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

PlaceNationGamesPointsTry
Bonus
Losing
Bonus
Table
points
PlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDiff
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)
(1 BP) 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)
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  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 (1 BP)
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)
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 To'omua  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)
(1 BP) 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)
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 (1 BP)
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)
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 To'omua  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
Pen: Carter (3/3) 8', 29', 50'
Stadium Australia, 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 To'omua  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 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 (1 BP)
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)
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  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

NationMatch venuesHead coachCaptain
NameCityCapacity
 ArgentinaEstadio Malvinas ArgentinasMendoza40,268 Daniel HourcadeAgustín Creevy
 AustraliaStadium AustraliaSydney84,000 Michael CheikaStephen Moore
Lang ParkBrisbane53,000
 New ZealandRugby League ParkChristchurch18,000 Steve HansenRichie McCaw
 South AfricaEllis Park StadiumJohannesburg62,567 Heyneke MeyerVictor Matfield
Schalk Burger
Jean de Villiers
Kings Park StadiumDurban52,000

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.

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Agustín Creevy (c)Hooker (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 30)36 UAR
Santiago Iglesias ValdezHooker (1993-05-26)26 May 1993 (aged 22)10 UAR
Julián MontoyaHooker (1993-10-29)29 October 1993 (aged 21)6 UAR
Marcos AyerzaProp (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 32)57 Leicester Tigers
Matías DíazProp (1993-03-16)16 March 1993 (aged 22)9 UAR
Juan FigalloProp (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27)22 Saracens
Ramiro HerreraProp (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 26)11 UAR
Lucas Noguera PazProp (1993-05-10)10 May 1993 (aged 22)13 UAR
Juan Pablo OrlandiProp (1983-06-20)20 June 1983 (aged 32)15Unattached
Nahuel Tetaz ChaparroProp (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 (aged 25)16 UAR
Matías AlemannoLock (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 23)11 UAR
Manuel CarizzaLock (1984-08-23)23 August 1984 (aged 30)44 Racing 92
Tomás LavaniniLock (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 22)18Unattached
Guido PettiLock (1994-11-17)17 November 1994 (aged 20)4 UAR
Juan Martín Fernández LobbeFlanker (1981-11-19)19 November 1981 (aged 33)61 Toulon
Juan Manuel LeguizamónFlanker (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 32)59Unattached
Tomás LezanaFlanker (1994-02-16)16 February 1994 (aged 21)3 UAR
Pablo MateraFlanker (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 21)14 UAR
Javier Ortega DesioFlanker (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 25)14 UAR
Facundo IsaNumber 8 (1993-09-21)21 September 1993 (aged 21)5 UAR
Benjamín MacomeNumber 8 (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29)21 Bayonne
Leonardo SenatoreNumber 8 (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 31)29Unattached
Tomás CubelliScrum-half (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 26)34 UAR
Felipe EzcurraScrum-half (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22)2 Hindú
Martín LandajoScrum-half (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 27)42 UAR
Santiago González IglesiasFly-half (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 27)14 UAR
Nicolás SánchezFly-half (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 26)30 UAR
Juan Pablo SocinoFly-half (1988-05-30)30 May 1988 (aged 27)0 Newcastle Falcons
Marcelo BoschCentre (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 31)33 Saracens
Jerónimo de la FuenteCentre (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 24)11 UAR
Juan Martín HernándezCentre (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 32)52Unattached
Matías MoroniCentre (1991-03-29)29 March 1991 (aged 24)2 UAR
Horacio AgullaWing (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 30)58 Bath
Gonzalo CamachoWing (1984-08-28)28 August 1984 (aged 30)23 Leicester Tigers
Santiago CorderoWing (1993-12-06)6 December 1993 (aged 21)9 UAR
Juan ImhoffWing (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 27)26 Racing 92
Lucas González AmorosinoFullback (1985-11-02)2 November 1985 (aged 29)40Unattached
Joaquín TuculetFullback (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.

