Auckland (AFP)

Together again!

The 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship begins on Saturday, with no clear favorites between the returning South Africans, the New Zealanders far from their bases and the Argentines in a new dimension.

In Auckland, the New Zealand - Australia clash on Saturday (9:05 am) was not enough to excite the supporters of the All Blacks, holders of the title.

Despite the tinsel of the poster, the stadium should only be half full.

All the more surprising since this match will be the only home match for the Kiwis in this Southern Hemisphere Nations Championship, still shaken by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Delta variant of the coronavirus, very contagious, is now progressing in Australia, so far largely spared because of its strict "zero Covid" strategy.

With New Zealand applying the same drastic policy, the Blacks could be gone for five months away from their bases.

They will face Argentina (September 11 and 18) in Australia, and probably also South Africa (September 25, October 2) before taking off for a tour of the Northern Hemisphere.

"We have a lot of options and one of them is to stay out of the border for a long time. This is the most likely option, unless things change," said the neo coach. -Zeeland Ian Foster.

All Blacks coach New Zealand's Ian Foster before the Bledisloe Cup 1st test match against Australia on August 7, 2021 at Auckland's Eden Park MICHAEL BRADLEY AFP / Archives

On the field, the game will look like a "final", according to Blacks captain Sam Whitelock.

In case of victory on Saturday, the Kiwis will get a good start in the Championship and will also win the Bledisloe Cup, a prestigious trophy going to the winner of a confrontation between Blacks and Wallabies.

Compared to the last Test between the two opponents last Saturday, where the Blacks recovered from a deficit of 17 points to win 33-25, Ian Foster made only one change in his XV: Will Jordan made his entry on the right wing, to compensate for the injury of Anton Lienert-Brown.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie made four changes, including the return of star winger Marika Koroibete, who was excluded from the first meeting for disciplinary reasons.

Australian winger Marika Koroibete is about to score a try despite New Zealand's Damian McKenzie tackle, during the Bledisloe Cup test match, October 11, 2020 in Wellington Marty MELVILLE AFP / Archives

"It's a real game of chess that is played there. This is where our experienced coaches and players have value, so I hope we can erase the weaknesses we saw in our game, ”Sam Whitelock said.

- 10 changes for Boks -

The South Africans, back after a missed 2020 edition because of the Covid, start at home against Argentina with the ambition to give air to their country in crisis.

"The Springboks are more than a rugby team: those who wear the green and gold jersey give hope to the people of our beautiful country in these difficult times," said captain Siya Kolisi.

The joy of captain and flanker of South Africa, Siya Kolisi, and his teammates, after their victory against the British and Irish Lions, thus winning their series of test-matches (2-1), on August 7, 2021 in Cap PHILL MAGAKOE AFP / Archives

The reigning world champions receive Argentina on Saturday (5:05 p.m.) in Gqeberha, behind closed doors, with the coronavirus still wreaking havoc in the country.

After a series won against the British and Irish Lions (2 wins, 1 loss), coach Jacques Nienaber chose to put the executives to rest with 10 changes in his starting XV.

Facing them, the Argentines hope to show that they have changed dimension, in this tournament where they have only avoided last place once.

Argentinian rugby players celebrate with their supporters, their victory (25-15) against New Zealanders, during their Tri-Nations match, November 14, 2020 in Sydney David Gray AFP / Archives

And for good reason: last year, the Pumas certainly finished last, but tied on points with the Wallabies and especially having beaten the All Blacks.

© 2021 AFP