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) Handré Pollard (30)
Most tries Adam Ashley-Cooper (3)
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
Place Nation Games Points Try
Bonus		 Losing
Bonus		 Table
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff
1 Australia33008548+371013
2 New Zealand32018565+20109
3 Argentina31026498–34105
4 South Africa30036588–23022

Fixtures

Week 1
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'
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Attendance: 17,512
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB15Israel Dagg
RW14Waisake Naholo 51'
OC13Ma'a Nonu 73'
IC12Sonny Bill Williams
LW11Charles Piutau
FH10Dan Carter
SH9TJ Perenara 70'
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Jerome Kaino 70'
RL5Brodie Retallick
LL4Luke Romano 59'
TP3Owen Franks 54'
HK2Keven Mealamu 59'
LP1Tony Woodcock 59'
Replacements:
HK16Codie Taylor 59'
PR17Wyatt Crockett 59'
PR18Nepo Laulala 54'
LK19Jeremy Thrush 59'
FL20Liam Messam 70'
SH21Andrew Ellis 70'
FH22Colin Slade 51'
CE23Ryan Crotty 73'
Coach:
Steve Hansen
FB15Joaquín Tuculet 55'
RW14Horacio Agulla
OC13Marcelo Bosch
IC12Jerónimo de la Fuente 68'
LW11Santiago Cordero
FH10Nicolás Sánchez
SH9Tomás Cubelli 55'
N88Facundo Isa
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Juan Manuel Leguizamón 49'
RL5Guido Petti Pagadizábal 62'
LL4Manuel Carizza
TP3Ramiro Herrera 54'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c) 62'
LP1Marcos Ayerza 62'
Replacements:
HK16Julián Montoya 62'
PR17Lucas Noguera Paz 62'
PR18Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro 54'
N819Benjamín Macome 62'
FL20Javier Ortega Desio 49'
SH21Martín Landajo 55'
FH22Santiago González Iglesias 68'
FB23Lucas 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'
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 37,633
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt Giteau 67' to 74'
LW11Rob Horne 57'
FH10Quade Cooper 65' 67' 74'
SH9Will Genia 40'
N88Scott Higginbotham 45'
OF7Michael Hooper
BF6Scott Fardy
RL5Rob Simmons
LL4Will Skelton 50'
TP3Sekope Kepu 45'
HK2Stephen Moore (c)
LP1James Slipper 65'
Replacements:
HK16Tatafu Polota-Nau
PR17Scott Sio 65'
PR18Greg Holmes 45'
LK19James Horwill 50'
FL20David Pocock 45'
SH21Nick Phipps 40'
CE22Matt Toomua 65'
WG23Drew Mitchell 57'
Coach:
Michael Cheika
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14JP Pietersen
OC13Jesse Kriel 67'
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard 67'
SH9Ruan Pienaar 67'
N88Schalk Burger
OF7Marcell Coetzee 69'
BF6Francois Louw 28' to 40'
RL5Victor Matfield (c) 17'
LL4Eben Etzebeth
TP3Jannie du Plessis 13' 17' 47'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis 49'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira 49'
Replacements:
HK16Adriaan Strauss 49'
PR17Heinke van der Merwe 49'
PR18Frans Malherbe 13' 17' 47'
LK19Lood de Jager 17'
FL20Oupa Mohojé 28' 40' 69'
SH21Cobus Reinach 67'
FH22Pat Lambie 67'
WG23Lwazi 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
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'
FB15Willie le Roux 62'
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13Jesse Kriel 77'
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard 39' to 40'
SH9Ruan Pienaar 75'
N88Schalk Burger (c)
OF7Francois Louw 41'
BF6Heinrich Brüssow
RL5Lood de Jager 59'
LL4Eben Etzebeth
TP3Jannie du Plessis 40'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis
LP1Tendai Mtawarira 69'
Replacements:
HK16Adriaan Strauss 69'
PR17Trevor Nyakane 61'
PR18Vincent Koch 40' 61'
LK19Flip van der Merwe 59'
N820Warren Whiteley 41'
SH21Cobus Reinach 75'
FH22Pat Lambie 39' 40' 62'
CE23Lionel Mapoe 77'
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Israel Dagg 51'
RW14Ben Smith
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ma'a Nonu 46'
LW11Charles Piutau
FH10Lima Sopoaga
SH9Aaron Smith 64'
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Liam Messam 56'
RL5James Broadhurst 40'
LL4Brodie Retallick
TP3Owen Franks 56'
HK2Dane Coles 62'
LP1Tony Woodcock 49'
Replacements:
HK16Codie Taylor 62'
PR17Wyatt Crockett 49'
PR18Ben Franks 56'
LK19Sam Whitelock 59' to 69' 40'
N820Victor Vito 56'
SH21TJ Perenara 64'
FH22Beauden Barrett 51'
CE23Malakai 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'
FB15Santiago Cordero
RW14Gonzalo Camacho 56'
OC13Matías Moroni
IC12Juan Pablo Socino
LW11Juan Imhoff
FH10Nicolás Sánchez 66'
SH9Martín Landajo 61'
N88Facundo Isa 63'
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Javier Ortega Desio
RL5Tomás Lavanini 66'
LL4Manuel Carizza
TP3Ramiro Herrera 52'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c) 72'
