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The Rugby Championship 2015

The Rugby Championship 2015
The 2015 edition of the Rugby Championship – the southern hemisphere’s pre-eminent international competition – kicked off on July 17. This year’s three-round contest was shortened because of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and saw New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina face each other only once. Australia were crowned 2015 champions, winning the tournament on August 8 for the first time since 2011.
(FILES) - A file picture taken on November 5, 2015, New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team captain Richie McCaw arrives at an official welcome parade and reception for the team in Christchurch, following their Rugby World Cup win against Australia in England on October 31. All Black skipper Richie McCaw announced his retirement on November 18, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Fiona GOODALL
Rugby World Cup 2015

‘The greatest All Black we’ve ever had’ – Richie McCaw retires

Retiring All Black skipper Richie McCaw is known by many names to Kiwi rugby fans – “Captain Fantastic”, “The Real McCaw”, “Richie McAwesome” – but team-mates simply call him GOAT: Greatest Of All Time. After 15 years at the top, the 34-year-old bowed out on Thursday on an unprecedented 148 test caps.

Rugby World Cup 2015

Richie McCaw gets perfect ending as All Blacks hammer Wallabies 41-13

Rugby World Cup 2015

Boks make tactical about-turn for must-win RWC warm-up game

Rugby World Cup 2015

Win is more important than personal milestone for All Blacks skipper McCaw

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has downplayed his own personal milestone ahead of the Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia on Saturday and wants his side just to win the game.

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New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will become the sport's most-capped player this weekend. Photo: AP
Rugby World Cup 2015

Four-score Pumas record historic victory over Springboks

Juan Imhoff scored a hat-trick of tries as Argentina upset South Africa 37-25 in Durban on Saturday in the final match of this year's Rugby Championship.

Rugby World Cup 2015

Wallabies stun All Blacks 27-19 to win Rugby Championship

Scrum-half Nic White came off the bench and scored 10 points in the last 11 minutes on Saturday to give Australia a 27-19 victory over New Zealand and their first Rugby Championship title.

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The Rugby Championship 2015: third round fact file

Facts and teams for this weekend’s third-round matches in the 2015 Rugby Championship when Australia host New Zealand in Sydney and South Africa host Argentina in Durban.

All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter (the all-time highest international point scorer) is tackled by Wallabies right wing Adam Ashley-Cooper (scorer of more tries against New Zealand than any other player) during a Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match. Photo: AP

Richie McCaw: I never want to give back the Bledisloe Cup

Despite achieving almost everything possible to achieve in rugby, the Bledisloe Cup still holds a special place in the heart of New Zealand's Richie McCaw and he is not about to give it up lightly in what looks like being his final season.

Rugby World Cup 2015

‘Overweight’ Springboks face massive test against Pumas

A Rugby Championship campaign that has gone pear-shaped for South Africa means great significance is being attached to the final-round clash with Argentina in Durban on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup 2015

All Blacks warn Wallabies that Hooper-Pocock tandem attack could backfire

The All Blacks upped the psychological pressure on the Wallabies on Friday ahead of this weekend’s Rugby Championship decider, warning the tandem attack of Michael Hooper and David Pocock could backfire.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw enjoys a light moment during the captain’s run press conference ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider in Sydney. Photos: AFP

Blue-blood Milner-Skudder answers New Zealand’s call for Sydney showdown

Nehe Milner-Skudder will on Saturday become the ninth new All Black in four games after being included in mass changes in the backs for this weekend’s Rugby Championship decider against Australia.

Coach Steve Hansen (left) and wing Nehe Milner-Skudder attend a Sydney press conference on Thursday announcing the Hurricanes standout's inclusion in the All Blacks line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship match against Australia. Photos: AFP

Wallabies pair up flankers Hooper and Pocock for title decider against All Blacks

Back-row forwards Michael Hooper and David Pocock have both been named in Australia’s starting line-up for the Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup 2015

Uncapped Patrick Osborne added to All Blacks squad

Uncapped winger Patrick Osborne has been called into the extended All Blacks squad for this weekend's Rugby Championship decider against Australia in Sydney and the second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Auckland the following week.

