twice and South Africa once; Australia hosted South Africa twice and New Zealand once; New Zealand hosted Argentina twice and Australia once; and South Africa hosted New Zealand twice and Argentina once.
Table[edit]
Place | Nation | Games | Points | Try bonus | Losing bonus | Table points | |||||
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Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | |||||
1 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 195 | 128 | +67 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
2 | South Africa | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 164 | 119 | +45 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
3 | Australia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 142 | 194 | –52 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
4 | Argentina | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 143 | 203 | –60 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
Fixtures[edit]
Round 1[edit]
6 August 2022 17:05 SAST (UTC+2) |
South Africa | 26–10 | New Zealand |
Try: Arendse 9' c le Roux 80' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 10', 80' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 22', 50', 73' Drop: Pollard (1/1) 58' | Report | Try: Frizell 78' c Con: Mo'unga (1/1) 79' Pen: J. Barrett (1/1) 35' |
Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela Attendance: 42,367 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) |
Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Malcolm Marx (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
- South Africa win back-to-back matches over New Zealand for the first time since 2009.
- This was South Africa's first home victory over New Zealand since 4 October 2014.
- With this loss, New Zealand lose more than two consecutive games for the first time since 1998.
- As a result of this loss, New Zealand drop to fifth in the World Rugby Rankings, their lowest ranking ever.
- New Zealand lose their opening match of the Rugby Championship/Tri Nations for the first time since 2005.
- It was South Africa's biggest win over New Zealand since 30 June 1928, when South Africa won 17–0 in Kingsmead, Durban.
6 August 2022 16:05 AST (UTC–3) |
Argentina | 26–41 | Australia (1 BP) |
Try: Matera 5' c González 54' c Con: Boffelli (2/2) 6', 57' Pen: Boffelli (4/5) 11', 15', 21', 41' | Report | Try: Petaia 17' c McReight 47' c Penalty try 61' Fainga'a 69' c Ikitau 80+5' c Con: Cooper (1/1) 18' Hodge (3/3) 48', 71', 80+6' Pen: Cooper (1/1) 9' Hodge (1/1) 65' |
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza Attendance: 33,000 Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Michael Hooper (Australia) had been named to start and captain, but withdrew from the team the day before the game and returned to Australia due to personal reasons. Fraser McReight replaced him in the starting XV with James Slipper becoming captain.
- Tomás Albornoz (Argentina) and Matt Gibbon and Jed Holloway (both Australia) made their international debuts.
- Australia retain the Puma Trophy.
Round 2[edit]
13 August 2022 17:05 SAST (UTC+2) |
South Africa | 23–35 | New Zealand |
Try: Am 36' c Mapimpi 58' c Con: Pollard (2/2) 59', 37' Pen: Pollard (3/3) 40+1', 45', 67' | Report | Try: Cane 27' m Taukei'aho 32' c Havili 73' c S. Barrett 78' c Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 34', 74', 80' Pen: Mo'unga (3/3) 24', 48', 57' |
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 61,519 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa) had been named to start but withdrew days before the game and was replaced by Joseph Dweba.
- Frans Malherbe (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
- Fletcher Newell (New Zealand) made his international debut.
- New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup.
13 August 2022 16:05 AST (UTC–3) |
(1 BP) Argentina | 48–17 | Australia |
Try: Imhoff 1' c Gallo (2) 5' c, 63' c De la Fuente 23' c González 30' m Boffelli 77' m Albornoz 80+1' c Con: Boffelli (5/7) 2', 6', 25', 64', 80+2' Pen: Boffelli (1/1) 53' | Report | Try: Slipper 11' c Ikitau 66' c Con: O'Connor (2/2) 12', 66' Pen: O'Connor (1/1) 16' |
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan Attendance: 23,155 Referee: Karl Dickson (England) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Folau Fainga'a (Australia) had been named to start but withdraw a day before the test due to injury. Lachlan Lonergan replaced him in the starting XV, with Billy Pollard joining on the bench.
- Pone Fa'amausili and Billy Pollard (both Australia) made their international debuts.
- This was Argentina's biggest win over Australia, surpassing their 18–3 win in 1983.
Round 3[edit]
27 August 2022 15:00 ACST (UTC+9:30) |
Australia | 25–17 | South Africa |
Try: McReight (2) 2' c, 57' c Koroibete 47' m Con: Lolesio (2/3) 2', 58' Pen: Lolesio (2/2) 6', 63' | Report | Try: Smith (2) 75' c, 80' c Con: Jantjies (1/1) 75' Hendrikse (1/1) 80' Pen: Pollard (1/3) 23' |
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Attendance: 36,336 Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- This was the first rugby test match hosted at Adelaide Oval since 2004.
