2015 has, from a rugby sense, been a rather big year. Rugby World Cup years always are, but when you think about everything that happened between the start of February and the Rugby World Cup Final, you realise just how much has gone down this year.
At this time of annual reflection, contemplate all this while you put your feet up in front of the cricket with a well-earned brew of some description.
Super Rugby: the Clan blow Hurricanes away to take maiden title
What shaped as one of the tightest seasons of Super Rugby in the last few years proved to be the case, when the Highlanders emerged as the first team in the history of the competition to win the title from fourth place.
Their 21-14 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington was just the third time the trophy had been claimed by a side on the road, while the Highlanders also became the fourth New Zealand side to win a Final. Under the 15-team, three-conference format, the Highlanders were the first non-conference winners to take a title, as well as being the first Champion to have come through a qualifying final.
The Hurricanes had been the dominant team in 2015, not losing a game until their Round 10 defeat at home by the Waratahs, and only losing once more before the Final. They were hotly tipped to claim a maiden title themselves, but the 2015 Highlanders were reading from a very different script.
The three conferences themselves were quite tightly fought. In South Africa, the Bulls and Sharks failed to capitalise on dream draws handed to them, and mounted respective five- and six-game losing streaks during the season to finish well out of the Finals. This opened the door for the Lions, who lost just three of their last 12 games to record their most successful season to date and finish just three points behind the Stormers.
The Stormers topped the South African conference, but limped into the finals with a draw and a loss, and became the first conference winners to finish with a record that ordinarily would’ve seen them finish outside the top six teams.
The seventh-placed Crusaders finished with one competition point more than the Stormers, and missed the playoffs. The Stormers’ terrible late-season form carried into the finals, where they were blown away at Newlands by the Brumbies in the qualifying final.
The Australian conference looked close on paper in February, but within the first few weeks it became clear that the Western Force weren’t going to repeat their 2014 deeds, and that the Queensland Reds were in for another tough season under embattled coach Richard Graham.
The Brumbies started well and carried that form through, only to be overrun in the final few weeks of the season by the Waratahs as conference champions. The Melbourne Rebels had a very promising middle portion of the year that fuelled talk of an inaugural finals appearance, only to stumble in the closing rounds.
New Zealand very nearly finished with an unprecedented four teams in the playoffs, and enjoyed a ridiculously tight conference all season. The Hurricanes were able to establish themselves as frontrunners early on, and streaks of 11 and then five straight wins cemented their minor premiership and finals hosting rights, despite a hiccup to the Crusaders three weeks from the playoffs. That win was the start of a three-game streak for the Crusaders themselves, but they left their run a little late to earn a playoffs berth.
The Blues proved to be disappointments again, and the Chiefs and Highlanders ran with each other all season, before spending the last month of the competition swapping places. The Highlanders finished with the momentum, and repeated the dose by storming past the Chiefs in the Qualifying Final.
The semi finals set up equally mouth-watering prospects of all-Australian, all-New Zealand, or trans-Tasman Finals, and though all Australian hearts pined for a Waratahs-Brumbies title showdown, there could be little doubt the two best teams in the competition won through, as the Hurricanes and Highlanders progressed.
The Hurricanes played a smart semi game plan, getting out to a start and banking on the Brumbies to panic under pressure, while the Highlanders played a surprisingly physical game in Sydney to out-muscle the Waratahs. Both teams progressed playing almost nothing like they had through the season.
Come the Final in Wellington, a new Champion would be crowned, and happily none of the fog that swamped the last decider in the windy city was present, as the southerners stormed home to beat the heavily-favoured home team.
The Highlanders’ first title was a tribute to Jamie Joseph’s simple game plan executed perfectly by an underrated squad of players, and they’ll start the expanded 2016 Super Rugby season with a large target on their back.
The Rugby Championship: Cheika’s Wallabies experiments net silverware
With the Rugby World Cup rapidly closing in, The Rugby Championship was the last major chance for the four respective nations to get their personnel and combinations right before finalising squads.
