Rugby Union

Australia are one win away from ending 17 years of Bledisloe Cup heartbreak, and they prepare to visit New Zealand on Saturday with a chance to win the trophy for the first time since 2002.

The Bledisloe Cup has been reduced to just two matches this year due to the forthcoming Rugby World Cup, but the Wallabies have to win the second match to reclaim the trophy, according to The Roar.

Saturday's contest will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, a venue with one of the fiercest reputations in all of rugby. The All Blacks have won over 85 percent of their matches against the Wallabies in the stadium and haven't lost a match at the venue since 1994.

Australia haven't won at Eden Park since 1986:

Since 2012 - Australia lost by 22, 31, 28, 27, 28 points in Auckland. Led in those games for a total of 14 minutes

— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) August 14, 2019

Kick-off for Saturday's clash will be at 7:35 p.m. local time/8:35 a.m. BST.

Australia dominated the first match between the two rivals this year, cruising to a 47-26 win in the Rugby Championship at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Here are the highlights from Saturday's match:

Australia's win helped South Africa claim the title for the first time since 2009. New Zealand had won six of the past seven editions of the Rugby Championship.

The world champions have been the dominant force in rugby for the better part of the past decade, but cracks have started to show ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup.

In the Championship, they only just beat Argentina and were held to a draw by South Africa on home soil. The heavy defeat against the Wallabies was the clearest sign yet that not all is well with the All Blacks.

New Zealand have become too reliant on the brilliance of Beauden Barrett and their raw pace and ability on the counter-attack. They are experts at forcing turnovers and capitalising on them, but disciplined teams with a sound plan of attack can stand their ground against them, as the Wallabies did in Perth.

While Australia will travel to Auckland with plenty of confidence, winning at Eden Park is still a daunting task. The high possession totals they managed at home won't be easy to replicate on the road, and the All Blacks will learn from the defeat in Perth, as they continue to tighten their tactical plans ahead of the World Cup.

Prediction: New Zealand tie the series with a win at Eden Park.

South Africa will control their own destiny when they face Argentina in their final match of the 2019 Rugby Championship on Saturday, as the Springboks will be crowned champions if they beat the Pumas with the bonus, regardless of the result in the match between New Zealand and Australia.

The All Blacks sit one point behind the Springboks in the standings and will face old rivals Australia in Perth earlier on Saturday.

The final week of the #RugbyChampionship is approaching with the Wallabies welcoming the All Blacks to town while the Springboks travel to Argentina on Saturday night. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all still have the chance to lift the trophy, who will it be? pic.twitter.com/xcEuuODpU1

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 5, 2019

If the Springboks pull through in Salta, Argentina, it will be their first title in a decade:

Here's the South African side that will go up against Argentina this Saturday. SA can clinch the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for the first time since 2009 - they just need to beat the Pumas with a bonus point. #ARGvRSA pic.twitter.com/aAVYMOxgnx

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) August 7, 2019

British fans can tune in via Sky Sports Action. The match will start at 8:40 p.m. BST.

South Africa will shake up their front row for this contest, as props Tendai Mtawarira and Trevor Nyakane and hooker Bongi Mbonambi are in line for a start ahead of Steven Kitshoff‚ Frans Malherbe and Malcolm Marx.

The Springboks have little reason to make any other changes to the side, which is coming off an impressive 16-16 draw against New Zealand in Wellington.

Coupled with their 35-17 win over the Wallabies in their opener, that puts them in a great position to end the All Blacks' reign over the tournament.

Since 2012, New Zealand have won every edition of the competition, with the exception of 2015, when the Wallabies hoisted the trophy. That was also a World Cup year, however, and the All Blacks went on to win in England.

With this year's World Cup less than two months away, Saturday's clash is about more than just the Rugby Championship. Both teams will try to build momentum heading into the World Cup, and they will believe they're in a great position to do so.

Argentina are winless so far in the tournament, but they lost their two matches by a combined 10 points. New Zealand, in particular, had to dig deep in Buenos Aires, holding on for a 20-16 win.

A win in Salta and a Rugby Championship triumph would be the perfect World Cup preparation for South Africa.

The two teams have met three times in Salta, and the Springboks hold a 2-1 advantage.

Australia and New Zealand meet in the first test of the 2019 Bledisloe Cup in Perth on Saturday. Neither the Wallabies nor the All Blacks can afford to rest players, even with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon in September.

New Zealand have been inconsistent as an attacking force during recent matches against Argentina and South Africa. Something has to give, though, because Australia proved vulnerable defensively against the same opposition.

