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Has there been a more emotional, tumultuous, exciting and incredible year for New Zealand rugby than 2015?
I am a passionate Waratahs and Wallabies supporter, but have nothing but admiration and respect for all things New Zealand rugby.
I am still reeling from the tragic passing of the great Jonah Lomu. With the announcement of the greatest All Black, Richie McCaw, retiring, can anything else happen in New Zealand rugby this year?
The sad
The passing of two All Blacks legends in the one year is a very tough pill to swallow. The tragic death of Jerry Collins and his partner earlier in the year shocked World Rugby to the core. The passing of Jonah Lomu was a seismic shift of epic proportions across the rugby-playing globe. He was at the World Cup with his family and looked really well. Just a terrible tragedy to lose two outstanding men and ambassadors for the game.
I highly recommend the documentary of Jonah going back to South Africa – riveting viewing, it highlights what an incredible man Jonah was. He catches up with old Springbok mates, goes back to Ellis Park, visits a school game and attends the home of one of the youngsters. However the most touching part is when he visits his great friend Joost van der Westhuizen. Joost is battling motor neurone disease, and to see the two legends both fighting their own battles embrace is emotional. Upon leaving Jonah kisses Joost and tells him he loves him.
It’s incredibly powerful to watch, and I’ll admit I choked up a bit.
The good
The Highlanders were the Cinderella story of Super Rugby, led superbly by coach Jamie Joseph. They played wonderful rugby throughout the tournament and were deserved winners of the title.
Their opponents, the Hurricanes, also had a fantastic season and were front-runners all year. The final was an absolute classic, what a great advertisement for the game.
The All Blacks defended the Bledisloe Cup in emphatic fashion with a second-half blitzkrieg. The win ensured greats McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu all finished up winners in their last game on home soil.
Roll onto the World Cup, the Kiwis went about their business during the group stages, then unleashed hell in their quarter-final demolition of France. While the Wallabies were getting some good headlines, that was a statement win if I have ever seen one.
Into the semi-final they showed great composure in a tense match against old foes the Springboks. Another final beckoned, this time against little (rugby) brother, the Wallabies.
What a fantastic final, producing five tries, with Carter showing why he is one of, if not the best flyhalf to have graced a field in that last 15 minutes. The Wallabies showed tremendous courage to fight their way back into the game, and at 21-17 it was game on – but not for long.
Carter owned the last 15 with deft kicking, a majestic drop goal, and a thumping 50-metre penalty. He took the game away from the Wallabies just like that.
So the All Blacks farewelled the aforementioned players in fine style, none more so than two of their greatest ever players in McCaw and Carter. They were welcomed home to victory parades and big celebrations – and rightly so, this team must rank as one of the greatest of all time.
Smiths Aaron and Ben became the first and only New Zealand players to have won a Super Rugby and World Cup title in the same year.
So there you have it, the full gamut of emotions in New Zealand rugby this year – so much heartache and tragedy, yet also so much happiness and celebration. If I have missed any other notable moments this year, please add into the mix.
2015, a year New Zealand rugby will never forget.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.