The 2012 Rugby Championship was the inaugural annual rugby union series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Argentina. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known 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.
The 2012 Rugby Championship kicked off on 18 August with New Zealand defeating Australia and finished on 6 October. Each team played the other twice on a home and away basis. The inaugural Championship was won by New Zealand, which was their 11th Southern Hemisphere title including the Tri Nations.
Standings Place Nation Games Points TryBonus LosingBonus Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against 1660017766+111202626303101137−36001236213120109+1111124601580166−86024
Fixtures
Round 1
FB 15Kurtley BealeRW 14Adam Ashley-CooperOC 13Rob HorneIC 12Anthony Fainga'aLW 11Digby IoaneFH 10Berrick BarnesSH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Scott HigginbothamOF 7 David Pocock (c)BF 6 Dave Dennis RL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Sitaleki Timani TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau LP 1 Benn Robinson Substitutes:HK 16Stephen Moore PR 17James Slipper LK 18Rob Simmons FL 19Radike Samo FL 20Michael HooperSH 21Nick PhippsWG 22Drew MitchellCoach: Robbie Deans FB 15Israel DaggRW 14Cory JaneOC 13Ma'a NonuIC 12Sonny Bill WilliamsLW 11Hosea GearFH 10Dan CarterSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Liam MessamRL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Luke Romano TP 3 Owen FranksHK 2 Keven Mealamu LP 1 Tony Woodcock Substitutes:HK 16Andrew Hore PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Brodie Retallick FL 19Victor VitoSH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron CrudenFB 22Ben SmithCoach: Steve Hansen Man of the Match Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
FB15Zane KirchnerRW14Bryan Habana OC13Jean de Villiers (c)IC12François SteynLW11Lwazi Mvovo FH10Morné SteynSH9 Francois HougaardN88 Keegan Daniel OF7 Willem AlbertsBF6 Marcell CoetzeeRL5 Andries Bekker LL4 Eben EtzebethTP3 Jannie du Plessis HK2 Bismarck du Plessis LP1 Tendai MtawariraSubstitutes:HK 16Adriaan Strauss PR 17Pat Cilliers LK 18Flip van der Merwe FL 19Jacques Potgieter SH 20Ruan Pienaar FH 21Patrick LambieCE 22JJ Engelbrecht Coach: Heyneke Meyer FB 15Lucas González AmorosinoRW 14Gonzalo CamachoOC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Santiago Fernández LW 11Horacio AgullaFH 10Juan Martín HernándezSH 9 Nicolás Vergallo N8 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c)OF 7 Alvaro Galindo BF 6 Julio Farías Cabello RL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Manuel CarizzaTP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Eusebio GuiñazúLP 1 Rodrigo Roncero Substitutes:HK 16Bruno PostiglioniPR 17Marcos Ayerza PR 18Juan Pablo Orlandi FL 19Tomás Leonardi N8 20Leonardo Senatore SH 21Martín Landajo CE 22Martín Rodríguez Coach: Santiago Phelan Man of the Match Morné Steyn (South Africa)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Round 2
FB15Israel Dagg RW14Cory JaneOC13Ma'a Nonu IC12Sonny Bill WilliamsLW11Hosea GearFH10Dan CarterSH9 Aaron Smith N88 Kieran ReadOF7 Richie McCaw (c)BF6 Liam Messam RL5 Sam WhitelockLL4 Luke Romano TP3 Owen FranksHK2 Keven Mealamu LP1 Wyatt Crockett Substitutes:HK 16Andrew Hore PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Brodie Retallick FL 19Victor Vito SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron Cruden FB 22Ben Smith Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Adam Ashley-CooperRW 14Drew Mitchell OC 13Rob Horne IC 12Berrick BarnesLW 11Digby IoaneFH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Will Genia (c) N8 8 Scott Higginbotham OF 7 Michael HooperBF 6 Dave Dennis RL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Sitaleki TimaniTP 3 Ben AlexanderHK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 Benn Robinson Substitutes:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17James Slipper FL 18Radike Samo FL 19Liam Gill SH 20Nick PhippsCE 21Anthony Fainga'a FB 22Kurtley Beale Coach: Robbie Deans Man of the Match: Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)Conrad Smith to make All Blacks return, Marc Hinton, dated 26 August 2012.
Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
FB 15Martín RodríguezRW 14Gonzalo CamachoOC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Santiago FernándezLW 11Horacio AgullaFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Nicolás Vergallo N8 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c)OF 7 Alvaro Galindo BF 6 Julio Farías Cabello RL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Manuel CarizzaTP 3 Juan FigalloHK 2 Eusebio GuiñazúLP 1 Rodrigo Roncero Substitutes:HK 16Bruno PostiglioniPR 17Marcos Ayerza N8 18Leonardo Senatore FL 19Tomás Leonardi SH 20Martín Landajo FB 21Lucas González Amorosino WG 22Juan ImhoffCoach: Santiago Phelan FB15Zane KirchnerRW14Bryan Habana OC13Jean de Villiers (c)IC12François SteynLW11Lwazi MvovoFH10Morné SteynSH9 Francois HougaardN88 Willem AlbertsOF7 Jacques PotgieterBF6 Marcell Coetzee RL5 Andries Bekker LL4 Eben EtzebethTP3 Jannie du Plessis HK2 Adriaan Strauss LP1 Tendai MtawariraSubstitutes:HK 16Tiaan Liebenberg PR 17Pat Cilliers LK 18Flip van der Merwe N8 19Keegan Daniel SH 20Ruan Pienaar FH 21Patrick LambieCE 22JJ EngelbrechtCoach: Heyneke Meyer Man of the Match Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Round 3
FB15Israel DaggRW14Cory JaneOC13Conrad Smith IC12Ma'a NonuLW11Julian SaveaFH10Aaron Cruden SH9 Aaron Smith N88 Kieran ReadOF7 Richie McCaw (c)BF6 Victor Vito RL5 Brodie Retallick LL4 Luke RomanoTP3 Owen Franks HK2 Keven Mealamu LP1 Tony WoodcockSubstitutes:HK 16Andrew Hore PR 17Charlie Faumuina LK 18Sam Whitelock FL 19Liam Messam SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Beauden Barrett FB 22Ben Smith Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Martín Rodríguez RW 14Gonzalo CamachoOC 13Marcelo Bosch IC 12Santiago FernándezLW 11Horacio AgullaFH 10Juan Martín HernándezSH 9 Nicolás VergalloN8 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c)OF 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón BF 6 Julio Farías Cabello RL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Manuel CarizzaTP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Eusebio GuiñazúLP 1 Rodrigo Roncero Substitutes:HK 16Agustín CreevyPR 17Marcos Ayerza PR 18Juan Pablo Orlandi N8 19Leonardo Senatore FL 20Tomás Leonardi SH 21Martín Landajo WG 22Lucas González Amorosino Coach: Santiago Phelan Man of the Match Marcelo Bosch (Argentina)
Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
FB 15Kurtley Beale RW 14Dominic ShipperleyOC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Berrick Barnes LW 11Digby IoaneFH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Will Genia (c) N8 8 Radike Samo OF 7 Michael HooperBF 6 Dave DennisRL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Sitaleki Timani TP 3 Ben Alexander HK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau LP 1 Benn Robinson Substitutes:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17James Slipper FL 18Scott Higginbotham FL 19Liam Gill SH 20Nick Phipps FH 21Mike Harris CE 22Anthony Fainga'a Coach: Robbie Deans FB15Zane Kirchner RW14Bryan Habana OC13Jean de Villiers (c)IC12François SteynLW11Francois HougaardFH10Morné Steyn SH9 Ruan PienaarN88 Duane Vermeulen OF7 Willem AlbertsBF6 Marcell Coetzee RL5 Juandré KrugerLL4 Eben Etzebeth TP3 Jannie du Plessis HK2 Adriaan Strauss LP1 Tendai Mtawarira Substitutes:HK 16Tiaan Liebenberg PR 17Pat Cilliers LK 18Flip van der Merwe FL 19Francois Louw FH 20Johan Goosen FH 21Patrick Lambie WG 22Lwazi Mvovo Coach: Heyneke Meyer Man of the Match Berrick Barnes (Australia)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Round 4
FB15Israel DaggRW14Cory JaneOC13Conrad SmithIC12Ma'a NonuLW11Julian SaveaFH10Aaron CrudenSH9 Piri Weepu N88 Kieran ReadOF7 Richie McCaw (c)BF6 Liam MessamRL5 Sam WhitelockLL4 Luke Romano TP3 Owen Franks HK2 Andrew Hore LP1 Tony WoodcockSubstitutes:HK 16Keven Mealamu PR 17Charlie Faumuina LK 18Brodie Retallick FL 19Victor VitoSH 20Aaron Smith FH 21Beauden BarrettCE 22Tamati EllisonCoach: Steve Hansen FB15Zane Kirchner RW14Bryan HabanaOC13Jean de Villiers (c)IC12François SteynLW11Francois HougaardFH10Morné Steyn SH9 Ruan PienaarN88 Duane VermeulenOF7 Willem Alberts BF6 Francois LouwRL5 Juandré Kruger LL4 Flip van der Merwe TP3 Jannie du PlessisHK2 Adriaan Strauss LP1 Tendai Mtawarira Substitutes:HK 16Tiaan Liebenberg PR 17Dean Greyling LK 18Andries Bekker FL 19Marcell Coetzee FH 20Johan Goosen CE 21Juan de JonghFH 22Patrick Lambie Coach: Heyneke Meyer
