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. The tournament returned to its normal window of August, kicking-off on 14 August and concluding on 2 October.
Background Travel disruptions 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.
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.TWO BLEDISLOE CUP TESTS FOR EDEN PARK AS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSOR ANNOUNCED
On 24 August, it was announced that all games in Rounds 3–6 would be hosted in Queensland, Australia.SANZAAR confirm schedule for Rugby Championship 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.
New laws trialed 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.Welfare-focused rugby law trials to be implemented globally 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.20-minute red card confirmed as part of law trials for Rugby Championship The championship was won by New Zealand after the 19-17 win against South Africa on 25 September.
Table
Fixtures Round 1
FB 15Damian McKenzie RW 14Will JordanOC 13Rieko IoaneIC 12David HaviliLW 11Sevu ReeceFH 10Richie Mo'unga SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Ardie Savea OF 7 Dalton PapaliiBF 6 Akira IoaneRL 5 Sam Whitelock (c)LL 4 Brodie Retallick TP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 George Bower Replacements:HK 16Samisoni Taukei'aho PR 17Karl Tu'inukuafe PR 18Angus Ta'avao LK 19Scott Barrett FL 20Luke Jacobson SH 21TJ Perenara FH 22Beauden Barrett FB 23Jordie Barrett Coach: Ian Foster FB 15Tom BanksRW 14Andrew KellawayOC 13Hunter Paisami IC 12Matt To'omuaLW 11Marika Koroibete FH 10Noah LolesioSH 9 Tate McDermott N8 8 Rob ValetiniOF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lachlan Swinton RL 5 Matt PhilipLL 4 Darcy Swain TP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Jordan Uelese PR 17Scott Sio PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Lukhan Salakaia-Loto N8 20Harry Wilson SH 21Nic White CE 22Len Ikitau CE 23Reece Hodge Coach: Dave Rennie Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Mike Fraser (New Zealand) Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand) Notes: New Zealand scored their most points against Australia in a Test match, surpassing their previous record of 54 set in 2017. New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.
FB 15Damian WillemseRW 14Sbu NkosiOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12François SteynLW 11Aphelele FassiFH 10Elton Jantjies SH 9 Cobus Reinach N8 8 Jasper Wiese BF 7 Kwagga SmithOF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Lood de Jager LL 4 Eben Etzebeth TP 3 Wilco Louw HK 2 Joseph Dweba LP 1 Ox Nché Replacements:HK 16Malcolm Marx PR 17Trevor Nyakane PR 18Vincent Koch LK 19Marvin Orie FL 20Marco van Staden FL 21Dan du Preez SH 22Jaden Hendrikse FH 23Morné Steyn Coach: Jacques Nienaber FB 15Santiago CarrerasRW 14Bautista DelguyOC 13Santiago ChocobaresIC 12Jerónimo de la Fuente LW 11Matías MoroniFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Felipe Ezcurra N8 8 Rodrigo BruniOF 7 Facundo Isa BF 6 Pablo MateraRL 5 Marcos Kremer LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Replacements:HK 16Facundo Bosch PR 17Carlos Muzzio PR 18Santiago Medrano LK 19Tomas Lavanini LK 20Matias Alemanno SH 21Gonzalo Bertranou FH 22Domingo Miotti WG 23Sebastián Cancelliere Coach: Mario Ledesma Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) AJ Jacobs (South Africa) Television match official: Tom Foley (England) 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
FB 15Juan Cruz MallíaRW 14Ignacio MendyOC 13Santiago ChocobaresIC 12Jerónimo de la Fuente LW 11Santiago CarrerasFH 10Domingo Miotti SH 9 Gonzalo Bertranou N8 8 Rodrigo Bruni OF 7 Guido Petti BF 6 Pablo MateraRL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Matías AlemannoTP 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Replacements:HK 16Facundo Bosch PR 17Facundo Gigena PR 18Santiago Medrano LK 19Marcos Kremer FL 20Juan Martín González SH 21Felipe Ezcurra FH 22Nicolás Sánchez CE 23Lucio Cinti Coach: Mario Ledesma FB 15Willie le Roux RW 14Cheslin KolbeOC 13Lukhanyo AmIC 12Damian de AllendeLW 11Makazole MapimpiFH 10Handré PollardSH 9 Cobus Reinach N8 8 Jasper Wiese BF 7 Franco MostertOF 6 Siya Kolisi (c)RL 5 Lood de Jager LL 4 Marvin Orie TP 3 Thomas du Toit HK 2 Malcolm Marx LP 1 Trevor Nyakane Replacements:HK 16Bongi Mbonambi PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Frans Malherbe LK 19Nico Janse van Rensburg FL 20Kwagga Smith FL 21Dan du Preez SH 22Jaden Hendrikse FH 23Damian Willemse Coach: Jacques Nienaber Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) AJ Jacobs (South Africa) Television match official: Tom Foley (England) 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.
