2015 Rugby Championship

Last updated

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

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.

Contents

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
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 33008548+371013
2Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 32018565+20109
3Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 31026498–34105
4Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 30036588–23022

Fixtures

Week 1

17 July 2015
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
(1 BP) New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg39–18Flag of Argentina.svg  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)
FB15 Israel Dagg
RW14 Waisake Naholo Sub off.svg 51'
OC13 Ma'a Nonu Sub off.svg 73'
IC12 Sonny Bill Williams
LW11 Charles Piutau
FH10 Dan Carter
SH9 TJ Perenara Sub off.svg 70'
N88 Kieran Read
OF7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF6 Jerome Kaino Sub off.svg 70'
RL5 Brodie Retallick
LL4 Luke Romano Sub off.svg 59'
TP3 Owen Franks Sub off.svg 54'
HK2 Keven Mealamu Sub off.svg 59'
LP1 Tony Woodcock Sub off.svg 59'
Replacements:
HK16 Codie Taylor Sub on.svg 59'
PR17 Wyatt Crockett Sub on.svg 59'
PR18 Nepo Laulala Sub on.svg 54'
LK19 Jeremy Thrush Sub on.svg 59'
FL20 Liam Messam Sub on.svg 70'
SH21 Andrew Ellis Sub on.svg 70'
FH22 Colin Slade Sub on.svg 51'
CE23 Ryan Crotty Sub on.svg 73'
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Hansen
New Zealand vs Argentina 2015-07-17.svg
FB15 Joaquín Tuculet Sub off.svg 55'
RW14 Horacio Agulla
OC13 Marcelo Bosch
IC12 Jerónimo de la Fuente Sub off.svg 68'
LW11 Santiago Cordero
FH10 Nicolás Sánchez
SH9 Tomás Cubelli Sub off.svg 55'
N88 Facundo Isa
OF7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón Sub off.svg 49'
RL5 Guido Petti Sub off.svg 62'
LL4 Manuel Carizza
TP3 Ramiro Herrera Sub off.svg 54'
HK2 Agustín Creevy (c)Sub off.svg 62'
LP1 Marcos Ayerza Sub off.svg 62'
Replacements:
HK16 Julián Montoya Sub on.svg 62'
PR17 Lucas Noguera Paz Sub on.svg 62'
PR18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Sub on.svg 54'
N819 Benjamín Macome Sub on.svg 62'
FL20 Javier Ortega Desio Sub on.svg 49'
SH21 Martín Landajo Sub on.svg 55'
FH22 Santiago González Iglesias Sub on.svg 68'
FB23 Lucas González Amorosino Sub on.svg 55'
Coach:
Flag of Argentina.svg 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  Flag of Australia (converted).svg24–20Flag of South Africa.svg  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)
FB15 Israel Folau
RW14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC12 Matt Giteau Cruz Roja.svg 67' to 74'
LW11 Rob Horne Sub off.svg 57'
FH10 Quade Cooper Sub off.svg 65'Sub on.svg 67'Sub off.svg 74'
SH9 Will Genia Sub off.svg 40'
N88 Scott Higginbotham Sub off.svg 45'
OF7 Michael Hooper
BF6 Scott Fardy
RL5 Rob Simmons
LL4 Will Skelton Sub off.svg 50'
TP3 Sekope Kepu Sub off.svg 45'
HK2 Stephen Moore (c)
LP1 James Slipper Sub off.svg 65'
Replacements:
HK16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
PR17 Scott Sio Sub on.svg 65'
