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A U S T R A L I A N R U G B Y U N I O N annual report 2014 

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION 

2014 

ANNUAL REPORT

2014 ARU ANNUAL REPORT 

2014 ARU 

Executive & 

Members 

Patron 

Governor-General, His Excellency General the 

Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (RetD) 

Chairman 

Mr Michael Hawker AM 

President 

Mr David Crombie AM 

Senior Vice President 

Mr John Coolican 

Junior Vice President 

Mr Tony Shaw 

Managing Director And Chief Executive 

Officer 

Mr Bill Pulver 

ARU Board 

Mr Michael Hawker AM – Chairman 

Mr Cameron Clyne – Director 

Mr John Eales AM – Director 

Mr Paul McLean MBE – Director 

Mr Bill Pulver – Managing Director & CEO 

Dr. Brett Robinson – Director 

Mr Geoffrey Stooke OAM – Director 

Ms Ann Sherry AO – Director 

Mrs Nerolie Withnall – Director 

Voting Members 

Australian Capital Territory & Southern New 

South Wales Rugby Union 

Melbourne Rebels 

New South Wales Rugby Union 

Northern Territory Rugby Union 

Queensland Rugby Union 

Rugby Union Players’ Association 

Rugby Western Australia 

South Australian Rugby Union 

Tasmanian Rugby Union 

Victorian Rugby Union 

Waratahs Rugby 

Non Voting Members 

Australian Barbarians Rugby Union 

Australian Junior Rugby Football Union 

Australian Schools Rugby Football Union 

Australian Services Rugby Union 

Australian Women’s Rugby Union 

Classic Wallabies 

New South Wales Country Rugby Union 

Sydney Rugby Union 

IRB Representatives 



Sanzar Representatives 



Auditors 

KPMG 

2 2014 ARU ANNUAL REPORT

04 

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 04 

CEO’S REPORT 05 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 06 

VISION FOR AUSTRALIAN RUGBY 07 

2014 HIGHLIGHTS 08-09 

AWARD WINNERS 10-11 

FRENCH TEST SERIES 12-13 

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 14-15 

SPRING TOUR 16 

SEVENS 17-19 

SUPER RUGBY 20-21 

22 

NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 22-23 

PARTICIPATION 24-25 

WOMEN AND GIRLS 26-27 

INDIGENOUS 28 

PACIFIC IN UNION 29 

OUR RUGBY COMMUNITY 30-31 

OUR FANS 32-33 

32 

BROADCASTING 34 

PARTNERSHIPS 35-37 

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION 38 

STARS OF THE FUTURE 39 

REFEREES & MATCH OFFICIALS 40 

SPORTS SCIENCE 41 

INTEGRITY & DRUGS IN SPORT 42 

CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE 43 

VALES 44 

ARU AFFILIATE REPORTS 45-46 

43 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 47-50 

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS 51 

FINANCIAL REPORT 52-85 

APPENDICES 86-91 

11


Chairman’s Report 

Michael Hawker AM 

Australian Rugby continues to make solid progress on our 

strategic plan, with a strong focus throughout 2014 to make 

the game more sustainable. 

We operate in one of the most competitive winter sports 

markets in the world, with sport also competing against all 

forms of entertainment. 

In 2014, we introduced a range of initiatives to make Rugby’s 

financial future more sustainable. 

We have continued to focus on collaboration to get things done 

across all levels of Rugby, with all States and Territories providing 

meaningful contributions to our future direction. 

These initiatives included introducing a funding model to achieve 

self-sustainability for grassroots Rugby and a new online system to 

make it easier for players to register. 

We continue to focus on increasing participation, particularly among 

young girls and boys, and we are using the inclusion of Rugby Sevens 

in the Olympics to increase participation, including a new non-contact 

version of Sevens, VIVA7s. 

We’ve had a sharp focus on driving the elite pathway and improving 

the performance of our elite teams. This included launching the 

Buildcorp National Rugby Championship, which saw nine teams in a 

competition that features law variations to excite fans. We’re confident 

it will soon rival similar competitions in New Zealand and South Africa. 

At an elite level, our men’s and women’s Sevens teams began the 

Olympic qualification period in late 2014, with the top four nations at 

the end of the World Series set to gain automatic Olympic selection. 

The Qantas Wallabies enjoyed a three-nil series win over France, 

with a number of strong performances during the remainder of 2014, 

including a 12-12 draw against the All Blacks, a 24-23 win over the 

Springboks and a 33-28 win over Wales on the Spring Tour. 

