2014 Rugby Championship

The 2014 Rugby Championship was the third edition of the expanded annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship consisting of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The tournament was won by New Zealand, with South Africa second, Australia third, and Argentina last.

2014 Rugby Championship
Date16 August 2014 – 4 October 2014
Countries Argentina
 Australia
 New Zealand
 South Africa
Final positions
Champions New Zealand (13th title)
Bledisloe Cup New Zealand
Freedom Cup New Zealand
Mandela Challenge Plate South Africa
Puma Trophy Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played12
Tries scored50 (4.17 per match)
Attendance430,582 (35,882 per match)
Top scorer(s)Argentina Nicolás Sánchez (52)
Most triesNew Zealand Julian Savea (4)
2013
2015

The Championship began on 16 August with Australia hosting the defending champions, New Zealand, at the Stadium Australia in Sydney and South Africa hosting Argentina at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The tournament continued for seven weeks, which included two byes, and concluded on 5 October with South Africa versus New Zealand at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg and Argentina versus Australia at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.

On 27 September, New Zealand clinched their third consecutive Championship after a bonus-point 34–13 win against Argentina in La Plata.[1][2] The 2014 Rugby Championship was the first in which New Zealand failed to win all their matches – they drew with Australia in Week 1 and lost to South Africa in Week 6. It also saw the first Championship-match win for Argentina who defeated Australia 21–17 in the last match of the tournament.[3]

Format and standings edit

The format for the 2014 tournament was the same as that for the 2012 and 2013 editions.[4] Each side played the other once at home, and once away; giving a total of six matches each, and twelve in total.[4] A win earns a team four points, a draw two points, and a loss no points. A bonus point can be earned one of two ways: by scoring four tries or more in a match, or by losing within seven points.[5] The competition winner is the side with the most points at the end of the tournament, however if two sides finish equal on points the side with the most wins is placed higher.[5]

Tournament standings[6]
PlaceNationGamesPointsTry
Bonus
Losing
Bonus
Table
points
PlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDiff
1  New Zealand641116491+733122
2  South Africa6402134110+241219
3  Australia6213115160−450111
4  Argentina6105105157−52037

Summary edit

Richie McCaw made a record 134th appearance for New Zealand when he faced South Africa on 4 October 2014, overtaking the New Zealand record held by Colin Meads.

The first match of the championship was between New Zealand (also known as the All Blacks) and Australia (the Wallabies) in Sydney, Australia. The fixture doubled as a Bledisloe Cup match, and ended as a 12–12 draw. The All Blacks started stronger, and led 9–3 at half time, but Australia were much better in the second half. New Zealand had two players temporarily sent-off after being awarded yellow cards, but Australia were unable to capitalize on that advantage during their late dominance. All points were scored from penalties – four from each side. The draw ended a 17-match winning streak by the All Blacks.[7][8] The following week both side met in their second Bledisloe Cup match of the Championship (the third is played following the tournament), but this time at Eden Park in New Zealand.[9][10] The match was comfortably won by New Zealand 51–20, whose scored six tries to Australia's two. The All Blacks were regarded as the more physical of the two teams,[9][10] and scored two tries from mauls.[9] The win meant that New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup (Australia needed to win the three-match series to regain the cup).[10]

The second match of the tournament was between South Africa (the Springboks) and Argentina (the Pumas) and played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. South Africa won 13–6 and scored the only try of the match, which was played in wet and raining conditions.[11] The following week the two teams met again, this time at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta, Argentina. The Springboks won again, but were considered lucky to get the 31–33 victory. At one stage Argentina were winning by 12 points, and were leading with five minutes remaining, but Springbok Morné Steyn kicked a penalty in the 76th minute to give South Africa the lead and the win.[12]

In weeks three and four, Argentina and South Africa both travelled to Australasia for two away matches. Argentina played the All Blacks in Napier where they lost 28–9, before facing Australia on the Gold Coast where they lost 32–25. The Pumas loss to the All Blacks was played in wet conditions, with New Zealand scoring four tries, and Argentina three penalties.[13] Argentina's loss to Australia was much closer than their defeat in New Zealand. Despite leading by 16 points after 60 minutes, Australia conceded twelve points in the final quarter. Argentina trailed by seven points, the value of a converted try, when they had a scrum deep within Wallabies' territory, but Australia were awarded a free-kick after the Pumas' scrum-half fed the ball too early and the game ended.[14] In the third week the Springboks played Australia in Perth, where the Wallabies won 24–23. The Wallbies had trailed 23–14, but scored ten unanswered points after Springbok wing Bryan Habana, who was playing in his 100th test match, was yellow carded for a high tackle.[15] The following week South Africa played the All Blacks in Wellington. The match was won 14–10 by New Zealand, but only after they resisted repeated South African attacks on their try-line late in the game.[16] The win was the 36th consecutive victory for the All Blacks in New Zealand – a record stretching back to 2009.[17]

The last two weekends of matches were played in South Africa and Argentina. First up the Wallabies faced the Springboks in Cape Town, where South Africa won 28–10. The victory came after a ten-minute period at the end of the match where the Springboks scored three-tries.[18] The same weekend Argentina faced the All Blacks in La Plata. For the New Zealanders the match was overshadowed by the omission of Aaron Cruden, who had missed the flight to Argentina, and was subsequently dropped from the squad for the last two weeks of the Championship.[19] The All Blacks won 34–13, and with the bonus-point win took an unassailable lead in the Championship[20] – giving them their third Rugby Championship, and 13th overall since the inception of the Tri-Nations Championship in 1996.

Despite New Zealand having secured the Championship title a week earlier, the final week of matches proved historic. The first match was the Springboks hosting the All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. All Blacks' captain Richie McCaw played his 134th match for the side, surpassing the national record held by Colin Meads.[21] However the New Zealanders 22-match unbeaten run (going back to December 2012) was ended after a 55 metres (180 ft) penalty kicked by South African Patrick Lambie in the 78th minute gave his side a 27–25 win.[22] The last match of the tournament was between Argentina and Australia at Mendoza. The test was won 21–17 by the Pumas – their first win in the Rugby Championship since joining the competition in 2012. Australia led 14–0 within the first 15 minutes after scoring two early tries, however Argentina slowly accumulated points to overhaul their opponents.[23]

Sponsorship edit

The 2014 Rugby Championship was also known, for sponsorship reasons, as The Castle Lager 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.

