Darry Worthington preview's this season's truncated Rugby Championship campaign. Will the All Blacks make it three titles in a row?
2023 Rugby Championship Bumper Preview
To Win Outright
New Zealand 4/6
South Africa 7/4
Australia 11/2
Argentina 24/1
Teams
New Zealand
2023 Finish: Champions
The Kiwis may have endured a tough old 2022 with historic home losses to Ireland and a hammering at the hands of France in November being the low points of the year. They did manage to claim the Rugby Championship, however, and they will have taken some solace from that.
So how are the New Zealanders shaping up headed into this one? Well, a number of their players looked good in Super Rugby Pacific as the Crusaders took the trophy beating the Waikato Chiefs. Some of their big guns dropped for , however, with Beauden Barrett struggling for consistency while Caleb Clarke looked a shadow of the players who burst onto the scene in 2021.
What will be a worry for New Zealand fans is that their squad looks pretty similar to the one that had a dire 2022. In fairness, there are some new faces with Samipeni Finau adding some competition to their loose trio stocks while Dallas Mcleod, Cam Roigard and Emoni Narawa will add some freshness to a backline on the wane.
These players are unlikely to be thrown in the deep end, however, and will likely spend more time on the bench than on the field. The same can be said of Damien McKenzie who has been a talisman for the Chiefs during their run to the Super Rugby final but is likely to find game time difficult to come by with Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga the frontrunners for the fly-half jersey.
Guzzler 😍
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 2, 2023
Who remembers this beauty from Retallick last time we played in Argentina! 🤟 pic.twitter.com/qNW7AahcS4
South Africa
2022 Finish: Runners-Up
The Boks are sticklers for tradition so it won’t come as a surprise that Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus confirming they will once again carry two split squads into a Rugby Championship that’s taking place in a World Cup year.
It looks like the Springbok A side will be sent to New Zealand to prepare for their Round 2 fixture against the Kiwis, while the B side will do battle in the tournament opener at Loftus against the Australians.
It’s a pretty smart call from the South African brain’s trust who will be keen to give a few of their fringe players and debutants a run to see if they can mix it up with the best in the business and add more depth to the South African World Cup squad.
Speaking of new caps and the only one in the Springbok squad is former Irish international, Jean Kleyn, has returned to the country of his berth and will add some depth to the Springbok locking stocks.
The Boks have been hard hit with injuries headed into the Championship with Siya Kolisi, Frans Steyn, Handre Pollard and Damien Willemse all on the treatment table. With Steyn, Pollard and Willemse out, Elton Jantjies has been recalled to the squad to help plug the gap at fly-half.
⏳ One week to go until the start of the 2023 #CastleRugbyChampionship.
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 1, 2023
How excited are you to see the #Springboks back in action? 🇿🇦#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/M1X0h9wbRN
Australia
2022 Finish: Third
The Eddie Jones era will get underway at Loftus on July the 8th and the veteran mentor and his staff have already gone into full mind games-mode with a number of their staff and players saying they’re expecting to give the Springbok forwards a hard time when it comes to the physical side of the game.
While the Wallabies weren’t exactly all-conquering during former coach Dave Rennie’s tenure, they did build a pretty deep squad that contains some very exciting talent. Jones has a very good base to build off on which will make the Australians a very dangerous prospect at this year’s Rugby Championship.
Speaking of exciting talent, and one man to watch out for is centre Len Ikitau, who was one one of the linchpins for the Brumbies run to the Super Rugby semi-finals.
The Wallabies also have some vastly talented overseas based players to call upon with Quade Cooper fit and healthy again and locks Rory Arnold and Will Skelton back in the mix.
Try time 🤩
— Wallabies (@wallabies) June 27, 2023
It's just over a month to go until we take on the @AllBlacks at the 'G! Get your tickets now 👉 https://t.co/Y8XoimqJ6t
To get you pumped, we're re-living this classic match from 2008 on our YouTube channel from 7pm tomorrow night (AEST)!#Wallabies @eToroAU pic.twitter.com/7k854zOVau
Argentina
2022 Finish: Last
The Argentines will be looking for a far improved showing than their 2022 campaign which saw them finish the Rugby Championship in last place. They did manage to bag a win in that campaign and it was a big one as they beat New Zealand in Argentina.
