2015 National Rugby Championship

Last updated

2015 National Rugby Championship
Date20 August – 31 October 2015
Champions Brisbane City (2nd title)
Runners-up University of Canberra Vikings
Matches played39
Attendance56,547
(average 1,450 per match)
Highest attendance4,327
Brisbane City 21–10 University of Canberra Vikings (31 October 2015)
Lowest attendance300
Greater Sydney Rams City 39–63 Perth Spirit (10 October 2015)
Top point scorer Jake McIntyre (141)
 Brisbane City
Top try scorer Junior Laloifi (14)
 Brisbane City
Official website
buildcorpnrc.com.au
  2014
2016  

The 2015 National Rugby Championship (known as the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship for sponsorship reasons) was the second season of Australia's National Rugby Championship, involving nine professional rugby union teams from around Australia. The competition kicked off 20 August 2015.

Contents

The regular season was dominated by two teams, Brisbane City and University of Canberra Vikings, who went on to play in the championship final. [1] [2] The deciding match, played at Ballymore, was won 21–10 by Brisbane to claim their second consecutive NRC title. [3]

Teams

Australia location map.svg
Blue pog.svg
SYD
Red pog.svg
BC
Red pog.svg
MR
Red pog.svg
NSW
Red pog.svg
PS
Red pog.svg
QC
Red pog.svg
CV
Location of teams in the 2015 National Rugby Championship

Legend:
BCBrisbane City
MRMelbourne Rising
NSWNSW Country Eagles
PSPerth Spirit
QCQueensland Country
CVUniversity of Canberra Vikings

Blue pog.svg SYD – Sydney (see below)
Location map Australia Sydney.png
Red pog.svg
GSR
Red pog.svg
NHR
Red pog.svg
SYD
Location of the Sydney-based teams in the 2015 National Rugby Championship

GSRGreater Sydney Rams
NHRNorth Harbour Rays
SYDSydney Stars

The nine teams confirmed for the 2015 NRC season include four from New South Wales, two from Queensland, and one each from Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Western Australia: [4]

RegionTeamCoach(es)Captain(s)Refs
ACT University of Canberra Vikings Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brad Harris Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jarrad Butler [5] [6]
NSW NSW Country Eagles Flag of Australia (converted).svg Darren Coleman Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jono Lance [7] [8]
Greater Sydney Rams Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jim Williams Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jed Holloway [9]
North Harbour Rays Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Townsend Flag of Australia (converted).svg Luke Holmes [10]
Sydney Stars Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Playford Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Hickey [11]
QLD Brisbane City Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Stiles Flag of Australia (converted).svg Liam Gill
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Frisby
[12]
Queensland Country Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason Gilmore Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Tuttle [13] [14]
VIC Melbourne Rising Flag of Australia (converted).svg Zane Hilton Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colby Fainga'a
Flag of New Zealand.svg Scott Fuglistaller
[15]
WA Perth Spirit Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tai McIsaac Flag of Australia (converted).svg Heath Tessmann
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Prior
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Angus Cottrell
[16]

Home match venues for the 2015 NRC season:

RegionTeamMatch VenueCapacityCity
ACT University of Canberra Vikings Viking Park 10,000 Canberra
NSW NSW Country Eagles Ann Ashwood Park3,000 Bathurst
No. 2 Sports Ground5,000 Newcastle
Chillingworth Oval3,000 Tamworth
Woollahra Oval5,000 Sydney
Greater Sydney Rams Concord Oval 20,000
Granville Park 5,000
Forshaw Park 3,000
Parramatta Stadium 20,700
North Harbour Rays Manly Oval5,000
Pittwater Park 10,000
Sydney Stars Leichhardt Oval 22,000
QLD Brisbane City Ballymore 18,000 Brisbane
Queensland Country Bond University , Gold Coast 5,000 Gold Coast
Rugby Park 5,000 Rockhampton
Sports Ground 9,000 Toowoomba
Stockland Park 12,000 Sunshine Coast
VIC Melbourne Rising Holmesglen Reserve3,000 Melbourne
Frankston Park 8,000
Simonds Stadium 34,074 Geelong
Latrobe City Stadium 12,000 Morwell
WA Perth Spirit UWA Rugby Club 4,000 Perth

Television coverage and streaming

One (or more) of the NRC matches each round is broadcast live via Fox Sports, typically the Thursday night match. Streaming of the three non-broadcast matches per round, usually played on Saturday or Sunday, is hosted by Fox Sports online. [17] Discussion of the NRC competition is included on Fox Sports' Rugby HQ program on Thursday nights following the live match broadcast, and on the review show NRC Extra Time on Monday nights. [17]

Experimental Law Variations

The ARU was given approval by World Rugby (then known as the International Rugby Board) to conduct experimental law trials as part of the 2014 National Rugby Championship. [18] These law variations were retained for the 2015 season. [17] Consideration was given to reverting the value of a successful conversion kick to 2 points to restore a converted try to 7 points, [19] but the 3 point conversion variation was retained. [17]