It meant that sides changed dramatically from game to game, and once Australia and New Zealand had both accounted for South Africa and Argentina, it set up the first leg of the Bledisloe Cup series in Sydney as the decider.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika pulled out his trump card, starting David Pocock at No.8 alongside Michael Hooper at openside, and despite a stellar debut from All Black winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, the Wallabies’ bench delivered in the last quarter of the game, with scrumhalf Nic White scoring and converting the matchwinner.
That same weekend, Argentina caused a massive boilover in Durban, registering their first ever win over the Springboks, their first ever away win, and first bonus point win since being admitted to The Rugby Championship in 2011.
Bledisloe Cup: McCaw rules, okay
The win in Sydney had Wallabies supporters riding high on confidence that, finally, the 29-year Eden Park hoodoo would be broken. But having seemingly developed the masterplan in Sydney, Cheika made seven changes to the starting side, including benching Pocock, and the Wallabies found themselves on the back foot almost immediately.
Three converted tries in six minutes early in the second half blew the Wallabies away, with Ma’a Nonu delivering a masterclass and Richie McCaw going past Brian O’Driscoll’s record as the most capped player in Test Rugby. The Wallabies’ Bledisloe drought was extended to a 13th year, and the Auckland hoodoo remains.
Rugby World Cup: All Blacks dynasty claims record third crown
The tournament that felt like it had been coming forever was suddenly upon us, and we only had to wait until the second day for the first major upset. Japan’s last-ditch 34-32 over South Africa in Brighton was immediately written up as the single greatest upset in the written and mythical history of the universe, and even without the hyperbole, it will be remembered as one of the obvious highlights of the tournament.
Japan’s win put all eyes on the so-called ‘minnows’, and all delivered on years of promise. Fiji’s scrum literally pushed their Pool A combatants all the way, Japan finished with three wins alongside South Africa and Scotland in Pool B, Georgia finished third in Pool D despite almost shelling their last game against Namibia, and Romania recorded their first ever Rugby World Cup win, topping Canada in Pool D.
South Africa (thereafter) and New Zealand had little trouble topping their respective Pools B and C, and Ireland’s convincing win over France saw them home in Pool D, too. In Pool A, the Wallabies emerged atop the ‘Pool of Death’ after comprehensive and hard-fought wins over England and Wales in successive games. Wales’ three-point win over England earlier in the pool meant that their loss to the Wallabies confirmed the first occasion of a Rugby World Cup host not escaping the pool stage.
Come the quarters, the Springboks and All Blacks had little trouble with Wales and France, respectively, while Argentina’s 43-20 thumping of Ireland added to the list of tournament upsets.
The Wallabies very nearly found themselves on that list in the final quarter final, escaping a major boilover at the hands of Scotland courtesy of an 80th minute Bernard Foley penalty, in a controversially refereed game that might be remembered by Scots in the same infamous manner as New Zealand’s QF loss in 2007.
An all-Southern hemisphere semi-final stage was set, and though Australia would have little trouble getting past Argentina to earn a fourth Rugby World Cup Final appearance, the day before saw New Zealand battling in the last twenty minutes to hold off South Africa despite complete dominating possession.
Ultimately, sadly, the first trans-Tasman Final played out largely to script. Tries to the All Blacks either side of halftime – their ‘Championship minutes’ – threatened to again put the Wallabies away, before a Tevita Kuridrani try brought the margin back to four points with 15 to play.
Enter quasi-player of the tournament Dan Carter. A 70th minute drop goal and a 75th minute penalty came in a wonderful period of game management, before replacement Beauden Barrett scooped up a loose ball in the 79th minute and run 60 metres to seal the result.
The comeback spoke for the Wallabies’ rapid improvement in 2015, but the closing out of the game issued a stark reminder that this All Blacks side has always had the tools and the smarts to win regardless of the situation. The best team in the world capped off four years of international dominance with an unprecedented third Rugby World Cup.
What a year!
It’s been a massive year for rugby, no doubt, and as we wrap it up for 2015, I’ll leave you with this scary thought: the new season is only eight weeks away!
All the best for 2016…
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Sammy. As Clarke implied, if Aus lost to the Heartland, then it would pretty a sorry state of affairs. AU won both games Thankfully because of NRC, we now have a platform for the top amateurs in AU and NZ to play each other. What I would like to see are the best of non-AB ITM Premiership vs the best of non-WB NRC
Sammy
Guest
RobC If the level of our NRC players is only equal to 4th division NZ then we are in a real bad way. I was under the impression was the NRC was to increase the depth of players of the S15 franchises.
