Wikipedia

2015 Rugby Championship

The 2015 Rugby Championship was the fourth edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship consisting of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

2015 Rugby Championship
Date17 July 2015 – 8 August 2015
Countries Argentina
 Australia
 New Zealand
 South Africa
Final positions
Champions Australia (4th title)
Bledisloe Cup New Zealand
Freedom Cup New Zealand
Mandela Challenge Plate Australia
Puma Trophy Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played6
Tries scored33 (5.5 per match)
Attendance243,416 (40,569 per match)
Top scorer(s)South Africa Handré Pollard (30)
Most triesAustralia Adam Ashley-Cooper (3)
Argentina Juan Imhoff (3)
← 2014
2016 →

The 2015 Championship was a shorter competition than normal, with each team playing each other once, rather than twice (home and away). This was so that teams had a longer preparation time ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup which started on 18 September. However, New Zealand hosted an additional match against Australia in Auckland on 15 August which acted as the second Bledisloe Cup test and as a World Cup warm-up.[1] Argentina hosted a second match against South Africa on the same date.

The tournament was known for sponsorship reasons 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.

Australia won the Championship, becoming just the second team to win the tournament since 2012.[2] However, including the previous format of the Championship, Australia claimed the title for the first time since 2011, and achieved a 100% win rate for the first time ever in either format.[3][4]

South Africa finished bottom of the table. This was also the first ever year that South Africa failed to record a single win in either the Rugby Championship or Tri Nations Series.[5]

Standings edit

Place Nation Games Points Try
Bonus 		Losing
Bonus 		Table
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff
1   Australia 3 3 0 0 85 48 +37 1 0 13
2   New Zealand 3 2 0 1 85 65 +20 1 0 9
3   Argentina 3 1 0 2 64 98 –34 1 0 5
4   South Africa 3 0 0 3 65 88 –23 0 2 2

Fixtures edit

Week 1 edit

17 July 2015
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  39–18  Argentina
Try: McCaw 20' m
Nonu 40' c
Piutau 42' c
Read 48' c
Taylor 71 c
Con: Carter (4/5) 40', 44', 49', 73'
Pen: Carter (2/4) 5', 16'		Report[6]Try: Creevy (2) 55' m, 61' c
Con: Sánchez (1/2) 61'
Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 12', 33'
Rugby League Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 17,512
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB 15 Israel Dagg
RW 14 Waisake Naholo   51'
OC 13 Ma'a Nonu   73'
IC 12 Sonny Bill Williams
LW 11 Charles Piutau
FH 10 Dan Carter
SH 9 TJ Perenara   70'
N8 8 Kieran Read
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Jerome Kaino   70'
RL 5 Brodie Retallick
LL 4 Luke Romano   59'
TP 3 Owen Franks   54'
HK 2 Keven Mealamu   59'
LP 1 Tony Woodcock   59'
Replacements:
HK 16 Codie Taylor   59'
PR 17 Wyatt Crockett   59'
PR 18 Nepo Laulala   54'
LK 19 Jeremy Thrush   59'
FL 20 Liam Messam   70'
SH 21 Andrew Ellis   70'
FH 22 Colin Slade   51'
CE 23 Ryan Crotty   73'
Coach:
  Steve Hansen
 
FB 15 Joaquín Tuculet   55'
RW 14 Horacio Agulla
OC 13 Marcelo Bosch
IC 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente   68'
LW 11 Santiago Cordero
FH 10 Nicolás Sánchez
SH 9 Tomás Cubelli   55'
N8 8 Facundo Isa
OF 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón   49'
RL 5 Guido Petti   62'
LL 4 Manuel Carizza
TP 3 Ramiro Herrera   54'
HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c)   62'
LP 1 Marcos Ayerza   62'
Replacements:
HK 16 Julián Montoya   62'
PR 17 Lucas Noguera Paz   62'
PR 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro   54'
N8 19 Benjamín Macome   62'
FL 20 Javier Ortega Desio   49'
SH 21 Martín Landajo   55'
FH 22 Santiago González Iglesias   68'
FB 23 Lucas González Amorosino   55'
Coach:
  Daniel Hourcade

Touch judges:
Angus Gardner (Australia)
Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official:
George Ayoub (Australia)

Notes:

18 July 2015
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  24–20  South Africa
Try: Ashley-Cooper 32' c
Hooper 73' c
Kuridrani 80' c
Con: Cooper (2/2) 33', 74'
Giteau (1/1) 80'
Pen: Cooper (1/3) 54'		Report[7]Try: Etzebeth 37' c
Kriel 44' c
Con: Pollard (2/2) 39', 45'
Pen: Pollard (2/3) 15', 25'
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 37,633
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
FB 15 Israel Folau
RW 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC 13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC 12 Matt Giteau   67' to 74'
LW 11 Rob Horne   57'
FH 10 Quade Cooper   65'   67'   74'
SH 9 Will Genia   40'
N8 8 Scott Higginbotham   45'
OF 7 Michael Hooper
BF 6 Scott Fardy
RL 5 Rob Simmons
LL 4 Will Skelton   50'
TP 3 Sekope Kepu   45'
HK 2 Stephen Moore (c)
LP 1 James Slipper   65'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
PR 17 Scott Sio   65'
PR 18 Greg Holmes   45'
LK 19 James Horwill   50'
FL 20 David Pocock   45'
SH 21 Nick Phipps   40'
CE 22 Matt To'omua   65'
WG 23 Drew Mitchell   57'
Coach:
  Michael Cheika
 
FB 15 Willie le Roux
RW 14 JP Pietersen
OC 13 Jesse Kriel   67'
IC 12 Damian de Allende
LW 11 Bryan Habana
FH 10 Handré Pollard   67'
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar   67'
N8 8 Schalk Burger
OF 7 Marcell Coetzee   69'
BF 6 Francois Louw   28' to 40'
RL 5 Victor Matfield (c)   17'
LL 4 Eben Etzebeth
TP 3 Jannie du Plessis   13'   17'   47'
HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis   49'
LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira   49'
Replacements:
HK 16 Adriaan Strauss   49'
PR 17 Heinke van der Merwe   49'
PR 18 Frans Malherbe   13'   17'   47'
LK 19 Lood de Jager   17'
FL 20 Oupa Mohojé   28'   40'   69'
SH 21 Cobus Reinach   67'
FH 22 Pat Lambie   67'
WG 23 Lwazi Mvovo   67'
Coach:
  Heyneke Meyer

Man of the Match:
Michael Hooper (Australia)

Touch judges:
Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Notes:

  • Jesse Kriel made his international debut for South Africa.
  • Matt Giteau, being named in the starting XV, became the first overseas based player to play for the Wallabies, by virtue of their new selection policy. Drew Mitchell also based overseas, played off the bench.
  • Australia won the Mandela Challenge Plate for the first time since 2012.
  • Australia earned their first ever opening fixture of the Rugby Championship.

Week 2 edit

25 July 2015
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  20–27  New Zealand
Try: Le Roux 9' c
Kriel 45' c
Con: Pollard (2/2) 10', 46'
Pen: Pollard (2/3) 20', 56'		Report[8]Try: B. Smith 39' c
Coles 48' c
McCaw 73' c
Con: Sopoaga (3/3) 40', 49', 74'
Pen: Sopoaga (2/4) 2', 80'
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 62,000
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
FB 15 Willie le Roux   62'
RW 14 Cornal Hendricks
OC 13 Jesse Kriel   77'
IC 12 Damian de Allende
LW 11 Bryan Habana
FH 10 Handré Pollard   39' to 40'
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar   75'
N8 8 Schalk Burger (c)
OF 7 Francois Louw   41'
BF 6 Heinrich Brüssow
RL 5 Lood de Jager   59'
LL 4 Eben Etzebeth
TP 3 Jannie du Plessis   40'
HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis
LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira   69'
Replacements:
HK 16 Adriaan Strauss   69'
PR 17 Trevor Nyakane   61'
PR 18 Vincent Koch   40'   61'
LK 19 Flip van der Merwe   59'
N8 20 Warren Whiteley   41'
SH 21 Cobus Reinach   75'
FH 22 Pat Lambie   39'   40'   62'
CE 23 Lionel Mapoe   77'
Coach:
  Heyneke Meyer
 