NRC Law Variations 2014–2015
Existing Law of the GameVariation
Law 9.A.1
Value of a Conversion goal - 2 points
Value of a Penalty goal - 3 points
Value of a Dropped goal - 3 points



Value of a Conversion goal - 3 points
Value of a Penalty goal - 2 points
Value of a Dropped goal - 2 points


Previously trialled in South Africa's Varsity Cup. [18]

Law 5.7(e)
If time expires and the ball is not dead, or an awarded scrum or lineout has not been completed, the referee allows play to continue until the next time that the ball becomes dead. The ball becomes dead when the referee would have awarded a scrum, lineout, an option to the non-infringing team, drop out or after a conversion or successful penalty kick at goal. If a scrum has to be reset, the scrum has not been completed. If time expires and a mark, free kick or penalty kick is then awarded, the referee allows play to continue.
Non-offending team is allowed to kick the ball into touch after being awarded a penalty kick, which has been blown after time expires, and the lineout will take place.
Law 19.6
The player taking the throw-in must stand at the correct place. The player must not step into the field of play when the ball is thrown. The ball must be thrown straight, so that it travels at least 5 metres along the line of touch before it first touches the ground or touches or is touched by a player.
Latitude will be given to the throwing team if the opposing team does not compete for the ball near where the ball is received
Law 9.B.1(e)
The kicker must take the kick within one minute and thirty seconds (ninety seconds) from the time a try has been awarded. The player must take the kick within one minute and thirty seconds even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again.
Time limit reduced to 60 seconds for conversion kicks, and 45 seconds for penalty kicks.
Law 20.1(d)
No delay. A team must not intentionally delay forming a scrum.
Team has 30 seconds to form a scrum from the time the referee gives the mark.
Law 20.12(c)
When a team has won the ball in a scrum, the scrum half of the opposing team is offside if that scrum half steps in front of the ball with either foot while the ball is still in the scrum.
Opposing scrum half is not allowed to enter the gap between the flanker and number 8, even if they stay behind the ball
Law 21.2(a)
The kicker must take the penalty or free kick at the mark or anywhere behind it on a line through the mark.
Increased latitude will be given to where penalty and free kicks are to be taken
Law 19.2(d)
For a quick throw-in, the player must use the ball that went into touch. A quick throw-in is not permitted if another person has touched the ball apart from the player throwing it in and an opponent who carried it into touch. The same team throws into the lineout.
Players will be allowed to take quick throw-ins regardless of whether someone else has touched the ball
Law 17.2(d)
Keeping players on their feet. Players in a maul must endeavour to stay on their feet. The ball carrier in a maul may go to ground providing the ball is available immediately and play continues.
Greater policing of this law, in order to discourage "hold up tackles", by ensuring that the tackler, who holds up a ball carrier in an effort to form a maul, does not collapse the maul as soon as it has formed.
Competition rule - Bonus point awarded for scoring 4 triesBonus point awarded if winning team scores 3 or more tries than their opponents.

This particular system has been used in France's professional leagues since the 2007–08 northern hemisphere season. [20] [21]
Television match official protocolsTelevision match official to only be consulted about tries and in-goal plays.

Regular season

The nine teams compete in a round-robin tournament for the regular season. Each team has four matches at home and four away, with one bye. The top four teams qualify for the title play-offs with semi-finals and finals.

During this section of the tournament, teams can also play for the Horan-Little Shield, a challenge trophy that is played for when a challenge is accepted or offered by the holders.

Standings

National Rugby Championship
PosTeamPWDLPFPAPDTBLBPts
1 Brisbane City HL 8800400174+2266038
2 Canberra Vikings 8701375176+1996135
3 Melbourne Rising 8503220251−310020
4 Sydney Stars 8404241314−732220
5 NSW Country Eagles 8404225260−351219
6 Perth Spirit 8305276271+52216
7 North Harbour Rays 8206275339−641211
8 Queensland Country 8206230336–106019
9 Greater Sydney Rams 8107242363−121037
Updated: 18 October 2015
Source: rugbyarchive.net
 Teams 1 to 4 (Green background) at the end of the regular season qualify for the Title play-offs.
HL denotes the holder of the Horan-Little Shield.