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)CapsClub/province
James HansonHooker (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-NauHooker (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 29)50 Waratahs
Tetera FaulknerProp (1988-07-26)26 July 1988 (aged 26)2 Force
Greg HolmesProp (1983-06-11)11 June 1983 (aged 32)13 Reds
Sekope KepuProp (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 29)52 Waratahs
Scott SioProp (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 23)5 Brumbies
James SlipperProp (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 26)63 Reds
Toby SmithProp (1988-10-10)10 October 1988 (aged 26)0 Rebels
Rory ArnoldLock (1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 25)0 Brumbies
Dave DennisLock (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29)18 Waratahs
James HorwillLock (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 30)58 Reds
Dean MummLock (1984-03-05)5 March 1984 (aged 31)33 Waratahs
Rob SimmonsLock (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 26)50 Reds
Will SkeltonLock (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 23)8 Waratahs
Scott FardyFlanker (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 31)20 Brumbies
Michael HooperFlanker (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23)42 Waratahs
Sean McMahonFlanker (1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 21)3 Rebels
David PocockFlanker (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 27)46 Brumbies
Scott HigginbothamNumber 8 (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 28)31 Rebels
Ben McCalmanNumber 8 (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 27)38 Force
Wycliff PaluNumber 8 (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 32)54 Waratahs
Will GeniaScrum-half (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 27)58 Reds
Nick PhippsScrum-half (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 26)28 Waratahs
Nic WhiteScrum-half (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 25)19 Brumbies
Quade CooperFly-half (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 27)53 Reds
Bernard FoleyFly-half (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 25)18 Waratahs
Kurtley BealeCentre (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 26)49 Waratahs
Matt GiteauCentre (1982-09-29)29 September 1982 (aged 32)92 Toulon
Samu KereviCentre (1993-09-27)27 September 1993 (aged 21)0 Reds
Tevita KuridraniCentre (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24)20 Brumbies
Christian LealiifanoCentre (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 27)16 Brumbies
Matt To'omuaCentre (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 25)21 Brumbies
Adam Ashley-CooperWing (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31)104 Waratahs
Nick CumminsWing (1987-10-05)5 October 1987 (aged 27)15 Force
Rob HorneWing (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 25)25 Waratahs
Drew MitchellWing (1984-03-26)26 March 1984 (aged 31)63 Toulon
Taqele NaiyaravoroWing (1991-12-07)7 December 1991 (aged 23)0 Waratahs
Henry SpeightWing (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27)2 Brumbies
Joe TomaneWing (1990-02-11)11 February 1990 (aged 25)14 Brumbies
Israel FolauFullback (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]

