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.[1] The tournament returned to its normal window of August, kicking-off on 14 August and concluding on 2 October.
Sponsorships
The competition was operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions, and known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Fortinet Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The eToro Rugby Championship in Australia, and The Zurich Rugby Championship in Argentina.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
On 24 August, it was announced that all games in Rounds 3–6 would be hosted in Queensland, Australia.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8]
The championship was won by New Zealand after the 19-17 win against South Africa on 25 September.[9][10]
Samu Kerevi (Australia) became the first Australian player to play for the Wallabies after an amendment of the Giteau's law that allowed three players with less than the limit of 60 test caps to be picked.
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.
Greg Holmes becomes the oldest player to represent the Wallabies at the age of 38 years and 113 days surpassing Tony Miller's record by one day.
Australia win four matches in the Rugby Championship for the first time, while also winning four consecutive test matches (in any competition) for the first time since 2017.
On 10 August, Samu Kerevi was added to the squad to be available for selection ahead of Australia's second round match (Bledisloe 3) against New Zealand in Perth.[16]