PR18 Greg Holmes Sub on.svg 45'
LK19 James Horwill Sub on.svg 50'
FL20 David Pocock Sub on.svg 45'
SH21 Nick Phipps Sub on.svg 40'
CE22 Matt To'omua Sub on.svg 65'
WG23 Drew Mitchell Sub on.svg 57'
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael Cheika
Australia vs South Africa 2015-07-18.svg
FB15 Willie le Roux
RW14 JP Pietersen
OC13 Jesse Kriel Sub off.svg 67'
IC12 Damian de Allende
LW11 Bryan Habana
FH10 Handré Pollard Sub off.svg 67'
SH9 Ruan Pienaar Sub off.svg 67'
N88 Schalk Burger
OF7 Marcell Coetzee Sub off.svg 69'
BF6 Francois Louw Cruz Roja.svg 28' to 40'
RL5 Victor Matfield (c)Sub off.svg 17'
LL4 Eben Etzebeth
TP3 Jannie du Plessis Sub off.svg 13'Sub on.svg 17'Sub off.svg 47'
HK2 Bismarck du Plessis Sub off.svg 49'
LP1 Tendai Mtawarira Sub off.svg 49'
Replacements:
HK16 Adriaan Strauss Sub on.svg 49'
PR17 Heinke van der Merwe Sub on.svg 49'
PR18 Frans Malherbe Sub on.svg 13'Sub off.svg 17'Sub on.svg 47'
LK19 Lood de Jager Sub on.svg 17'
FL20 Oupa Mohojé Sub on.svg 28'Sub off.svg 40'Sub on.svg 69'
SH21 Cobus Reinach Sub on.svg 67'
FH22 Pat Lambie Sub on.svg 67'
WG23 Lwazi Mvovo Sub on.svg 67'
Coach:
Flag of South Africa.svg 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  Flag of South Africa.svg20–27Flag of New Zealand.svg  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)
FB15 Willie le Roux Sub off.svg 62'
RW14 Cornal Hendricks
OC13 Jesse Kriel Sub off.svg 77'
IC12 Damian de Allende
LW11 Bryan Habana
FH10 Handré Pollard Cruz Roja.svg 39' to 40'
SH9 Ruan Pienaar Sub off.svg 75'
N88 Schalk Burger (c)
OF7 Francois Louw Sub off.svg 41'
BF6 Heinrich Brüssow
RL5 Lood de Jager Sub off.svg 59'
LL4 Eben Etzebeth
TP3 Jannie du Plessis Sub off.svg 40'
HK2 Bismarck du Plessis
LP1 Tendai Mtawarira Sub off.svg 69'
Replacements:
HK16 Adriaan Strauss Sub on.svg 69'
PR17 Trevor Nyakane Sub on.svg 61'
PR18 Vincent Koch Sub on.svg 40'Sub off.svg 61'
LK19 Flip van der Merwe Sub on.svg 59'
N820 Warren Whiteley Sub on.svg 41'
SH21 Cobus Reinach Sub on.svg 75'
FH22 Pat Lambie Sub on.svg 39'Sub off.svg 40'Sub on.svg 62'
CE23 Lionel Mapoe Sub on.svg 77'
Coach:
Flag of South Africa.svg Heyneke Meyer
South Africa vs New Zealand 2015-07-25.svg
FB15 Israel Dagg Sub off.svg 51'
RW14 Ben Smith
OC13 Conrad Smith
IC12 Ma'a Nonu Sub off.svg 46'
LW11 Charles Piutau
FH10 Lima Sopoaga
SH9 Aaron Smith Sub off.svg 64'
N88 Kieran Read
OF7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF6 Liam Messam Sub off.svg 56'
RL5 James Broadhurst Sub off.svg 40'
LL4 Brodie Retallick
TP3 Owen Franks Sub off.svg 56'
HK2 Dane Coles Sub off.svg 62'
LP1 Tony Woodcock Sub off.svg 49'
Replacements:
HK16 Codie Taylor Sub on.svg 62'
PR17 Wyatt Crockett Sub on.svg 49'
PR18 Ben Franks Sub on.svg 56'
LK19 Sam Whitelock Yellow card.svg 59' to 69'Sub on.svg 40'
N820 Victor Vito Sub on.svg 56'
SH21 TJ Perenara Sub on.svg 64'
FH22 Beauden Barrett Sub on.svg 51'
CE23 Malakai Fekitoa Sub on.svg 46'
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg 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  Flag of Argentina.svg9–34Flag of Australia (converted).svg  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)