                    

Date: Saturday, August 10

Time: 5:45 p.m. AWST, 10:45 a.m. BST, 5:45 a.m. ET

TV Info: Sky Sports Action

Live Stream: Sky Go

                

Wallabies to Score Fewer than 20 Points Again

The Wallabies have looked anything but dominant during The Rugby Championship. South Africa brushed them aside 35-17 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg in July.

Australia were too predictable in attack, according to the Guardian's Bret Harris, who bemoaned the "one simple tactic: give the ball to inside-centre Samu Kerevi."

Harris also feels the Wallabies lack a natural creative force, an absence wasting the industry of fullback Tom Banks and winger Dane Haylett-Petty.

The Wallabies need to find fresh inspiration going forward. Another former captain, Andrew Slack, believes the solution is to play Christian Lealiifano as a No. 10, per Melissa Woods of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Slack thinks Lealiifano is in superior form than Bernard Foley after he starred recently during an otherwise unconvincing 16-10 win over Argentina at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Even so, there are too many question marks about what the Wallabies have to offer to believe they can turn on the style against the All Blacks. It all adds up to Australia being held to under 20 points for the third match in a row.

                   

All Blacks Will Click in Attack

Australia aren't alone in struggling going forward; the All Blacks have also come in for criticism for what they have been producing in attacking areas.

New Zealand warmed up for this match by edging past Argentina 20-16 and being held 16-16 by South Africa in Wellington. Former captain Justin Marshall wasn't impressed by what he saw.

He lamented Beauden Barrett's deployment at fullback and Richie Mo'unga's selection at No. 10. Marshall said, "I wouldn't say it was unsuccessful, but I wouldn't say it was a raging success" on an edition of the Fox Rugby Podcast (h/t Christy Doran of Fox Sports).

Whoever gets the nod needs to give the gifted and enterprising Barrett better support.

The last time New Zealand faced Australia in the Rugby Championship, Beauden Barrett produced an absolute masterclass 🙌🔥

4⃣ Tries 🏉
5⃣ Conversions
2⃣ Clean Breaks 💨
7⃣ Defenders Beaten 🔥
🔟 Kicks from hand 👟
8⃣3⃣ Kick success 📊
1⃣4⃣5⃣ Running Metres 🏃‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/KwBJxH5osk

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 7, 2019

Mo'unga may have failed to impress recently, but he's still a capable ball player who can combine with Barrett enough to put the All Blacks in control early.

                  

Prediction: Wallabies 10-24 All Blacks

Australia and New Zealand will battle in the final round of the 2019 Rugby Championship on Saturday, with the All Blacks chasing a fourth title in a row.

South Africa lead the way on seven points after the first two rounds, and the holders sit one point behind. A draw would be enough for New Zealand if South Africa lose to Argentina.

However, Australia could leapfrog both sides and win the championship if they beat the All Blacks and South Africa lose to Argentina.

The tournament bonus-point system dictates South Africa can miss out on the title even if they win their final game, but only if New Zealand record a huge victory in Australia.

                                                                                                              

Date: Saturday, August 10

Time: 7:45 p.m. local, 10:45 a.m. BST, 5:45 a.m. ET

Stream: Sky Go (UK), ESPN+ (U.S.)

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

                                         

Preview

New Zealand's dominance of the Rugby Championship—they have been winners or joint-winners of every tournament since its inception in 2012—could soon be over, with the Springboks closely observing the champions' visit to their Antipodean neighbours.

South Africa play Argentina away from home 10 hours after the All Blacks and Wallabies clash at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Bonus points might come into play with the top two teams neck and neck heading into Round 3. With four points for a win and two for a draw, teams claim a bonus point for winning by three tries or more than their opponents. A bonus point can also be earned by losing within seven points, creating a number of scenarios for the final standings.

The match will be the first of two games between New Zealand and Australia for the 2019 Bledisloe Cup, with the return set for a week later at Eden Park. The second game will not be a Rugby Championship encounter this season after the format was shortened because of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

According to Reuters (via the Guardian), New Zealand will rest Sonny Bill Williams on Saturday before the centre returns to the squad in Auckland for the second Bledisloe tie. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen explained how important it is to defeat their bitter rivals.

"The Bledisloe Cup is the second most important trophy for us, after the Rugby World Cup, and we’re really looking forward to the next two Tests coming up. Two weeks together will give us solid preparation towards growing our game understanding and getting our execution honed, so that’s exciting."