Fixtures edit

Week 1 edit

16 August 2014
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  12–12  New Zealand
Pen: Beale (4/5) 11', 44', 55', 69'Report[24]Pen: Cruden (4/5) 3', 6', 21', 59'
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 68,627
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Pat McCabe
OC13Adam Ashley-Cooper
IC12Matt To'omua
LW11Rob Horne
FH10Kurtley Beale  70'
SH9Nic White  66'
N88Wycliff Palu  70'
OF7Michael Hooper (c)
BF6Scott Fardy  66'
RL5Rob Simmons
LL4Sam Carter
TP3Sekope Kepu  78'
HK2Nathan Charles
LP1James Slipper  70'
Replacements:
HK16James Hanson
PR17Pekahou Cowan  70'
PR18Ben Alexander  78'
LK19Will Skelton  70'
N820Scott Higginbotham  66'
SH21Nick Phipps  66'
FH22Bernard Foley  70'
CE23Tevita Kuridrani
Coach:
Ewen McKenzie
FB15Ben Smith
RW14Cory Jane
OC13Malakai Fekitoa
IC12Ma'a Nonu  57'
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Aaron Cruden  63'
SH9Aaron Smith
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Jerome Kaino  38'  48'  69'
RL5Sam Whitelock
LL4Brodie Retallick
TP3Owen Franks  70'
HK2Dane Coles  52'
LP1Wyatt Crockett 38' to 48'  48'
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamu  52'
PR17Ben Franks  38'
PR18Joe Moody  70'
FL19Steve Luatua
FL20Sam Cane  69'
SH21TJ Perenara
FH22Beauden Barrett 69' to 79'  63'
CE23Ryan Crotty  57'
Coach:
Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
James Slipper (Australia)

Touch judges:
Romain Poite (France)
Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official:
Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Notes:

  • Conrad Smith was named in the starting XV, but was withdrawn from the team on 15 August to attend the birth of his first child.
  • Joe Moody made his international debut for New Zealand.
  • The draw ended New Zealand's 17-match winning streak, preventing them from taking sole charge of the record for longest winning streak by a Tier 1 nation.

16 August 2014
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  13–6  Argentina (1 BP)
Try: Pienaar 1' c
Con: Pollard (1/1) 2'
Pen: Pollard (1/1) 16'
Steyn (1/1) 50'
Report[25]Pen: Sánchez (2/2) 7', 42'
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 30,453
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13Damian de Allende
IC12Jean de Villiers (c)
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard  45'
SH9Ruan Pienaar
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Marcell Coetzee
BF6Francois Louw
RL5Lood de Jager
LL4Bakkies Botha  40'
TP3Jannie du Plessis  66'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis  55'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:
HK16Adriaan Strauss  55'
PR17Trevor Nyakane
PR18Frans Malherbe  66'
LK19Eben Etzebeth  40'
FL20Oupa Mohojé
SH21Francois Hougaard
FH22Morné Steyn  45'
CE23Jan Serfontein
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Joaquín Tuculet
RW14Horacio Agulla  60'
OC13Marcelo Bosch
IC12Santiago González Iglesias
LW11Manuel Montero
FH10Nicolás Sánchez  64'
SH9Martín Landajo  40'
N88Juan Manuel Leguizamón
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Pablo Matera  57'
RL5Tomás Lavanini  75'
LL4Mariano Galarza
TP3Ramiro Herrera  60'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c)
LP1Marcos Ayerza
Replacements:
HK16Matías Cortese
PR17Lucas Noguera Paz
PR18Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro  60'
LK19Matías Alemanno  75'
N820Leonardo Senatore  57'
SH21Tomás Cubelli  40'
CE22Jerónimo de la Fuente  64'
WG23Lucas González Amorosino  60'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade

Man of the Match:
Francois Louw (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Steve Walsh (Australia)
Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official:
Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Notes:

Week 2 edit

23 August 2014
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
(1 BP) New Zealand  51–20  Australia
Try: Penalty try 27' c
Savea 30' c
Read 49' c
McCaw (2) 53' c, 59' c
Luatua 80' c
Con: Cruden (5/5) 28', 31', 50', 55', 59'
A. Smith (1/1) 81'
Pen: Cruden (3/4) 5', 7', 17'
Report[26]Try: Folau 61' c
Hooper 64' c
Con: Beale (2/2) 62', 65'
Pen: Beale (2/2) 1', 13'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 48,211
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
FB15Ben Smith
RW14Cory Jane  45'
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ryan Crotty  40'
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Aaron Cruden  75'
SH9Aaron Smith
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c) 12' to 22'
BF6Liam Messam  62'
RL5Sam Whitelock
LL4Brodie Retallick  71'
TP3Owen Franks  60'
HK2Dane Coles  65'
LP1Wyatt Crockett  60'
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamu  65'
PR17Ben Franks 76' to 80'  60'
PR18Charlie Faumuina  60'
FL19Steve Luatua  62'
FL20Sam Cane  71'
SH21TJ Perenara  75'
FH22Beauden Barrett  45'
CE23Malakai Fekitoa  40'
Coach:
Steve Hansen
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Pat McCabe  62'
OC13Adam Ashley-Cooper
IC12Matt To'omua  55'
LW11Rob Horne
FH10Kurtley Beale
SH9Nic White  51'
N88Wycliff Palu  55'
OF7Michael Hooper (c)
BF6Scott Fardy  64'
RL5Rob Simmons 22' to 32'
LL4Sam Carter
TP3Sekope Kepu  64'
HK2Nathan Charles  31'
LP1James Slipper
Replacements:
HK16James Hanson  31'
PR17Pekahou Cowan
PR18Ben Alexander  64'
LK19Will Skelton  64'
N820Scott Higginbotham  55'
SH21Nick Phipps  51'
FH22Bernard Foley  55'
CE23Tevita Kuridrani  62'
Coach:
Ewen McKenzie

Man of the Match:
Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official:
Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Notes:


23 August 2014
16:40 AST (UTC-03)
(1 BP) Argentina  31–33  South Africa
Try: Montero 25' c
Cubelli 46' c
Tuculet 50' m
Con: Sánchez (2/3) 26', 46'
Pen: Sánchez (2/4) 3', 55
Bosch (1/1) 73'
Drop: Hernández (1/1) 12'
Report[27]Try: Habana 31' c
Hendricks 59' c
Coetzee 68' c
Con: Pollard (1/1) 32'
Steyn (2/2) 59', 69'
Pen: Pollard (3/3) 10', 22', 29'
Steyn (1/1) 76'
Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
FB15Joaquín Tuculet
RW14Lucas González Amorosino
OC13Marcelo Bosch
IC12Juan Martín Hernández
LW11Manuel Montero  77'
FH10Nicolás Sánchez  77'
SH9Martín Landajo  33'
N88Juan Manuel Leguizamón
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Pablo Matera  35'
RL5Tomás Lavanini  69'
LL4Mariano Galarza
TP3Ramiro Herrera  67'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c)  80'
LP1Marcos Ayerza  77'
Replacements:
HK16Matías Cortese  80'
PR17Bruno Postiglioni  77'
PR18Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro  67'
LK19Matías Alemanno  69'
N820Leonardo Senatore  35'
SH21Tomás Cubelli  33'
CE22Jerónimo de la Fuente  77'
WG23Horacio Agulla  77'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13Damian de Allende
IC12Jean de Villiers (c)
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard  55'
SH9Ruan Pienaar  59'
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Juan Smith  51'
BF6Francois Louw
RL5Lood de Jager
LL4Eben Etzebeth  69'
TP3Jannie du Plessis  45'  78'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis  51'
LP1Gurthrö Steenkamp  45'
Replacements:
HK16Adriaan Strauss  51'
PR17Tendai Mtawarira  45'
PR18Frans Malherbe  45'  78'
LK19Bakkies Botha  69'
FL20Marcell Coetzee  51'
SH21Francois Hougaard  59'
FH22Morné Steyn  55'
WG23Lwazi Mvovo
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer

Man of the Match:
Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)

Touch judges:
John Lacey (Ireland)
Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official:
Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Notes:

  • Marcos Ayerza earned his 50th test cap for Argentina.
  • This loss was Argentina's seventh consecutive loss at home, the most consecutive losses at home.

Week 3 edit

6 September 2014
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
(1 BP) New Zealand  28–9  Argentina
Try: Savea (2) 26' m, 43' m
Messam 40' m
A. Smith 72' c
Con: Slade (1/1) 73'
Pen: Barrett (1/2) 15'
Slade (1/2) 64'
Report[28]Pen: Sánchez (3/3) 18', 32', 62'
McLean Park, Napier
Attendance: 21,329
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
FB15Israel Dagg
RW14Ben Smith
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ma'a Nonu
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Beauden Barrett  55'
SH9Aaron Smith  73'
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Liam Messam  43'
RL5Sam Whitelock  27'
LL4Brodie Retallick
TP3Owen Franks  65'
HK2Dane Coles  65'
LP1Wyatt Crockett  58'
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamu  65'
PR17Joe Moody  58'
PR18Ben Franks  65'
LK19Jeremy Thrush  27'
FL20Sam Cane  43'
SH21TJ Perenara  73'
FH22Colin Slade  55'
CE23Malakai Fekitoa
Coach:
Steve Hansen
FB15Joaquín Tuculet
RW14Horacio Agulla  65'
OC13Marcelo Bosch
IC12Juan Martín Hernández
LW11Lucas González Amorosino
FH10Nicolás Sánchez  73'
SH9Martín Landajo  54'
N88Leonardo Senatore  65'
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Juan Manuel Leguizamón
RL5Tomás Lavanini
LL4Mariano Galarza  73'
TP3Ramiro Herrera  66'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c)  73'
LP1Marcos Ayerza  65'
Replacements:
HK16Matías Cortese  73'
PR17Lucas Noguera Paz  65'
PR18Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro  66'
LK19Matías Alemanno  73'
FL20Rodrigo Baez  65'
SH21Tomás Cubelli  54'
FH22Santiago González Iglesias  73'
WG23Juan Imhoff  65'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade

Man of the Match:
Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Jérôme Garcès (France)
Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Television match official:
Peter Marshall (Australia)


6 September 2014
18:05 AWST (UTC+08)
Australia  24–23  South Africa (1 BP)
Try: Folau 1' m
Horne 77' c
Con: Foley (1/2) 78'
Pen: Foley (4/4) 16', 27', 41', 68'
Report[29]Try: Hendricks 12' m
Pen: Steyn (6/6) 6', 18', 24', 44', 48', 62'
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 25,718
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt To'omua  72'
LW11Rob Horne
FH10Bernard Foley
SH9Nick Phipps
N88Wycliff Palu  59'
OF7Michael Hooper (c)
BF6Scott Fardy  70'
RL5Rob Simmons
LL4Sam Carter  59'
TP3Sekope Kepu  66'
HK2James Hanson
LP1James Slipper  52'
Replacements:
HK16Joshua Mann-Rea
PR17Pekahou Cowan  52'
PR18Ben Alexander  66'
LK19James Horwill  59'
N820Scott Higginbotham  59'
FL21Matt Hodgson  70'
SH22Nic White
FH23Kurtley Beale  72'
Coach:
Ewen McKenzie
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13Jan Serfontein
IC12Jean de Villiers (c)
LW11Bryan Habana 65' to 75'
FH10Morné Steyn
SH9Ruan Pienaar
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Marcell Coetzee
BF6Francois Louw  69'
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Eben Etzebeth  72'
TP3Jannie du Plessis  66'
HK2Adriaan Strauss  60'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira  69'
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessis  60'
PR17Trevor Nyakane  69'
PR18Marcel van der Merwe  66'
LK19Lood de Jager  72'
N820Warren Whiteley  79'
SH21Francois Hougaard
FH22Pat Lambie  69'  79'
CE23Damian de Allende
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer

Man of the Match:
Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)

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

Notes:

  • Saia Fainga'a was named on the bench, but was withdrawn from the squad to attend the birth of his child.
  • Bryan Habana became the fourth South Africa player to earn 100 test caps.
  • Warren Whiteley made his international debut for South Africa.