FB 15 Israel Dagg   51'
RW 14 Ben Smith
OC 13 Conrad Smith
IC 12 Ma'a Nonu   46'
LW 11 Charles Piutau
FH 10 Lima Sopoaga
SH 9 Aaron Smith   64'
N8 8 Kieran Read
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Liam Messam   56'
RL 5 James Broadhurst   40'
LL 4 Brodie Retallick
TP 3 Owen Franks   56'
HK 2 Dane Coles   62'
LP 1 Tony Woodcock   49'
Replacements:
HK 16 Codie Taylor   62'
PR 17 Wyatt Crockett   49'
PR 18 Ben Franks   56'
LK 19 Sam Whitelock   59' to 69'   40'
N8 20 Victor Vito   56'
SH 21 TJ Perenara   64'
FH 22 Beauden Barrett   51'
CE 23 Malakai Fekitoa   46'
Coach:
  Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Charles Piutau (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Romain Poite (France)
Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official:
Graham Hughes (England)

Notes:

25 July 2015
19:40 ART (UTC-03)
Argentina  9–34  Australia
Pen: Sánchez (3/3) 29', 40', 57'Report[9]Try: Tomane 16' m
Mumm 58' m
Kuridrani 77' c
Ashley-Cooper 78' m
Con: Foley (1/4) 77'
Pen: Foley (4/5) 39', 42', 53', 69'
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
FB 15 Santiago Cordero
RW 14 Gonzalo Camacho   56'
OC 13 Matías Moroni
IC 12 Juan Pablo Socino
LW 11 Juan Imhoff
FH 10 Nicolás Sánchez   66'
SH 9 Martín Landajo   61'
N8 8 Facundo Isa   63'
OF 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF 6 Javier Ortega Desio
RL 5 Tomás Lavanini   66'
LL 4 Manuel Carizza
TP 3 Ramiro Herrera   52'
HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c)   72'
LP 1 Marcos Ayerza   67'
Replacements:
HK 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez   72'
PR 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro   52'
PR 18 Matías Díaz   67'
LK 19 Matías Alemanno   66'
N8 20 Leonardo Senatore   63'
SH 21 Tomás Cubelli   61'
FH 22 Santiago González Iglesias   66'
FB 23 Lucas González Amorosino   56'
Coach:
  Daniel Hourcade
 
FB 15 Israel Folau
RW 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC 13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC 12 Matt To'omua   9'
LW 11 Joe Tomane
FH 10 Bernard Foley
SH 9 Nick Phipps   75'
N8 8 Ben McCalman   48'
OF 7 David Pocock
BF 6 Scott Fardy   53'
RL 5 Rob Simmons
LL 4 Will Skelton
TP 3 Greg Holmes   55'
HK 2 Stephen Moore (c)   66'
LP 1 James Slipper   39'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau   66'
PR 17 Scott Sio   39'
PR 18 Sekope Kepu   55'
LK 19 Dean Mumm   53'
FL 20 Michael Hooper   48'
SH 21 Nic White   75'
FH 22 Quade Cooper   65' to 75'   9'   75'
CE 23 Kurtley Beale   75'
Coach:
  Michael Cheika

Man of the Match:
David Pocock (Australia)

Touch judges:
Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official:
Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Notes:

  • Juan Pablo Socino made his international debut for Argentina.
  • Kurtley Beale earned his 50th test cap for Australia.
  • Australia win the Puma Trophy.
  • With this win, Australia went top of the Rugby Championship table for the first ever time.

Week 3 edit

8 August 2015
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  27–19  New Zealand
Try: Kepu 43' c
Ashley-Cooper 60' c
White 71' c
Con: Giteau (2/2) 44', 61'
White (1/1) 73'
Pen: Giteau (1/2) 26'
White (1/1) 68'		Report[10]Try: Milner-Skudder (2) 55' m, 64' m
Pen: Carter (3/3) 8', 29', 50'
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 73,824
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
FB 15 Israel Folau
RW 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC 13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC 12 Matt Giteau   65'
LW 11 Drew Mitchell
FH 10 Bernard Foley   50'
SH 9 Nick Phipps   53' to 63'   65'
N8 8 David Pocock   61' to 68'
OF 7 Michael Hooper   15'   18'
BF 6 Scott Fardy   76'
RL 5 James Horwill   58'
LL 4 Dean Mumm
TP 3 Sekope Kepu   7' to 17'   54'
HK 2 Stephen Moore (c)   68'
LP 1 Scott Sio   58'
Replacements:
HK 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau   68'
PR 17 James Slipper   58'
PR 18 Greg Holmes   15'   18'   54'
LK 19 Will Skelton   58'
N8 20 Ben McCalman   61'   68'   76'
SH 21 Nic White   65'
CE 22 Matt To'omua   50'
CE 23 Kurtley Beale   65'
Coach:
  Michael Cheika
 
