Rugby Championship 2021 Paul Cully: Wallabies, All Blacks send message to South Africa, Europe

A new rugby competition, the United Rugby Championship, kicks off this weekend. It will be followed next February by Super Rugby Pacific. Rugby is in the middle of a period of change. It has been affected by concussion-related rule adjustments, arrival of hundreds of millions of dollars from private equity sources, and new competition structures.

The Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship were disappointing for the Wallabies. However, the win against the Springboks last weekend was the most significant result of Australia's Test season so far. The Wallaby's game plan was to play at a high speed. South Africa will come out to fight against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday. The bookies like the South Africans to win this weekend. There may be a greater appreciation of Australian rugby among South African observers. Super Rugby Trans Tasman is a credible competition. It has two new Pasifika teams. They play in the Pacific Rugby.