Week 4 edit

13 September 2014
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  14–10  South Africa (1 BP)
Try: McCaw 46' m
Pen: Cruden (2/3) 10', 23'
Barrett (1/1) 66'
Report[30]Try: Hendricks 15'
Con: Pollard (1/1) 16'
Drop: Pollard (1/1) 55'
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 35,747
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
FB15Israel Dagg
RW14Ben Smith
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ma'a Nonu  40'
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Aaron Cruden  58'
SH9Aaron Smith
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Steve Luatua  50'
RL5Jeremy Thrush  77'
LL4Brodie Retallick
TP3Owen Franks  58'
HK2Dane Coles  70'
LP1Wyatt Crockett  58'
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamu  70'
PR17Joe Moody  58'
PR18Ben Franks  58'
LK19Patrick Tuipulotu  77'
FL20Sam Cane  50'
SH21TJ Perenara
FH22Beauden Barrett  58'
WG23Cory Jane  40'
Coach:
Steve Hansen
FB15Willie le Roux  70'
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13Jan Serfontein
IC12Jean de Villiers (c)
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard
SH9Ruan Pienaar  35'
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Marcell Coetzee
BF6Francois Louw  47'
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Eben Etzebeth  70'
TP3Jannie du Plessis  77'
HK2Adriaan Strauss  54'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira  66'
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessis  54'
PR17Trevor Nyakane  66'
PR18Marcel van der Merwe  77'
LK19Lood de Jager  70'
N820Warren Whiteley  47'
SH21Francois Hougaard  35'
FH22Pat Lambie  70'
CE23Damian de Allende
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer

Man of the Match:
Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Television match official:
Peter Marshall (Australia)

Notes:


13 September 2014
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  32–25  Argentina (1 BP)
Try: Hooper (2) 2' m, 43' c
Betham 59' m
Con: Foley (1/3) 44'
Pen: Foley (5/5) 15', 38', 40', 54', 73'
Report[31]Try: Montero 6' c
Bosch 63' c
Tuculet 70' m
Con: Sánchez (2/3) 7', 65'
Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 49', 57'
Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Attendance: 14,281
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Peter Betham  70'
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt To'omua  52'
LW11Rob Horne
FH10Bernard Foley
SH9Nick Phipps
N88Ben McCalman  69'
OF7Michael Hooper (c)
BF6Scott Fardy  49'
RL5Rob Simmons
LL4Sam Carter  61'
TP3Sekope Kepu  58'
HK2Tatafu Polota-Nau  40'
LP1James Slipper  49'
Replacements:
HK16James Hanson  40'
PR17Pekahou Cowan  49'
PR18Ben Alexander  58'
LK19James Horwill  61'
N820Scott Higginbotham  49'
FL21Matt Hodgson  69'
SH22Nic White  70'
FH23Kurtley Beale  52'
Coach:
Ewen McKenzie
FB15Joaquín Tuculet
RW14Juan Imhoff
OC13Marcelo Bosch
IC12Juan Martín Hernández  50'
LW11Manuel Montero  79'
FH10Nicolás Sánchez
SH9Martín Landajo  55'
N88Leonardo Senatore  35'  40'
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Juan Manuel Leguizamón  50'
RL5Matías Alemanno
LL4Mariano Galarza  67'
TP3Ramiro Herrera  58'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c)  72'
LP1Marcos Ayerza  50'  66'  67'
Replacements:
HK16Matías Cortese  72'
PR17Bruno Postiglioni  50'  66'  67'
PR18Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro  58'
N819Benjamín Macome  35'  40'  67'
FL20Rodrigo Baez  50'
SH21Tomás Cubelli  55'
CE22Jerónimo de la Fuente  50'
WG23Lucas González Amorosino  79'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade

Man of the Match:
Bernard Foley (Australia)

Touch judges:
George Clancy (Ireland)
Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Notes:

  • The attendance of 14,281 was the lowest attendance for an Australia home test match this century.[32]
  • Tatafu Polota-Nau earned his 50th test cap for Australia.
  • Australia retained the Puma Trophy.

Week 5 edit

27 September 2014
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
(1 BP) South Africa  28–10  Australia
Try: Coetzee 12' m
De Villiers (2) 71', 80'
Lambie 78' m
Con: Lambie (1/3) 80+2'
Pen: Pollard (1/1) 43'
Drop: Lambie (1/1) 69'
Report[33]Try: Ashley-Cooper 25' c
Con: Foley (1/1) 27'
Pen: Foley (1/2) 24'
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 44,955
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cornal Hendricks
OC13Jan Serfontein
IC12Jean de Villiers (c)
LW11Bryan Habana 26' to 37'  40'
FH10Handré Pollard  58'
SH9Francois Hougaard  77'
N88Duane Vermeulen  61'
OF7Oupa Mohojé  54'
BF6Marcell Coetzee
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Eben Etzebeth
TP3Jannie du Plessis  65'
HK2Adriaan Strauss  58'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira  69'
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessis  58'
PR17Trevor Nyakane  69'
PR18Marcel van der Merwe  65'
LK19Bakkies Botha  61'
FL20Schalk Burger  54'
SH21Cobus Reinach  77'
FH22Pat Lambie  58'
CE23JP Pietersen  26'  37'  40'
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt To'omua  54'
LW11Joe Tomane  66'
FH10Bernard Foley
SH9Nick Phipps
N88Ben McCalman  58'
OF7Michael Hooper (c)
BF6Scott Fardy
RL5Rob Simmons  40'
LL4Sam Carter
TP3Sekope Kepu  69'
HK2Saia Fainga'a  61'
LP1James Slipper  65'
Replacements:
HK16James Hanson  61'
PR17Benn Robinson  65'
PR18Ben Alexander  69'
LK19James Horwill  40'
N820Scott Higginbotham  58'
SH21Nic White
FH22Kurtley Beale  54'
WG23Rob Horne  66'
Coach:
Ewen McKenzie

Man of the Match:
Francois Hougaard (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Wayne Barnes (England)
Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official:
Graham Hughes (England)

Notes:


27 September 2014
19:10 AST (UTC-03)
Argentina  13–34  New Zealand (1 BP)
Try: Agulla 78' c
Con: González Iglesias (1/1) 79'
Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 16', 35'
Report[34]Try: B. Smith 11' c
Dagg 24' c
Savea 56' c
Perenara 67' c
Con: Barrett (4/4) 12', 25', 57', 68'
Pen: Barrett (2/2) 3', 8'
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata
Attendance: 37,000[35]
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB15Joaquín Tuculet
RW14Juan Imhoff
OC13Marcelo Bosch  65'
IC12Juan Martín Hernández  58'
LW11Manuel Montero
FH10Nicolás Sánchez
SH9Tomás Cubelli  53'
N88Leonardo Senatore  58'
OF7Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe
BF6Benjamín Macome
RL5Tomás Lavanini
LL4Mariano Galarza  62'
TP3Ramiro Herrera  52'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c)  69'
LP1Marcos Ayerza  64'
Replacements:
HK16Matías Cortese  69'
PR17Lucas Noguera Paz  64'
PR18Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro  52'
LK19Matías Alemanno  62'
FL20Rodrigo Baez  58'
SH21Martín Landajo  53'
FH22Santiago González Iglesias  58'
WG23Horacio Agulla  65'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade
FB15Israel Dagg
RW14Ben Smith
OC13Conrad Smith  71'
IC12Malakai Fekitoa
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Beauden Barrett
SH9Aaron Smith  64'
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)  64'
BF6Jerome Kaino
RL5Sam Whitelock
LL4Brodie Retallick  53'
TP3Owen Franks  71'
HK2Keven Mealamu  71'
LP1Wyatt Crockett 1' to 12'  53'
Replacements:
HK16Nathan Harris  71'
PR17Joe Moody  1'  12'  53'
PR18Ben Franks  71'
LK19Jeremy Thrush  53'
FL20Sam Cane  64'
SH21TJ Perenara  64'
FH22Colin Slade  71'
WG23Cory Jane
Coach:
Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Jérôme Garcès (France)
Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official:
Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)

