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- New Zealand is a -200 favorite to win the 2023 Rugby Championship after thrashing Argentina in Round One
- South Africa (+180) dominated Australia (+1200) in the tournament’s opening roundΒ Β
- The All Blacks host the Springboks this weekend while Argentina (+8000) heads to SydneyΒ
New Zealand has failed to win the annual Rugby Championship only twice since 2012. However, both of those losses came in World Cup years, with Australia claiming the event in 2015 and South Africa taking home the title in 2019.
With the Rugby World Cup beginning in France at the start of September, it was fair to wonder if history would repeat itself a third time. But the All Blacks’ dominant effort against Argentina has alleviated all concerns. Before we examine the updated tournament odds ahead of Round Two, check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2023 and stay up to date with the latest betting tips on the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup.
2023 Rugby Championship
| Team |  |  |  |
| New Zealand | -200 | -200 | -200 |
| South Africa | +180 | +180 | +180 |
| Australia | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Argentina | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
All Blacks favored
New Zealand (-200) blew the doors off Argentina (+8000) in Mendoza, scoring three tries in the game’s first 12 minutes before taking a 31-0 lead into halftime. The resounding victory shows that the All Blacks are buying into their head’s coach’s “every Test matters” approach ahead of September’s World Cup in France.
Just how good is Ian Foster’s squad? Well, it still might be too early to tell. While Argentina picked up wins over Australia and the Kiwis in last year’s Rugby Championship, they’re traditionally the weakest team in the annual southern hemisphere competition.
Those Barrett brothers π€©#AllBlacks #ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/DOLzYkdC37
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2023
New Zealand vs South Africa
South Africa (+180) walloped the Wallabies in front of their home crowd in Pretoria, scoring seven tries in an easy 43-12 triumph. It sets up a mammoth Round Two matchup for the Springboks on Saturday at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland.
The game will essentially decide the winner of the 2023 Rugby Championship, which has a reduced three-week format. Unlike years without a World Cup, each nation will play each other only once.
Australia vs Argentina
In Saturday’s other contest, Australia (+1200) will look to rebound from their worst loss to the Springboks in 15 years. It was a nightmare return for Eddie Jones, who was on the Wallabies’ sideline for the first time since 2005. Now he hostsΒ Argentina (+8000)Β and his former Randwick teammate and coaching rival Michael Cheika.
The Pumas will be motivated after suffering a humiliating defeat of their own to New Zealand at home. But, regardless of who comes out on top, it’s almost impossible for either nation to win the 2023 Rugby Championship due to their blowout opening losses and the shortened tournament format.
Six-try #Springboks start 2023 with a bang πΏπ¦#StrongerTogether #RSAvAUS #TRC2023 pic.twitter.com/U69YTADCyT
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 8, 2023
Best Bet
Savvy strategy could have given South Africa (+180) the advantage in this weekend’s tilt with New Zealand. While the All Blacks flew their whole team to Argentina for the opener, the Springboks sent a dozen of their best players ahead to Auckland for the Round Two matchup.
Jacques Nienaber’s undermanned squad rewarded their coach’s decision, dismantling Australia in the opener. Now they’ll be rested and ready to go in New Zealand this Saturday. Take the Springboks to capture their first Rugby Championship in four years.
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