A significant amount of work has been undertaken in 2014 to 

negotiate our important broadcast agreement with our SANZAR 

partners for the 2016-2020 period. 

In 2014, there was pleasing growth for television ratings for 

domestic Test matches, with the average national audience per game 

improving by more than 16% in 2014 compared to 2013*. 

At a Board level, we have had a year of stability, following the 

addition of three new Board Directors in late 2013. I would like to 

thank my fellow Board Directors for their work throughout 2014. 

A special thanks to our President David Crombie AM who will be 

stepping down as President at the end of his two year term. David 

has made a significant contribution in this role, which follows a 

distinguished playing and administrative career in Rugby. 

*Source: 2014 Ratings & Attendance – Ikon Media 


President’s Report 

David Crombie AM 

2014 marked another busy and successful year in Rugby on and 

off the field. 

The three-nil series win over France in June entertained fans 

in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, with 15 tries scored across 

all three Tests, but Les Bleus turned the tables when we met 

again during the Spring Tour, beating us 29-26 in Paris. 

The Qantas Wallabies engaged with fans in regional New South 

Wales through the Bush2Bledisloe initiative that saw them travel from 

Dubbo to Sydney before the first Bledisloe Test of 2014 – an affair 

which saw the Trans-Tasman rivals record a dramatic draw. 

Fan engagement is critical and we supported a number of initiatives 

in 2014 to increase fan engagement, including support for the fan 

group ‘The Gold Brigade’ and the Samsung SlideLiner. 

Our Asteron Life Super Rugby sides performed exceptionally well in 

2014, particularly the NSW Waratahs with a heart-stopping victory in 

the dying minutes of the final against the Crusaders who have claimed 

the Super Rugby title seven times – the most in the competition’s 

history. 

The best players in our game were recognised at the John Eales 

Medal, with the prestigious honour awarded to fullback Israel Folau. 

Folau was also named joint Super Rugby Player of the Year, along 

with his NSW Waratahs team mate Michael Hooper. 

Back-rower Sean McMahon from the RaboDirect Rebels was 

named Australian U20s Player of the Year; Buildcorp National Rugby 

Championship Player of the Series; and Asteron Life Super Rugby 

Rookie of the Year. 

University of Canberra Brumbies Lock Sam Carter, who made his 

debut against France in the Brisbane Test in June and played eight 

Tests in 2014, was named Qantas Wallabies Rookie of the Year. 

Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens star Emilee Cherry won the 

Shawn Mackay Award for Sevens Player of the Year and the Women’s 

Player of the Year across both the Sevens and XVs form of the game. 

It caps off an impressive year for the Queenslander, who is also the 

current IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. 

Cameron Clark was named Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens 

Player of the Year and Amy Perrett became the first woman to win 

the Referee of the Year Award in a year that saw her officiate the 

Women’s Rugby World Cup Final in France. 

We farewelled members of our Classic Wallabies fraternity in 2014, 

including Max Howell AO, Thomas Bourke, Nev Cottrell, Ian Moutray, 

John Cornes and Eric Tindall. 

In 2014, we recognised the achievements of three former players 

– Wylie Breckenridge, Greg Davis and Simon Poidevin – by inducting 

them into the Wallaby Hall of Fame. Each inductee was chosen for 

demonstrating outstanding ability, sportsmanship, commitment, 

character and personal contribution to their team and the game in 

their era. 

I would like to thank the Chairman Michael Hawker, his capable 

Board and CEO Bill Pulver for their support and leadership of 

Australian Rugby. I would also like to thank the Members for their 

commitment at all levels of our great game. 

I have enjoyed my long involvement with Australian Rugby and in 

particular my last two years as ARU President and I look forward to 

seeing Australian Rugby prosper and grow in the years ahead. 


5

CEO’s Report 

Bill Pulver 

2014 marked a year of action for Australian Rugby as we continued 

to pursue our strategy to expand participation, develop elite 

success and unlock our financial potential. 

Launching the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship was one 

of the clear highlights of the year. 

This competition provides a solid pathway for players, match officials 

and coaches, with more than half of all players not on Super Rugby 

contracts. With innovative law variations in place, 358 tries were scored 

throughout the competition, with an average of 9.2 per game. A strong 

Ballymore crowd of 8,000 turned up to watched Brisbane City beat Perth 

Spirit 37-26 to win the inaugural Buildcorp NRC trophy. The competition 

was crucial from a player development point of view, with 13 NRC players 

earning Super Rugby contracts. 