Whatever the outcome in Argentina, New Zealand will be motivated to defeat Australia in Perth. Their continental rivalry is one of the biggest in the sport, and with a World Cup just around the corner, bragging rights will be up for grabs over the next two weekends.

South Africa will slight be favourites to capture the tournament win, and the Southern Hemisphere title would be the perfect addition before they take the battle onto the world stage in Japan. The Springboks have their destiny in their own hands, and it would be a shock if Los Pumas opened the door for New Zealand or Australia with a win over the leaders.

Australia and New Zealand will meet in the final match of the 2018 Bledisloe Cup on Saturday, renewing their rivalry in Japan.

The Nissan Stadium in Yokohama will play host to this dead rubber as the All Blacks try to sweep the series and continue their dominance over the Wallabies.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7 a.m. BST (5 p.m. AEDT) on Saturday, October 27.

   

The Wallabies have had their moments in this year's Bledisloe Cup, but New Zealand's experience and advantage in talent have carried them to two relatively routine wins in Sydney and Auckland.

The first Test best highlighted the gap between the sides, when the All Blacks went into half-time trailing and ran riot after the break:

The two teams are in the midst of their preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and at this stage defending champions New Zealand already seem almost unstoppable. The All Blacks have lost just one official Test this year, a narrow two-point defeat in Wellington against South Africa. They avenged that loss in another close contest in Pretoria.

With the World Cup taking place in Japan this third Bledisloe Cup match gives the two sides the chance to experience playing conditions and the atmosphere in the country, and flanker Matt Todd gave his thoughts on playing there:

🎥 What's it like to link up with the All Blacks squad in a new country? Matt Todd let's you know from Tokyo.#TeamAllBlacks 🇳🇿🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/i7pSsYRSRg

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 22, 2018

Australia have beaten and lost to both South Africa and Argentina since the second Test against the All Blacks, locking up third place in the Rugby Championship. The Wallabies can play excellent rugby in stretches but consistency is an issue, and a talented New Zealand side will punish every mental lapse.

They lost the dead rubber last year and will be determined not to do so in 2018, but it's hard to see the All Blacks lose in Yokohama.

Prediction: Australia 19-34 New Zealand

Having secured their sixth Rugby Championship in the last seven years last weekend, New Zealand face a South African team that beat them at home when they last met on September 15.

Rieko Ioane scored two of New Zealand's five tries in their win 35-17 win over Argentina on Saturday to clinch the 2018 title, but the winger and his teammates will have redemption on their mind when they travel to Pretoria to face the Springboks on Sunday.

The 36-34 loss to South Africa was the best match of the Rugby Championship so far and is the only defeat the All Blacks have tasted in 2018.

Despite that result, the Kiwis are at the short-priced odds of $1.21 AUD to defeat the hosts, who are out at $4.45, according to AustralianGambling.

South Africa are coming off a 23-12 win over Australia in Port Elizabeth, a game in which their defence was immense, making 144 tackles to the Wallabies' 74.

That result leaves Australia in a precarious position at the foot of the table, and Michael Cheika's men are staring at the prospect of a first wooden spoon.

If they fail to beat Argentina on Sunday in Salta, they will create some unwanted history in becoming the first Australian side to finish in last place since the southern hemisphere's premier rugby competition started six years ago.

Cheika was named 2015 World Rugby Coach of the Year after guiding the Aussies to the World Cup final, but with just 15 wins from the 36 games since the 17-34 loss to the All Blacks in that game, the pressure is on the 51-year-old.

The Australian squad are training in Buenos Aires this week before flying to Salta for the match. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has traveled home with a hamstring injury along with winger Jack Maddocks, who suffered a finger injury in the loss to the Springboks.

Those two injuries plus the fact Argentina stunned Australia 23-19 on the Gold Coast in mid-September see the Wallabies enter this one as the $2 outsider, with the Pumas in at $1.81.

With the 2019 Rugby World Cup set to kick off in Japan in September next year, both of the weekend's fixtures are crucial.

Australia face the unenviable task of beating New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday if they are to have a chance of winning the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.

The Wallabies lost 38-13 to the All Blacks in Sydney on August 18. They will take on New Zealand at Eden Park in the second match of the three-game series on Saturday before a final clash on neutral territory in October, which will take place at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

               

Remaining Fixtures

New Zealand vs Australia: Saturday, August 25, 7:35 p.m. local (8:35 a.m. BST/3:35 a.m ET)

New Zealand vs. Australia: Saturday, October 27, 4 p.m. local (8 a.m. BST/3 a.m ET)

                              

Australia took a 6-0 lead early on against New Zealand in the series opener thanks to a pair of penalties, but Aaron Smith's try shortly before half-time reduced the Wallabies' lead to a single point at the break.