The South Americans have been assigned a very tough draw facing off with New Zealand in Argentina and then facing Australia and South Africa away from home.
Looking at the Argentine squad, it’s a vastly experienced one with Augustin Creevy, Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Imhoff and Marcos Kremer all part of the squad.
They are also set to give some very exciting young talent a go with Argentine 7s guns Luciano González and Rodrigo Isgró set to be given a shot at international XV’s level.
🇦🇷 ¡La emoción de un momento muy especial!
— Unión Argentina de Rugby (@unionargentina) June 29, 2023
🎥 ¡La intimidad de la presentación de las nuevas camisetas! #LaUniónDeTodos pic.twitter.com/JnDqRjrr31
Verdict: South Africa
I think the South Africans have been handed the kindest draw here and if their B side can get a win over the Australians, then they will be well-placed to win the tournament.
Fixtures
Saturday 8 July
South Africa v Australia – Loftus Versfeld
Argentina v New Zealand – Estadio Malvinas
Saturday 15 July
New Zealand v South Africa – Go Media Stadium
Australia v Argentina – CommBank Stadium
Saturday 29 July
New Zealand v Australia – Melbourne Cricket Ground
South Africa v Argentina – Ellis Park Stadium
Squads
New Zealand
Hookers
Codie Taylor (32, Crusaders / Canterbury, 76), Dane Coles (36, Hurricanes / Wellington, 84), Samisoni Taukei’aho (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)
Props
Ethan de Groot (24, Highlanders / Southland, 13), Fletcher Newell (23, Crusaders / Canterbury, 6), Nepo Laulala (31, Blues / Counties Manukau, 45), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (31, Blues / Northland, 50), Tamaiti Williams (22, Crusaders / Canterbury, *), Tyrel Lomax (27, Hurricanes / Tasman, 23)
Locks:
Brodie Retallick (32, Chiefs / Hawkes Bay, 100), Josh Lord (22, Chiefs / Taranaki, 2), Samuel Whitelock (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 143), Scott Barrett (29, Crusaders / Taranaki, 58), Tupou Vaa’i (23, Chiefs / Taranaki, 18)
Loose forwards
Ardie Savea (29, Hurricanes / Wellington, 70), Dalton Papali’i (25, Blues / Counties Manukau, 22),Luke Jacobson (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 12),Sam Cane (captain) (31, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 86),Samipeni Finau (24, Chiefs / Waikato, *),Shannon Frizell (29, Highlanders / Tasman, 25)
Scrumhalves
Aaron Smith (34, Highlanders / Manawatu, 114), Finlay Christie (27, Blues / Tasman, 14), Cam Roigard (22, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, *)
Fly-Halves
Beauden Barrett (32, Blues / Taranaki, 112),Damian McKenzie (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 40), Richie Mo’unga (29, Crusaders / Canterbury, 44)
Centres
Anton Lienert-Brown (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 60), Jordie Barrett (26, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 48), Rieko Ioane (26, Blues / Auckland, 59), Braydon Ennor (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 6), Dallas McLeod (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, *)
Outside backs
Caleb Clarke (24, Blues / Auckland, 15), Emoni Narawa (23, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, *), Leicester Fainga’anuku (23, Crusaders / Tasman, 2), Mark Telea (26, Blues / North Harbour, 2), Will Jordan (25, Crusaders / Tasman, 21)
South Africa
Props
Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).
Hookers
Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).
Locks
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster).
Loose Forwards
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).
Scrumhalves
Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).