Notes:

Week 6 edit

4 October 2014
17:05 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  27–25  New Zealand (1 BP)
Try: Hougaard 11' c
Pollard (2) 26' c , 39' c
Con: Pollard (3/3) 12', 27', 39'
Pen: Pollard (1/2) 46'
Lambie (1/1) 78'
Report[36]Try: Fekitoa 32' c
B. Smith 65' c
Coles 69' m
Con: Barrett (2/3) 33', 66'
Pen: Barrett (2/2) 8', 23'
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 61,261
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cornal Hendricks  57'
OC13Jan Serfontein
IC12Jean de Villiers (c)
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Handré Pollard  62'
SH9Francois Hougaard  67'
N88Duane Vermeulen
OF7Oupa Mohojé  49'
BF6Marcell Coetzee
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Eben Etzebeth  62'
TP3Jannie du Plessis  62'
HK2Bismarck du Plessis  52'
LP1Tendai Mtawarira  72'
Replacements:
HK16Adriaan Strauss  52'
PR17Trevor Nyakane  72'
PR18Marcel van der Merwe  62'
LK19Bakkies Botha  62'
FL20Schalk Burger  49'
SH21Cobus Reinach  67'
FH22Pat Lambie  62'
CE23JP Pietersen  57'
Coach:
Heyneke Meyer
FB15Israel Dagg
RW14Ben Smith
OC13Conrad Smith  73'
IC12Malakai Fekitoa
LW11Julian Savea
FH10Beauden Barrett
SH9Aaron Smith  65'
N88Kieran Read
OF7Richie McCaw (c)
BF6Jerome Kaino  60'
RL5Sam Whitelock
LL4Jeremy Thrush  48'
TP3Owen Franks  57'
HK2Keven Mealamu  48'
LP1Joe Moody  40'
Replacements:
HK16Dane Coles  48'
PR17Ben Franks  40'
PR18Charlie Faumuina  57'
FL19Steve Luatua  60'
FL20Liam Messam  48'
SH21Tawera Kerr-Barlow  65'  74'
FH22Colin Slade  74'
CE23Ryan Crotty  73'
Coach:
Steve Hansen

Man of the Match:
Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Pascal Gauzère (France)
JP Doyle (RFU)
Television match official:
Graham Hughes (RFU)

Notes:

  • This loss, was New Zealand's first loss in The Rugby Championship since its formation in 2012.
  • South Africa becomes the first team to beat New Zealand, since the All Black's 38–21 loss to England in 2012.
  • This was South Africa's first win over New Zealand since their 18–5 win during the 2011 Tri Nations Series.

4 October 2014
19:40 AST (UTC-03)
Argentina  21–17  Australia (1 BP)
Try: Senatore 34' m
Imhoff 52' c
Con: Sánchez (1/2) 53'
Pen: Sánchez (3/5) 40', 43', 74'
Report[37]Try: Kuridrani 2' c
Higginbotham 12' c
Con: Foley (2/2) 4', 13'
Pen: Foley (1/3) 47'
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
FB15Joaquín Tuculet  74'
RW14Juan Imhoff
OC13Horacio Agulla  69'
IC12Juan Martín Hernández
LW11Lucas González Amorosino
FH10Nicolás Sánchez
SH9Martín Landajo  58'
N88Leonardo Senatore
OF7Benjamín Macome  13'
BF6Rodrigo Báez
RL5Tomás Lavanini
LL4Mariano Galarza  73'
TP3Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro  63'
HK2Agustín Creevy (c)
LP1Marcos Ayerza  66'
Replacements:
HK16Matías Cortese
PR17Bruno Postiglioni  66'
PR18Ramiro Herrera  63'
LK19Matías Alemanno  73'
FL20Javier Ortega Desio  13'
SH21Tomás Cubelli  58'
CE22Marcelo Bosch  69'
CE23Jerónimo de la Fuente  74'
Coach:
Daniel Hourcade
FB15Israel Folau
RW14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC13Tevita Kuridrani
IC12Matt To'omua  30'
LW11Joe Tomane
FH10Bernard Foley
SH9Nick Phipps 42' to 52'  63'
N88Scott Higginbotham  58'
OF7Michael Hooper (c) 73' to 80'
BF6Scott Fardy
RL5James Horwill  67'
LL4Sam Carter
TP3Sekope Kepu  58'
HK2Saia Fainga'a  71'
LP1James Slipper  58'
Replacements:
HK16Joshua Mann-Rea  71'
PR17Benn Robinson  58'
PR18Ben Alexander  58'
LK19Will Skelton  67'
N820Jake Schatz  58'
FL21Matt Hodgson
SH22Nic White  63'
WG23Rob Horne  30'
Coach:
Ewen McKenzie

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Television match official:
Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)

Notes:

  • This was Argentina's first ever win in The Rugby Championship since its formation in 2012.
  • This was Argentina's first win over Australia since their 18–16 win in 1997.
  • Jake Schatz and Joshua Mann-Rea made their international debuts for Australia.

Warm-up matches edit

On 25 July and 2 August, Argentina played two uncapped matches against French Top 14 side Grenoble in preparation for the tournament.[38] This was the third year in which Argentina had played two warm-up matches pre Rugby Championship; New South Wales Waratahs Barbarians in 2013 and Stade Français in 2012.