RobC
Roar Guru
yes Clarke, thanks for sharing. Point taken. As I understand it: - there is no Heartlands equivalent in Aus. - There are two ITMs levels in NZ. Both are considered professional leagues. - NRC is Pro-Am. Pro being SR contracted. Am being unsigned players - The only Am leagues in Aus are the various state Shields, Cups. So its a bit like 2nd division Aus vs 4th division NZ. these being the highest level of amateurs for each country.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
I remember the discussion at the time when these matches were announced. My view was that I would expect a team selected from the NRC to defeat a team selected from the NZ Heartland teams. I stand to be corrected but are the players playing in the NRC who are not contracted super rugby players not the next level of rugby players in Australia. The Heartland team however is selected from teams outside the top 14 provincial teams in NZ which at face value seems a little like Aust 2nd Div vs NZ 3rd Div.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers Clarke. It certainly surprised me :) Can you share why this outcome was expected?
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Rob I'm not sure I can agree that Australian Barbarians defeating NZ Heartland was an unexpected outcome.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Brett. A year of unexpected outcomes, including Australian's NRC Barbarians beat NZ heartland. 2016 may be more of the same. I think some NH changes were quite relevant, in particular Eng and Wales, and how RWC was being officiated. The other main event are the new rules that were agreed for trial. I thought NRC is worth a mention, along with the Currie Cup and ITM finals. All three were excellent expositions of exciting football. Currie probably the most fun to watch.
The V Man
Guest
Well done ben!
gbrizzy
Guest
Brett thanks for your insight this past year. To sum up you could say it was a pretty Black year. Take care bring on the 2016 season
Harry Jones
Expert
Excellent summary; sir
Taylorman
Guest
That's probably the biggest criticism of Cheika for this year. He took a punt on experience due to the short timeframes and I don't think he would have got better performances out of New players than he did Giteau and Mitchell. He took a risk on leaving 'new' till next year (2016) and although got criticised for it... Kerevi, Stirzaker etc the most obvious examples, I think he was justified in the end. New coach with new players in a World Cup year? Don't think he wanted that scenario in an important timeframe. But he's a risk taker and I think he will bring everyone and anyone out this year who looks like potential test material. He was short of skills in many positions and many players were covering others all over the place. His 9 and 10's are limited, he has no genuine no. 8, limited inside backs and slow wings. He needs new material and I think will get straight onto it in 2016, now he doesn't have the Tahs and can work with the franchises more.
Dan in Devon
Guest
The only disappointment for me was Cheika's failure to blood any young backline talent but we might note in his favour that time was against him. England saw the emergence of Ford, Watson, Joseph and Slade - all around 22/23; I think Kuridrani was the Wallabies youngest backline player and he did not fulfil the potential which he has promised in the past. In this respect, England look in better shape than the Wallabies despite their very poor World Cup.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
WOW! that post being moderated??