- With this win Australia retained the Mandela Challenge Plate.
27 August 2022 19:45 NZST (UTC+12) |
(1 BP) New Zealand | 18–25 | Argentina |
Try: Taukei'aho 11' m Clarke 32' c Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 33' Pen: Mo'unga (2/3) 28', 46' J. Barrett (0/1) | Report | Try: González 47' c Con: Boffelli (1/1) 48' Pen: Boffelli (6/6) 7', 17', 36', 40', 56', 65' |
Rugby League Park, Christchurch Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Marcos Kremer (Argentina) earned his 50th cap.
- This was Argentina's first away win against New Zealand, as well as the first time Argentina has won two games in a row in the Rugby Championship.
- Michael Cheika became the second coach to beat New Zealand with two teams (Australia and Argentina). Eddie Jones did so with Australia and England.
- This was the first time that New Zealand lost 3 consecutive home games, and 3 home games in a calendar year.
Round 4[edit]
3 September 2022 19:05 NZST (UTC+12) |
(1 BP) New Zealand | 53–3 | Argentina |
Try: De Groot 9' c Clarke 18' c Ioane 37' c J. Barrett 60' c Savea 66' m Retallick 73' c B. Barrett 80+3' c Con: Mo'unga (4/4) 10', 20', 38', 61' J. Barrett (2/3) 75', 80+4' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 2', 46' | Report | Pen: Boffelli (1/1) 32' |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 22,000 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) |
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Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- This was New Zealand's biggest win over Argentina since 28 June 1997, also in Hamilton, where they won 62–10.
3 September 2022 19:35 AEST (UTC+10) |
Australia | 8–24 | South Africa (1 BP) |
Try: Samu 78' m Pen: Lolesio (1/1) 31' | Report | Try: de Allende 8' c Moodie 38' m Mostert 42' m Mapimpi 70' c Con: Willemse (1/3) 10' Steyn (1/1) 71' |
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 38,292 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) |
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Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Taniela Tupou (Australia) was not used as a sub after suffering an injury in a warm-up during the game.
- This was the first test match at the newly opened Sydney Football Stadium.
- This was the first test match that South Africa had won in Australia since 2013.
- Canan Moodie (South Africa) made his international debut and scored a try.
Round 5[edit]
15 September 2022 19:45 AEST (UTC+10) |
(1 BP) Australia | 37–39 | New Zealand |
Try: Valetini 25' c Kellaway (2) 60' c, 66' c Samu 72' c Con: Foley (4/4) 26', 62', 67', 73' Pen: Foley (2/2) 17', 47' White (1/1) 77' | Report | Try: Taukei'aho (2) 3' c, 40' c Mo'unga 51' c Jordan 54' c J. Barrett 80' m Con: Mo'unga (4/5) 4', 42', 52', 55' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 11', 70' |
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 53,343 Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Marika Koroibete (Australia) earned his 50th test cap.
- New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.
17 September 2022 16:10 AST (UTC–3) |
Argentina | 20–36 | South Africa (1 BP) |
Try: Penalty try 65' Moroni 68' c Con: Boffelli (1/1) 68' Pen: Boffelli (2/3) 8', 23' | Report | Try: Penalty try 20' Hendrikse 27' c Marx (2) 32' m, 79' c de Allende 74' c Con: Willemse (1/2) 28' Steyn (2/2) 75', 80+1' Pen: Willemse (1/2) 11' |
Estadio Libertadores de América, Buenos Aires[a] Attendance: 34,000 Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- It was the first international rugby match at the Estadio Libertadores de América. The game was originally scheduled for the Estadio José Amalfitani, Argentina's usual Buenos Aires ground, but a failed pitch inspection forced a move to la Doble Visera, the home of soccer giants Club Atlético Independiente.
- Siya Kolisi (South Africa) earnt his 70th cap.
- Agustín Creevy (Argentina) earnt his 95th cap, becoming the most capped Argentina player.
Round 6[edit]
24 September 2022 19:05 NZST (UTC+12) |
(1 BP) New Zealand | 40–14 | Australia |
Try: Jordan 22' c Penalty try 26' Whitelock 42' c Taylor 53' m Taukei'aho 64' m Con: Mo'unga (2/4) 24', 42' Pen: Mo'unga (3/3) 20', 46', 76' | Report | Try: Fainga'a 58' c Petaia 80+2' c Con: Foley (1/1) 59' Hodge (1/1) 80+3' |
Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 47,000 Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland) |
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Player of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Notes:
- Fletcher Newell (New Zealand) had been named on the bench but withdrew ahead of the game and was replaced by Nepo Laulala.