25 July 2014Argentina  44–21GrenobleC.A.S.I., San Isidro 
20:10 AST (UTC-03)Try: Imhoff 21' c
Leguizamón 24' m
Montero 34' m
Penalty try 60' c
Moroni 66' c
González Amorosino 78' c
Con: Sánchez (2/4) 21', 61'
González Iglesias (2/2) 67', 78'
Pen: Sánchez (2/3) 6', 51'
Report[39]
(In Spanish)
Try: Caminati 27'
Héguy 80' m
Con: Wisniewski (1/2) 28'
Pen: Wisniewski (3/3) 32', 37', 41'
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)


2 August 2014Argentina  56–22GrenobleEstadio Bicentenario Ciudad de Catamarca, Catamarca 
16:10 AST (UTC-03)Try: Imhoff (2) 13' c, 65' c
De la Fuente 16' c
Fernández Lobbe 56' c
Senatore 67' c
Tuculet 70' c
Agulla 75' m
Con: Sánchez (4/4) 14', 17', 57', 65'
González Iglesias (2/3) 68', 71'
Pen: Sánchez (3/4) 26', 59', 63'
Report[40]
(In Spanish)
Try: Thiéry 7' c
Roodt 32' c
Hayes 46' m
Con: Wisniewski (2/3) 7', 33'
Pen: Wisniewski (1/1) 36'
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)

Squads edit

Summary edit

NationMatch venuesHead coachCaptain
NameCityCapacity
 ArgentinaEstadio Ciudad de La PlataLa Plata53,000 Daniel HourcadeAgustín Creevy
Estadio Malvinas ArgentinasMendoza40,268
Estadio Padre Ernesto MartearenaSalta20,408
 AustraliaStadium AustraliaSydney84,000 Ewen McKenzieMichael Hooper
Subiaco OvalPerth43,500
Robina StadiumGold Coast27,400
 New ZealandEden ParkAuckland50,000 Steve HansenRichie McCaw
Wellington Regional StadiumWellington34,500
McLean ParkNapier22,000
 South AfricaEllis Park StadiumJohannesburg62,567 Heyneke MeyerJean de Villiers
Newlands StadiumCape Town51,900
Loftus Versfeld StadiumPretoria51,762

Note: Ages, caps and domestic side are of 16 August 2014 – the starting date of the tournament.

Argentina edit

Argentina 30-man squad for the Championship was announced on 23 June.[41] In addition to the 30-man squad, a further nine players were invited to train with the squad and acted as stand-by players should a call-up have been necessary.[42] Those players are: hookers Julián Montoya (Newman) and Santiago Iglesias (Uni. Tucumán), lock Guido Petti (San Isidro), number 8 Benjamín Macome, scrum-half Felipe Ezcurra (Hindú), fly-half Patricio Fernández (Jockey Club), centres Matías Moroni (CUBA) and Javier Rojas (Uni. Tucumán) and winger Ramiro Moyano (Lince R.C.)

On 15 July, Marcos Ayerza was added to the squad to provide further options in the front row.[43]

On 10 September, Benjamín Macome was promoted to the main squad as cover for Tomás Lavanini, who was unable to play in the fourth round.[44]

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

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)Matches PlayedClub/province
Matías CorteseHooker (1985-10-01)1 October 1985 (aged 28)7 Liceo
Agustín Creevy (c)Hooker (1985-03-15)15 March 1985 (aged 29)28 Worcester Warriors
Marcos AyerzaProp (1983-01-12)12 January 1983 (aged 31)48 Leicester Tigers
Nahuel Tetaz ChaparroProp (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 (aged 24)7 La Plata
Ramiro HerreraProp (1989-02-14)14 February 1989 (aged 25)2 Castres
Lucas Noguera PazProp (1993-05-10)10 May 1993 (aged 21)5 Lince R.C.
Bruno PostiglioniProp (1987-04-08)8 April 1987 (aged 27)13 La Plata
Matías AlemannoLock (1991-12-05)5 December 1991 (aged 22)5 Tablada
Mariano GalarzaLock (1986-12-11)11 December 1986 (aged 27)18 Gloucester
Tomás LavaniniLock (1993-01-22)22 January 1993 (aged 21)10 Hindú
Rodrigo BáezFlanker (1989-02-08)8 February 1989 (aged 25)11 Liceo
Juan Manuel LeguizamónFlanker (1983-06-06)6 June 1983 (aged 31)55 Lyon
Pablo MateraFlanker (1993-07-18)18 July 1993 (aged 21)11 Leicester Tigers
Javier Ortega DesioFlanker (1990-06-14)14 June 1990 (aged 24)8 Paraná
Tomás de la VegaFlanker (1990-09-28)28 September 1990 (aged 23)12 CUBA
Juan Martín Fernández LobbeNumber 8 (1981-11-19)19 November 1981 (aged 32)56 Toulon
Benjamín MacomeNumber 8 (1986-10-01)1 October 1986 (aged 27)18Unattached
Leonardo SenatoreNumber 8 (1984-05-13)13 May 1984 (aged 30)20 Worcester Warriors
Tomás CubelliScrum-half (1989-06-12)12 June 1989 (aged 25)25 Belgrano
Martín LandajoScrum-half (1988-06-14)14 June 1988 (aged 26)31 C.A.S.I.
Santiago González IglesiasFly-half (1988-06-16)16 June 1988 (aged 26)7 Alumni
Nicolás SánchezFly-half (1988-10-26)26 October 1988 (aged 25)21Unattached
Marcelo BoschCentre (1984-01-07)7 January 1984 (aged 30)25 Saracens
Jerónimo de la FuenteCentre (1991-02-24)24 February 1991 (aged 23)4 Duendes
Matías OrlandoCentre (1991-11-14)14 November 1991 (aged 22)9 Huirapuca
Horacio AgullaWing (1984-10-22)22 October 1984 (aged 29)51 Bath
Lucas González AmorosinoWing (1985-11-02)2 November 1985 (aged 28)33Unattached
Juan ImhoffWing (1988-05-11)11 May 1988 (aged 26)20 Racing Métro
Manuel MonteroWing (1991-11-20)20 November 1991 (aged 22)13 Pucará
Santiago CorderoFullback (1993-12-06)6 December 1993 (aged 20)7 Regatas
Juan Martín HernándezFullback (1982-08-07)7 August 1982 (aged 32)44Unattached
Joaquín TuculetFullback (1989-08-08)8 August 1989 (aged 25)11Unattached

Australia edit

Australia 32-man squad for the Championship was announced on 23 July.[45]

Although Henry Speight has been named in the squad, he is not eligible to play for the Wallabies until September 11, after round three of the Championship.

