[2025 TRC] Argentina v New Zealand - 23/8/2025

[spursincornwall]

100% agree, hopefully World Rugby will step in, or the Boks and All Blacks will have second thoughts given the strength of Australia and Argentina. The Rugby Championship is actually my favourite competition. I prefer it to the 6N.

No, we all want to see South Africa play New Zealand 100s of times

 

[Ddanno]

Three yellows is pretty shocking discipline

ABs looking rattled

 

[Gavin]

WTF happened at that lineout for NZ.

Tier 2 status officially confirmed.

 

[dirty harry]

Given that Rugby is (in my opinion) not doing great outside of the Tier 1 nations. I would have thought that World Rugby would be really keen to preserve the Rugby Championship.

This will not help rugby in Argentina and Australia.

The only thing I can think is that a 3 test series would not only ignite a bigger rivalry, but the chance to play in some big money areas like the US, London, Middle east etc

Maybe this is just treading water, 6N TV deals are up at the end of 2029, maybe that allows for a global alignment? Or SA trying to join 6N, or even just that they expect the Nations cup to take off?

 

[dirty harry]

WTF happened at that lineout for NZ.

Tier 2 status officially confirmed.

Ref confirmed it 'no they couldn't hear it'

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

God i love being wrong.

 

[mdaclarke]

The only thing I can think is that a 3 test series would not only ignite a bigger rivalry, but the chance to play in some big money areas like the US, London, Middle east etc

Maybe this is just treading water, 6N TV deals are up at the end of 2029, maybe that allows for a global alignment? Or SA trying to join 6N, or even just that they expect the Nations cup to take off?

I still think it is incredibly short sighted. The 6N and RC are 2 fantastic competitions.

 

[Ddanno]

Yeeeeeeeaaaah Los Pumas!

 

[ChicagoKid]

So much parity in world rugby

 

[dirty harry]

I still think it is incredibly short sighted. The 6N and RC are 2 fantastic competitions.

As much as I like them, from a neutrals POV a 4 team tournament, lopsided home and away games, isnt the most interesting. Could you imagine Argentina, France, England and Brazil playing a 4 team round Robin every year in the football, that sounds awful.

Is the RC a money maker like the 6N?

 

[IT157]

Great for Argentina and world rugby.

 

[ChicagoKid]

As much as I like them, from a neutrals POV a 4 team tournament, lopsided home and away games, isnt the most interesting. Could you imagine Argentina, France, England and Brazil playing a 4 team round Robin every year in the football, that sounds awful.

Is the RC a money maker like the 6N?

Not even close. Maybe 1/6th as lucrative.

 

[mdaclarke]

Not even close. Maybe 1/6th as lucrative.

That's why all the talk of the Boks going to the 6N. Although the 6N is arguably a weaker competition on a purely sporting measure, given that only 1 World Cup Winner has ever come from the 6N.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Is the RC a money maker like the 6N?

I haven't seen the numbers so what i am about is simply irresponsible, but i am quite confident: no. Not even close.
The six nations is watched by quite a few people outside of the nations taking part. I don't see a lot of people (other than immigrants from arg, nz, aus or rsa) watching the game. Time zones do not help. Not a bit.
NZ is rich (for the lack of a better word) but small.
Aus is rich but RU aint particularly big.
RSA is big but relatively poor.
So is Arg.

Try watching a 6N game in NYC. I guarantee you'll find a place, no problem. Try watching Aus vs Arg in NYC, New Delhi or Amsterdam.

TL/DR? No. Smaller audience, poorer audience.

 

[mdaclarke]

I haven't seen the numbers so what i am about is simply irresponsible, but i am quite confident: no. Not even close.
The six nations is watched by quite a few people outside of the nations taking part. I don't see a lot of people (other than immigrants from arg, nz, aus or rsa) watching the game. Time zones do not help. Not a bit.
NZ is rich (for the lack of a better word) but small.
Aus is rich but RU aint particularly big.
RSA is big but relatively poor.
So is Arg.

Try watching a 6N game in NYC. I guarantee you'll find a place, no problem. Try watching Aus vs Arg in NYC, New Delhi or Amsterdam.

TL/DR? No. Smaller audience, poorer audience.

I think the Rugby Championship is popular with dedicated Rugby Fans in the UK, but you won't get the average casual viewer watching it like they do the 6 nations.

 

[ChicagoKid]

I think the Rugby Championship is popular with dedicated Rugby Fans in the UK, but you won't get the average casual viewer watching it like they do the 6 nations.

There is no money in rugby outside of tier 1 international test matches.

The entire thing is 1 big pyramid scheme.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I think the Rugby Championship is popular with dedicated Rugby Fans in the UK

Let me give you an example; actually, i'll give you two.
Next games Arg vs Aus and NZ vs RSA.
Arg vs Aus, 5:30 am London time
NZ vs RSA, 8:30 am London time

The times will be horrendous for NYC too.

How many people from the UK do you know that pay for a service to be able to watch the games?
How many would wake up?
How many would find a place to watch the place? Actually get out of bed, get changed and go?
There is your answer.

We, people on this forum, are an anomaly. You can't extrapolate people like us to estimate the market. We are the elite, the learned, the discerning, the fervent, the vanguard. The tip of the spear carving paths where others dare not tread (HA!). Key phrase: where others dare not tread. They'd rather be asleep at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

There is no money in rugby outside of tier 1 international test matches.

Try watching Japan's league one final in a European capital. Any european capital. It's virtually impossible (illegal streams do not count). You have a better, MUCH better chance of finding a place that broadcasts the Bangladeshi Premier cricket league.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

There is no money in rugby outside of tier 1 international test matches.

The entire thing is 1 big pyramid scheme.

Apologies for the insistence, but this is such an inconvenient truth. Your point was spot on.

Ask here, in this very forum, show of hands:
1) how many people here have watched ANY of the pacific nations cup games this week?
2) How many people plan on watching any pacific nations cup games this month (include September)?
3) How many people could watch them (TV or local pub) if they actually wanted to?
3) How many people even knew the pacific nations cup was actually happening right now?
4) How many people were aware of the pacific nations cup existence?

People vote for the likes of Bill beaumont and Robinson and then pretend to be shocked when this is what happens.

/end rant.
Apologies.

 

[Hmmmmmm]

Apologies for the insistence, but this is such an inconvenient truth. Your point was spot on.

Ask here, in this very forum, show of hands:
1) how many people here have watched ANY of the pacific nations cup games this week?
2) How many people plan on watching any pacific nations cup games this month (include September)?
3) How many people could watch them (TV or local pub) if they actually wanted to?
3) How many people even knew the pacific nations cup was actually happening right now?
4) How many people were aware of the pacific nations cup existence?

People vote for the likes of Bill beaumont and Robinson and then pretend to be shocked when this is what happens.

/end rant.
Apologies.

Yes to all of them. Watched Tonga v Samoa yesterday. Good to see the turnaround from Tonga.