LP1Marcos Ayerza 67'
Replacements:
HK16Santiago Iglesias Valdez 72'
PR17Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro 52'
PR18Matías Díaz 67'
LK19Matías Alemanno 66'
N820Leonardo Senatore 63'
SH21Tomás Cubelli 61'
FH22Santiago González Iglesias 66'
FB23Lucas González Amorosino 56'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt Toomua 9'
LW11Joe Tomane
FH10Bernard Foley
SH9Nick Phipps 75'
N88Ben McCalman 48'
OF7David Pocock
BF6Scott Fardy 53'
RL5Rob Simmons
LL4Will Skelton
TP3Greg Holmes 55'
HK2Stephen Moore (c) 66'
LP1James Slipper 39'
Replacements:
HK16Tatafu Polota-Nau 66'
PR17Scott Sio 39'
PR18Sekope Kepu 55'
LK19Dean Mumm 53'
FL20Michael Hooper 48'
SH21Nic White 75'
FH22Quade Cooper 65' to 75' 9' 75'
CE23Kurtley 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
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
Con: Carter (0/2)
Pen: Carter (3/3) 8', 29', 50'
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 73,824
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt Giteau 65'
LW11Drew Mitchell
FH10Bernard Foley 50'
SH9Nick Phipps 53' to 63' 65'
N88David Pocock 61' to 68'
OF7Michael Hooper 15' 18'
BF6Scott Fardy 76'
RL5James Horwill 58'
LL4Dean Mumm
TP3Sekope Kepu 7' to 17' 54'
HK2Stephen Moore (c) 68'
LP1Scott Sio 58'
Replacements:
HK16Tatafu Polota-Nau 68'
PR17James Slipper 58'
PR18Greg Holmes 15' 18' 54'
LK19Will Skelton 58'
N820Ben McCalman 61' 68' 76'
SH21Nic White 65'
CE22Matt Toomua 50'
CE23Kurtley Beale 65'
Coach:
Michael Cheika
FB15Ben Smith 61'
RW14Nehe Milner-Skudder
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Sonny Bill Williams 54'
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Dan Carter
SH9Aaron Smith 42' to 52' 77'
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Jerome Kaino 73'
RL5Luke Romano 54'
LL4Brodie Retallick
TP3Owen Franks 44'
HK2Dane Coles 68'
LP1Tony Woodcock 73'
Replacements:
HK16Codie Taylor 68'
PR17Ben Franks 73'
PR18Nepo Laulala 44'
LK19Sam Whitelock 54'
FL20Sam Cane 73'
SH21TJ Perenara 77'
FH22Beauden Barrett 61'
CE23Malakai 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 equaled 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 ANZ Stadium 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'
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
Attendance: 27,447
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Jesse Kriel
OC13Jean de Villiers (c)
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard 65'
SH9Ruan Pienaar 59'
N88Schalk Burger
OF7Marcell Coetzee 65'
BF6Heinrich Brüssow 62'
RL5Lood de Jager
LL4Eben Etzebeth 61'
TP3Vincent Koch 40'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis 56'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira 61'
Replacements:
HK16Adriaan Strauss 56'
PR17Trevor Nyakane 61'
PR18Marcel van der Merwe 40'
LK19Pieter-Steph du Toit 61'
FL20Siya Kolisi 62'
SH21Cobus Reinach 59'
FH22Pat Lambie 65'
WG23Lwazi Mvovo 65'
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Joaquín Tuculet
RW14Horacio Agulla
OC13Marcelo Bosch
IC12Jerónimo de la Fuente 55'
LW11Juan Imhoff
FH10Juan Martín Hernández 62'
SH9Tomás Cubelli 66'
N88Leonardo Senatore
OF7Juan Manuel Leguizamón 65'
BF6Pablo Matera 75' to 80'
RL5Tomás Lavanini
LL4Guido Petti Pagadizábal 56'
TP3Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro 70'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c) 67'
LP1Marcos Ayerza 52'
Replacements:
HK16Julián Montoya 67'
PR17Lucas Noguera Paz 52'
PR18Matías Díaz 70'
LK19Matías Alemanno 56'
FL20Tomás Lezana 65'
SH21Martín Landajo 66'
FH22Santiago González Iglesias 55'
FB23Lucas 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

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

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

Argentina

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 Pagadizábal 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

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 Toomua 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

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

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 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

See also

References
  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 2015-06-28. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  13. "Plantel de Los Pumas para viajar a Sudáfrica". uar.com.ar. Archived from the original on 2015-07-31. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  14. "404". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  15. "404". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.