TRC 2022-2025

SANZAAR confirmed in June 2022 that the 12-match schedule for The Rugby Championship (TRC) would comprise an innovative 'mini-tour' format that is a departure from the previous home and away structure that had been in place since 2012 when Argentina joined Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to create The Rugby Championship.

Each team will still play six matches comprising three home matches and three away matches, and will play each team twice. However, each team will host a two-match tour, will play an away two-match tour and a one-match home and away series against the third team. For example, in 2022 New Zealand will host Argentina for two consecutive matches, will play two consecutive matches in South Africa and will play Australia once at home and once away. This format will see the two-match 'mini tour' home and away hosting rotate over a two-year period. Australia and New Zealand will always play a split home and away series, as will South Africa and Argentina.

The mini-tour concept is locked in until the end of 2025 and SANZAAR and the national unions believe this new format will excite fans by bringing back rugby's traditional touring values and make for an even more exciting Championship. The format will also reduce the travel component of TRC, therefore, alleviating player welfare concerns and the amount of travel teams have to undertake. 
 

Competition Rules

Points will be awarded in all TRC matches on the following basis:

Win 4 points
Draw 2 points
Loss 0 points for loss of more than 7 points
Bonus 1 point for 3 tries or more than opponent
Bonus 1 point for loss within 7 points or less

Position on the competition table shall be determined by competition points as set out above:

  1. In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the competition table such position shall be determined by the team with the most wins in the series.
  2. In the event of (a) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined by the team with the most wins against the other team/s tied on the same points.
  3. In the event of (b) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against in the series. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered as the winner.
  4. In the event of (c) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against by those competing teams. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered as the winner.
  5. In the event of (d) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the basis of the team scoring most tries in the series.
  6. In the event of (e) above not providing a decision, the Series shall be shared between the two teams.

 

TRC Under 20

SANZAAR confirmed the match schedule and venue for the inaugural The Rugby Championship (TRC) Under-20 tournament to be played in May 2024 on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. The Championship sees the up-and-coming stars of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa rugby do battle.

The first ever Championship will be played at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina on Australia’s eastern seaboard in May and will comprise a round-robin format where all teams will play each other once (see match scheule below). The top team after the three-round, six-match tournament will be declared the TRC U20 champion.

Points will be awarded in all TRC matches on the following basis:

Win 4 points
Draw 2 points
Loss 0 points for loss by more than 7 points
Bonus 1 point for 3 tries or more than opponent
Bonus 1 point for loss within 7 points or less

DETERMINING THE WINNER

Position on the competition table shall be determined by competition points as set out above:

a)  In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the competition table such position shall be determined by the team with the most wins in the series.

b)  In the event of (a) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined by the team with the most wins against the other team/s tied on the same points.

c)  In the event of (b) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against in the series. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered as the winner.

d)  In the event of (c) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against by those competing teams. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered as the winner.

e)  In the event of (d) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the basis of the team scoring most tries in the series.

f)  In the event of (e) above not providing a decision, the Series shall be shared between the two teams.