New Zealand are narrowly holding on to their favourites tag for this year’s Rugby Championship, which kicks off this weekend.
The All Blacks have dominated the main Southern Hemisphere competition over the past decade, winning eight of the last ten editions.
It is that impressive record that has kept them as the lowest price team with the bookmakers, with William Hill offering 2.00 on another title.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 3, 3:00 P.M. (BST)
But they come into their opening fixture away to South Africa on Saturday on the back of a very rare home test series loss that saw them drop to their lowest ever world ranking of fourth.
They romped to a comprehensive 42-19 victory in their first test versus Ireland, but the visitors hit back, securing their first win on New Zealand soil and then shocking the world by winning the decider 32-22 to top the world rankings for the first time.
Pressure is mounting on coach Ian Foster to quickly restore some pride in New Zealand rugby. Since the Irish debacle, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have joined Foster’s coaching staff.
If New Zealand are going to improve their form, they will need the experienced half-back pairing of Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett to take control of matches as the team has a relatively inexperienced back line behind them.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Brodie Retallick are just two of a long list of All Black injury absentees.
South Africa start this year’s championship as the highest-ranked side, sitting just above New Zealand in third.
Jacques Nienaber’s men will lock horns with an old foe after warming-up with a close series win over Wales in which the Springboks needed a third-test victory to seal the deal.
Duane Vermeulen and Frans Steyn have returned from injury in bolstering a vastly experienced squad, which has 14 players with 50 or more caps.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 3, 3:00 P.M. (BST)
A tweak to this season’s schedule sees South Africa face New Zealand at home twice in the opening two rounds of fixtures. These two matches should have a huge impact on the outcome of the championship and South Africa’s home advantage could be vital.
No wonder they are as short as 2.50 with William Hill for the Championship and favourites to beat New Zealand on Saturday.
Australia come into their six fixtures after losing the summer series with England that has prompted coach Dave Rennie to bring in some fresh legs.
Four debutants in the squad include fullback Jock Campbell who is vying for his position with regular Reece Hodge. Noah Lolesio got the nod at fly half for the England matches, but will Rennie stick with him or revert to one of the veterans Quade Cooper or James O’Connor?
The Wallabies play twice in Argentina as they start their search for a first title since 2015. The Pumas, recent series winners over Scotland, will surely need at least one win against Australia to avoid another wooden spoon.
Argentina’s attack will, as usual, be spearheaded by Nicolas Sanchez who is currently the third-highest points scorer in Rugby Championship history.
