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.
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.
Australia stunned New Zealand in the opening game of the Bledisloe Cup with a 47-26 win in Perth following a red-card to Scott Barrett. Here are the highlights from the encounter.
Handre Pollard contributed with 31 points as South Africa went on to beat Argentina 13-46 in the final round in Salta to win the Rugby Championship tournament.
New Zealand have drafted in Scott Barrett and Dane Coles in the line-up for the final round of the Rugby Championship against Australia in Perth.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika has included James O'Connor in the starting line-up for the Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand to be played in Perth this weekend.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has shuffled his front-row for the final round of the Rugby Championship against Argentina to be played in Salta on Saturday.
Argentina have received a much-needed boost ahead of their final round of Rugby Championship clash against South Africa in Salta this weekend with Agustin Creevy returning to the line-up.
New Zealand are in danger of losing their number one spot in World Rugby Rankings for the first time in a decade if they suffer a defeat to Australia in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Perth this weekend.
New Zealand hooker Dane Coles said the All Blacks are focussed on winning the Bledisloe Cup that kicks-off in Perth this weekend.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen urged his side to put pressure on Australia's set-piece in the opening game of the Bledisloe Cup in Perth on 10th August.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said he was satisfied with the preparation of the team in the Auckland camp ahead of the final round of the Rugby Championship.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika has included David Pocock in the squad for the Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand in Perth.
With the Rugby Championship taking a break this weekend, Gareth Hughes looks back at Round Two of the competition and also reviews Japan v Fiji ahead of Saturday’s Pacific Nations Cup action.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has recalled Scott Barrett in the squad for the final round of the Rugby Championship clash against Australia to be played in Perth on 10th August.
South Africa have moved to the fourth position in the latest World Rugby Rankings following their 16-16 draw against New Zealand in the second round of the Rugby Championship in Wellington last weekend.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has added centre Andre Esterhuizen and lock Marvin Orie to the squad ahead of the final round of the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Salta.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen is hoping for lock Brodie Retallick to be fit in time for the World Cup after his latest injury setback.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said he was relieved to manage a draw against New Zealand in Wellington during the second round of the Rugby Championship.
Australia coach Michael Cheika provided an update on flanker David Pocock, who has been sidelined with a calf injury.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed that Sonny Bill Williams will miss the final round clash of the Rugby Championship against Australia in Perth.
New Zealand lock Brodie Rettalick has suffered an injury blow during the recently concluded Rugby Championship encounter against All Blacks in Wellington that ended in a 16-16 draw.
Christian Leali'ifano made a comeback with 11 points while Reece Hodge scored the solitary try for Australia as they defeated Argentina 16-10 in the second round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday. Here are the highlights from the encounter.
A late try from Herschel Jantjies proved vital as Springboks came from behind to draw the Rugby Championship encounter against New Zealand 16-16 in Wellington on Saturday. Here are the highlights from the encounter.
Australia bounced back from their defeat against South Africa with a 16-10 win over Argentina in the second round of the Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday.
Herschel Jantjies scored the decisive try in the closing stage while Handre Pollard kicked the conversion as South Africa managed a 16-16 draw against New Zealand in the second round of the Rugby Championship at Westpac Stadium.
Australia captain Michael Hooper said he is excited to see James O'Connor in action ahead of the Rugby Championship encounter against Argentina in Brisbane.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has made five changes for the upcoming Rugby Championship clash against Australia to be played in Brisbane this weekend.
James O'Connor is set to make his first appearance for Australia in six years after he was named on the bench by head coach Michael Cheika for the second-round clash in the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Brisbane.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has named Crusaders star Richie Mo’unga at fly-half for the second round of the Rugby Championship against South Africa to be played in Wellington on Saturday.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has named Duane Vermeulen as the captain for the second round of the Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand to be played in Wellington this weekend.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus lavished praise on scrum-half Herschel Jantjies following his impressive performance in the Rugby Championship opening game against Australia in Johannesburg.
New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams is in line to make a comeback from injury in the upcoming round of the Rugby Championship against South Africa this weekend.
After the first round of Rugby Championship action, Gareth Hughes takes a look at both games for Talking Rugby Union.
Argentina will miss the services of hooker Agustin Creevy for the upcoming round of the Rugby Championship against Australia in Brisbane following an injury.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has named 36 member squad for the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship against New Zealand and Argentina.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen admitted that the All Blacks were 'rusty' in the Rugby Championship opening game against Argentina in Buenos Aires last weekend.
New Zealand managed to hold off Argentina in the second half to complete a thrilling 16-20 win in Buenos Aires in their Rugby Championship opening round on Saturday. Here are the highlights from the encounter.
New Zealand scored all the points in the first half as they edged out Argentina 16-20 in their Rugby Championship opener in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
South Africa scored five tries including a double from debutant from Herschel Jantjies as they completed a 35-17 bonus point win over Australia at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday. Here are the highlights from the encounter.
South Africa made a dream start to the Rugby Championship 2019 tournament as they completed a 35-17 bonus point win over Australia at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika has included Melbourne Rebels number eight Isi Naisarani in the starting line-up for the Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has confirmed the matchday squad that will take on New Zealand in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has named five uncapped players in the matchday squad for the Rugby Championship opening game against Argentina to be played in Buenos Aires.
Australia have suffered injury blows ahead of the Rugby Championship opening game against South Africa in Johannesburg with Scott Sio and Christian Lealiifano ruled out of the encounter.
South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has named lock Eben Etzebeth as the captain for the opening game of the Rugby Championship against Australia to be played in Johannesburg.
The Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend and after an Argentine franchise shone in Super Rugby this season, could the Pumas make an impact in this year's tournament?
South Africa have been dealt another injury blow ahead of their Rugby Championship opening game against Australia in Johannesburg with Aphiwe Dyantyi sidelined.
New Zealand utility back Ben Smith insisted that the upcoming Rugby Championship will set the precedent for All Blacks' World Cup campaign to be played later this year in Japan.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has confirmed back-row Sam Cane to lead the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship opening game against Argentina to be played in Buenos Aires on 21st July.
Fly-half James O'Connor has been handed a Wallabies lifeline as he will train with the Australian squad ahead of their Rugby Championship opening game against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Blues centre Sonny Bill Williams has suffered another injury setback that puts him in doubt for the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Australia head coach Michael Cheika has recalled Brumbies fly-half Christian Lealiifano in the 34-man squad for the Rugby Championship opening game against South Africa in Johannesburg.
South Africa will miss the experience of skipper Siya Kolisi for the upcoming Rugby Championship opening game against Australia in Johannesburg on 21st July after the Stormers flanker failed to recover from a knee injury.
Fly-half James O'Connor is set to resume his Australia career after a six-year hiatus when head coach Michael Cheika announces the squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament.
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has named four new players in the 39-man squad for the opening two rounds of the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has added Bulls loose forward Marco van Staden to the training squad ahead of the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament.
Australia are set to miss the services of David Pocock for the Rugby Championship opening game against South Africa in Johannesburg after failing to make sufficient recovery from a calf injury.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has added 13 players to their preparation camp in Pretoria ahead of the Rugby Championship tournament.
The final round of the Rugby Championship saw the teams retain their respective positions in the World Rugby Rankings.
New Zealand flanker Sam Cane is set to miss the November internationals following a fractured neck that he sustained in the final round of the Rugby Championship clash against South Africa in Pretoria last weekend.