FB15 Santiago Cordero
RW14 Gonzalo Camacho Sub off.svg 56'
OC13 Matías Moroni
IC12 Juan Pablo Socino
LW11 Juan Imhoff
FH10 Nicolás Sánchez Sub off.svg 66'
SH9 Martín Landajo Sub off.svg 61'
N88 Facundo Isa Sub off.svg 63'
OF7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6 Javier Ortega Desio
RL5 Tomás Lavanini Sub off.svg 66'
LL4 Manuel Carizza
TP3 Ramiro Herrera Sub off.svg 52'
HK2 Agustín Creevy (c)Sub off.svg 72'
LP1 Marcos Ayerza Sub off.svg 67'
Replacements:
HK16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez Sub on.svg 72'
PR17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Sub on.svg 52'
PR18 Matías Díaz Sub on.svg 67'
LK19 Matías Alemanno Sub on.svg 66'
N820 Leonardo Senatore Sub on.svg 63'
SH21 Tomás Cubelli Sub on.svg 61'
FH22 Santiago González Iglesias Sub on.svg 66'
FB23 Lucas González Amorosino Sub on.svg 56'
Coach:
Flag of Argentina.svg Daniel Hourcade
Argentina vs Australia 2015-07-25.svg
FB15 Israel Folau
RW14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC12 Matt To'omua Sub off.svg 9'
LW11 Joe Tomane
FH10 Bernard Foley
SH9 Nick Phipps Sub off.svg 75'
N88 Ben McCalman Sub off.svg 48'
OF7 David Pocock
BF6 Scott Fardy Sub off.svg 53'
RL5 Rob Simmons
LL4 Will Skelton
TP3 Greg Holmes Sub off.svg 55'
HK2 Stephen Moore (c)Sub off.svg 66'
LP1 James Slipper Sub off.svg 39'
Replacements:
HK16 Tatafu Polota-Nau Sub on.svg 66'
PR17 Scott Sio Sub on.svg 39'
PR18 Sekope Kepu Sub on.svg 55'
LK19 Dean Mumm Sub on.svg 53'
FL20 Michael Hooper Sub on.svg 48'
SH21 Nic White Sub on.svg 75'
FH22 Quade Cooper Yellow card.svg 65' to 75'Sub on.svg 9'Sub off.svg 75'
CE23 Kurtley Beale Sub on.svg 75'
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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  Flag of Australia (converted).svg27–19Flag of New Zealand.svg  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)
FB15 Israel Folau
RW14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC12 Matt Giteau Sub off.svg 65'
LW11 Drew Mitchell
FH10 Bernard Foley Sub off.svg 50'
SH9 Nick Phipps Yellow card.svg 53' to 63'Sub off.svg 65'
N88 David Pocock Cruz Roja.svg 61' to 68'
OF7 Michael Hooper Sub off.svg 15'Sub on.svg 18'
BF6 Scott Fardy Sub off.svg 76'
RL5 James Horwill Sub off.svg 58'
LL4 Dean Mumm
TP3 Sekope Kepu Yellow card.svg 7' to 17'Sub off.svg 54'
HK2 Stephen Moore (c)Sub off.svg 68'
LP1 Scott Sio Sub off.svg 58'
Replacements:
HK16 Tatafu Polota-Nau Sub on.svg 68'
PR17 James Slipper Sub on.svg 58'
PR18 Greg Holmes Sub on.svg 15'Sub off.svg 18'Sub on.svg 54'
LK19 Will Skelton Sub on.svg 58'
N820 Ben McCalman Sub on.svg 61'Sub off.svg 68'Sub on.svg 76'
SH21 Nic White Sub on.svg 65'
CE22 Matt To'omua Sub on.svg 50'
CE23 Kurtley Beale Sub on.svg 65'
Coach:
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael Cheika
Australia vs New Zealand 2015-08-08.svg
FB15 Ben Smith Sub off.svg 61'
RW14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
OC13 Conrad Smith
IC12 Sonny Bill Williams Sub off.svg 54'
LW11 Julian Savea
FH10 Dan Carter
SH9 Aaron Smith Yellow card.svg 42' to 52'Sub off.svg 77'
