The Rugby Championship is an annual competition which takes place in the Southern Hemisphere. It is currently contested between four nations: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. The latter were not always involved and the tournament was previously known as the tri-Nations before the South American side were invited to participate. The competition is operated by SANZAAR and although TV coverage is available throughout Europe, it is far more popular in the Southern Hemisphere. It is seen as the pinnacle of International rugby for the majority of these nations. There is plenty of history between these sides and the games are always highly competitive.
The event takes place across a two month period which typically begins in August and ends in October. This can alter depending on each of the country’s commitments. There are twelve matches played in total before a winner can be crowned. Each side will host three home games and travel to three away games.
New Zealand are the most successful side in the tournament and have won it on six different occasions. They accumulated the most points once again in 2018 which helped them wrap up a sixth success in the competition.
2018-19 Prediction Report
When the odds were released at the end of June, many rugby fans were unsurprised to see New Zealand’s name at the top of the betting. The All-Blacks have enjoyed a lot of success in this competition and also came into the 2018 event as defending champions.
Steve Hanson’s men arrived with plenty of expectation and they were priced up accordingly. They had a number of key players in their side and were given an 87.50% implied probability of success and many punters were keen to back them, even at a short price.
Near neighbours Australia were second in the betting and they came into the annual tournament with a 14.29% chance of success according to the probability and although the bookmakers were keeping them on-side, they weren’t confident of their chances. The Wallabies have enjoyed a lot of success in the competition but they had been overshadowed by their rivals in recent years and after some patchy form, they were deemed second best.
Behind them, South Africa were given an implied probability of 10.53% and were expected to challenge and be competitive throughout. They have a hugely talented squad and the bookies were being relatively cautious when it came to the Springboks.
Finally, the newest side to enter the tournament, Argentina were predicted to pick up the wooden spoon in 2018 and were given an implied probability of just 1.23%. They didn’t have the quality to compete and were priced accordingly.
There were very few changes in the betting during the build up to the event with New Zealand remaining at the summit and their implied probability of 87.50% did not budge ahead of the tournament getting underway in August 2018.
2018 Rugby Championship
New Zealand justified their short odds and high probability when triumphing at the 2018 Rugby Championship. They won five of their six games at the tournament accumulating 225 points in total and picking up four additional bonus points.
They were dominant throughout and despite slipping up against South Africa in Round 4, they always looked like securing the title.
The Springboks finished second with three wins from six whilst Australia managed just two victories and had to settle for third position. Argentina predictably finished last and collected just eight points although they did win twice.
There were 88 tries scored across the 12 matches and some very entertaining games played throughout the event. New Zealand are likely to enter the 2019 tournament as favourites once again and they are going to take some stopping.