Four points for a win, two for a draw, and no points for a bye.
One bonus point for losing by eight or fewer (LB).
One bonus point for the winning team scoring three or more tries than their opponent (TB)
If teams are level on points in the standings, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  Difference between points for and against
  The match result between the tied teams
  Total number of tries scored in the competition

Competition rounds

Round 1

20 August 2015 Brisbane City 29–16 Perth Spirit Ballymore, Brisbane  
7:30 pmTry: Hunt 19' c
Laloifi 27' m
Kerevi 49' c
McIntyre 71' c
Con: McIntyre (2/3) 20', 50'
Taefu (1/1) 72'
Report [22]
Summary [23]
Try: Koteka 35' c
Cottrell 55' c
Con: Prior (2/2) 36', 56'
Cards: Heiberg Yellow card.svg 11' to 21'
Attendance: 2,698
Referee: Will Houston
22 August 2015 North Harbour Rays 29–45 Sydney Stars Manly Oval 
3:00 pmTry: Northam 4' m
Adams 15' c
Hill 43' c
Holmes 53' c
Con: Angus (3/4) 16', 44', 54'
Report [24] Try: Hickey 21' m
Gordon 25' c
Jones 28' c
Robertson 30' c
Hanson 39' c
Coolican 68' c
Con: Roberts (5/6) 25', 29', 31', 40', 69'
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Graham Cooper
22 August 2015(BP) Greater Sydney Rams 31–32 NSW Country Eagles Merrylands RSL Rugby Park, Sydney  
3:00 pmTry: Heyer 5' m
Masson 29' m
Asquith 31' c
Gillespie 46' c
Kapa 59' m
Con: Asquith (1/3) 32'
Ayoub (1/2) 47'
Cards: Munro Yellow card.svg 40' to 50'
Betham Yellow card.svg 50' to 60'
Report [25] Try: Brooks 17' c
Stubbs 27' c
Kellaway 35' c
Miller 52' c
Con: Lance (4/4) 19', 27', 37', 53'
Cards: Dowsett Yellow card.svg 27' to 37'
Attendance: 1,200 [26]
Referee: Angus Gardner
Horan-Little Challenge23 August 2015(BP) Queensland Country 31–39 Melbourne Rising Bond University, Gold Coast  
3:30 pmTry: Fa'agase (2) 20' c, 43' c
Mitchell 10' m
Taulagi 40' m
Leilua 57' m
Con: Greene (2/5) 21', 44'
Report [27] Try: Meehan (2) 15' c, 46' m
Taliu 23' c
Fuglistaller 25' c
Leafa 52' m
Shipperley 70' m
Con: Debreczeni (3/6) 16', 24', 26
Pen: Debreczeni (0/1)
Cards: Meehan Yellow card.svg 34' to 44'
Placid Yellow card.svg 64' to 74'
Attendance: 1,700 [26]
Referee: Nic Berry
Bye/s: University of Canberra Vikings

Round 2

27 August 2015 Sydney Stars 50–40 Queensland Country Leichhardt Oval, Sydney  
7:30 pmTry: Robertson (2) 31' c, 61' m
Jones 10' c
Clunies-Ross 15' m
Gordon 40' c
Hickey 45' c
Philip 64' c
Con: Roberts (4/6) 11', 32', 40', 46'
McGregor (1/1) 64'
Report [28]
Summary [29]
Try: Perese (2) 12' c, 59' c
Tuttle 25' c
Greene 50' c
Duncan Paia'aua 73' c
Con: Greene (5/5) 13', 26', 51', 60', 73'
Attendance: 400
Referee: Graham Cooper
Horan-Little Challenge29 August 2015 Melbourne Rising 21–49 Brisbane City (BP)Holmesglen Reserve, Melbourne 
2:00 pmTry: Debreczeni 10' c
Reid 18' c
Vilitati 71' m
Con: Debreczeni (2/3) 11', 19'
Cards: Tyler Yellow card.svg 52' to 62'
Report [30] Try: Setu 30' m
Laloifi 44' c
Neville 46' c
Talakai 51' c
Kerevi 76' c
Higginbotham 81' c
Con: Frisby (0/1)
McIntyre (5/5) 45', 47', 52', 77', 81'
Attendance: 500
Referee: Angus Gardner
29 August 2015 NSW Country Eagles 13–37 University of Canberra Vikings (BP)Woollahra Oval, Sydney 
3:00 pmTry: Baldwin 20' c
Kellaway 69' m
Con: Lance (1/2) 21'
Cards: Ed Stubbs Yellow card.svg 76' to 81'
Report [31] Try: Taliauli 22'
Butler 35' c
Thompson 47' m
Ah Wong 67' c
Perry 67' c
Con: Thompson (3/4) 23', 36', 68', 80'
Attendance: 2,623
Referee: Mike Lash
29 August 2015 Perth Spirit 26–45 North Harbour Rays McGillivray Oval, Perth  
3:30 pm AWSTTry: Hardwick (2) 12' c, 49' m
Mocenacagi 23' m
Konelio 52' c
Con: Nikoro (1/2) 13'
Prior (1/2) 53'
Cards: Tessmann Yellow card.svg 36' to 46'
Cottrell Yellow card.svg 55' to 65'
Report [32] Try: Killingworth (2) 40' c, 45' c
Holmes 16' c
Northam 30' m
Hunting 57' c
Rorke 71 c
Con: Angus (5/6) 17', 40', 46', 58', 72'
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Andrew Lees
Bye/s: Greater Sydney Rams

