The 2013 Rugby Championship, known as The Castle Rugby Championship in South Africa, The Investec Rugby Championship in New Zealand, The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship in Australia and The Personal Rugby Championship in Argentina for sponsorship reasons, was the second edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere championship consisting of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. New Zealand as the 2012 holders, was trying to keep their 100% winning record in the championship after winning six from six in 2012.
The Championship began on 17 August with Australia hosting New Zealand at Stadium Australia and South Africa hosting Argentina at the FNB Stadium. The match between South Africa and Argentina was originally meant to be held at the Free State Stadium, but it was moved to the FNB to form a unique sports programme – Nelson Mandela Sports Day – in honour of Nelson Mandela.
The Championship concluded with South Africa hosting New Zealand at the Ellis Park Stadium and Argentina hosting Australia at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. Argentina were the only nation to reuse the same venues from 2012.[2]
The Championship was retained by New Zealand after a 38-27 win against South Africa at Ellis Park on 5 October, keeping their 100 percent winning record in the expanded championship.[3][4][5]
Warm-up matches
On 3 August and 9 August, Argentina played two uncapped matches against a New South Wales Waratahs Barbarians team in La Plata and in Salta in preparation for the tournament. The NSW Barbarians was composed of 21 Waratahs players (mostly players not involved in the Australian set-up for the championship) and 13 Shute Shield players.[23]
Squads
| Nation
|
Match venues
|
Head coach
|
Captain
|
| Name
|
City
|
Capacity
|
 Argentina
|
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
|
La Plata
|
53,000
|
Santiago Phelan
|
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
Felipe Contepomi[N 1]
|
| Estadio Gigante de Arroyito
|
Rosario
|
41,654
|
| Estadio Malvinas Argentinas
|
Mendoza
|
40,268
|
 Australia
|
Stadium Australia
|
Sydney
|
84,000
|
Ewen McKenzie
|
James Horwill
Will Genia[N 2]
Ben Mowen[N 3]
|
| Lang Park
|
Brisbane
|
52,500
|
| Subiaco Oval
|
Perth
|
43,500
|
 New Zealand
|
Eden Park
|
Auckland
|
50,000
|
Steve Hansen
|
Richie McCaw
Kieran Read[N 4]
|
| Wellington Regional Stadium
|
Wellington
|
36,000
|
| Waikato Stadium
|
Hamilton
|
25,800
|
 South Africa
|
FNB Stadium
|
Johannesburg
|
94,736
|
Heyneke Meyer
|
Jean de Villiers
|
| Ellis Park Stadium
|
Johannesburg
|
62,567
|
| Newlands Stadium
|
Cape Town
|
51,900
|
- ^ Captain Fernández Lobbe was ruled out of the opening two fixtures due to a calf injury, and with his absence, Contepomi was given captaincy for this fixture.[26]
- ^ Captain James Horwill was ruled out of rounds 3 and 4 with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Will Genia became captain for round 3.[27]
- ^ Stand-in captain Will Genia was selected on the bench for round 4, and Ben Mowen became captain for this fixture.[28]
- ^ Captain McCaw was ruled out of rounds 4 and 5 due to an injury. In his absence, Kieran Read became captain.[29]
Note:
Ages, Caps and Clubs are off the starting date of the tournament (17 August 2013).
Argentina
Argentina 30-man Squad for the Championship was announced on 25 June.[30][31]
Tomás Lavanini was added to the squad to cover the second row.[32]
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
Australia
Australia 30-man squad for the Championship, including 8 uncapped players and the re-call of Fly Half Quade Cooper.[33]
With captain James Horwill ruled out of round's 3 and 4 and with Hugh McMeniman also out injured, Sitaleki Timani was brought into the squad as cover for the second row,[13] but kept his place in the squad for the final two rounds. Dave Dennis was added to the squad to replace Jake Schatz who was ruled out of the championship after picking up an injury in training ahead of round 3.[34]
Benn Robinson and Chris Feauai-Sautia were added to the squad for the away fixtures against South Africa and Argentina, with Nick Cummins and Jesse Mogg withdrawn from the squad due to injury.[35][36]
James O'Connor was removed from the squad on 20 September following an off-field incident that occurred following the Wallabies win over Argentina in round 4. Uncapped player Peter Betham was called in as his replacement.[37]
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
New Zealand
New Zealand 28-man squad for the Championship was announced on 4 August. Joe Moody was included in the squad as injury cover for Wyatt Crockett – who had a knee injury. Three additional players will assemble with the squad as part of the wider training squad, but will be released to their provincial sides on the Wednesday of each Test match; these players are: Frank Halai, Jeremy Thrush, and Francis Saili.[38] Following an injury to Francis Saili, Centre Ryan Crotty was added to the training squad but will be released to his provincial side along with Halai and Thrush.[39]
With Dan Carter out for the opening two tests, and with Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett injured after the opening round with a knee and calf injury, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor were called into the squad as cover for the First five-eighths. Luke Whitelock was also drafted in to replace Luke Romano (groin injury) and Brad Shields to cover sidelined Liam Messam (hamstring strain).[40] Rhys Marshall spent time with the squad as an apprentice hooker[41] as did Liam Coltman and Nathan Harris.[42][43] Matt Todd was called in after round 3 to replace the injured Captain Richie McCaw, who was ruled out of the championship following an injury.[44]
Following an injury to TJ Perenara, Piri Weepu was called up to the squad for the final two rounds against Argentina and South Africa both away.[45]
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
‡ – Included as injury cover for Wyatt Crockett.
* – Part of the wider training squad
South Africa
South Africa 30-man squad for the Championship was announced on 3 August 2013.[46]
On 18 August Lourens Adriaanse was added as a replacement for Trevor Nyakane, who was removed from the squad following repeated breaches of team protocol (he missed the bus and the team's flight to Argentina).[47]
Pieter-Steph du Toit was added to the squad for the final two rounds with Australia and New Zealand playing at home.[48]
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.
‡ – Included to cover Fourie du Preez when he is unavailable to play for South Africa