FB 15 Ben Smith   61'
RW 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
OC 13 Conrad Smith
IC 12 Sonny Bill Williams   54'
LW 11 Julian Savea
FH 10 Dan Carter
SH 9 Aaron Smith   42' to 52'   77'
N8 8 Kieran Read
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Jerome Kaino   73'
RL 5 Luke Romano   54'
LL 4 Brodie Retallick
TP 3 Owen Franks   44'
HK 2 Dane Coles   68'
LP 1 Tony Woodcock   73'
Replacements:
HK 16 Codie Taylor   68'
PR 17 Ben Franks   73'
PR 18 Nepo Laulala   44'
LK 19 Sam Whitelock   54'
FL 20 Sam Cane   73'
SH 21 TJ Perenara   77'
FH 22 Beauden Barrett   61'
CE 23 Malakai Fekitoa   54'
Coach:
  Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Michael Hooper (Australia)

Touch judges:
Nigel Owens (Wales)
Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Television match official:
Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Notes:

  • Nehe Milner-Skudder made his international debut for New Zealand.
  • Richie McCaw equalled Brian O'Driscoll's 141-cap record, as the most capped rugby player ever.
  • Australia beat New Zealand for the first time since their 25–20 win in 2011, while earning their first win at Stadium Australia since 2011.
  • New Zealand lose their first ever match in the Rugby Championship without claiming a losing bonus point; their last was during the 2011 Tri Nations Series.
8 August 2015
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  25–37  Argentina
Try: De Jager 35' c
Le Roux 48' c
Habana 78' m
Con: Pollard (2/2) 36', 49'
Pen: Pollard (2/2) 9', 28'		Report[11]Try: Bosch 1' c
Imhoff (3) 22' c, 30' c, 41' c
Con: Hernández (4/4) 2', 23', 32', 42'
Pen: Hernández (1/3) 37'
Bosch (1/1) 39'
Drop: Bosch (1/1) 62'
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 27,447
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
FB 15 Willie le Roux
RW 14 Jesse Kriel
OC 13 Jean de Villiers (c)
IC 12 Damian de Allende
LW 11 Bryan Habana
FH 10 Handré Pollard   65'
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar   59'
N8 8 Schalk Burger
OF 7 Marcell Coetzee   65'
BF 6 Heinrich Brüssow   62'
RL 5 Lood de Jager
LL 4 Eben Etzebeth   61'
TP 3 Vincent Koch   40'
HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis   56'
LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira   61'
Replacements:
HK 16 Adriaan Strauss   56'
PR 17 Trevor Nyakane   61'
PR 18 Marcel van der Merwe   40'
LK 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit   61'
FL 20 Siya Kolisi   62'
SH 21 Cobus Reinach   59'
FH 22 Pat Lambie   65'
WG 23 Lwazi Mvovo   65'
Coach:
  Heyneke Meyer
 
FB 15 Joaquín Tuculet
RW 14 Horacio Agulla
OC 13 Marcelo Bosch
IC 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente   55'
LW 11 Juan Imhoff
FH 10 Juan Martín Hernández   62'
SH 9 Tomás Cubelli   66'
N8 8 Leonardo Senatore
OF 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón   65'
BF 6 Pablo Matera   75' to 80'
RL 5 Tomás Lavanini
LL 4 Guido Petti   56'
TP 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro   70'
HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c)   67'
LP 1 Marcos Ayerza   52'
Replacements:
HK 16 Julián Montoya   67'
PR 17 Lucas Noguera Paz   52'
PR 18 Matías Díaz   70'
LK 19 Matías Alemanno   56'
FL 20 Tomás Lezana   65'
SH 21 Martín Landajo   66'
FH 22 Santiago González Iglesias   55'
FB 23 Lucas González Amorosino   62'
Coach:
  Daniel Hourcade

Man of the Match:
Juan Imhoff (Argentina)

Touch judges:
JP Doyle (England)
Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official:
Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Notes:

  • This was Argentina's first ever win over South Africa.
  • Argentina claim their first ever bonus point victory, and their first away victory, since joining the Rugby Championship in 2012.
  • With this loss, South Africa lost consecutive home Test matches for the first time since 2010–11; and lost four consecutive Test matches for the first time since 2010.
  • Juan Imhoff scored Argentina's first hat-trick of tries in the Rugby Championship; and the first hat-trick by any player in the tournament since Israel Folau scored three for Australia against Argentina in 2013.