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Dane ColesHooker (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 28)27Hurricanes / Wellington
Hika ElliotHooker (1986-01-22)22 January 1986 (aged 29)4Chiefs / Poverty Bay
Keven MealamuHooker (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 36)124Blues / Auckland
Codie TaylorHooker (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24)0Crusaders / Canterbury
Wyatt CrockettProp (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 32)37Crusaders / Canterbury
Charlie FaumuinaProp (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 28)27Blues / Auckland
Ben FranksProp (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31)41Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay
Owen FranksProp (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 27)68Crusaders / Canterbury
Nepo LaulalaProp (1991-11-06)6 November 1991 (aged 23)1Crusaders / Canterbury
Joe MoodyProp (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 26)8Crusaders / Canterbury
Tony WoodcockProp (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 34)111Blues / North Harbour
James BroadhurstLock (1987-12-01)1 December 1987 (aged 27)0Hurricanes / Taranaki
Brodie RetallickLock (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 24)37Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Luke RomanoLock (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 29)18Crusaders / Canterbury
Jeremy ThrushLock (1985-04-19)19 April 1985 (aged 30)11Hurricanes / Wellington
Sam WhitelockLock (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 26)63Crusaders / Canterbury
Sam CaneFlanker (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 23)22Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Jerome KainoFlanker (1983-04-06)6 April 1983 (aged 32)57Blues / Auckland
Richie McCaw (c)Flanker (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 34)138Crusaders / Canterbury
Liam MessamFlanker (1984-03-25)25 March 1984 (aged 31)40Chiefs / Waikato
Matt ToddFlanker (1988-03-24)24 March 1988 (aged 27)3Crusaders / Canterbury
Kieran ReadNumber 8 (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 29)73Crusaders / Canterbury
Victor VitoNumber 8 (1987-03-27)27 March 1987 (aged 28)26Hurricanes / Wellington
Andrew EllisHalf-back (1984-02-21)21 February 1984 (aged 31)27Crusaders / Canterbury
Tawera Kerr-BarlowHalf-back (1990-08-15)15 August 1990 (aged 24)15Chiefs / Waikato
TJ PerenaraHalf-back (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 23)11Hurricanes / Wellington
Aaron SmithHalf-back (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 26)38Highlanders / Manawatu
Beauden BarrettFirst five-eighth (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 24)28Hurricanes / Taranaki
Dan CarterFirst five-eighth (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 33)103Crusaders / Canterbury
Colin SladeFirst five-eighth (1987-10-10)10 October 1987 (aged 27)18Crusaders / Canterbury
Lima SopoagaFirst five-eighth (1991-02-03)3 February 1991 (aged 24)0Highlanders / Southland
Ryan CrottyCentre (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 26)14Crusaders / Canterbury
Malakai FekitoaCentre (1992-05-10)10 May 1992 (aged 23)8Highlanders / Auckland
Ma'a NonuCentre (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 33)94Hurricanes / Wellington
Conrad SmithCentre (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 33)85Hurricanes / Wellington
Sonny Bill WilliamsCentre (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 29)24Chiefs / Counties Manukau
Cory JaneWing (1983-02-08)8 February 1983 (aged 32)53Hurricanes / Wellington
Waisake NaholoWing (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24)0Highlanders / Taranaki
Patrick OsborneWing (1987-06-14)14 June 1987 (aged 28)0Highlanders / Canterbury
Charles PiutauWing (1991-10-31)31 October 1991 (aged 23)15Blues / Auckland
Julian SaveaWing (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 24)33Hurricanes / Wellington
Israel DaggFullback (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 27)47Crusaders / Hawke's Bay
Nehe Milner-SkudderFullback (1990-12-15)15 December 1990 (aged 24)0Hurricanes / Manawatu
Ben SmithFullback (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 29)38Highlanders / 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]

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Schalk BritsHooker (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 34)7 Saracens
Bismarck du PlessisHooker (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 31)70 Sharks
Adriaan StraussHooker (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 29)44 Bulls
Jannie du PlessisProp (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 32)62 Sharks
Vincent KochProp (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 25)0 Stormers
Frans MalherbeProp (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 24)4 Stormers
Tendai MtawariraProp (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29)64 Sharks
Trevor NyakaneProp (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 26)13 Bulls
Heinke van der MerweProp (1985-05-03)3 May 1985 (aged 30)4 Stade Français
Marcel van der MerweProp (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 24)5 Bulls
Lood de JagerLock (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 22)9 Cheetahs
Pieter-Steph du ToitLock (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992 (age 31)2 Sharks
Eben EtzebethLock (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 MerweLock (1985-06-06)6 June 1985 (aged 30)35 Bulls
Heinrich BrüssowFlanker (1986-07-21)21 July 1986 (aged 28)20 Cheetahs
Schalk BurgerFlanker (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 32)75 Stormers
Siya KolisiFlanker (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 24)10 Stormers
Marcell CoetzeeFlanker (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24)26 Sharks
Francois LouwFlanker (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 30)34 Bath
Oupa MohojéFlanker (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 24)7 Cheetahs
Warren WhiteleyNumber 8 (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 27)2 Lions
Rudy PaigeScrum-half (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 25)0 Bulls
Ruan PienaarScrum-half (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 31)80 Ulster
Cobus ReinachScrum-half (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 25)6 Sharks
Handré PollardFly-half (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 21)9 Bulls
Pat LambieFly-half (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 24)40 Sharks
Morné SteynFly-half (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 31)59 Stade Français
Damian de AllendeCentre (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 23)3 Stormers
Jean de VilliersCentre (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 34)106 Stormers
Lionel MapoeCentre (1988-07-13)13 July 1988 (aged 27)0 Lions
JP PietersenCentre (1986-07-12)12 July 1986 (aged 29)59 Sharks
Jan SerfonteinCentre (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22)20 Bulls
Bryan HabanaWing (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 32)106 Toulon
Cornal HendricksWing (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 27)11 Cheetahs
Lwazi MvovoWing (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 29)10 Sharks
Jesse KrielFullback (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 21)0 Bulls
Willie le RouxFullback (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