N88 Kieran Read
OF7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF6 Jerome Kaino Sub off.svg 73'
RL5 Luke Romano Sub off.svg 54'
LL4 Brodie Retallick
TP3 Owen Franks Sub off.svg 44'
HK2 Dane Coles Sub off.svg 68'
LP1 Tony Woodcock Sub off.svg 73'
Replacements:
HK16 Codie Taylor Sub on.svg 68'
PR17 Ben Franks Sub on.svg 73'
PR18 Nepo Laulala Sub on.svg 44'
LK19 Sam Whitelock Sub on.svg 54'
FL20 Sam Cane Sub on.svg 73'
SH21 TJ Perenara Sub on.svg 77'
FH22 Beauden Barrett Sub on.svg 61'
CE23 Malakai Fekitoa Sub on.svg 54'
Coach:
Flag of New Zealand.svg 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  Flag of South Africa.svg25–37Flag of Argentina.svg  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)
FB15 Willie le Roux
RW14 Jesse Kriel
OC13 Jean de Villiers (c)
IC12 Damian de Allende
LW11 Bryan Habana
FH10 Handré Pollard Sub off.svg 65'
SH9 Ruan Pienaar Sub off.svg 59'
N88 Schalk Burger
OF7 Marcell Coetzee Sub off.svg 65'
BF6 Heinrich Brüssow Sub off.svg 62'
RL5 Lood de Jager
LL4 Eben Etzebeth Sub off.svg 61'
TP3 Vincent Koch Sub off.svg 40'
HK2 Bismarck du Plessis Sub off.svg 56'
LP1 Tendai Mtawarira Sub off.svg 61'
Replacements:
HK16 Adriaan Strauss Sub on.svg 56'
PR17 Trevor Nyakane Sub on.svg 61'
PR18 Marcel van der Merwe Sub on.svg 40'
LK19 Pieter-Steph du Toit Sub on.svg 61'
FL20 Siya Kolisi Sub on.svg 62'
SH21 Cobus Reinach Sub on.svg 59'
FH22 Pat Lambie Sub on.svg 65'
WG23 Lwazi Mvovo Sub on.svg 65'
Coach:
Flag of South Africa.svg Heyneke Meyer
South Africa vs Argentina 2015-08-08.svg
FB15 Joaquín Tuculet
RW14 Horacio Agulla
OC13 Marcelo Bosch
IC12 Jerónimo de la Fuente Sub off.svg 55'
LW11 Juan Imhoff
FH10 Juan Martín Hernández Sub off.svg 62'
SH9 Tomás Cubelli Sub off.svg 66'
N88 Leonardo Senatore
OF7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón Sub off.svg 65'
BF6 Pablo Matera Yellow card.svg 75' to 80'
RL5 Tomás Lavanini
LL4 Guido Petti Sub off.svg 56'
TP3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Sub off.svg 70'
HK2 Agustín Creevy (c)Sub off.svg 67'
LP1 Marcos Ayerza Sub off.svg 52'
Replacements:
HK16 Julián Montoya Sub on.svg 67'
PR17 Lucas Noguera Paz Sub on.svg 52'
PR18 Matías Díaz Sub on.svg 70'
LK19 Matías Alemanno Sub on.svg 56'
FL20 Tomás Lezana Sub on.svg 65'
SH21 Martín Landajo Sub on.svg 66'
FH22 Santiago González Iglesias Sub on.svg 55'
FB23 Lucas González Amorosino Sub on.svg 62'
Coach:
Flag of Argentina.svg 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
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Estadio Malvinas Argentinas Mendoza 40,268 Flag of Argentina.svg Daniel Hourcade Agustín Creevy
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Stadium Australia Sydney 84,000 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Michael Cheika Stephen Moore
Lang Park Brisbane 53,000
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Rugby League Park Christchurch 18,000 Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Hansen Richie McCaw
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg 62,567 Flag of South Africa.svg 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