- With this loss for Australia, the Wallabies drop to 9th in the World Rugby Rankings, their lowest ever ranking.
24 September 2022 17:05 SAST (UTC+2) |
South Africa | 38–21 | Argentina |
Try: Wiese 18' c Kolisi 28' c Penalty try (2) 54', 72' Arendse 80+1' c Con: Steyn (3/3) 19', 29', 80+2' Pen: Steyn (1/1) 37' | Report | Try: Bertranou 39' c González 46' c Moroni 67' c Con: Boffelli (3/3) 40', 47', 68' |
Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 45,982 Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia) |
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Assistant referees: |
Statistics[edit]
Points scorers[edit]
| Try scorers[edit]
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Squads[edit]
Summary[edit]
Nation | Match venues | Head coach | Captain | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | City | Capacity | |||
Argentina | Libertadores de América Stadium[a] | Buenos Aires | 42,069 | Michael Cheika | Julián Montoya |
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas | Mendoza | 42,000 | |||
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario | San Juan | 25,286 | |||
Australia | Adelaide Oval | Adelaide | 53,500 | Dave Rennie | Michael Hooper[b] James Slipper[b] |
Marvel Stadium | Melbourne | 53,343 | |||
Allianz Stadium | Sydney | 45,000 | |||
New Zealand | Eden Park | Auckland | 50,000 | Ian Foster | Sam Cane[c] Sam Whitelock (acting)[c] |
FMG Stadium Waikato | Hamilton | 25,800 | |||
Orangetheory Stadium | Christchurch | 18,000 | |||
South Africa | Emirates Airline Park | Johannesburg | 62,567 | Jacques Nienaber | Siya Kolisi |
Hollywoodbets Kings Park | Durban | 52,000 | |||
Mbombela Stadium | Mbombela | 40,929 |
Note: Ages, caps and clubs/franchises are of 6 August 2022 – the starting date of the tournament
Argentina[edit]
On 21 July, Argentina announced a 34-man squad for the Rugby Championship.
On 14 August, Eduardo Bello, Bautista Delguy, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino joined the squad ahead of their tour to New Zealand in rounds 3 & 4.
On 20 August, Mateo Carreras was a late addition to the travelling squad to New Zealand.
On 7 September, Michael Cheika named a revised squad for the final 2 matches against South Africa.
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
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Agustin Creevy | Hooker | 15 March 1985 (aged 37) | 88 | London Irish |
Julián Montoya (c) | Hooker | 29 October 1993 (aged 28) | 76 | Leicester Tigers |
Ignacio Ruiz | Hooker | 3 January 2001 (aged 21) | 1 | Jaguares XV |
Santiago Socino | Hooker | 7 May 1992 (aged 30) | 2 | Gloucester |
Eduardo Bello | Prop | 27 November 1995 (aged 26) | 2 | Saracens |
Thomas Gallo | Prop | 30 April 1999 (aged 23) | 5 | Benetton |
Francisco Gómez Kodela | Prop | 7 July 1985 (aged 37) | 22 | Lyon |
Santiago Medrano | Prop | 6 May 1996 (aged 26) | 32 | Western Force |
Joel Sclavi | Prop | 25 June 1994 (aged 28) | 3 | La Rochelle |
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | Prop | 11 June 1989 (aged 33) | 70 | Benetton |
Mayco Vivas | Prop | 2 June 1998 (aged 24) | 6 | Jaguares XV |
Matías Alemanno | Lock | 5 December 1991 (aged 30) | 64 | Gloucester |
Marcos Kremer | Lock | 30 July 1997 (aged 25) | 46 | Stade Français |
Tomás Lavanini | Lock | 22 January 1993 (aged 29) | 67 | Clermont |
Lucas Paulos | Lock | 9 January 1998 (aged 24) | 6 | Brive |
Guido Petti | Lock | 17 November 1994 (aged 27) | 68 | Bordeaux Begles |
Rodrigo Bruni | Back row | 3 September 1993 (aged 28) | 18 | Brive |
Juan Martín González | Back row | 14 November 2000 (aged 21) | 11 | London Irish |