Squads edit

Summary edit

Nation Match venues Head coach Captain
Name City Capacity
  Argentina Estadio Malvinas Argentinas Mendoza 40,268   Daniel Hourcade Agustín Creevy
  Australia Stadium Australia Sydney 84,000   Michael Cheika Stephen Moore
Lang Park Brisbane 53,000
  New Zealand Rugby League Park Christchurch 18,000   Steve Hansen Richie McCaw
  South Africa Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg 62,567   Heyneke Meyer Victor Matfield
Schalk Burger
Jean de Villiers
Kings Park Stadium Durban 52,000

Note: Ages, caps and domestic side are of 17 July 2015 – the starting date of the tournament.

Argentina edit

Argentina's 36-man squad for the Championship, was announced on 26 June 2015.[12]

On 29 March, Juan Pablo Orlandi was called up to the squad to replace the injured Ramiro Herrera.[13]

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Agustín Creevy (c) Hooker (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 30) 36   UAR
Santiago Iglesias Valdez Hooker (1993-05-26)26 May 1993 (aged 22) 10   UAR
Julián Montoya Hooker (1993-10-29)29 October 1993 (aged 21) 6   UAR
Marcos Ayerza Prop (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 32) 57   Leicester Tigers
Matías Díaz Prop (1993-03-16)16 March 1993 (aged 22) 9   UAR
Juan Figallo Prop (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27) 22   Saracens
Ramiro Herrera Prop (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 26) 11   UAR
Lucas Noguera Paz Prop (1993-05-10)10 May 1993 (aged 22) 13   UAR
Juan Pablo Orlandi Prop (1983-06-20)20 June 1983 (aged 32) 15 Unattached
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Prop (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 (aged 25) 16   UAR
Matías Alemanno Lock (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 23) 11   UAR
Manuel Carizza Lock (1984-08-23)23 August 1984 (aged 30) 44   Racing 92
Tomás Lavanini Lock (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 22) 18 Unattached
Guido Petti Lock (1994-11-17)17 November 1994 (aged 20) 4   UAR
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe Flanker (1981-11-19)19 November 1981 (aged 33) 61   Toulon
Juan Manuel Leguizamón Flanker (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 32) 59 Unattached
Tomás Lezana Flanker (1994-02-16)16 February 1994 (aged 21) 3   UAR
Pablo Matera Flanker (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 21) 14   UAR
Javier Ortega Desio Flanker (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 25) 14   UAR
Facundo Isa Number 8 (1993-09-21)21 September 1993 (aged 21) 5   UAR
Benjamín Macome Number 8 (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29) 21   Bayonne
Leonardo Senatore Number 8 (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 31) 29 Unattached
Tomás Cubelli Scrum-half (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 26) 34   UAR
Felipe Ezcurra Scrum-half (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22) 2   Hindú
Martín Landajo Scrum-half (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 27) 42   UAR
Santiago González Iglesias Fly-half (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 27) 14   UAR
Nicolás Sánchez Fly-half (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 26) 30   UAR
Juan Pablo Socino Fly-half (1988-05-30)30 May 1988 (aged 27) 0   Newcastle Falcons
Marcelo Bosch Centre (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 31) 33   Saracens
Jerónimo de la Fuente Centre (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 24) 11   UAR
Juan Martín Hernández Centre (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 32) 52 Unattached
Matías Moroni Centre (1991-03-29)29 March 1991 (aged 24) 2   UAR
Horacio Agulla Wing (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 30) 58   Bath
Gonzalo Camacho Wing (1984-08-28)28 August 1984 (aged 30) 23   Leicester Tigers
Santiago Cordero Wing (1993-12-06)6 December 1993 (aged 21) 9   UAR
Juan Imhoff Wing (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 27) 26   Racing 92
Lucas González Amorosino Fullback (1985-11-02)2 November 1985 (aged 29) 40 Unattached
Joaquín Tuculet Fullback (1989-08-08)8 August 1989 (aged 25) 20   UAR

Australia edit

On 2 July 2015, Michael Cheika named an extended 40-man squad for the 2015 Rugby Championship.[14] The squad included newly eligible players Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchel, both based at Toulon, France, and uncapped Fijian duo Samu Kerevi and Taqele Naiyaravoro who are eligible through residency.