On 30 July, Peter Betham was called up to the squad as cover for Henry Speight, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury.[46]

On 5 August, Tolu Latu and Laurie Weeks were called up to the squad as cover for Tatafu Polota-Nau, who was ruled out of the opening match with a ligament injury, and Scott Sio who was ruled out with an ankle injury.[47]

On 10 August, Tom English and Paddy Ryan were called up to the squad to cover Joe Tomane and Laurie Weeks who both suffered hamstring injuries in training, thus being ruled out of the start of the Championship.[48]

On 11 August, Saia Fainga'a was called up to the squad to replace Tolu Latu who was withdrawn from the squad due to a broken arm.[49]

On 27 August, Kyle Godwin was called up to the squad to replace Pat McCabe who was withdrawn from the squad due to a retirement enforced injury.[50]

On 4 September, Josh Mann-Rea was called up to the squad as cover for Saia Fainga'a, who potentially would have to leave the squad for the birth of his child during the week leading up to Round 3.[51] Although Mann-Rea remained in the squad for Round's 5 and 6 with Polota-Nau withdrawing from the squad due to injury.[52]

On 7 September, Will Genia and Benn Robinson was added to the squad as training cover for their respective positions.[53] Although they remained in the squad for Round's 5 and 6 as a full squad member.

On 8 September, Jake Schatz was added to the squad as cover for Wycliff Palu who was ruled out of Round 4.[54]

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)Matches PlayedClub/province
Nathan CharlesHooker (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 25)2Force
Saia Fainga'aHooker (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 27)29Reds
James HansonHooker (1988-09-15)15 September 1988 (aged 25)1Reds
Tolu LatuHooker (1993-02-23)23 February 1993 (aged 21)0Waratahs
Joshua Mann-ReaHooker (1981-02-19)19 February 1981 (aged 33)0Brumbies
Tatafu Polota-NauHooker (1985-07-26)26 July 1985 (aged 29)49Waratahs
Ben AlexanderProp (1984-11-13)13 November 1984 (aged 29)62Brumbies
Pekahou CowanProp (1986-06-02)2 June 1986 (aged 28)7Force
Sekope KepuProp (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 28)41Waratahs
Benn RobinsonProp (1984-07-19)19 July 1984 (aged 30)66Waratahs
Paddy RyanProp (1988-08-09)9 August 1988 (aged 26)3Waratahs
Scott SioProp (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 22)5Brumbies
James Slipper (vc)Prop (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 25)52Reds
Laurie WeeksProp (1986-04-05)5 April 1986 (aged 28)2Rebels
Sam CarterLock (1989-09-10)10 September 1989 (aged 24)1Brumbies
James HorwillLock (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 29)51Reds
Rob SimmonsLock (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 25)40Reds
Will SkeltonLock (1992-05-03)3 May 1992 (aged 22)1Waratahs
Scott FardyFlanker (1984-07-05)5 July 1984 (aged 30)13Brumbies
Matt HodgsonFlanker (1981-06-25)25 June 1981 (aged 33)6Force
Michael Hooper (c)Flanker (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 22)31Waratahs
Scott HigginbothamNumber 8 (1986-09-05)5 September 1986 (aged 27)24Rebels
Ben McCalmanNumber 8 (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 26)32Force
Wycliff PaluNumber 8 (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 32)51Waratahs
Jake SchatzNumber 8 (1990-07-25)25 July 1990 (aged 24)0Reds
Luke BurgessScrum-half (1983-08-20)20 August 1983 (aged 30)37Rebels
Will GeniaScrum-half (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 26)55Reds
Nick PhippsScrum-half (1989-01-09)9 January 1989 (aged 25)17Waratahs
Nic WhiteScrum-half (1990-06-13)13 June 1990 (aged 24)13Brumbies
Kurtley BealeFly-half (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 25)42Waratahs
Bernard FoleyFly-half (1989-09-08)8 September 1989 (aged 24)7Waratahs
Kyle GodwinCentre (1992-07-30)30 July 1992 (aged 22)0Force
Tevita KuridraniCentre (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 23)11Brumbies
Christian LealiifanoCentre (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 26)13Brumbies
Pat McCabeCentre (1988-03-21)21 March 1988 (aged 26)22Brumbies
Matt To'omuaCentre (1990-01-02)2 January 1990 (aged 24)13Brumbies
Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc)Wing (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 30)94Waratahs
Peter BethamWing (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 25)1Waratahs
Tom EnglishWing (1991-03-08)8 March 1991 (aged 23)0Rebels
Rob HorneWing (1989-09-04)4 September 1989 (aged 24)16Waratahs
Henry SpeightWing (1988-03-24)24 March 1988 (aged 26)0Brumbies
Joe TomaneWing (1990-02-02)2 February 1990 (aged 24)9Brumbies
Israel FolauFullback (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 25)18Waratahs

New Zealand edit

New Zealand 31-man squad for the Championship was announced on 28 July.[55]

On 6 August, Colin Slade was added to the squad as cover for Dan Carter, who will miss the opening two matches of the Championship.[56]

Joe Moody was also named in the squad as an injury replacement for Tony Woodcock who was initially meant to miss the start of the Championship. However, on 8 August he was ruled out of the whole Championship with Moody replacing Woodcock fully in the squad. Jeremy Thrush was also added to the squad on 8 August, to cover Dominic Bird who will miss the opening two matches due to injury.[57]

On 15 August, Ryan Crotty was added to the squad to cover Conrad Smith who returned to New Zealand pre-round 1 due to the birth of his child.[58]

On 16 September, Nathan Harris was added to the squad for Round's 5 and 6 as cover in his position.[59]

On 22 September, Tom Taylor was added to the squad to replace Aaron Cruden who was withdrawn from the squad as a disciplinary action.[60]