Flyhalves
Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
Centres
Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside Backs
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
Australia
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa (29, ACT Brumbies, 64 Tests), Richie Arnold (32, Stade Toulousain, uncapped), Matt Faessler (24, Queensland Reds, uncapped)
, Nick Frost (23, ACT Brumbies, 9 Tests), Matt Gibbon (28, Melbourne Rebels, 5 Tests), Jed Holloway (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests), Michael Hooper (co-captain) (31, NSW Waratahs, 124 Tests), Tom Hooper (22, ACT Brumbies, uncapped), Rob Leota (26, Melbourne Rebels, 13 Tests), Fraser McReight (24, Queensland Reds, 10 Tests), Zane Nonggorr (22, Queensland Reds, uncapped), David Porecki (30, NSW Waratahs, 10 Tests), Pete Samu (31, ACT Brumbies, 32 Tests), Will Skelton (31, La Rochelle, 24 Tests), James Slipper (co-captain) (34, ACT Brumbies, 127 Tests, Taniela Tupou (27, Queensland Reds, 47 Tests), Jordan Uelese (26, Melbourne Rebels, 15 Tests) ,Rob Valetini (24, ACT Brumbies, 30 Tests)
Backs
Quade Cooper (35, Kintetsu Liners, 76 Tests), Lalakai Foketi (28, NSW Waratahs, 5 Tests), Carter Gordon (22, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped), Reece Hodge (28, Melbourne Rebels, 54 Tests), Len Ikitau (24, ACT Brumbies, 26 Tests), Marika Koroibete (30, Saitama Wild Knights, 51 Tests), Ryan Lonergan (25, ACT Brumbies, uncapped), Tate McDermott (24, Queensland Reds, 21 Tests), Mark Nawaqanitawase (22, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests), Izaia Perese (26, NSW Waratahs, 3 Tests), Suliasi Vunivalu (27, Queensland Reds, 1 Test), Nic White (33, ACT Brumbies, 59 Tests), Tom Wright (26, ACT Brumbies, 23 Tests)
Utility
Ben Donaldson (23, NSW Waratahs, 2 Tests), Josh Kemeny (24, Melbourne Rebels, uncapped), Dylan Pietsch (25, NSW Waratahs, uncapped)
Argentina
Props
Ignacio Calles (Pau, FR – 2 caps), Thomas Gallo (Benneton, IT – 13 caps), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Benetton, IT – 76 caps), Marco Vivas (Gloucester, UK – 17 caps), Eduardo Bello (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 10 caps), Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon, FR – 28 caps), Santiago Medrano (Western Force, AU – 32 caps)
Joel Sclavi (La Rochelle, FR – 9 caps), Lucio Sordoni (Glasgow Warriors, UK – 3 caps)
Hookers
Facundo Bosch (Bayonne, FR – 13 caps), Agustín Creevy (London Irish, UK – 97 caps), Julián Montoya (Leicester Tigers, UK – 85 caps) Santiago Socino (Gloucester, UK – 8 caps), Ignacio Ruiz (London Irish, UK – 4 caps)
Locks
Matías Alemanno (Gloucester, UK – 84 caps), Tomás Lavanini (Clermont, FR – 78 caps), Guido Petti (Bordeaux, FR – 73 caps), Lucas Paulos (Bayonne, FR – 10 caps)
Loose Trio
Juan Martín González (London Irish, UK – 20 caps), Santiago Grondona (Pau, FR – 10 caps), Facundo Isa (Toulon, FR – 44 caps), Marcos Kremer (Clermont, FR – 56 caps), Pedro Rubiolo (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 1 cap), Rodrigo Bruni (Bayonne, FR – 18 caps), Pablo Matera (Honda Heat, JP – 91 caps), Joaquín Oviedo (Perpignan, FR – 1 cap)
Scrumhalves
Lautaro Bazán Vélez (Rovigo, IT – 3 caps), Gonzalo Bertranou (Dragons, UK – 49 caps), Tomás Cubelli (Biarritz, FR – 88 caps), Gonzalo García (Zebre, IT – 3 caps)
Flyhalves
Tomás Albornoz (Benetton, IT – 3 caps), Santiago Carreras (Gloucester, UK – 31 caps), Nicolás Sánchez (Brive, FR – 95 caps)
Centres
Santiago Chocobares (Toulouse, FR – 11 caps), Jerónimo de la Fuente (Perpignan, FR – 74 caps), Matías Orlando (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 57 caps), Lucio Cinti (London Irish, UK – 12 caps), Luciano González (Los Pumas 7’s – uncapped), Matías Moroni (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 69 caps), Emiliano Boffelli (Edinburgh, UK – 50 caps), Sebastián Cancelliere (Glasgow Warriors, UK – 13 caps),
Outside Backs
Mateo Carreras (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 7 caps), Santiago Cordero (Connacht, IE – 49 caps), Bautista Delguy (Clermont, FR – 25 caps), Juan Imhoff (Racing 92, FR – 41 caps), Rodrigo Isgró (Los Pumas 7’s – uncapped), Martín Bogado (Highlanders, NZ – uncapped), Juan Cruz Mallía (Toulouse, FR – 24 caps)
