2013 Rugby Championship
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 the ANZ Stadium and  South Africa hosting Argentina at the FNB Stadium. The South Africa vs Argentina match 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 Coca-Cola Park and Argentina hosting Australia at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. Argentina were the only nation to reuse the same venues from 2012. The Championship was retained by New Zealand after a 38-27 win against South Africa in Ellis  Park on 5 October, keeping their 100% winning record in the expanded championship. Fixtures. Round 1. Notes: Notes: Round 2. Notes: Notes: Round 3. Notes: Notes: Round 4. Notes: Notes: Round 5. Notes: Round 6. Notes: Notes: 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. Squads. Summary. 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. Tomás Lavanini was added to the squad to cover the second row. Australia. Australia 30-man squad for the Championship, including 8 uncapped players and the re-call of Fly Half Quade Cooper. 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, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Rhys Marshall spent time with the squad as an apprentice hooker as did Liam Coltman and Nathan Harris. 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. 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. South Africa. South Africa 30-man squad for the Championship was announced on 3 August 2013. 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). Pieter-Steph du Toit was added to the squad for  the final two rounds with Australia and New Zealand playing at home.