The 2017 Rugby Championship was the sixth edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, featuring Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The competition is operated by SANZAAR, a joint venture of the four countries' national unions.
The tournament started on 19 August with Australia hosting reigning champions New Zealand and South Africa hosting Argentina. The tournament ran for eight weeks with two bye weeks, ending on 7 October when New Zealand visited South Africa and Australia played in Argentina.
Background The tournament is operated by SANZAAR and known for sponsorship reasons as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship in Australia and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina.
Format
The format for the 2017 tournament was similar to that of previous editions. Each side played the other once at home, and once away, giving a total of six matches each, and twelve in total. A win earned a team four league points, a draw two league points, and a loss by eight or more points zero league points. A bonus point was earned in one of two ways: by scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match, or by losing within seven points. The competition winner was the side with the most points at the end of the tournament.
Table
Place Nation Games Points TryBonus LosingBonus Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against 1 6 6 0 0 246 119 +127 4 0 28 2 6 2 2 2 195 179 +16 2 1 15 3 6 2 2 2 152 170 –18 1 1 14 4 6 0 0 6 110 235 –125 0 0 0
Results Round 1
FB 15Israel FolauRW 14Henry SpeightOC 13Samu Kerevi IC 12Kurtley BealeLW 11Curtis Rona FH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Sean McMahon OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Ned HaniganRL 5 Adam ColemanLL 4 Rory Arnold TP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Tatafu Polota-Nau PR 17Tom Robertson PR 18Sekope Kepu LK 19Rob Simmons N8 20Lopeti Timani SH 21Nick Phipps CE 22Reece Hodge CE 23Tevita Kuridrani Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Damian McKenzie RW 14Ben SmithOC 13Ryan Crotty IC 12Sonny Bill WilliamsLW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Beauden BarrettSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Sam CaneBF 6 Liam Squire RL 5 Sam Whitelock LL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Nathan Harris PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Ofa Tu'ungafasi LK 19Luke Romano FL 20Ardie Savea SH 21TJ Perenara FH 22Lima Sopoaga CE 23Anton Lienert-Brown Coach: Steve Hansen Man of the Match: Ryan Crotty (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Andrew Brace (Ireland) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes: Curtis Rona (Australia) made his international debut. The combined score of 88 was the highest combined score in The Rugby Championship and surpassed the previous high of 86 achieved by South Africa and Argentina in 2013. New Zealand's 54 points was the most they have ever scored against Australia in a test match.
FB 15Andries CoetzeeRW 14Raymond RhuleOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12Jan Serfontein LW 11Courtnall SkosanFH 10Elton Jantjies SH 9 Ross Cronjé N8 8 Uzair CassiemOF 7 Jaco Kriel BF 6 Siya KolisiRL 5 Franco Mostert LL 4 Eben Etzebeth (c)TP 3 Coenie Oosthuizen HK 2 Malcolm Marx LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Bongi Mbonambi PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Trevor Nyakane LK 19Pieter-Steph du Toit FL 20Jean-Luc du Preez SH 21Francois Hougaard FH 22Curwin Bosch CE 23Damian de Allende Coach: Allister Coetzee FB 15Joaquín TuculetRW 14Ramiro MoyanoOC 13Matías Orlando IC 12Jerónimo de la FuenteLW 11Emiliano BoffelliFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Leonardo Senatore OF 7 Tomás LezanaBF 6 Pablo MateraRL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 Enrique PierettoHK 2 Agustín Creevy (c) LP 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Replacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Lucas Noguera Paz PR 18Ramiro Herrera LK 19Marcos Kremer FL 20Javier Ortega Desio SH 21Tomás Cubelli CE 22Juan Martín Hernández CE 23Matías Moroni Coach: Daniel Hourcade Man of the Match: Coenie Oosthuizen (South Africa)
Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) Nic Berry (Australia) Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand) Notes: Curwin Bosch (South Africa) made his international debut. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa) earned his thirtieth consecutive Rugby Championship cap, breaking the record previously held by Bryan Habana (South Africa).
Round 2
FB 15Damian McKenzieRW 14Ben SmithOC 13Ryan Crotty IC 12Sonny Bill Williams LW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Beauden Barrett SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Liam Squire RL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Codie Taylor PR 17Kane Hames PR 18Ofa Tu'ungafasi LK 19Scott Barrett FL 20Ardie Savea SH 21TJ Perenara FH 22Lima Sopoaga CE 23Anton Lienert-Brown Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Israel FolauRW 14Dane Haylett-Petty OC 13Tevita KuridraniIC 12Kurtley BealeLW 11Henry SpeightFH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Sean McMahonOF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Ned Hanigan RL 5 Rory ArnoldLL 4 Rob Simmons TP 3 Allan Alaalatoa HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Tatafu Polota-Nau PR 17Tom Robertson PR 18Sekope Kepu LK 19Izack Rodda N8 20Lopeti Timani SH 21Nick PhippsCE 22Reece Hodge WG 23Curtis RonaCoach: Michael Cheika Man of the Match: Rieko Ioane (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) Andrew Brace (Ireland) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes: Dane Coles (New Zealand) earned his 50th test cap. Izack Rodda (Australia) made his international debut. New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup.
FB 15Joaquín TuculetRW 14Ramiro Moyano OC 13Matías OrlandoIC 12Jerónimo de la FuenteLW 11Emiliano BoffelliFH 10Juan Martín Hernández SH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón OF 7 Tomás Lezana BF 6 Pablo Matera RL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Matías AlemannoTP 3 Ramiro Herrera HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c) LP 1 Lucas Noguera PazReplacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Santiago García BottaPR 18Enrique Pieretto LK 19Marcos Kremer FL 20Javier Ortega Desio SH 21Martín Landajo FH 22Nicolás Sánchez CE 23Matías Moroni Coach: Daniel Hourcade FB 15Andries Coetzee RW 14Raymond RhuleOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12Jan Serfontein LW 11Courtnall SkosanFH 10Elton JantjiesSH 9 Francois Hougaard N8 8 Uzair Cassiem OF 7 Jaco KrielBF 6 Siya KolisiRL 5 Franco Mostert LL 4 Eben Etzebeth (c)TP 3 Coenie Oosthuizen HK 2 Malcolm Marx LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Bongi Mbonambi PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Trevor Nyakane LK 19Pieter-Steph du Toit FL 20Jean-Luc du Preez SH 21Rudy Paige FH 22Curwin BoschCE 23Damian de Allende Coach: Allister Coetzee Man of the Match: Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Nic Berry (Australia) Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand) Notes: South Africa earn their first Rugby Championship bonus point victory in Argentina.
Round 3
FB 15Damian McKenzieRW 14Israel Dagg OC 13Anton Lienert-BrownIC 12Sonny Bill Williams LW 11Nehe Milner-SkudderFH 10Beauden Barrett SH 9 TJ Perenara N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Ardie Savea BF 6 Vaea FifitaRL 5 Brodie RetallickLL 4 Luke Romano TP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Codie Taylor PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Ofa Tu'ungafasi LK 19Scott Barrett FL 20Sam Cane SH 21Tawera Kerr-Barlow FH 22Lima Sopoaga CE 23Ngani Laumape Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Joaquín TuculetRW 14Santiago Cordero OC 13Matías Moroni IC 12Jerónimo de la Fuente LW 11Emiliano BoffelliFH 10Nicolás SánchezSH 9 Tomás Cubelli N8 8 Benjamín Macome OF 7 Javier Ortega DesioBF 6 Pablo MateraRL 5 Matías Alemanno LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c) LP 1 Lucas Noguera Paz Replacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Santiago García Botta PR 18Enrique Pieretto LK 19Marcos Kremer FL 20Tomás Lezana SH 21Martín Landajo FH 22Santiago González Iglesias CE 23Matías Orlando Coach: Daniel Hourcade Man of the Match: Vaea Fifita (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Matthew Carley (England) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
FB 15Israel FolauRW 14Henry Speight OC 13Tevita Kuridrani IC 12Kurtley BealeLW 11Reece HodgeFH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Sean McMahon OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Ned HaniganRL 5 Adam ColemanLL 4 Rory Arnold TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Jordan Uelese PR 17Tom Robertson PR 18Allan Alaalatoa LK 19Rob Simmons FL 20Jack Dempsey SH 21Nick Phipps CE 22Samu Kerevi WG 23Curtis Rona Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Andries CoetzeeRW 14Raymond RhuleOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12Jan SerfonteinLW 11Courtnall SkosanFH 10Elton JantjiesSH 9 Ross Cronjé N8 8 Uzair Cassiem OF 7 Jaco KrielBF 6 Siya KolisiRL 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit LL 4 Eben Etzebeth (c)TP 3 Coenie Oosthuizen HK 2 Malcolm MarxLP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Bongi MbonambiPR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Trevor Nyakane LK 19Lood de Jager FL 20Jean-Luc du Preez SH 21Francois Hougaard FH 22Handré PollardCE 23Damian de AllendeCoach: Allister Coetzee Man of the Match: Kurtley Beale (Australia)
Touch judges: John Lacey (Ireland) Paul Williams (New Zealand) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: Jordan Uelese (Australia) made his international debut. Tevita Kuridrani (Australia) earned his 50th test cap. This was the first draw between Australia and South Africa since their 14–14 draw in 2001.
Round 4
FB 15Damian McKenzieRW 14Nehe Milner-Skudder OC 13Ryan CrottyIC 12Sonny Bill Williams LW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Beauden BarrettSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran Read (c)OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Liam Squire RL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Brodie RetallickTP 3 Nepo Laulala HK 2 Dane Coles LP 1 Kane Hames Replacements:HK 16Codie Taylor PR 17Wyatt Crockett PR 18Ofa Tu'ungafasi LK 19Scott Barrett FL 20Ardie Savea SH 21TJ Perenara FH 22Lima Sopoaga CE 23Anton Lienert-Brown Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Andries CoetzeeRW 14Raymond RhuleOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12Jan Serfontein LW 11Courtnall SkosanFH 10Elton Jantjies SH 9 Francois Hougaard N8 8 Uzair CassiemOF 7 Jean-Luc du Preez BF 6 Siya KolisiRL 5 Franco Mostert LL 4 Eben Etzebeth (c)TP 3 Ruan Dreyer HK 2 Malcolm Marx LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Bongi Mbonambi PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Trevor Nyakane LK 19Lood de Jager LK 20Pieter-Steph du Toit SH 21Rudy Paige FH 22Handré Pollard CE 23Damian de Allende Coach: Allister Coetzee Man of the Match: Nehe Milner-Skudder (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Angus Gardner (Australia) Matthew Carley (England) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Notes: This is South Africa's biggest defeat in test rugby, surpassing the previous 50 point-margin set in the 2002 game against England. This is South Africa's largest-ever losing margin against New Zealand, surpassing the previous 42 point-margin set in the previous game at Durban. New Zealand retain the Freedom Cup.
FB 15Israel FolauRW 14Henry Speight OC 13Tevita Kuridrani IC 12Kurtley BealeLW 11Reece HodgeFH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Sean McMahonOF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 Ned Hanigan RL 5 Adam ColemanLL 4 Rob Simmons TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Jordan Uelese PR 17Tom Robertson PR 18Allan Alaalatoa LK 19Izack Rodda FL 20Jack Dempsey SH 21Nick Phipps CE 22Samu Kerevi WG 23Marika Koroibete Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Emiliano BoffelliRW 14Matías MoroniOC 13Matías OrlandoIC 12Jerónimo de la Fuente LW 11Ramiro Moyano FH 10Nicolás SánchezSH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Tomás LezanaOF 7 Javier Ortega Desio BF 6 Pablo Matera RL 5 Matías AlemannoLL 4 Guido Petti TP 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c) LP 1 Lucas Noguera Paz Replacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Santiago García Botta PR 18Enrique Pieretto LK 19Marcos Kremer FL 20Juan Manuel Leguizamón SH 21Tomás Cubelli FH 22Santiago González Iglesias WG 23Manuel Montero Coach: Daniel Hourcade Man of the Match: Bernard Foley (Australia)
Touch judges: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Paul Williams (New Zealand)