The 2019 Rugby Championship was the eighth edition of the 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 countries' national unions.
The tournament schedule was similar to that of the 2015 edition, being shortened due to the World Cup.
New Zealand was the three-time back-to-back defending champions entering this years Championship. However, South Africa claimed their fourth title, their first since the inception of the Rugby Championship and their first Southern Hemisphere title since 2009. They became the third team to claim the expanded Southern Hemisphere championship, following New Zealand and Australia.
Background Format Because of the 2019 World Cup, the tournament schedule was reduced, as it was in 2015, to each team playing each other once. Australia and Argentina each played two home matches out of the three matches to be played in total. New Zealand and South Africa had one home fixture. As usual, a win earned a team four league points, a draw two league points, and a loss by eight or more points zero league points. A bonus point was earned in one of two ways: by scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match, or by losing within seven points. The competition winner was the side with the most points at the end of the tournament.
Other Cups Because the Bledisloe Cup is decided in two home-and-away legs, after the end of the shortened Rugby Championship, New Zealand and Australia played for the Bledisloe Cup decider at Eden Park, Auckland, with Australia leading the series 1–0. New Zealand retained the Cup for the 17th consecutive year with a comprehensive 36–0 win, concluding in a 1–1 series result.
Table
Results Round 1
FB 15Warrick GelantRW 14S'busiso NkosiOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12André Esterhuizen LW 11Makazole MapimpiFH 10Elton JantjiesSH 9 Herschel Jantjies N8 8 Francois LouwOF 7 Pieter-Steph du ToitBF 6 Rynhardt Elstadt RL 5 Lood de Jager LL 4 Eben Etzebeth (c)TP 3 Trevor Nyakane HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Schalk Brits PR 17Lizo Gqoboka PR 18Vincent Koch LK 19Marvin Orie FL 20Marcell Coetzee SH 21Cobus Reinach CE 22François Steyn WG 23Dillyn LeydsCoach: Rassie Erasmus FB 15Tom Banks RW 14Dane Haylett-PettyOC 13Tevita Kuridrani IC 12Samu KereviLW 11Reece HodgeFH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Nic White N8 8 Isi Naisarani OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lukhan Salakaia-LotoLL 5 Rory ArnoldRL 4 Izack Rodda TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Folau Fainga'a LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Jordan Uelese PR 17Harry Johnson-Holmes PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Rob Simmons FL 20Jack Dempsey SH 21Will Genia CE 22Matt To'omua FB 23Kurtley Beale Coach: Michael Cheika Man of the Match: Herschel Jantjies (South Africa)
Touch judges: Matthew Carley (England) Karl Dickson (England) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes: Rynhardt Elstadt, Lizo Gqoboka and Herschel Jantjies (all South Africa) and Harry Johnson-Holmes and Isi Naisarani (both Australia) made their international debuts. South Africa reclaim the Mandela Challenge Plate.
FB 15Emiliano Boffelli RW 14Matías MoroniOC 13Matías OrlandoIC 12Jerónimo de la FuenteLW 11Ramiro MoyanoFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Javier Ortega DesioOF 7 Marcos Kremer BF 6 Pablo Matera (c)RL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Agustín Creevy LP 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Replacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Mayco Vivas PR 18Santiago Medrano LK 19Matías Alemanno FL 20Tomás Lezana SH 21Felipe Ezcurra FH 22Joaquín Díaz Bonilla FB 23Joaquín Tuculet Coach: Mario Ledesma FB 15Ben SmithRW 14Sevu ReeceOC 13Anton Lienert-BrownIC 12Ngani LaumapeLW 11Jordie Barrett FH 10Beauden BarrettSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Ardie SaveaOF 7 Sam Cane (c)BF 6 Vaea Fifita RL 5 Patrick Tuipulotu LL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Angus Ta'avao HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi Replacements:HK 16Liam Coltman PR 17Atunaisa Moli PR 18Nepo Laulala LK 19Jackson Hemopo FL 20Luke Jacobson SH 21Brad Weber FH 22Josh IoaneWG 23Braydon Ennor Coach: Steve Hansen Man of the Match: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) Alexandre Ruiz (France) Television match official: Graham Hughes (England) Notes: Mayco Vivas (Argentina) and Braydon Ennor, Luke Jacobson, Atunaisa Moli and Sevu Reece (all New Zealand) made their international debuts.