The Wallabies crumbled in the second half, allowing the All Blacks to crash home another five tries:

New Zealand were ruthless in taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them, as the Telegraph's Charlie Morgan noted:

5. Sam Whitelock nabs a lineout pic.twitter.com/naBMmLxaBA

— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) August 18, 2018

Australia defended well prior to their collapse, and coach Michael Cheika will be hoping to see them put in such a performance over the course of an entire match.

Per the Australian Associated Press (h/t MailOnline), he said: 

"All the good work you do can get undone in a very short space of time when you aren't concentrating on what you want to do, playing your role in the team for 80 minutes. 

"We need to be playing more of that 80 minutes, be clear on what we're doing and deliver on that to defeat New Zealand."

Cheika's side lost seven lineouts, but he believes his side should have remained competitive despite those struggles, saying: "You've got to get on with it. It's a lineout; if you don't win it, go get the ball some other way."

There's plenty of room for improvement on what ended as an embarrassing display from the Wallabies, per Rugby World's Paul Williams:

40 defenders beaten by the All Blacks against the Wallabies.

Even in Super Rugby that would be considerable.

At test level, tier 1, it's almost unheard of.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) August 18, 2018

The All Blacks haven't lost at Eden Park since 1994, though, and better Australia sides than this year's vintage have tried and failed to beat them in Auckland in the years since.

Australia may be able to produce a more respectable showing, but upsetting the odds to keep the series alive seems unlikely.

Prediction: All Blacks claim the Bledisloe Cup with a victory at Eden Park.

Argentina will look to avenge their defeat to South Africa when they host the Springboks in the 2018 Rugby Championship on Saturday.

South Africa won 34-21 at Kings Park in Durban last weekend, and Los Pumas will hope for a reverse at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza as they look to get their campaign back on track.

Here are the details of how to catch the action:

                   

Date: Saturday, August 25

Time: 4:10 p.m. local/8:10 p.m. BST/3:10 p.m. ET

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Live Stream:  Sky Go (UK)

                       

Argentina looked to be on the verge of a memorable away win as they held a 14-10 lead going into the break against South Africa, but the hosts battled back as Aphiwe Dyantyi and Makazole Mapimpi each scored a brace to earn a winning start:

It was one of their strongest attacking performances against Los Pumas for some time:

The Boks scored six tries - the most against Argentina since their nine in 2013. Well done to Am, Dyantyi, Mapimpi and De Klerk for their five-pointers. #Springbokgameday pic.twitter.com/o5H8V1V6T8

— Springboks (@Springboks) August 18, 2018

Head coach Rassie Erasmus felt there was plenty to work on, though.

Per Reuters (h/t ESPN), he said "technically and tactically we weren't on par" after his side made several mistakes in the match, including five missed lineouts, following the return of a number of players to the team after time on the sidelines.

He's also set to make some changes ahead of what he anticipates will be a difficult clash:

"We're expecting a massive physical onslaught next week, I know they are fuming and will want to get at us.

"We'll play around a little in terms of what we think they are going to throw at us and what we think is the best team to handle that.

"We tried a few things here with an eye the World Cup and you can do that at home but going there, I don't think we've got the luxury of experimenting too much."

The Springboks boast a one-sided head-to-head record, with Argentina having picked up just two victories in their 27 meetings.

Los Pumas' wins have come relatively recently, though, having beaten South Africa in 2015 and 2016.

The Springboks should be the favourites to come out on top here given their record, but they will need to tighten things up on their last showing if they are to do so.

Australia and New Zealand renew their rivalry when the two teams meet in the opening match of the 2018 Rugby Championship at Sydney's ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

The match also serves as the first of the 2018 Bledisloe Cup, a three-match series contested between the two nations. The two teams meet again at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on August 25, with the final match taking place at the Nissan Stadium and Yokohama, Japan, on October 27.

Australia have not lifted the trophy since 2002. However, there is reason for optimism, as they beat New Zealand in the third and final Test in 2017. The win ended a seven-match losing streak against the All Blacks.