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)CapsClub/province
Agustín Creevy (c) Hooker (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 30)36 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Santiago Iglesias Valdez Hooker (1993-05-26)26 May 1993 (aged 22)10 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Julián Montoya Hooker (1993-10-29)29 October 1993 (aged 21)6 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Marcos Ayerza Prop (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 32)57 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Matías Díaz Prop (1993-03-16)16 March 1993 (aged 22)9 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Juan Figallo Prop (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27)22 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Ramiro Herrera Prop (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 26)11 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Lucas Noguera Paz Prop (1993-05-10)10 May 1993 (aged 22)13 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Juan Pablo Orlandi Prop (1983-06-20)20 June 1983 (aged 32)15Unattached
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Prop (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 (aged 25)16 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Matías Alemanno Lock (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 23)11 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Manuel Carizza Lock (1984-08-23)23 August 1984 (aged 30)44 Flag of France.svg Racing 92
Tomás Lavanini Lock (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 22)18Unattached
Guido Petti Lock (1994-11-17)17 November 1994 (aged 20)4 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe Flanker (1981-11-19)19 November 1981 (aged 33)61 Flag of France.svg Toulon
Juan Manuel Leguizamón Flanker (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 32)59Unattached
Tomás Lezana Flanker (1994-02-16)16 February 1994 (aged 21)3 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Pablo Matera Flanker (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 21)14 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Javier Ortega Desio Flanker (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 25)14 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Facundo Isa Number 8 (1993-09-21)21 September 1993 (aged 21)5 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Benjamín Macome Number 8 (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29)21 Flag of France.svg Bayonne
Leonardo Senatore Number 8 (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 31)29Unattached
Tomás Cubelli Scrum-half (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 26)34 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Felipe Ezcurra Scrum-half (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22)2 Flag of Argentina.svg Hindú
Martín Landajo Scrum-half (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 27)42 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Santiago González Iglesias Fly-half (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 27)14 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Nicolás Sánchez Fly-half (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 26)30 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Juan Pablo Socino Fly-half (1988-05-30)30 May 1988 (aged 27)0 Flag of England.svg Newcastle Falcons
Marcelo Bosch Centre (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 31)33 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Jerónimo de la Fuente Centre (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 24)11 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Juan Martín Hernández Centre (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 32)52Unattached
Matías Moroni Centre (1991-03-29)29 March 1991 (aged 24)2 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Horacio Agulla Wing (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 30)58 Flag of England.svg Bath
Gonzalo Camacho Wing (1984-08-28)28 August 1984 (aged 30)23 Flag of England.svg Leicester Tigers
Santiago Cordero Wing (1993-12-06)6 December 1993 (aged 21)9 Flag of Argentina.svg UAR
Juan Imhoff Wing (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 27)26 Flag of France.svg Racing 92
Lucas González Amorosino Fullback (1985-11-02)2 November 1985 (aged 29)40Unattached
Joaquín Tuculet Fullback (1989-08-08)8 August 1989 (aged 25)20 Flag of Argentina.svg 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)CapsClub/province
James Hanson Hooker (1988-09-15)15 September 1988 (aged 26)9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Stephen Moore (c) Hooker (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 32)92 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Tatafu Polota-Nau Hooker (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 29)50 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Tetera Faulkner Prop (1988-07-26)26 July 1988 (aged 26)2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Force
Greg Holmes Prop (1983-06-11)11 June 1983 (aged 32)13 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Sekope Kepu Prop (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 29)52 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Scott Sio Prop (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 23)5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
James Slipper Prop (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 26)63 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Toby Smith Prop (1988-10-10)10 October 1988 (aged 26)0 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rebels
Rory Arnold Lock (1990-07-01)1 July 1990 (aged 25)0 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Dave Dennis Lock (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 29)18 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
James Horwill Lock (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 30)58 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Dean Mumm Lock (1984-03-05)5 March 1984 (aged 31)33 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Rob Simmons Lock (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 26)50 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Will Skelton Lock (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 23)8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Scott Fardy Flanker (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 31)20 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Michael Hooper Flanker (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23)42 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Sean McMahon Flanker (1994-06-18)18 June 1994 (aged 21)3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rebels
David Pocock Flanker (1988-04-23)23 April 1988 (aged 27)46 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Scott Higginbotham Number 8 (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 28)31 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rebels
Ben McCalman Number 8 (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 27)38 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Force