We’ve been doing a huge amount of work in other areas of the 

development pathway, including completing the first Junior Gold Cup 

which involved more than 1,200 players from 24 centres in the Under 

15 and Under 17 categories. The competition supports the long term 

development of players, coaches and match officials nationwide and 

forms an opportunity to progress through representative pathways. For 

the 2014 competition, the Melbourne Rebels won the U15s Junior Gold 

Cup, while Western Australia won the U17s trophy. 

We remain focused on getting more boys and girls to play Rugby 

through our focus on expanding participation. For National Rugby Week 

in August, more than 120,000 students took part in Rugby at 726 schools 

nationally. We also launched VIVA7s, a new non-contact Rugby offering. 

We introduced Rugby Link – a new online registration tool, aimed at 

making it easier for players to register and for clubs to communicate with 

their players. 

We undertook a review of our grassroots funding to provide a more 

sustainable funding model, with involvement and feedback incorporated 

from all States and Territories. This resulted in a decision to introduce a 

national registration fee, which is automatically directed to the relevant 

State or Territory for them to provide services for participants. While this 

is a significant change, this initiative will transform the way community 

Rugby is funded to provide long-term sustainability and growth. 

In 2014, we grew our sponsorship revenue and I’d like to sincerely 

thank our corporate, government and broadcast partners for their 

incredible support. 

A special thank you to our major partners, Qantas, Castrol and ASICS 

and our broadcast partners – FOX SPORTS, Network Ten and ABC 

Grandstand. We are also very grateful for the support of our inaugural 

competition partners, Asteron Life (Super Rugby) and Buildcorp (National 

Rugby Championship). Thanks also to all of our partners who you’ll see 

listed in this report. 

At a Wallabies level, we hosted France for a three Test series this year, 

with the afternoon match at Allianz Stadium in front of 43,188 fans a 

highlight of the three-nil series for the Wallabies. 

The Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship was the toughest and most 

gruelling since its inception, with four out of the six Wallabies matches 

decided by less than seven points. 

Following the Rugby Championship and under challenging off-field 

circumstances, the Wallabies record was sound, losing only one of their 

seven matches on home soil, going down after the siren to the All Blacks 

at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. 

Later in the year, we had a change of national coach, with Michael 

Cheika appointed to the role following Ewen McKenzie’s resignation in 

October. 

While the on-field performances for the Spring Tour fell short of last 

year’s tour (one victory from four Tests in 2014 compared to four wins 

from five Tests in 2013), plenty of progress was made to develop a strong 

team identity heading into the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

The 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby season was the best-ever for our 

Australian teams, with the NSW Waratahs winning their first Super Rugby 

title in nail-biting fashion against the Crusaders in front of a record Super 

Rugby crowd in Sydney. 

The Brumbies made the finals and the Western Force had its best 

season ever since joining the competition in 2006, while the Queensland 

Reds and Melbourne Rebels caused some upsets and uncovered new 

talent to take into the 2015 season. 

Our national men’s and women’s Sevens team started their Olympic 

qualification period in October, and will be hoping to end the series in the 

top four to earn automatic Olympic qualification. 

Our elite Sevens players are impressive role models – with Emilee Cherry 

voted the IRB Women’s Sevens Player of the Year globally and our Girl’s 

Youth Olympic team won gold in Nanjing at the Youth Olympics. 

The Wallaroos proudly represented Australia at the Women’s Rugby 

World Cup in France in August finishing seventh, including impressive 

performances against Wales and South Africa. 

Our promise to create an inclusive Australian Rugby community was 

highlighted in August, with our support of the Bingham Cup – also 

known as the Gay Rugby World Cup. In addition to our support for the 

tournament, we are committed to stamping out homophobia in Rugby at 

all levels of our game through our Inclusion Policy. 

We also take player welfare extremely seriously, and appointed a 

new Concussion Specialist, Dr Ryan Kohler to provide greater support 

and oversight in this area, to ensure everyone involved in Rugby at all 

levels understands our recommended approach to concussion and takes 

appropriate precautions. 

In recognition of the global market in which we operate, we introduced 

flexible player contracts in 2014 for those players who commit their future 

to Australian Rugby on long-term deals. Some of the players who have 

re-signed with Australian Rugby beyond 2014 included Stephen Moore, 

Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua, Scott Fardy, Joe Tomane and Christian 

Leali’ifano. 