Man of the Match: Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
FB 15Berrick Barnes RW 14Dominic Shipperley OC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Pat McCabe Lw 11Digby IoaneFH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Nick Phipps N8 8 Radike Samo OF 7 Michael HooperBF 6 Dave Dennis RL 5 Nathan Sharpe (c)LL 4 Kane DouglasTP 3 Ben AlexanderHK 2 Tatafu Polota-NauLP 1 Benn Robinson Substitutes:HK 16Saia Fainga'aPR 17James Slipper FL 18Scott Higginbotham FL 19Liam Gill SH 20Brett SheehanCE 21Anthony Fainga'a FB 22Kurtley Beale Coach: Robbie Deans FB 15Lucas González AmorosinoRW 14Gonzalo Camacho OC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Santiago FernándezLW 11Horacio AgullaFH 10Juan Martín HernándezSH 9 Martín Landajo N8 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c)OF 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón BF 6 Julio Farías Cabello RL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Manuel CarizzaTP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Rodrigo Roncero Substitutes:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Juan Pablo Orlandi N8 18Leonardo Senatore FL 19Tomás Leonardi SH 20Nicolás Vergallo FB 21Martín RodríguezWG 22Juan Imhoff Coach: Santiago Phelan
Man of the Match: Digby Ioane (Australia)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Round 5
FB15Zane Kirchner RW14Bryan HabanaOC13Jaco Taute IC12Jean de Villiers (c)LW11Francois HougaardFH10Johan Goosen SH9 Ruan PienaarN88 Duane VermeulenOF7 Willem Alberts BF6 Francois LouwRL5 Andries BekkerLL4 Eben Etzebeth TP3 Jannie du Plessis HK2 Adriaan Strauss LP1 Tendai MtawariraSubstitutes:HK 16Tiaan Liebenberg PR 17Pat Cilliers LK 18Flip van der Merwe FL 19Marcell Coetzee FH 20Elton Jantjies CE 21Juan de Jongh FH 22Patrick Lambie Coach: Heyneke Meyer FB 15Berrick Barnes RW 14Dominic ShipperleyOC 13Adam Ashley-Cooper IC 12Pat McCabe LW 11Digby Ioane FH 10Kurtley BealeSH 9 Nick PhippsN8 8 Radike Samo OF 7 Michael HooperBF 6 Dave DennisRL 5 Nathan Sharpe (c)LL 4 Kane Douglas TP 3 Ben Alexander HK 2 Tatafu Polota-NauLP 1 Benn Robinson Substitutes:HK 16Saia Fainga'aPR 17James Slipper LK 18Rob Simmons FL 19Liam Gill SH 20Brett Sheehan FH 21Mike Harris CE 22Anthony Fainga'a Coach: Robbie Deans
Man of the Match: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Greg Garner (England) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
FB 15Lucas González Amorosino RW 14Gonzalo CamachoOC 13Marcelo BoschIC 12Santiago FernándezLW 11Horacio Agulla FH 10Juan Martín HernándezSH 9 Martín LandajoN8 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c)OF 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón BF 6 Julio Farías CabelloRL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Manuel Carizza TP 3 Juan Figallo HK 2 Eusebio Guiñazú LP 1 Rodrigo RonceroSubstitutes:HK 16Agustín Creevy PR 17Juan Pablo Orlandi LK 18Tomás Vallejos FL 19Tomás Leonardi SH 20Nicolás Vergallo FB 21Martín Rodríguez WG 22Juan Imhoff Coach: Santiago Phelan FB 15Israel DaggRW 14Cory JaneOC 13Conrad Smith IC 12Ma'a NonuLW 11Julian SaveaFH 10Dan Carter SH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c) BF 6 Liam MessamRL 5 Sam WhitelockLL 4 Luke Romano TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Andrew Hore LP 1 Tony WoodcockSubstitutes:HK 16Keven Mealamu PR 17Charlie Faumuina LK 18Brodie Retallick FL 19Sam Cane SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron Cruden FB 22Ben Smith Coach: Steve Hansen Man of the Match: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Pascal Gaüzère (France) Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Round 6