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)Matches PlayedClub/province
Dane ColesHooker (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 27)18Wellington / Hurricanes
Nathan HarrisHooker (1990-03-08)8 March 1990 (aged 24)0Bay of Plenty / Chiefs
Keven MealamuHooker (1979-03-20)20 March 1979 (aged 35)113Auckland / Blues
Wyatt CrockettProp (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 31)27Canterbury / Crusaders
Charlie FaumuinaProp (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 27)20Auckland / Blues
Ben FranksProp (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 30)31Hawke's Bay / Hurricanes
Owen FranksProp (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 26)57Canterbury / Crusaders
Joe MoodyProp (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 25)0Canterbury / Crusaders
Tony WoodcockProp (1981-01-27)27 January 1981 (aged 33)110North Harbour / Blues
Dominic BirdLock (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 23)1Canterbury / Crusaders
Brodie RetallickLock (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 23)27Bay of Plenty / Chiefs
Jeremy ThrushLock (1985-04-19)19 April 1985 (aged 29)5Wellington / Hurricanes
Patrick TuipulotuLock (1993-01-23)23 January 1993 (aged 21)2Auckland / Blues
Sam WhitelockLock (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 25)54Canterbury / Crusaders
Sam CaneFlanker (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 22)14Bay of Plenty / Chiefs
Steve LuatuaFlanker (1991-04-29)29 April 1991 (aged 23)11Auckland / Blues
Richie McCaw (c)Flanker (1980-12-31)31 December 1980 (aged 33)127Canterbury / Crusaders
Liam MessamFlanker (1984-03-25)25 March 1984 (aged 30)32Waikato / Chiefs
Jerome KainoNumber 8 (1983-04-06)6 April 1983 (aged 31)51Auckland / Blues
Kieran ReadNumber 8 (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 28)62Canterbury / Crusaders
Tawera Kerr-BarlowHalf-back (1990-08-15)15 August 1990 (aged 24)14Waikato / Chiefs
TJ PerenaraHalf-back (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 22)3Wellington / Hurricanes
Aaron SmithHalf-back (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 25)29Manawatu / Highlanders
Beauden BarrettFirst five-eighth (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 23)19Taranaki / Hurricanes
Dan CarterFirst five-eighth (1982-03-05)5 March 1982 (aged 32)100Canterbury / Crusaders
Aaron CrudenFirst five-eighth (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 25)32Manawatu / Chiefs
Colin SladeFirst five-eighth (1987-10-10)10 October 1987 (aged 26)11Canterbury / Crusaders
Tom TaylorFirst five-eighth (1989-03-11)11 March 1989 (aged 25)3Canterbury / Crusaders
Ryan CrottyCentre (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 25)6Canterbury / Crusaders
Malakai FekitoaCentre (1992-05-10)10 May 1992 (aged 22)2Auckland / Highlanders
Ma'a NonuCentre (1982-05-21)21 May 1982 (aged 32)91Wellington / Blues
Conrad SmithCentre (1981-10-12)12 October 1981 (aged 32)77Wellington / Hurricanes
Cory JaneWing (1983-02-08)8 February 1983 (aged 31)48Wellington / Hurricanes
Julian SaveaWing (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 24)22Wellington / Hurricanes
Ben SmithWing (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 28)29Otago / Highlanders
Israel DaggFullback (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 26)39Hawke's Bay / Crusaders
Charles PiutauFullback (1991-10-31)31 October 1991 (aged 22)10Auckland / Blues

South Africa edit

South Africa 30-man squad for the Championship was announced on 2 August.[61]

On 6 August, Juan Smith was called up to the squad to cover Victor Matfield who has been ruled out of the opening match of the championship.[62]

On 16 August, Warren Whiteley was added to the squad as cover for Willem Alberts, who was ruled out of Round 2 with a hamstring injury.[63]

On 25 August, Marcel van der Merwe was added to the squad to replace Frans Malherbe who was withdrawn from the squad prior to Round 3 due to an injury.[64]

On 14 September, JP Pietersen was added to the squad for the final two matches of the Championship.[65]

On 17 September, Schalk Burger was added to the squad to replace Francois Louw who withdrew from the squad for Round's 5 and 6 due to injury.[66]

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

PlayerPositionDate of birth (age)Matches PlayedClub/province
Schalk BritsHooker (1981-05-16)16 May 1981 (aged 33)7 Saracens
Bismarck du PlessisHooker (1984-05-22)22 May 1984 (aged 30)60 Sharks
Adriaan StraussHooker (1985-11-18)18 November 1985 (aged 28)34 Free State Cheetahs
Jannie du PlessisProp (1982-11-16)16 November 1982 (aged 31)54 Sharks
Frans MalherbeProp (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 23)2 Western Province
Tendai MtawariraProp (1985-08-01)1 August 1985 (aged 29)55 Sharks
Trevor NyakaneProp (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 25)4 Free State Cheetahs
Gurthrö SteenkampProp (1981-06-12)12 June 1981 (aged 33)51 Toulouse
Marcel van der MerweProp (1990-10-24)24 October 1990 (aged 23)1 Blue Bulls
Bakkies BothaLock (1979-09-22)22 September 1979 (aged 34)79 Toulon
Lood de JagerLock (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 21)3 Free State Cheetahs
Eben EtzebethLock (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 22)23 Western Province
Victor MatfieldLock (1977-05-11)11 May 1977 (aged 37)113 Blue Bulls
Juan SmithLock (1981-07-30)30 July 1981 (aged 33)69 Toulon
Willem AlbertsFlanker (1984-05-11)11 May 1984 (aged 30)32 Sharks
Schalk BurgerFlanker (1983-04-13)13 April 1983 (aged 31)71 Suntory Sungoliath
Marcell CoetzeeFlanker (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 23)16 Sharks
Francois LouwFlanker (1985-06-15)15 June 1985 (aged 29)30 Bath
Oupa MohojéFlanker (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 24)1 Free State Cheetahs
Duane VermeulenNumber 8 (1986-07-03)3 July 1986 (aged 28)19 Western Province
Warren WhiteleyNumber 8 (1987-09-18)18 September 1987 (aged 26)0 Golden Lions
Francois HougaardScrum-half (1988-04-06)6 April 1988 (aged 26)28 Blue Bulls
Ruan PienaarScrum-half (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 30)76 Ulster
Cobus ReinachScrum-half (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 24)0 Sharks
Pat LambieFly-half (1990-10-17)17 October 1990 (aged 23)32 Sharks
Handré PollardFly-half (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 20)1 Blue Bulls
Morné SteynFly-half (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 30)56 Stade Français
Damian de AllendeCentre (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 22)0 Western Province
Jean de Villiers (c) ‡Centre (1981-02-24)24 February 1981 (aged 33)96 Western Province
JP PietersenCentre (1989-07-12)12 July 1989 (aged 25)54 Panasonic Wild Knights
Jan SerfonteinCentre (1993-04-15)15 April 1993 (aged 21)12 Blue Bulls
Bryan HabanaWing (1983-06-12)12 June 1983 (aged 31)97 Toulon
Cornal HendricksWing (1988-04-18)18 April 1988 (aged 26)3 Free State Cheetahs
Lwazi MvovoWing (1986-06-03)3 June 1986 (aged 28)9 Sharks
Willie le RouxFullback (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 24)15 Free State Cheetahs

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

Statistics edit

See also edit

References edit

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