Round 2
FB 15Beauden BarrettRW 14Ben SmithOC 13Jack GoodhueIC 12Sonny Bill Williams LW 11Rieko Ioane FH 10Richie Mo'ungaSH 9 TJ Perenara N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Matt ToddBF 6 Shannon Frizell RL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Brodie Retallick TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Dane Coles PR 17Ofa Tu'ungafasi PR 18Angus Ta'avao FL 19Vaea Fifita FL 20Dalton Papalii SH 21Aaron Smith CE 22Anton Lienert-Brown WG 23George Bridge Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Willie le RouxRW 14Cheslin KolbeOC 13Lukhanyo Am IC 12Damian de Allende LW 11Makazole MapimpiFH 10Handré PollardSH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 Duane Vermeulen (c)OF 7 Pieter-Steph du ToitBF 6 Kwagga Smith RL 5 Franco MostertLL 4 Eben Etzebeth TP 3 Frans Malherbe HK 2 Malcolm Marx LP 1 Steven Kitshoff Replacements:HK 16Bongi Mbonambi PR 17Tendai Mtawarira PR 18Trevor Nyakane LK 19RG Snyman FL 20Francois Louw SH 21Herschel Jantjies CE 22François Steyn CE 23Jesse Kriel Coach: Rassie Erasmus Man of the Match: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Touch judges: Angus Gardner (Australia) Shuhei Kubo (Japan) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes: New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup. This was the first draw between these two sides since 1994. New Zealand passed 16,000 points in international rugby during this game.
FB 15Kurtley BealeRW 14Reece HodgeOC 13Tevita Kuridrani IC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Christian Lealiifano SH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Isi Naisarani OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lukhan Salakaia-LotoRL 5 Rory Arnold LL 4 Izack Rodda TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Folau Fainga'a LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Tolu Latu PR 17James Slipper PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Rob Simmons LK 20Luke Jones SH 21Nic White CE 22Matt To'omua CE 23James O'Connor Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Joaquín TuculetRW 14Santiago CorderoOC 13Matías Moroni IC 12Jerónimo de la FuenteLW 11Ramiro MoyanoFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Facundo IsaOF 7 Tomás LezanaBF 6 Pablo Matera (c) RL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Julián Montoya LP 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Replacements:HK 16Santiago Socino PR 17Mayco Vivas PR 18Ramiro Herrera LK 19Matías Alemanno FL 20Juan Manuel Leguizamón SH 21Felipe Ezcurra FH 22Joaquín Díaz Bonilla CE 23Matías Orlando Coach: Mario Ledesma Man of the Match: Marika Koroibete (Australia)
Touch judges: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: Santiago Socino (Argentina) made his international debut. Australia retain the Puma Trophy.
Round 3
FB 15Kurtley BealeRW 14Reece HodgeOC 13James O'ConnorIC 12Samu Kerevi LW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Christian Lealiifano SH 9 Nic White N8 8 Isi NaisaraniOF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lukhan Salakaia-LotoRL 5 Rory Arnold LL 4 Izack Rodda TP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Tolu Latu LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Folau Fainga'a PR 17James Slipper PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Adam Coleman LK 20Luke Jones SH 21Will Genia CE 22Matt To'omua FB 23Tom Banks Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Beauden BarrettRW 14Ben Smith OC 13Jack Goodhue IC 12Anton Lienert-BrownLW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Richie Mo'ungaSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Ardie SaveaRL 5 Sam Whitelock LL 4 Scott Barrett TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Codie Taylor PR 17Atunaisa Moli PR 18Angus Ta'avao LK 19Patrick Tuipulotu FL 20Matt Todd SH 21TJ Perenara CE 22Ngani Laumape WG 23George Bridge Coach: Steve Hansen Man of the Match: Nic White (Australia)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Shuhei Kubo (Japan) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Notes: This was the first Bledisloe Cup match played in Western Australia. Australia's 47 points was their record score against New Zealand, surpassing the 35 points scored in 2000. The All Blacks' 21-point defeat equalled their record loss, set in 1999 against Australia. New Zealand finished third in the table for the first time since the 2004 Tri Nations, and the first time since The Rugby Championship's inception. Scott Barrett became the fourth New Zealand player to be sent off in an international match, and the first since Sonny Bill Williams against the British and Irish Lions in 2017. Barrett was also the first player to be dismissed in a Bledisloe Cup match since Drew Mitchell in 2010. The crowd of 61,241 was the largest to date to attend a sporting event at Perth Stadium.