Round 3

3 September 2015(BP) North Harbour Rays 40–45 Melbourne Rising Manly Oval 
7:30 pmTry: Killingworth (32) 8' c, 27' c
Angus 51' c
Holmes 58' c
Hill 61' c
Con: Angus (5/5) 9', 28', 52', 59', 62'
Cards: O'Connor Yellow card.svg 64' to 74'
Report [33]
Summary [34]
Try: Johansson 14' c
Reid 18' c
Ili 23' c
Debreczeni 33' c
Meehan 38' c
Fainga'a 72' m
Con: Debreczeni (5/6) 14', 18', 24', 33', 39'
Cards: Johansson Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Mick Tanzer
5 September 2015(BP) University of Canberra Vikings 58–26 Greater Sydney Rams Viking Park, Canberra  
2:00 pmTry: Butler (2) 3' c, 24' c
Niumata (2) 7' m, 76' c
Arnold 39' c
Fainifo 56' c
Vaea 62' m
Oakman-Hunt 71' c
Con: Leali'ifano (6/8) 4', 25', 40', 57', 71', 77'
Report [35] Try: Needs (2) 27' m, 66' c
Curtis 33' c
Masson 45' m
Con: Saifoloi (2/4) 34', 67'
Attendance: 2,178
Referee: Will Houston
5 September 2015(BP) Sydney Stars 45–24 Perth Spirit Leichhardt Oval, Sydney  
3:00 pmTry: Hale 21' m
Hickey 35' c
Carter 43' c
Kingston 54' c
Gordon 69' c
Philip 80' c
Con: Roberts (4/5) 36', 44', 55', 70'
McGregor (1/1) 80'
Cards: Whiteley Yellow card.svg 58' to 68'
Report [36] Try: Rovira 15' c
Nikoro 27' c
Jooste 48' c
Con: Prior (3/3) 16', 28', 50'
Cards: Nikoro Yellow card.svg 53' to 63'
Rangi Yellow card.svg 35' to 45'
Attendance: 750
Referee: Mike Lash
6 September 2015 Queensland Country 24–44 Brisbane City (BP) Sports Ground, Toowoomba  
3:30 pmTry: Samo 4' c
Magnay 54' c
Cornelsen 68' c
Con: Greene (3/3) 5', 55', 69'
Report [37] Try: Laloifi (2) 48' c, 62' c
Gibbon 13' m
Hyne 37' c
Gill 60' m
Kuridrani 80' c
Con: McIntyre (3/5) 38', 49', 63'
Taefu (1/1) 80'
Pen: McIntyre (1/1) 73'
Cards: Neville Yellow card.svg 65' to 75'
Attendance: 2,204
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
Bye/s: NSW Country Eagles

Round 4

Horan-Little Challenge10 September 2015(BP) Brisbane City 55–29 North Harbour Rays Ballymore, Brisbane  
7:30 pmTry: Gill (2) 13' c, 38' m
Kerevi (2) 59' c, 80' c
penalty try 12' c
Tela 18' m
Frisby 68' m
Laloifi 73' c
Con: McIntyre (3/5) 12', 14', 60'
Taefu (2/2) 74', 80'
Cards: Higginbotham Yellow card.svg 35' to 45'
Gill Yellow card.svg 65' to 75'
Report [38]
Summary [39]
Try: Holmes 29' m
Northam 42' c
Hill 62' c
Bergelin 65' c
Con: Angus (1/2) 43'
Hodge (2/2) 63', 66'
Cards: Pili-Gaitau Yellow card.svg 25' to 35' Yellow-red card.svg 50' to 80'
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
12 September 2015 NSW Country Eagles 37–31 Sydney Stars (BP)Chillingworth Oval, Tamworth 
3:00 pmTry: Lance (2) 21' c, 46' m
Clifton 27' c, 49' c
Figg 71' c
Con: Lance (4/5) 23', 28', 50', 72'
Cards: Collins Yellow card.svg 78' to 80'
Report [40] Try: Jones (2) 61' c, 63' m
Gordon 33' m
Whiteley 40' c
Kovacic 79' m
Con: Roberts (2/5) 40', 62'
Cards: Whiteley Yellow card.svg 24' to 34'
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Michael Hogan
12 September 2015(BP) Greater Sydney Rams 31–37 Queensland Country Forshaw Park, Sydney  
3:00 pmTry: Curtis 7' m, 68' c
Godinet 31' m
Hayes 40' m
Tufui 49' c
Con: Ayoub (2/5) 50', 69'
Report [41] Try: Greene (2) 4' c, 66' m
Fainga'a 12' c
Leilua 51' c
Tupou 77' c
Con: Greene (4/5) 5', 13', 52', 78
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Andrew Lees
12 September 2015(BP) Perth Spirit 23–26 University of Canberra Vikings McGillivray Oval, Perth  
3:30 pm AWSTTry: Rasolea 15' c
Koteka 23' m
Lacey 47' m
Konelio 80' m
Con: Burton (1/4) 16'
Report [42] Try: Alaalatoa (2) 20' c, 29' c
Powell 4' c
Con: Iona (3/3) 5', 21', 30'
Pen: Third (1/1) 76'
Cards: Fainifo Yellow card.svg 14' to 24'
Smiler Yellow card.svg 32' to 42'
Ah Wong Yellow card.svg 78' to 80'
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Ed Martin
Bye/s: Melbourne Rising