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Hi Muzzo, all the best for the new year to you and yours too. You write as I think about the Blues but since 2003, they have promises so much and delivered so little. The Blues need a competitive halves combination, Hall and Gibson-Parks need to cement their spots with West and Hickey now that Bowden has gone too. When one looks at the combinations from the other franchises in NZ, without being too critical of what we have at the Blues, we are poor cousins. I think the team and the wider training squad for 2016 will include a few from the U20's, exciting talent but lacking in experience. I agree about Moala (dunno about him taking Fekitoa's place though, Fek's has been groomed I reckon to replace Conrad Smith at 13 - hasn't the the smarts yet but I think Shag will give him a chance). Rene Ranger is another one I am interested to see if he can come back from her neck surgery and be the force he was before he had his stint up north. While you say that Moala was 'unlucky to miss the RWC squad, not sure of that .... the one who I really thought was 'dudded' was Charles Piutau in spite of the official reason for his omission. He was, I believe a shoe in for a permanent fixture in the AB squad (similar to Ben Smith) but he made his choice ... I just hope he does not live to regret it, as I think it will be a hard road for him to be so highly thought of now. I don't think the draw have the Blues playing in Singapore but if they are, I'll definitely will plan a trip to the republic to coincide as I have some small business interests there and go there quite frequently so realigning visiting arrangements would not be a big deal for me. As for the Highlanders, as Brett says, it will be interesting to see how they back up in 2016 with a target on their backs. Anyhow just a couple of months now, am looking forward to the preseason matches even to see how the guys settle in under Umaga's tenure.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Ha Chook! ... I hope you had a goodie... I also hope you have a great 2016. I am not too good about predicting too far into the future but I can tell you, I am pleased to see the back of 2015! Plans are being made now (health permitting) for the International Rugby season 2016 (for 3 of us idiots!). We are going to Sydney for the match on 20th Aug, between Wallabies and the All Blacks, then will 'skip over the ditch to be in Wellington for the return match between the two on the 27th Aug. I will not be in Hamilton for the match between the All Blacks and Pumas on 10th September because I'll be at Suncorp for the match between the Wallabies and the Boks. Unlikely that I will get to Christchurch to watch the All Blacks play the Boks (as will have been away too many consecutive weekends by then (but one never knows, it is still a possibility - after all I missed ALL tests in 2015 and have to catch up!). Then the biggie!!... Argentina for the All Blacks match at a venue to be decided on the 1st October then a hop step and a jump to Durban for the All Blacks v Boks match. Not been to SA or Argentina so am looking forward to that! But before all that, we have the Super Rugby series to get over!
Kiwi in us
Guest
Thank you Brett. Enjoyed your articles this year. Will be many more next year. What an amazing game.
Muzzo
Guest
Hi Rugby Tragic, All the best for the New Year, as it sounds as you had a good one. In truth I do think that the Blues will possibly be one of the better performed teams of the New Zealand franchises, especially with Tana in charge. As was shown, in the past season with Counties, he really did, more than show his worth. I do think he will go very well. The person, I think, will be the one to watch out from the Blue's, for higher honors, possibly challenging Malakai Fekitoa, for his spot, is George Moala. He is an exciting prospect, & I was one that thought he was a little bit unlucky not to be in the RWC squad. As I see in my team from the deep south, Jamie Joseph, also has some more unknowns added to his squad. It's shaping up to be a very good season, as one could be tempted to fly to Singapore to watch the Sunwolves playing one of our teams. Could be a good weekend in the making. As I said, all the best, in every respect, for the New Year. Cheers.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Happy New Year, NB. I actually said, "same old forward oriented NH rugby", which is not exactly the same as "forward dominated".
Machooka
Roar Guru
Hey Tragic... season's greetings to you, and yours buddy! May this coming year of 2016 be a healthy, wealthy, and lest of all a bit of Blue for you eh?! C'arn da Tahs... as they are the real deal Blue... and not like that Auckland type of blue thingy :)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks for the article Brett, a good read on a tiring New Years Day, and a Happy New Year to you and all Roarers for 2016. It will be interesting to see how the expanded Super 18 works out. Don't quite understand how it will necessarily have the top teams in the playoffs yet but no doubt it will come to light and the winner will be the most deserved winner. I have particular interest in the Blues, they have a great ray of young talent coming through, lacking perhaps in experience initially and hampered by the selection for the Sevens squad, but maybe the nursery of future AB's. It will be interesting to see how Tana Umaga brings the Blues squad together supported by the likes of Kaino, Faumuina, Tuipulotu and Luatua (the latter three must be considered seniors along with Kaino nowadays!). I agree they have been disappointing for a number of years and to be honest, I am more hopeful than confident that they will challenge for playoffs in 2016 ... 2017 onwards might be more their timing. With so many retirements and exodus to the euro and yen, the international sides will also be interesting. I think NZ will continue to be true contenders as the wealth of talent coming through, on suspects, will go a long way to alleviate the loss of so much experience. It will be most interesting too, how England fares now that they have appointed Eddie Jones as a coach and with the biggest budget of all international side. One would have to believe that they will be super competitive with Jones in charge but all will be revealed soon. The Six Nations might give us a window to judge the English side as to whether they have moved on from the disaster of their premature RWC exit as hosts.