FB 15Emiliano BoffelliRW 14Santiago Cordero OC 13Matías MoroniIC 12Jerónimo de la FuenteLW 11Ramiro MoyanoFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Facundo Isa OF 7 Javier Ortega DesioBF 6 Pablo Matera (c)RL 5 Marcos KremerLL 4 Matías Alemanno TP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Agustín Creevy LP 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Replacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Mayco Vivas PR 18Santiago Medrano LK 19Guido Petti FL 20Tomás Lezana SH 21Gonzalo Bertranou FH 22Benjamín Urdapilleta FB 23Joaquín Tuculet Coach: Mario Ledesma FB 15Willie le RouxRW 14Cheslin KolbeOC 13Lukhanyo Am IC 12Damian de Allende LW 11Makazole MapimpiFH 10Handré PollardSH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 Duane Vermeulen (c) OF 7 Pieter-Steph du ToitBF 6 Kwagga Smith RL 5 Franco MostertLL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Trevor Nyakane HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Malcolm Marx PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Frans Malherbe LK 19RG Snyman FL 20Francois Louw SH 21Herschel Jantjies CE 22François Steyn CE 23Jesse Kriel Coach: Rassie Erasmus Man of the Match: Handré Pollard (South Africa)
Touch judges: Matthew Carley (England) Karl Dickson (England) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes:
This was South Africa's biggest winning margin over Argentina in Argentina. Handré Pollard's tally of 31 points set a new record for a single player in a Rugby Championship match. It equalled Morné Steyn's Tri Nations record, set against New Zealand in 2009.
Statistics
Points scorers Player Team 1Handré Pollard422Beauden Barrett263Christian Lealiifano244Nicolás Sánchez195Reece Hodge15Herschel Jantjies7Bernard Foley128Elton Jantjies10Ngani Laumape10Emiliano Boffelli8
Try scorers Player Team 1Reece Hodge3Herschel Jantjies3Ngani Laumape2Handré Pollard520 players1
Participants Team Match venues Head coach Captain World Rugby Rankings Name City Capacity Start End José Amalfitani Stadium Buenos Aires 49,540 Mario Ledesma Pablo Matera 10th 11th Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena Salta 20,408 Lang Park Brisbane 52,500 Michael Cheika Michael Hooper 6th 6th Perth Stadium Perth 65,000 Wellington Regional Stadium Wellington 34,500 Steve Hansen Kieran Read 1st 1st Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg 62,567 Rassie Erasmus Siya Kolisi 5th 5th
Squads
Argentina On 46-man extended squad for the 2019 Rugby Championship and in preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Australia On 4 July, Michael Cheika named a 34-man squad for the 2019 Rugby Championship.Wallabies Squad for The Rugby Championship
James O'Connor officially joined the squad on 17 July after the completion of signing a contract with Rugby Australia and the Queensland Reds.
New Zealand On 2 July 2019, Hansen named a 39-man squad ahead of the 2019 Rugby Championship.
South Africa The following players were named in the South African squad for the 2019 Rugby Championship:
See also History of rugby union matches between Argentina and Australia History of rugby union matches between Argentina and New Zealand History of rugby union matches between Argentina and South Africa History of rugby union matches between Australia and South Africa