Round 5

17 September 2015(BP) University of Canberra Vikings 76–16 Sydney Stars Viking Park, Canberra  
7:30 pmTry: Vaea (2) 19' c, 25' c
Ah Wong (4) 8' m, 32' m, 63' m, 78' c
Abel 13' c
Thompson 19' c
Dargaville 42' m
penalty try 56' c
Iona 69' c
Con: Leali'ifano (6/9) 14', 19', 20', 26', 70', 79'
Thompson (1/2) 57'
Report [43]
Summary [44]
Try: Stewart 45' c
Carter 66' c
Con: McGregor (2/2) 46', 67'
Cards: Coolican Yellow card.svg 40' to 50'
Latu Yellow card.svg 53' to 63'
Attendance: 1,223
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
19 September 2015 Melbourne Rising 37–36 Greater Sydney Rams (BP) La Trobe City Stadium, Morwell  
2:00 pmTry: English (2) 42' c, 80' c
Fainga'a 30' m
Placid 51' c
Reid 77' c
Con: Debreczeni (4/5) 43', 52', 78', 80'
Cards: Vilitati Yellow card.svg 15' to 25'
Timani Yellow card.svg 23' to 33'
Report [45] Try: McDougall (2) 53' c, 70' m
Holloway (2) 60' m, 66' m
Gillespie 17' m
Carbone 34' c
Con: Ayoub (2/6) 34', 54'
Cards: Holloway Yellow card.svg 40' to 50'
Attendance: 480
Referee: Matt O'Brien
19 September 2015 Queensland Country 34–64 Perth Spirit (BP) Rugby Park, Rockhampton  
6:00 pmTry: Greene 31' c
Leilua 53' m
Tupou 71' c
Turner 74' c
Fitzgerald 78' m
Con: Greene (2/3) 31', 72'
Malolua (1/2) 75'
Report [46] Try: Havili (2) 33' c, 50' c
Koteka 6' c
Prior 19' c
Konelio 39' c
Hardwick 40' c
Nikoro 43' c
Godwin 46' c
Con: Prior (8/8) 6', 20', 34', 40', 41', 44', 47', 51'
Cards: Van Wyk Yellow card.svg 27' to 37'
Hardwick Yellow card.svg 62' to 72'
Heiberg Yellow card.svg 70' to 80'
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Horan-Little Challenge20 September 2015(BP) Brisbane City 61–29 NSW Country Eagles Ballymore, Brisbane  
3:30 pmTry: Kerevi (2) 57' c, 63' m
Higginbotham 18' c
Neville 25' c
Hunt 40' c
Laloifi 48' c
Kuridrani 53' c
Gibbon 78' c
Con: McIntyre (7/8) 19', 26', 40', 49', 54', 58', 79'
Report [47] Try: Tuala (2) 14' c, 22' c
Pennington 3' m
Roods 71' c
Con: Lance (2/3) 15', 23'
Harvey (1/1) 72'
Attendance: 1,816
Referee: Nic Berry
Bye/s: North Harbour Rays