On 5 July, Henry Speight withdrew from the squad due to compassionate leave, and he was replaced with Nick Cummins.[15]

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
James Hanson Hooker (1988-09-15)15 September 1988 (aged 26) 9   Reds
Stephen Moore (c) Hooker (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 32) 92   Brumbies
Tatafu Polota-Nau Hooker (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 29) 50   Waratahs
Tetera Faulkner Prop (1988-07-26)26 July 1988 (aged 26) 2   Force
Greg Holmes Prop (1983-06-11)11 June 1983 (aged 32) 13   Reds
Sekope Kepu Prop (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 29) 52   Waratahs
Scott Sio Prop (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 23) 5   Brumbies
James Slipper Prop (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 26) 63   Reds
Toby Smith Prop (1988-10-10)10 October 1988 (aged 26) 0   Rebels
Rory Arnold Lock (1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 25) 0   Brumbies
Dave Dennis Lock (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29) 18   Waratahs
James Horwill Lock (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 30) 58   Reds
Dean Mumm Lock (1984-03-05)5 March 1984 (aged 31) 33   Waratahs
Rob Simmons Lock (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 26) 50   Reds
Will Skelton Lock (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 23) 8   Waratahs
Scott Fardy Flanker (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 31) 20   Brumbies
Michael Hooper Flanker (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23) 42   Waratahs
Sean McMahon Flanker (1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 21) 3   Rebels
David Pocock Flanker (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 27) 46   Brumbies
Scott Higginbotham Number 8 (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 28) 31   Rebels
Ben McCalman Number 8 (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 27) 38   Force
Wycliff Palu Number 8 (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 32) 54   Waratahs
Will Genia Scrum-half (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 27) 58   Reds
Nick Phipps Scrum-half (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 26) 28   Waratahs
Nic White Scrum-half (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 25) 19   Brumbies
Quade Cooper Fly-half (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 27) 53   Reds
Bernard Foley Fly-half (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 25) 18   Waratahs
Kurtley Beale Centre (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 26) 49   Waratahs
Matt Giteau Centre (1982-09-29)29 September 1982 (aged 32) 92   Toulon
Samu Kerevi Centre (1993-09-27)27 September 1993 (aged 21) 0   Reds
Tevita Kuridrani Centre (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24) 20   Brumbies
Christian Lealiifano Centre (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 27) 16   Brumbies
Matt To'omua Centre (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 25) 21   Brumbies
Adam Ashley-Cooper Wing (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31) 104   Waratahs
Nick Cummins Wing (1987-10-05)5 October 1987 (aged 27) 15   Force
Rob Horne Wing (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 25) 25   Waratahs
Drew Mitchell Wing (1984-03-26)26 March 1984 (aged 31) 63   Toulon
Taqele Naiyaravoro Wing (1991-12-07)7 December 1991 (aged 23) 0   Waratahs
Henry Speight Wing (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27) 2   Brumbies
Joe Tomane Wing (1990-02-11)11 February 1990 (aged 25) 14   Brumbies
Israel Folau Fullback (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 26) 29   Waratahs

New Zealand edit

On 21 June 2015, New Zealand named a 41-man squad for the July 8 clash with Samoa, won by the All Blacks 25–16, the 2015 Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup test on 15 August.[16]

Nepo Laulala and Andrew Ellis are included in the squad as injury cover for Charlie Faumuina and Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