Wycliff Palu Number 8 (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 32)54 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Will Genia Scrum-half (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 27)58 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Nick Phipps Scrum-half (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 26)28 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Nic White Scrum-half (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 25)19 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Quade Cooper Fly-half (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 27)53 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Bernard Foley Fly-half (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 25)18 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Kurtley Beale Centre (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 26)49 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Matt Giteau Centre (1982-09-29)29 September 1982 (aged 32)92 Flag of France.svg Toulon
Samu Kerevi Centre (1993-09-27)27 September 1993 (aged 21)0 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Reds
Tevita Kuridrani Centre (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 24)20 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Christian Lealiifano Centre (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 27)16 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Matt To'omua Centre (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 25)21 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Adam Ashley-Cooper Wing (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 31)104 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Nick Cummins Wing (1987-10-05)5 October 1987 (aged 27)15 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Force
Rob Horne Wing (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 25)25 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Drew Mitchell Wing (1984-03-26)26 March 1984 (aged 31)63 Flag of France.svg Toulon
Taqele Naiyaravoro Wing (1991-12-07)7 December 1991 (aged 23)0 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Waratahs
Henry Speight Wing (1988-03-25)25 March 1988 (aged 27)2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Joe Tomane Wing (1990-02-11)11 February 1990 (aged 25)14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brumbies
Israel Folau Fullback (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 26)29 Flag of Australia (converted).svg 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)CapsClub/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)CapsClub/province
Schalk Brits Hooker (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 34)7 Flag of England.svg Saracens
Bismarck du Plessis Hooker (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 31)70 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Adriaan Strauss Hooker (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 29)44 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Jannie du Plessis Prop (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 32)62 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Vincent Koch Prop (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 25)0 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Frans Malherbe Prop (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 24)4 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Tendai Mtawarira Prop (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29)64 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Trevor Nyakane Prop (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 26)13 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Heinke van der Merwe Prop (1985-05-03)3 May 1985 (aged 30)4 Flag of France.svg Stade Français
Marcel van der Merwe Prop (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 24)5 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Lood de Jager Lock (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 22)9 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs
Pieter-Steph du Toit Lock (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992 (age 31)2 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Eben Etzebeth Lock (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 23)33 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Victor Matfield (c) ‡ Lock (1977-05-11)11 May 1977 (aged 38)121 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Flip van der Merwe Lock (1985-06-06)6 June 1985 (aged 30)35 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Heinrich Brüssow Flanker (1986-07-21)21 July 1986 (aged 28)20 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs
Schalk Burger Flanker (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 32)75 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Siya Kolisi Flanker (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 24)10 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Marcell Coetzee Flanker (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 24)26 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Francois Louw Flanker (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 30)34 Flag of England.svg Bath
Oupa Mohojé Flanker (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 24)7 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs
Warren Whiteley Number 8 (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 27)2 Flag of South Africa.svg Lions
Rudy Paige Scrum-half (1989-08-02)2 August 1989 (aged 25)0 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Ruan Pienaar Scrum-half (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 31)80 Flag of Ireland.svg Ulster
Cobus Reinach Scrum-half (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 25)6 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Handré Pollard Fly-half (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 21)9 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Pat Lambie Fly-half (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 24)40 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Morné Steyn Fly-half (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 31)59 Flag of France.svg Stade Français
Damian de Allende Centre (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 23)3 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Jean de Villiers Centre (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 34)106 Flag of South Africa.svg Stormers
Lionel Mapoe Centre (1988-07-13)13 July 1988 (aged 27)0 Flag of South Africa.svg Lions
JP Pietersen Centre (1986-07-12)12 July 1986 (aged 29)59 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Jan Serfontein Centre (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 22)20 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Bryan Habana Wing (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 32)106 Flag of France.svg Toulon
Cornal Hendricks Wing (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 27)11 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs
Lwazi Mvovo Wing (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 29)10 Flag of South Africa.svg Sharks
Jesse Kriel Fullback (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 21)0 Flag of South Africa.svg Bulls
Willie le Roux Fullback (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 25)25 Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs

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

Statistics

See also

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