Round 6

24 September 2015(BP) NSW Country Eagles 16–24 Queensland Country Sports Ground No. 2, Newcastle 
7:30 pmTry: Feao 19' c
Short 32' c
Con: Lance (2/2) 20', 33'
Cards: Maraki Yellow card.svg 71' to 80'
Report [48]
Summary [49]
Try: Jones 11' c
penalty try 49' c
Tupou 74' c
Con: Taumata (3/3) 12', 50', 75'
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Ed Martin
26 September 2015 North Harbour Rays 37–63 University of Canberra Vikings (BP) Pittwater Park, Sydney  
3:00 pmTry: Porch (2) 19' c, 63' m
Hodge 10' c
Pili-Gaitau 22' c
Adams 48' c
Con: Angus (4/5) 11', 20', 23', 49'
Cards: Elliott Yellow card.svg 21' to 41'
Bergelin Yellow card.svg 69' to 79'
Fraser Red card.svg 73'
Report [50] Try: Butler (2) 18' c, 40' c
Fainifo (2) 71' c, 76' c
Niumata 25' m
Dargaville 36' m
Arnold 44' c
Ah Wong 55' m
Vaea 67' c
Con: Leali'ifano (6/9) 19', 40', 45', 68', 73', 77'
Cards: Ah Wong Yellow card.svg 10' to 20'
Dargaville Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'
Lomax Red card.svg 73'
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Matt O'Brien
26 September 2015 Perth Spirit 31–21 Melbourne Rising McGillivray Oval, Perth  
3:30 pm AWSTTry: Lacey (2) 33' m, 39' m
Louwrens 23' c
Godwin 50' m
Cottrell 62' c
Con: Burton (1/3) 25'
Prior (1/1) 64'
Report [51] Try: Meehan 18' c
Ili 36' m
Placid 80' c
Con: Debreczeni (2/3) 19', 80'
Cards: Fainga'a Yellow card.svg 54' to 64'
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Graham Cooper
27 September 2015(BP) Sydney Stars 44–32 Greater Sydney Rams Leichhardt Oval, Sydney  
3:00 pmTry: Jones (3) 7' m, 24' m, 49' m
Robertson 30' c
Robinson 40' c
Tuapou 44' m
Yassmin 67' c
Con: McGregor (2/6) 31', 40'
Kagiassis (1/1) 68'
Report [52] Try: Gillespie 10' c
Meafua 16' c
McDougall 59' c
Holloway 76' c
Con: Teki (4/4) 11', 17', 60', 77'
Cards: Meafua Yellow card.svg 44' to 54'
Attendance: 800
Referee: Andrew Lees
Bye/s: Brisbane City

Round 7

1 October 2015 Greater Sydney Rams 23–21 North Harbour Rays (BP) Pirtek Stadium, Sydney  
7:30 pmTry: Masson (2) 10' m, 26' c
Hermens 22' m
Hayes 71' m
Con: Teki (1/4) 27'
Cards: Roos Yellow card.svg 6' to 16'
Report [53]
Summary [54]
Try: Hodge 7' c
Porch 14' m
Hill 64' c
Con: Angus (1/2) 8'
Hodge (1/1) 65'
Attendance: 400
Referee: Andrew Lees
2 October 2015(BP) University of Canberra Vikings 42–16 Melbourne Rising Viking Park, Canberra  
7:30 pmTry: Butler 22' c
penalty try 33' c
Toua 38' m
Vaea 54' m
Fainifo 67' c, 71' c
Con: Leali'ifano (4/6) 23', 34', 68', 72'
Report [55] Try: Debreczeni 25'
Shipperley 45'
Con: Debreczeni (2/2) 26', 46'
Cards: Cummins Yellow card.svg 31' to 41'
Ah-Nau Yellow card.svg 62' to 72'
Debreczeni Yellow card.svg 69' to 79'
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Horan-Little Challenge2 October 2015 Sydney Stars 0–58 Brisbane City (BP) Leichhardt Oval, Sydney  
7:30 pmCards: Toleafoa Yellow card.svg 40' to 50' Report [56] Try: Laloifi (4) 5' c, 14' c, 18' c, 51' c
Kuridrani 9' m
Hunt 17' c
Higginbotham 27' c
Setu 70' m
Con: McIntyre (6/7) 6', 15', 18', 19', 28', 52'
Taefu (0/1)
Attendance: 400
Referee: Will Houston
4 October 2015(BP) Perth Spirit 29–32 NSW Country Eagles McGillivray Oval, Perth  
3:00 pm AWSTTry: Rasolea 34' c
Hoskins 43' c
Tessmann 48' c
Hardwick 57' m
Con: Prior (3/4) 35', 44', 48'
Cards: Rasolea Red card.svg 37'
Report [57] Try: Horwitz 20' c
Kellaway 25' c
McKenzie 38' c
Stubbs 62' c
Con: Lance (4/4) 21', 26', 39', 63'
Cards: Stubbs Yellow card.svg 32' to 42'
Maraki Yellow card.svg 56' to 66'
Attendance: 600
Referee: Damien Mitchelmore
Bye/s: Queensland Country

