Saturday morning sees the return of the Rugby Championship for another year as the four best southern hemisphere sides look to claim the coveted title.
Reigning champions New Zealand have been the dominant force for many years in world rugby and have won this competition on each of the last four occasions.
They start their campaign this time at home against Argentina, who joined the competition in 2012 and are yet to win the tournament.
South Africa are the likeliest challengers for New Zealand’s crown and start off their campaign with a trip to Brisbane to face an Australia side that finished bottom last time out.
- NEW ZEALAND -29 HANDICAP
- RIEKO IOANE TO SCORE A TRY ANYTIME
- SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN AND KURT-LEE ARENDSE TO SCORE A TRY ANYTIME
Bet On The Rugby Championship
All Blacks To Start Defence With Victory
With ten trophy successes from the last 12 Rugby Championships, New Zealand will be the side to beat in 2024 and they should continue to show their qualities in their opener with a comfortable victory over Argentina.
Los Pumas have largely struggled in head-to-head meetings with the All Blacks, winning just two of their 37 total meetings, and just one of these wins came on Kiwi turf - a 25-18 victory in 2022.
Five of New Zealand’s last six wins over Argentina have been accompanied by a winning margin of at least 30 points and they look a good bet in the handicap market to continue in the same vein on Saturday.
NEW ZEALAND -29 HANDICAP
Ioane Can Edge Closer To Try Record
The All Blacks are known for their creativity and fluidity in attack and a number of players will expect to score a try this weekend.
However, one man likely more eager than most to get over the line will be centre Rieko Ioane, who will start the Rugby Championship opener amongst the substitutes.
The 27-year-old has 36 international tries to his name and is just three away from levelling South African legend Bryan Habana’s all-time tournament record of 21.
Ioane is likely to enter the field at some stage in this encounter and he may waste little time in making his presence known in Wellington.
RIEKO IOANE TO SCORE A TRY ANYTIME
Arendse To Star For Super Springboks
The Springboks are hoping to emulate their 2023 World Cup heroics in this tournament and they should be capable of getting off to a winning start against an Australia side that have failed to impress in recent internationals.
The Wallabies failed to win by more than 11 points in their three summer victories over a weak Wales side (twice) and Georgia, while they have lost both of their last two tournament meetings with South Africa.
Kurt-Lee Arendse could be a man to add as an anytime tryscorer to a South Africa victory given his recent form. Arense scored a hat-trick in their last meeting with Australia and also crossed the line in each of his last two appearances.
SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN AND KURT-LEE ARENDSE TO SCORE A TRY ANYTIME