Palu, Giteau back for All Blacks clash as Cheika drafts in Rebels prop Toby Smith

Wycliff Palu and Matt Giteau were recalled to the Wallabies’ 31-man squad announced Friday for next week’s Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks, with uncapped prop Toby Smith also drafted in.

Wallabies number eight Wycliff Palu (bottom left) and Michael Hooper will be back to take on the All Blacks in Sydney next weekend. Photo: AFP

Australia’s Michael Hooper free to face All Blacks after one-week ban

Australia flanker Michael Hooper has been handed just a one-week ban for slapping Argentina’s Nicolas Sanchez in the head in last weekend’s Rugby Championship test and will be free to face the All Blacks in back-to-back tests.

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will be prevented from playing for his club Manly Marlins against Randwick this weekend, but is free to rejoin the Wallabies for the Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks in Sydney on August 8. Photo: AP
Rugby World Cup 2015

David Pocock wants bragging rights against Richie McCaw in championship clash

Australia flanker David Pocock is relishing the prospect of facing All Blacks captain Richie McCaw again after two seasons wiped out by knee injuries.

Quade Cooper apologises for foul-mouthed Twitter rant

Australia fly-half Quade Cooper has apologised for lashing out at media criticism with an expletive-riddled post on his Twitter feed.

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Rugby World Cup 2015

New Zealand ‘long way’ ahead of the pack, admits Michael Cheika

Australia coach Michael Cheika has moved to dampen expectations of a long-awaited upset of the All Blacks, saying the world champions are well in front of the chasing pack.

Wallaby Joe Tomane celebrates scoring a try in the win over Argentina. Photo: AFP
Rugby World Cup 2015

Wallabies crush Pumas to set up Sydney title decider against New Zealand

Australia crushed Argentina 34-9 in Mendoza on Saturday, scoring four tries to earn a bonus point and set up a Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand.

Rugby World Cup 2015

McCaw magic seals All Blacks win over Springboks at Ellis Park

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw grabbed a late winning try as the All Blacks edged South Africa 27-20 in a gripping Rugby Championship test match in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Buoyant Wallabies look for revenge over Pumas

Australia hope to build on the momentum created by a dramatic triumph over South Africa when they meet Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday in the second round of The Rugby Championship.

James Horwill leads the Australian celebrations following their last-gasp win over South Africa last Saturday. The Wallabies hope to continue the momentum against Argentina this weekend. photo: EPA

The Rugby Championship 2015: second round fact file

Facts and teams for this weekend’s second-round matches in the 2015 Rugby Championship when Argentina host Australia in Mendoza and South Africa host New Zealand in Johannesburg.

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau in action the last time Australia played Argentina in Mendoza – a match the Pumas won 21-17. Photos: AFP
Rugby World Cup 2015

Drama guaranteed as Springboks host All Blacks

Any test match between South Africa and world champions New Zealand is guaranteed to be full of drama, and Saturday's Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park in Johannesburg promises to be no different.

WATCH: Highlights from The Rugby Championship 2015

Watch highlights, previews and post-match reaction from all three rounds of the 2015 Rugby Championship, which was held July 17 to August 8 and featured test matches involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

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Rugby World Cup 2015

Bernard Foley and David Pocock back as Australia make seven changes for Argentina test

Australia coach Michael Cheika has made seven changes to his team for this weekend’s test against Argentina, bringing Bernard Foley back at fly-half and giving David Pocock the start at openside flanker

David Pocock starts for the Wallabies against the Pumas at openside flanker. Photo: AP
Rugby World Cup 2015

Australia call in Puma know-how to fix scrums ahead of World Cup

Australia's Wallabies have turned to Argentina's scrum doctor Mario Ledesma to change the perception that they are pushovers in the countdown to September's Rugby World Cup.

Mario Ledesma is fine-tuning Australia's scrum.Photo: Reuters
Rugby World Cup 2015

Schalk Burger to captain Springboks against All Blacks

Schalk Burger will captain South Africa against New Zealand in a Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg this weekend, coach Heyneke Meyer said on Tuesday.

Rugby World Cup 2015

Quade Cooper in surprise Toulon U-turn

Wallabies fly-half Quade Cooper has pulled out of a big-money move to France to remain in Australian rugby, a report said on Sunday.

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