Round 8

8 October 2015 Melbourne Rising 23–16 NSW Country Eagles (BP) Simonds Stadium, Geelong  
7:30 pm AEDTTry: Fainga'a (2) 65' m, 71' c
Placid 12' m
Meehan 61' m
Con: Meehan (1/1) 72'
Johansson (0/3)
Cards: Timani Yellow card.svg 30' to 40'
Jeffries Yellow card.svg 38' to 48'
Report [58]
Summary [59]
Try: Sexton 4' c
McKenzie 48' c
Con: Lance (2/2) 5', 49'
Cards: Baldwin Yellow card.svg 11' to 21'
Kuate Yellow card.svg 64' to 74'
Attendance: 500
Referee: Matt O'Brien
Horan-Little Challenge10 October 2015(BP) University of Canberra Vikings 31–37 Brisbane City Viking Park, Canberra  
2:00 pm AEDTTry: Holloway (3) 16' m, 28' c, 50' m
Gibbon 43' c
Pakalani 59' c
Munro 65' m
Con: Teki (2/3) 29', 43'
Adams (1/3) 60'
Report [60] Try: Nikoro (2) 8' c, 73' m
Apineru (2) 12' c, 32' m
Louwrens (2) 34' c, 54' m
Konelio 3' c
Lacey 23' c
Godwin 38' c
Con: Prior (6/9) 4', 9', 13', 23', 35', 38'
Attendance: 2,175
Referee: Andrew Lees
10 October 2015(BP) North Harbour Rays 50–32 Queensland Country Pittwater Park, Sydney  
3:00 pm AEDTTry: Holmes (2) 15' c, 21' c
Holmes (2) 40' m, 57' c
Adams (2) 51' m, 73' c
Lane 76' c
Con: Angus (5/7) 16', 22', 57', 74', 77'
Report [61] Try: Fa'agase 12' c
Potgieter 19' c
Tuttle 36' c
Magnay 50' c
Con: Greene (4/4) 12', 20', 37', 51'
Attendance: 800
Referee: Ed Martin
10 October 2015 Greater Sydney Rams 39–63 Perth Spirit (BP) Concord Oval, Sydney  
3:00 pm AEDTTry: Butler 3' m
Abel 48' c
Iona 53' m
Anae 59' m
Leulua’iali’i-Makin 69' c
Con: Leali'ifano (2/5) 49', 70
Report [62] Try: Paraka 11' c
Laloifi 31' c
Hyne 36' c
Hunt 41' c
Gill 64' m
Con: McIntyre (4/5) 12', 32', 37', 41'
Cards: Vanzati Yellow card.svg 68' to 78'
Attendance: 300
Referee: Nic Berry
Bye/s: Sydney Stars

Round 9

15 October 2015 Queensland Country 8–42 University of Canberra Vikings (BP) Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast  
7:30 pm AESTTry: Tuttle 28'
Con: Greene (1/1) 29'
Report [63]
Summary [64]
Try: Third 4'
Hamlin 14'
Dargaville 22'
Leulua’iali’i-Makin 43'
Taliauli 48'
Penca 54'
Con: Thompson (4/6) 5', 15', 44', 55'
Attendance: 1,151
Referee: Graham Cooper
17 October 2015(BP) NSW Country Eagles 50–24 North Harbour Rays Ann Ashwood Park, Bathurst 
4:00 pm AEDTTry: Figg (2) 7' c, 31' c
Horowitz 15' c
Stubbs 46' m
Kellaway 57' m
Short 75' c
Tuala 80' c
Con: Lance (5/7) 8', 16', 32', 76', 80'
Report [65] Try: Holmes (2) 51' c, 68 c
Bergelin 60' c
Con: Angus (3/3) 52' 61' 69'
Cards: Killingworth Yellow card.svg 21' to 31'
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Nic Berry
Horan-Little Challenge17 October 2015(BP) Brisbane City 71–24 Greater Sydney Rams Ballymore, Brisbane  
3:30 pm AESTTry: Laloifi (3) 28' c, 58' m, 80' m
Gibbon (2) 31' m, 59' c
Korczyk 7' c
Kerevi 10' c
Hunt 46' c
Sorovi 62' c
Tela 66' c
Con: McIntyre (7/8) 8', 11', 29', 47', 58', 63', 67'
Talakai (0/1)
Taefu (0/1)
Cards: Gibbon Yellow card.svg 36' to 46'
Report [66] Try: Meafua 19' c
penalty try 36' c
Hayes 51' c
Con: Roos (3/3) 20', 36', 51'
Cards: Orr Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'
Kapa Yellow card.svg 64' to 74'
Attendance: 2,250
Referee: Jordan Way
18 October 2015 Melbourne Rising 18–10 Sydney Stars (BP) Frankston Park, Melbourne  
1:30 pm AEDTTry: Meehan 7' m
Marsters 31' c
Ili 37' m
Con: Debreczeni (1/3) 32'
Report [67] Try: Jones 13' m
Stewart 40' m
Con: Roberts (0/2)
Attendance: 1,140
Referee: Will Houston
Bye/s: Perth Spirit

Title play-offs

The top four sides in the regular season advanced to the semifinals of the knock-out stage, which was followed by the final to decide the National Rugby Championship title.