On 2 August, Patrick Osborne was added to the squad ahead the back to back clashes against Australia.[17]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Dane Coles Hooker (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 28) 27 Hurricanes / Wellington
Hika Elliot Hooker (1986-01-22)22 January 1986 (aged 29) 4 Chiefs / Poverty Bay
Keven Mealamu Hooker (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 36) 124 Blues / Auckland
Codie Taylor Hooker (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24) 0 Crusaders / Canterbury
Wyatt Crockett Prop (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 32) 37 Crusaders / Canterbury
Charlie Faumuina Prop (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 28) 27 Blues / Auckland
Ben Franks Prop (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31) 41 Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay
Owen Franks Prop (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 27) 68 Crusaders / Canterbury
Nepo Laulala Prop (1991-11-06)6 November 1991 (aged 23) 1 Crusaders / Canterbury
Joe Moody Prop (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 26) 8 Crusaders / Canterbury
Tony Woodcock Prop (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 34) 111 Blues / North Harbour
James Broadhurst Lock (1987-12-01)1 December 1987 (aged 27) 0 Hurricanes / Taranaki
Brodie Retallick Lock (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 24) 37 Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Luke Romano Lock (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 29) 18 Crusaders / Canterbury
Jeremy Thrush Lock (1985-04-19)19 April 1985 (aged 30) 11 Hurricanes / Wellington
Sam Whitelock Lock (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 26) 63 Crusaders / Canterbury
Sam Cane Flanker (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 23) 22 Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Jerome Kaino Flanker (1983-04-06)6 April 1983 (aged 32) 57 Blues / Auckland
Richie McCaw (c) Flanker (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 34) 138 Crusaders / Canterbury
Liam Messam Flanker (1984-03-25)25 March 1984 (aged 31) 40 Chiefs / Waikato
Matt Todd Flanker (1988-03-24)24 March 1988 (aged 27) 3 Crusaders / Canterbury
Kieran Read Number 8 (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 29) 73 Crusaders / Canterbury
Victor Vito Number 8 (1987-03-27)27 March 1987 (aged 28) 26 Hurricanes / Wellington
Andrew Ellis Half-back (1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 31) 27 Crusaders / Canterbury
Tawera Kerr-Barlow Half-back (1990-08-15)15 August 1990 (aged 24) 15 Chiefs / Waikato
TJ Perenara Half-back (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 23) 11 Hurricanes / Wellington
Aaron Smith Half-back (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 26) 38 Highlanders / Manawatu
Beauden Barrett First five-eighth (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 24) 28 Hurricanes / Taranaki
Dan Carter First five-eighth (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 33) 103 Crusaders / Canterbury
Colin Slade First five-eighth (1987-10-10)10 October 1987 (aged 27) 18 Crusaders / Canterbury
Lima Sopoaga First five-eighth (1991-02-03)3 February 1991 (aged 24) 0 Highlanders / Southland
Ryan Crotty Centre (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 26) 14 Crusaders / Canterbury
Malakai Fekitoa Centre (1992-05-10)10 May 1992 (aged 23) 8 Highlanders / Auckland
Ma'a Nonu Centre (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 33) 94 Hurricanes / Wellington
Conrad Smith Centre (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 33) 85 Hurricanes / Wellington
Sonny Bill Williams Centre (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 29) 24 Chiefs / Counties Manukau
Cory Jane Wing (1983-02-08)8 February 1983 (aged 32) 53 Hurricanes / Wellington
Waisake Naholo Wing (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24) 0 Highlanders / Taranaki
Patrick Osborne Wing (1987-06-14)14 June 1987 (aged 28) 0 Highlanders / Canterbury
Charles Piutau Wing (1991-10-31)31 October 1991 (aged 23) 15 Blues / Auckland
Julian Savea Wing (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 24) 33 Hurricanes / Wellington
Israel Dagg Fullback (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 27) 47 Crusaders / Hawke's Bay
Nehe Milner-Skudder Fullback (1990-12-15)15 December 1990 (aged 24) 0 Hurricanes / Manawatu
Ben Smith Fullback (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 29) 38 Highlanders / Otago

South Africa edit

On 12 July 2015, coach Heyneke Meyer named the following 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby Championship:[18]

On 20 July, Flip van der Merwe was added to the squad as injury cover for the second row.[19] Heinrich Brüssow and Cornal Hendricks were also included in the squad to face New Zealand in their second Rugby Championship match.[20]

