The 2021 Rugby Championship: Round 3 Prediction

The Rugby Championship is back, albeit with only one Test this weekend, but we’re grateful to everyone that made it possible for the tournament to continue.

Here are my Rugby Championship predictions for Round 3.

Australia v New Zealand

Never has one match been so affected by children - no fewer than five players are missing to be with their wives giving birth, 3 All Blacks and 2 Wallabies missing to usher in the next generation of Test players. Richie Mo’unga is one of those missing, a big loss as a key figure in the All Blacks side, but Beauden Barrett is an able deputy at fly-half and it’s unlikely to come down to a crucial penalty.

Folau Faingaa is an interesting selection by the Wallabies, and we might expect a rolling maul or two from the Australian forwards, whilst Samu Kerevi is a useful addition in the centres. On paper though, the New Zealand line up is so far ahead of Australia, and whilst the hosts are capable of an upset, the more likely outcome is the All Blacks winning by plenty. Prediction: New Zealand by 21