Semi-finals

23 October 2015 University of Canberra Vikings 50–34 Melbourne Rising Viking Park, Canberra  
7:30pm AEDTTry: Iona (2) 9' m, 40' c
Butler 3' c
Alexander 28' c
Fainifo 49' c
Vaea 63' m
penalty try 78' c
Con: Leali'ifano (5/7) 4', 28', 40', 50', 79'
Report [68]
Summary [69]
Try: Ili 16' c
Placid 22' m
Ah-Nau 25' c
Tuipulotu 33' m
Fainga'a 59' c
Con: Debreczeni (3/5) 16', 26', 59'
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Will Houston
24 October 2015 Brisbane City 47–32 Sydney Stars Ballymore, Brisbane  
6:30pm AESTTry: Gill (2) 28' m, 46' c
Frisby (2) 57' c, 63' m
Beauchamp 13' c
Kerevi 53' c
McIntyre 78' m
Con: McIntyre (4/7) 14', 47', 55', 58'
Cards: Ready Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'
Neville Yellow card.svg 59' to 69'
Report [70]
Summary [71]
Try: Porter 9' c
Wainwright 33' c
Jones 37' c
Carter 52' c
Con: Roberts (4/4) 10', 34', 38', 53'
Cards: Tilse Yellow card.svg 48' to 58'
Hickey Yellow card.svg 76' to 80'
Attendance: 2,432
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann

Final

31 October 2015 Brisbane City 21–10 University of Canberra Vikings Ballymore, Brisbane  
3:00pm AESTTry: Neville 5' c
Frisby 32' m
Gibbon 72' c
Con: McIntyre (2/3) 5', 72'
Report [72]
Summary [73]
Try: Fainifo 1' m
Thompson 11' m
Con: Thompson (0/2)
Cards: Abel Yellow card.svg 38' to 48'
Attendance: 4,327
Referee: Andrew Lees
FB15 Karmichael Hunt
RW14 Chris Kuridrani Sub off.svg 64'
OC13 Samu Kerevi
IC12 Henry Taefu
LW11 Junior Laloifi
FH10 Jake McIntyre
SH9 Nick Frisby
N88 Adam Korczyk
OF7 Liam Gill (c)
BF6 Luke Beauchamp Sub off.svg 53'
RL5 Cadeyrn Neville
LL4 Ben Hyne Sub off.svg 53'
TP3 Sam Talakai
HK2 Andrew Ready
LP1 Matt Mafi Sub off.svg 64'
Replacements:
HK16 Ryan Freney
PR17 Markus Vanzati Sub on.svg 64'
PR18 Feao Fotuaika
LK19 Corey Thomas Sub on.svg 53'
FL20 Waita Setu Sub on.svg 53'
SH21 Moses Sorovi
FH22 Alex Gibbon Sub on.svg 64'
WG23 Mika Tela
Coach:
Nick Stiles
FB15 Isaac Thompson
RW14 James Dargaville
OC13 Nigel Ah Wong
IC12 Rodney Iona
LW11 Francis Fainifo Sub off.svg 60'
FH10 Christian Lealiifano
SH9 Joe Powell Sub off.svg 65'
N88 Ita Vaea Sub off.svg 43'Sub on.svg 47'Sub off.svg 55'
OF7 Jarrad Butler (c)
BF6 Jordan Smiler
RL5 Blake Enever
LL4 Rory Arnold Sub off.svg 54'
TP3 Ben Alexander Sub off.svg 51'
HK2 Robbie Abel Sub off.svg 71'
LP1 Allan Alaalatoa Sub off.svg 66'
Replacements:
HK16 Albert Anae Sub on.svg 43'Sub off.svg 47'Sub on.svg 71'
PR17 Sione Taula Sub on.svg 66'
PR18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin Sub on.svg 51'
LK19 Dean Oakman-Hunt Sub on.svg 54'
FL20 Rowan Perry Sub on.svg 55'
SH21 Brent Hamlin Sub on.svg 65'
FH22 Mitch Third
WG23 Jerome Niumata Sub on.svg 60'
Coach:
Brad Harris

Man of the Match:
Nick Frisby

Assistant Referees:
Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Will Houston (Australia)
Television match official:
Greg Milne (Australia)

Total season attendances

ClubHome
Games
TotalAverageHighestLowest% Capacity
Brisbane City615,5232,5874,3271,81614%
Greater Sydney Rams42,9007251,20030025%
Melbourne Rising42,6206551,1404809%
North Harbour Rays47,0001,7503,00080026%
NSW Country Eagles46,3231,5812,6231,00047%
Perth Spirit44,5001,1251,50060028%
Queensland Country47,0551,7642,2041,15127%
Sydney Stars42,3505888004003%
University of Canberra Vikings58,2761,6552,1781,20018%

Players

The leading scorers in 2015 over the regular season and finals combined were:

Barbarians tour

After the NRC finals, an Australian Barbarians team selected from the NRC played a two-match tour against the New Zealand Heartland XV. NRC players that were not contracted for Super Rugby were eligible for the Barbarians. The series was won 2–0 by the Australian Barbarians.

10 November 2015 New Zealand Heartland XV 32–38 Australian Barbarians Levin Domain, Manawatu-Wanganui 
5.30 pm Report [75]
13 November 2015 New Zealand Heartland XV 24–40 Australian Barbarians Cooks Gardens, Wanganui 
6:00 pm Report [76]

See also

Notes

^a There were six late replacements made to the Barbarians squad with some players originally selected being unavailable to tour. [77]

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