On 5 August, Jean de Villiers, Siya Kolisi, Marcel van der Merwe and Pieter-Steph du Toit were added to the squad ahead of the final match against Argentina.[21]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Schalk Brits Hooker (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 34) 7   Saracens
Bismarck du Plessis ‡ Hooker (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 31) 70   Sharks
Adriaan Strauss ‡ Hooker (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 29) 44   Bulls
Jannie du Plessis ‡ Prop (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 32) 62   Sharks
Vincent Koch Prop (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 25) 0   Stormers
Frans Malherbe Prop (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 24) 4   Stormers
Tendai Mtawarira ‡ Prop (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29) 64   Sharks
Trevor Nyakane Prop (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 26) 13   Bulls
Heinke van der Merwe Prop (1985-05-03)3 May 1985 (aged 30) 4   Stade Français
Marcel van der Merwe Prop (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 24) 5   Bulls
Lood de Jager Lock (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 22) 9   Cheetahs
Pieter-Steph du Toit Lock (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992 (age 31) 2   Sharks
Eben Etzebeth ‡ Lock (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23) 33   Stormers
Victor Matfield (c) ‡ Lock (1977-05-11)11 May 1977 (aged 38) 121   Bulls
Flip van der Merwe Lock (1985-06-06)6 June 1985 (aged 30) 35   Bulls
Heinrich Brüssow Flanker (1986-07-21)21 July 1986 (aged 28) 20   Cheetahs
Schalk Burger Flanker (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 32) 75   Stormers
Siya Kolisi ‡ Flanker (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 24) 10   Stormers
Marcell Coetzee ‡ Flanker (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24) 26   Sharks
Francois Louw Flanker (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 30) 34   Bath
Oupa Mohojé Flanker (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 24) 7   Cheetahs
Warren Whiteley Number 8 (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 27) 2   Lions
Rudy Paige Scrum-half (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 25) 0   Bulls
Ruan Pienaar Scrum-half (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 31) 80   Ulster
Cobus Reinach Scrum-half (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 25) 6   Sharks
Handré Pollard Fly-half (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 21) 9   Bulls
Pat Lambie ‡ Fly-half (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 24) 40   Sharks
Morné Steyn Fly-half (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 31) 59   Stade Français
Damian de Allende ‡ Centre (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 23) 3   Stormers
Jean de Villiers ‡ Centre (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 34) 106   Stormers
Lionel Mapoe Centre (1988-07-13)13 July 1988 (aged 27) 0   Lions
JP Pietersen Centre (1986-07-12)12 July 1986 (aged 29) 59   Sharks
Jan Serfontein ‡ Centre (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22) 20   Bulls
Bryan Habana Wing (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 32) 106   Toulon
Cornal Hendricks ‡ Wing (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 27) 11   Cheetahs
Lwazi Mvovo Wing (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 29) 10   Sharks
Jesse Kriel Fullback (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 21) 0   Bulls
Willie le Roux ‡ Fullback (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 25) 25   Cheetahs

‡ denotes players who are centrally contracted to the South African Rugby Union.

Statistics edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Draw revealed for The Rugby Championship 2015". SANZAR. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Australia 27-19 New Zealand: Rugby Championship decider – as it happened". Guardian. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  3. ^ "Australia 27-19 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Australia 27 New Zealand 19, Rugby Championship match report: All Blacks' aura dented by shock defeat". Daily Telegraph. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Rugby Championship: South Africa 25-37 Argentina". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  6. ^ Staff, ESPN. "All Blacks impress in 21-point win over Pumas". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. ^ Staff, ESPN. "Kuridrani try secures Wallabies dramatic win". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. ^ Staff, ESPN. "All Blacks show championship mettle". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  9. ^ Staff, ESPN. "Wallabies redeem themselves in four-try showing". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  10. ^ Staff, ESPN. "Wallabies end drought against All Blacks". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Argentina shock Springboks for historic victory in Durban". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Plantel de Los Pumas para viajar a Australia". uar.com.ar. Archived from the original on 28 June 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Plantel de Los Pumas para viajar a Sudáfrica". uar.com.ar. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Cheika names Qantas Wallabies Squad in Brisbane". Rugby15. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Cummins joins Extended Qantas Wallabies Squad". Rugby15. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  16. ^ "All Blacks squad named for Samoa, Investec Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Test". 21 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  17. ^ McConnell, Lynn (2 August 2015). "Kerr-Barlow rewarded for hard work". Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Springbok squad for Brisbane confirmed". South African Rugby Union. 12 July 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  19. ^ "SMatfield, Coetzee doubtful New Zealand Test". South African Rugby Union. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  20. ^ "Eight changes for Springboks against New Zealand". South African Rugby Union. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  21. ^ "De Villiers returns to captain Springboks in Durban". South African Rugby Union. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
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