Santiago Grondona | Back row | 25 July 1998 (aged 24) | 6 | Exeter Chiefs |
Facundo Isa | Back row | 21 September 1993 (aged 28) | 39 | Toulon |
Pablo Matera | Back row | 18 July 1993 (aged 29) | 81 | Crusaders |
Joaquín Oviedo | Back row | 17 July 2001 (aged 21) | 0 | Perpignan |
Lautaro Bazán | Scrum-half | 24 February 1996 (aged 26) | 1 | Rovigo Delta |
Gonzalo Bertranou | Scrum-half | 31 December 1993 (aged 28) | 39 | Dragons |
Tomás Cubelli | Scrum-half | 12 June 1989 (aged 33) | 81 | Biarritz |
Nicolás Sánchez | Fly-half | 26 October 1988 (aged 33) | 93 | Stade Français |
Benjamín Urdapilleta | Fly-half | 11 March 1986 (aged 36) | 16 | Castres |
Lucio Cinti | Centre | 23 February 2000 (aged 22) | 7 | London Irish |
Jerónimo de la Fuente | Centre | 24 February 1991 (aged 31) | 66 | Perpignan |
Lucas Mensa | Centre | 24 May 1996 (aged 26) | 2 | Stade Montois |
Matías Moroni | Centre | 29 March 1991 (aged 31) | 60 | Newcastle Falcons |
Matías Orlando | Centre | 14 November 1991 (aged 30) | 44 | Newcastle Falcons |
Emiliano Boffelli | Wing | 16 January 1995 (aged 27) | 43 | Edinburgh |
Mateo Carreras | Wing | 17 December 1999 (aged 22) | 3 | Newcastle Falcons |
Santiago Cordero | Wing | 6 December 1993 (aged 28) | 46 | Bordeaux |
Bautista Delguy | Wing | 22 April 1997 (aged 25) | 23 | Clermont |
Juan Imhoff | Wing | 11 March 1988 (aged 34) | 39 | Racing 92 |
Juan Cruz Mallia | Fullback | 11 September 1996 (aged 25) | 3 | Toulouse |
Santiago Carreras | Fullback | 30 March 1998 (aged 24) | 21 | Gloucester |
Australia[edit]
On 21 July, Dave Rennie confirmed a 36-player squad for the opening 2 rounds of the Rugby Championship.[10]
Scott Sio has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Tom Robertson was called into the squad as his replacement.
Dave Porecki was ruled out of the Argentine tour due to injury and Billy Pollard was called up to replace him on tour.
On 18 August, Bernard Foley and Langi Gleeson was added to the squad for Australia's round three and four matches against South Africa.
On 8 September, Kurtley Beale and Cadeyrn Neville were called up for the Bledisloe Cup series in rounds five and six.
Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
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Folau Fainga'a | Hooker | 5 May 1995 (aged 27) | 28 | Brumbies |
Lachlan Lonergan | Hooker | 11 October 1999 (aged 22) | 4 | Brumbies |
Billy Pollard | Hooker | 9 December 2001 (aged 20) | 0 | Brumbies |
Dave Porecki | Hooker | 23 October 1992 (aged 29) | 3 | Waratahs |
Allan Alaalatoa | Prop | 28 January 1994 (aged 28) | 55 | Brumbies |
Pone Fa'amausili | Prop | 26 February 1997 (aged 25) | 0 | Rebels |
Matt Gibbon | Prop | 3 June 1995 (aged 27) | 0 | Rebels |
Scott Sio | Prop | 16 October 1991 (aged 30) | 70 | Brumbies |
Tom Robertson | Prop | 28 August 1994 (aged 27) | 26 | Western Force |
James Slipper | Prop | 6 June 1989 (aged 33) | 117 | Brumbies |
Taniela Tupou | Prop | 10 May 1996 (aged 26) | 40 | Reds |
Rory Arnold | Lock | 1 July 1990 (aged 32) | 29 | Unattached |
Nick Frost | Lock | 10 October 1999 (aged 22) | 2 | Brumbies |
Jed Holloway | Lock | 2 November 1992 (aged 29) | 0 | Waratahs |
Cadeyrn Neville | Lock | 9 November 1988 (aged 33) | 2 | Brumbies |
Matt Philip | Lock | 7 March 1994 (aged 28) | 23 | Rebels |
Darcy Swain | Lock | 5 July 1997 (aged 25) | 11 | Brumbies |
Langi Gleeson | Back row | 21 July 2001 (aged 21) | 0 | Waratahs |
Michael Hooper | Back row | 29 October 1991 (aged 30) | 121 | Waratahs |
Rob Leota | Back row | 3 March 1997 (aged 25) | 9 |
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