The Rugby Championship: Round 2 Predictions

Last weekend I overestimated Australia and underestimated Argentina, with two correct picks nowhere near the margins, and this weekend they play each other in Brisbane

The Pumas came close to beating the All Blacks for the first time ever, and they will be a serious threat to England and France at the Rugby World Cup, whilst the under-strength Springboks dispatched the Wallabies.

Here are my predictions for Round 2 of the Rugby Championship.

New Zealand v South Africa

Given that there are only 3 rounds in this year’s tournament, this fixture looks like the title decider already.

Since that 57-0 travesty, the last three matches between these teams have been won by just 1 or 2 points, and the Springboks won on their most recent visit to New Zealand.

This should be a fascinating game ahead of their pool stage meeting in Tokyo in their first matches of the World Cup, but with home advantage in Wellington, you have to pick the All Blacks to win.

New Zealand by 7

Australia v Argentina

Argentina won on their most recent visit to Australia, but they have lost 7 of the last 8 to the Wallabies, all by double-figure margins. After their defeat in South Africa last weekend, it’s hard to gauge where the Wallabies are, whilst the Pumas were impressive in their loss in Buenos Aires.

Christian Leali’ifano gets a run at fly-half for the Wallabies, whilst Marika Koroibete returns on the wing, and you feel like a defeat here would cause much alarm in the Australia camp. With the Jaguares’ strength up front, I’m picking them for the win.

Argentina by 4

Let me know how your picks compare in the comments!