The 2022 Rugby Championship draws to a close this weekend after the most competitive tournament since its inauguration in 2012.
The tournament saw the rise of Los Pumas, who secured a record victory against Australia and their first triumph against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
New Zealand struggled for form, with much of the Championship littered with speculation over coach Ian Foster’s future in charge of the team, while Australia and South Africa blew hot and cold throughout.
Before the final round, each team could mathematically win the title with the All Blacks and Springboks best placed to achieve glory.
Planet Rugby details the possible permutations for each team in their run for the Rugby Championship title.
All Blacks to claim the title
A bonus point win over Australia at Eden Park is a big step towards the title for New Zealand as the Springboks would need to beat Argentina with a bonus point and enough margin of victory to overtake the 13 point difference the All Blacks currently have as well as the extra point difference gained in the final round.
If the All Blacks win without a bonus point, it is still possible to claim the title provided the Springboks lose or do not win with a bonus point and their winning margin does not exceed this margin of difference of 13 points with adding points earned in Round Six.
Springboks to claim the title
Realistically, to have a serious chance of pushing for glory, the Springboks need to win with a bonus point against Argentina. The five points would put the South Africans above the All Blacks if they fail to win with a bonus point against the Wallabies at Eden Park. Alternatively, suppose the All Blacks win with a bonus point. In this case, the Springboks will have to win by a significant margin over Argentina to gain the points difference superiority over the New Zealanders, given the 13-point difference advantage the Kiwis have going into the final round. .
However, coach Jacques Nienaber’s men could still clinch the title with a regular win provided the All Blacks lose or don’t win by a bonus point and the Boks overtake the All Blacks in points difference. However, this scenario is unlikely because if the Springboks won by a large enough margin, they would likely get a bonus point in the process.
Wallabies to claim the title
The Wallabies are underdogs for the title and would need a bonus points win at Eden Park – a venue they haven’t won since 1986 – as well as a Springbok loss or draw. There is also a slim chance the Aussies can take it all home with a bonus point and if the Springboks lose with a bonus point. However, the Wallabies would need to register a significant win over their Trans-Tasman rivals in that event.
Los Pumas will claim the title
Argentina need a miracle to claim the title, but technically they are not mathematically out of the equation. However, Los Pumas will need Australia to secure a standard victory over the All Blacks and secure a massive victory over the Springboks themselves to overturn a 17-point deficit to the Wallabies ahead of the final round with the addition of an additional point difference earned in the event. of Australia winning at Eden Park.
The 2022 rugby league was memorable and epitomized the vision of the competition, with Argentina on the rise claiming scalps from their southern hemisphere rivals.
The mini-tower structure brought a different dynamic that was conducive to a more competitive tournament. It’s all to play for in the final round, with the champions to be crowned on Saturday.
READ MORE: Rugby League preview: Springboks to seal bonus points win over Los Pumas and claim title
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