       

Date: Saturday, August 18

Time: 11:05 a.m. (BST), 6:05 a.m. (ET), 8:05 p.m. (Local)

TV Info: Sky Sports Action (UK)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)

        

New Zealand have dominated the Bledisloe Cup for over a decade and will start as clear favourites once again. The All Blacks will also be out to defend their 2017 Rugby Championship. They claimed the title by winning all six of their Tests against Australia, South Africa and Argentina to clinch a perfect campaign.

The defending champions head into the match on a good run of form. They beat France 3-0 in their most recent series, and it looks like it will take something special for them to lose their crown.

The All Blacks have named their 23 for the match:

TEAM NAMING | Introducing your #AllBlacks 23 for the first #BledisoeCup and #RugbyChampionship Test of the year.

FULL STORY ➡️ https://t.co/8fIcpCKgxc#AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/60IHninFJ2

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 15, 2018

Head coach Steve Hansen has offered his thoughts on the game, per his team's official website.

"The Bledisloe means a lot to this team and we have the opportunity to show just how much on Saturday night," he said. "As far as we're concerned, neither team currently has possession of the Cup, and if we want it, we've got to front up and take it."

Australia finally tasted victory over their rivals in October in last year's competition. Although the 2017 Bledisloe Cup had already been decided, their 23-18 win at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium should provide confidence.

Another victory on Saturday would offer the Wallabies a real chance of finally getting their hands on the trophy. The decision to move the final game to Japan may also work in the Wallabies' favour.

Australia beat New Zealand 26-24 in 2010 in Hong Kong the last time a Bledisloe game was played on neutral territory.

Captain Michael Hooper has given Australia a boost by being cleared to play after recovering from a hamstring problem, per the New Zealand Herald.

Scrum-half Will Genia said winning the competition would be the "pinnacle" of his career and explained why the Bledisloe Cup has proved so elusive, per Reuters (h/t the Guardian).

He said: "I mean, the World Cup is obviously up there but how often do you get to play the best team in the world three times and have to win two out of three to win a trophy?"

There's a feeling that Australia are a team on the rise, and this match will prove a real indication of how they are shaping up. 

South Africa host Argentina in their opening game of the 2018 Rugby Championship on Saturday and will be hoping for a repeat of their 37-15 win over the same opponents in the first match of last year's competition.

The Jonsson Kings Park Stadium will be packed to the rafters, with the Springboks trying to win the tournament for the first time in its current format. South Africa last prevailed in the then-Tri Nations in 2009.

Argentinian rugby has grown over the past two decades, and the national team has consequently improved.

However, the Pumas have lost 29 of their 33 games in the Rugby Championship and will continue to struggle to make their mark against their elite opponents in this competition.

               

Date: Saturday, Aug. 18

Time: 11:05 a.m. (ET), 4:05 p.m. (BST), 5:05 p.m. (local time)

TV: Sky Sports Action (UK)

Stream: Sky Go (UK)

               

Preview

The Rugby Championship has been dominated by New Zealand, with the All Blacks winning five of the past six tournaments.

Australia claimed victory in 2015, but South Africa have not been winners since the competition was rebranded in 2012.

Argentina's entry has offered something different over the past six campaigns, but they will find it a difficult visit to Durban on Saturday and remain huge outsiders in the championship. The Pumas are 80-1 to win the competition, per OddsShark. The Springboks, meanwhile, are 7-1.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus will be especially confident ahead of Saturday's encounter as Eben Etzebeth returns to the fold after a 10-month absence.

Sky Sports reported the captain had been suffering from shoulder and back issues, but he is ready to  once again represent the Springboks.

Erasmus said the following about the player, per Sky Sports:

"His match fitness is a concern, and it is for that reason that we won't see him playing much more than 60 minutes this week.

"We just received the clearance from the specialist. He has been training full on with us ever since the end of the Stormers Super Rugby campaign, but we have been waiting on this (medical clearance).

"I would prefer to start a player who is in this situation than play him from the bench. If we start someone else and then there is an injury in the first minute, we might be in trouble."

Argentina's strong pack will seek to put the hosts under considerable pressure, and this challenge will dictate the ebb and flow of proceedings.

The home team remain the more naturally talented collective, but if the match turns into a war of attrition, a shock could be looming.

Argentina have been as high as third in the world rankings, but this team does not have the depth of previous vintages.

Erasmus will make sure his men tread carefully in this contest, and an early try will settle the nerves and point South Africa towards victory.

The Springboks need a win in Durban if they want to harbour any thoughts of Rugby Championship glory, and they must dispatch the visitors with little fuss.