FB 15Tom BanksRW 14Andrew KellawayOC 13Len Ikitau IC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Noah Lolesio SH 9 Tate McDermott N8 8 Rob ValetiniOF 7 Michael Hooper (c) BF 6 Lachlan Swinton RL 5 Matt Philip LL 4 Darcy SwainTP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Folau Fainga'a LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Lachlan Lonergan PR 17Angus Bell PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Izack Rodda FL 20Pete Samu SH 21Nic White CE 22Reece Hodge CE 23Jordan Petaia Coach: Dave Rennie FB 15Jordie Barrett RW 14Will Jordan OC 13Anton Lienert-BrownIC 12David HaviliLW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Beauden BarrettSH 9 Brad Weber N8 8 Ardie Savea (c) OF 7 Dalton Papalii BF 6 Akira IoaneRL 5 Scott BarrettLL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 George Bower Replacements:HK 16Samisoni Taukei'aho PR 17Karl Tu'inukuafe PR 18Angus Ta'avao LK 19Tupou Vaa'i FL 20Ethan Blackadder SH 21TJ Perenara FB 22Damian McKenzie WG 23George Bridge Coach: Ian Foster Assistant referees: Jordan Way (Australia) Graham Cooper (Australia) Television match official: Brett Cronan (Australia) Notes: 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 Series at Subiaco Oval.
Round 3
FB 15Jordie BarrettRW 14Sevu ReeceOC 13Rieko IoaneIC 12David Havili LW 11George BridgeFH 10Beauden Barrett SH 9 TJ Perenara N8 8 Luke JacobsonOF 7 Dalton PapaliiBF 6 Akira Ioane RL 5 Scott Barrett LL 4 Brodie Retallick (c)TP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Asafo Aumua LP 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe Replacements:HK 16Samisoni Taukei'aho PR 17Joe Moody PR 18Tyrel Lomax LK 19Tupou Vaa'i FL 20Ethan Blackadder SH 21Brad Weber FB 22Damian McKenzie CE 23Quinn Tupaea Coach: Ian Foster FB 15Juan Cruz MallíaRW 14Bautista DelguyOC 13Matías Moroni IC 12Jerónimo de la Fuente LW 11Santiago CorderoFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Gonzalo BertranouN8 8 Rodrigo Bruni OF 7 Marcos KremerBF 6 Pablo Matera RL 5 Matías AlemannoLL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 Santiago Medrano HK 2 Julián Montoya (c) LP 1 Facundo Gigena Replacements:HK 16Facundo Bosch PR 17Carlos Muzzio PR 18Enrique Pieretto LK 19Tomás Lavanini FL 20Juan Martín González SH 21Gonzalo García CE 22Santiago Chocobares FB 23Emiliano Boffelli Coach: Mario Ledesma Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Graham Cooper (Australia) Television match official: Brett Cronan (Australia) 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 Test caps, surpassing Agustín Creevy's record of 89 Test caps. This was New Zealand's first win in Queensland since 2014 when they beat Australia 29–28 in the 2014 third Bledisloe Cup Test at Brisbane's Lang Park.
FB 15Willie le Roux RW 14Sbu NkosiOC 13Lukhanyo AmIC 12Damian de AllendeLW 11Makazole MapimpiFH 10Handré Pollard SH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 Duane Vermeulen BF 7 Franco MostertOF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Lood de Jager LL 4 Eben Etzebeth TP 3 Frans Malherbe HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Steven Kitshoff Replacements:HK 16Malcolm Marx PR 17Ox Nché PR 18Vincent Koch FL 19Marco van Staden FL 20Kwagga Smith N8 21Jasper Wiese SH 22Herschel Jantjies FH 23Damian Willemse Coach: Jacques Nienaber FB 15Tom Banks RW 14Andrew Kellaway OC 13Len IkitauIC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Tate McDermott N8 8 Rob Valetini OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lachlan Swinton RL 5 Matt Philip LL 4 Izack Rodda TP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Folau Fainga'a LP 1 Angus Bell Replacements:HK 16Feleti Kaitu'u PR 17James Slipper PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Rob Leota FL 20Pete Samu SH 21Nic White CE 22Reece Hodge CE 23Jordan Petaia Coach: Dave Rennie Player of the Match Samu Kerevi (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (Australia) Jordan Way (Australia) Television match official: Matthew Carley (England) 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
FB 15Tom Banks RW 14Andrew KellawayOC 13Len IkitauIC 12Samu KereviLW 11Marika Koroibete FH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Nic White N8 8 Rob ValetiniOF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Lachlan Swinton RL 5 Matt PhilipLL 4 Izack Rodda TP 3 Taniela Tupou HK 2 Folau Fainga'a LP 1 James Slipper Replacements:HK 16Feleti Kaitu'u PR 17Angus Bell PR 18Tom Robertson LK 19Darcy Swain FL 20Pete Samu SH 21Tate McDermott CE 22Reece Hodge CE 23Jordan Petaia Coach: Dave Rennie FB 15Willie le Roux RW 14Sbu NkosiOC 13Lukhanyo AmIC 12Damian de AllendeLW 11Makazole MapimpiFH 10Handré PollardSH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 Duane Vermeulen BF 7 Franco MostertOF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Marvin Orie LL 4 Eben EtzebethTP 3 Frans Malherbe HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Trevor Nyakane Replacements:HK 16Malcolm Marx PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Vincent Koch FL 19Marco van Staden FL 20Kwagga Smith N8 21Jasper Wiese SH 22Herschel Jantjies FH 23Damian Willemse Coach: Jacques Nienaber Player of the Match Samu Kerevi (Australia)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England)