Topic
The 2016 edition of the Rugby Championship – the southern hemisphere’s pre-eminent international competition – takes place 20 August to 8 October when it returns to a full six-round format following a shortened three-round contest in 2015 to accommodate the Rugby World Cup. The defending champions are Australia and the other teams involved are New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.
Wallabies boss stands by his post-match rant as Dean Mumm is cited for foul play
World champions New Zealand were challenged for 50 minutes but still ran in six tries to beat Australia 37-10 in Auckland on Saturday to become the first top-tier nation to win 18 consecutive test matches.
Australia have dropped fly-half Quade Cooper for Saturday’s test against New Zealand at Eden Park, where the All Blacks will be going for a record 18th successive test victory.
New Zealand have warned Australia they won’t let any provocation stand in the way of Saturday’s date with destiny when they hope to break the 47-year-old record for consecutive test wins.
Australia will be a “different beast” to the side that suffered back-to-back thrashings by the All Blacks in August when they line up for another clash at Eden Park on Saturday, according to flanker Jerome Kaino.
Forward David Pocock is optimistic of being fit after a month out with a broken hand as Australia look to halt the New Zealand’s bid for a world-record 18th consecutive test win on Saturday in the Bledisloe Cup meeting in at Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith has pulled out of the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia on Saturday after being found guilty of serious misconduct by a New Zealand Rugby employment panel.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said his side will need to be sharper when they return to face England in December after ending the Rugby Championship with a 33-21 win over Argentina at Twickenham.
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen refused to get carried away after a 57-15 demolition of arch-rivals South Africa created two records and moved the All Blacks within one victory of another.
New Zealand have made four changes for their final Rugby Championship test against South Africa on Saturday, while retaining TJ Perenara at the expense of disgraced halfback Aaron Smith.
The All Blacks suspended halfback Aaron Smith on Thursday over a toilet tryst with a woman at a busy airport, in the latest scandal to hit the beleaguered New Zealand Rugby union.
Loose forward Jerome Kaino, centre George Moala and winger Waisake Naholo are likely to start in a much-changed New Zealand side for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against South Africa in Durban, coach Steve Hansen has suggested.
Champions New Zealand scored three late first half tries to set-up a 36-17 Rugby Championship triumph over Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday.