The southern hemisphere’s answer to the Six Nations – the Rugby Championship. Previously known as the Tri Nations, the competition is now competed by New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina. A gruelling tournament that sees teams travel for miles to compete in different climates and altitudes throughout September.
Using correspondents based in the southern hemisphere, TalkingRugbyUnion bring previews and reviews, together with leading-edge discussion on the issues facing the teams and the tournament.
South Africa have retained the number one ranking in the World Rugby Rankings at the end of the year despite not playing a single Test.
Australia lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been handed a four-week ban following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game against Argentina.
The final round of the Rugby Championship saw Australia and Argentina sharing the points equally for the second time in the competition allowing New Zealand to clinch the title.
Michael Hooper scored the decisive try in the 67th minute as Australia overcame a red-card to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to draw 16-16 against Argentina in the final round of the Rugby Championship at Bankwest Stadium.
Pablo Matera is set to be reinstated as the captain of Argentina after the Argentina Rugby Union revoked his suspension along with his team-mates Guido Petti and Santiago Socino.
Argentina have named Jeronimo de la Fuente as the new captain for the final round of the Rugby Championship clash against Australia.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to the starting line-up for the final round of the tri-nations Rugby Championship clash against Argentina.
Argentine Rugby Union has confirmed the suspension of three players including skipper Pablo Matera along with Guido Petti and Santiago Socino for posting racists comments in social media.
The fifth game of the Rugby Championship saw New Zealand blank out Argentina 38-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Will Jordan scored a double as New Zealand blanked Argentina 38-0 in the fifth round of the Rugby Championship at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has made 10 changes to the starting XV for the upcoming Rugby Championship game against New Zealand to be played in Newcastle on Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has made three changes to the starting line-up for the fifth round of the Rugby Championship game against Argentina.
Nicolas Sanchez kicked three penalties in the final quarter as Argentina came from behind to draw against Australia in the fourth game of the tri-nations of the Rugby Championship.
Nicolas Sanchez kicked three penalties in the final quarter as Argentina came from behind to secure a 15-15 draw against Argentina at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to the starting XV for the fourth round clash of the Rugby Championship against Argentina scheduled this Saturday.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has retained the starting line-up for the fourth round of the Rugby Championship clash against Australia to be played in Newcastle on Saturday.
New Zealand have dropped to the third position in the World Rugby Rankings following their recent defeat against Argentina in the third round of the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand have confirmed that three players Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Umaga-Jensen will head back to the country from the ongoing Rugby Championship campaign.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma said the win over New Zealand in the recently concluded round of the Rugby Championship will be 'remembered for a long time'.
Argentina recorded their first ever win over New Zealand as they defeated the All Blacks 25-15 in the third round of the tri-nations Rugby Championship.
Argentina registered their first-ever win over New Zealand as they defeated them 25-15 in their Rugby Championship encounter at Bankwest Stadium.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has confirmed the matchday squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina to be played in Parramatta on Saturday.
New Zealand prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi has been handed a three-week ban following his red-card incident in the second game of the Rugby Championship at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has called-up Suliasi Vunivalu in the squad for the remainder of the Rugby Championship tournament.
Australia flanker Lachlan Swinton has been handed a four-week suspension following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game against New Zealand in Brisbane.
New Zealand skipper Sam Cane said red cards are tough to avoid in high intensity matches following the 22-24 defeat to Australia in the second game of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane.
Australia made a comeback in the second Test of the Rugby Championship as they went on to edge out New Zealand 24-22 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Australia managed to bounce back from the defeat in the opening round of the Rugby Championship as they edged out New Zealand 24-22 in the second game at Suncorp Stadium.
New Zealand have been dealt a late injury blow with Patrick Tuipulotu ruled out of the second round clash in the Rugby Championship against Australia in Brisbane due to illness.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has made six changes to the starting line-up for the final Bledisloe Cup game against New Zealand to be played in Brisbane on Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has ring the changes for the second game of the Rugby Championship to be played in Brisbane on Saturday.
South Africa Rugby has confirmed that the Springboks will be committed to take part in the Rugby Championship until 2030.
The opening game of the tri-nations Rugby Championship tournament saw New Zealand dominate Australia with a 43-5 win at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 18th consecutive year as they defeated Australia 43-5 in the Rugby Championship opener at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand have included two uncapped players Du’Plessis Kirifi and prop George Bower in their 36-man squad for the Rugby Championship tournament that kick-off in Australia on 31st October.
SANZAAR has unveiled the fixtures for the revised Rugby Championship following the decision of South Africa Rugby to withdraw from the tournament.
South Africa Rugby has confirmed withdrawal from the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament that is set to kick-off on 31st October in Australia.
SANZAAR has given a deadline of 48 hours to South Africa Rugby Union to confirm the participation of the Springboks in the Rugby Championship tournament.
Springboks' participation in the Rugby Championship tournament is still yet to be confirmed with the South Africa Rugby Union set to make a decision next week.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has confirmed his matchday squad for the Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia to be played at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Sunday.
SANZAAR has confirmed that the Rugby Championship tournament's schedule has been modified as the competition will now commence on 31st October.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has named 45-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament that will be played in November and December in Australia.
New Zealand Rugby has said that they are looking for 'more domestically related competitions' next year following South Africa Rugby's decision to exit Super Rugby.
Toulouse second row Rory Arnold's participation in the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament for Australia is in doubt following his latest injury setback in the recently concluded Champions Cup game against Exeter Chiefs.
Former Australia coach Michael Cheika has been appointed as the coaching consultant for Argentina for the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament.
New Zealand Rugby has slammed SANZAAR for the newly released Rugby Championship schedule to be played in Australia.
SANZAAR have unveiled the fixtures for the Rugby Championship tournament which will kick-off on 7th November in Brisbane.
New Zealand will kick-start their preparations for the upcoming two home Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia with a training camp in Whakatane next week.
World Cup winning South Africa international Lood de Jager is set to miss the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament following a shoulder injury.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has urged the World Rugby to suspend the Rankings for the remainder of the year following the pandemic coronavirus.
Argentina's preparation for the upcoming Rugby Championship has been dented further with three more players tested positive for Covid-19.
Australia head coach Dave Rennie has named 16 uncapped players in the 44-man squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament.
Argentina's preparation for the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament has been dealt another major blow with head coach Mario Ledesma tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
New Zealand Rugby has confirmed that they will be hosting the first two Bledisloe Cup matches against the Wallabies following the SANZAAR's decision to opt for Australia as the venue for the Rugby Championship tournament.
Rugby Australia has announced a short-term change to the Giteau Law that will apply only during this year following the pandemic coronavirus.
The Argentine Rugby Union has confirmed that six players have been tested positive for Covid-19 during their training camp.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has named seven uncapped players in the 35-man squad for the Rugby Championship tournament.
Incoming South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has warned that the Springboks players should get sufficient match time if they are to feature in the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament at the end of the year.
World Rugby has recommended the schedule for the postponed Six Nations and Rugby Championship tournaments to be completed at the end of the year.
SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos is confident that the Rugby Championship will be happening this year despite the ongoing pandemic coronavirus crisis.
Rugby Australia said they are exploring the option of hosting a condensed Rugby Championship tournament later this year with the government.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika said his side was pleased with the 47-26 win over New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Perth last weekend.
Prop Taniela Tupou has committed his immediate future to Rugby Australia and Queensland Reds after signing a four-year deal.