We’ve also enjoyed a constructive relationship with the Rugby Union 

Players’ Association throughout 2014 – thank you to RUPA CEO Greg 

Harris and his team. 

As projected in my report last year, 2014 was another difficult year 

financially, and the business underwent significant restructuring and 

expenditure reduction initiatives to manage the financial challenges we 

face. While our underlying business generated a small surplus of $0.7m, 

the full financial result was a deficit of $6.3m after allowing for further 

financial assistance of $3.3m to the Melbourne Rebels during the year, 

and after allowing for allocations to Member Unions of $3.7m. 

I’d like to thank all of the volunteers around Australia for their support. 

They are the backbone of our game and we appreciate their dedication at 

clubs across the country. 

Our thanks also to the players – from juniors right to senior club Rugby 

right across the country and our elite representatives. 

Thank you to our dedicated fans; and the staff and management team 

at the Australian Rugby Union who demonstrate incredible commitment 

to our game. 

We head into 2015 with plenty of optimism – we have a solid longterm 

financial outlook with the prospect of new broadcast agreements 

for 2016 onwards; we have a Rugby World Cup on the horizon; and we 

hope to secure two spots in the Rugby Sevens competition at the 2016 

Olympics in Rio. 

I look forward to updating you on our progress. 


Vision For Australian 

Rugby & Key Statistics 

Our Plan 

To Reunite and Re-Energise Australian Rugby 

Our Vision 

To ignite passion, build character and create an inclusive 

Australian Rugby community 

Our Values 

PASSION – for our game 

INTEGRITY – underpinning our actions 

DISCIPLINE – of purpose 

RESPECT – for the game and each other 

TEAMWORK – uniting us both on and off the field 

35 

35 tries scored by the 

Qantas Wallabies in 

2014 

25,000 

25,000 gold berets 

distributed by Qantas 

during the Wallabies’ 

three-Test series 

against France in 

June 

120,000 students 

took part in National 

Rugby Week from 

726 schools across 

all eight states and 

territories, participating 

in classroom, field and 

carnival-based Rugby 

activities. 

358 

687,488 

687,488 people 

enjoyed a Rugby 

experience in 2014, 

an increase of 12% 

from 2013 

358 tries scored during the 

inaugural Buildcorp NRC, thanks 

largely to the introduction of 

new law variations, while the 

competition also attracted 76,160 

to games in its inaugural season 

43,188 

43,188 fans attended 

the third French Test 

in Sydney, setting a 

new record crowd at 

Allianz Stadium 

3,000 

The Bush2Bledisloe country roadshow 

visited over 3,000 primary school students 

with the Wallabies and Bledisloe Cup 

embarking on a five-day regional tour. 

40 

40 wins by Australian 

teams in the Asteron 

Life Super Rugby 

competition, an 

improvement on 37 

in 2013 and 32 in 

2012. 


7


Highlights Of 

2014 

ARU hosts first 

ever Junior 

Gold Cup, 

showcasing the 

best young U15s 

and U17s Rugby 

talent teams 

from 24 centres 

across Australia 

(17/02) 

Emilee Cherry 

wins 2013-14 

IRB Women’s 

Sevens World 

Series Player of 

the Year (18/05) 

Qantas 

Wallabies 

complete a 

3-0 whitewash 

against the 

French and 

unveil five 

Wallaby 

debutants 

(21/06) 

JANUARY FEBUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY 

Qantas 

Australian 

Women’s Sevens 

team wins the 

Brazil Sevens 

tournament 

in Sãu Paulo 

(23/02) 

Stephen 

Moore 

appointed 

as the 81st 

Qantas 

Wallabies 

Captain 

(2/06) 

Qantas 

Australian Men’s 

Sevens team win 

Commonwealth 

Games Bronze 

Medal in 

Glasgow (27/07) 


NSW Waratahs 

win the Asteron 

Life Super Rugby 

Competition in 

front of a record 

crowd of 61,823 

at ANZ Stadium, 

Sydney (2/08) 

Buildcorp 

National Rugby 

Championship 

is officially 

launched 

(13/08) 

Michael Hooper appointed as the 

82nd Qantas Wallabies Captain, 

making him the fourth youngest 

Captain in the history of the game 

(Hooper took over at 22 years of 

age and 223 days, and was the 

youngest captain of Australia since 

1961) (6/09) 

Israel Folau 

named 2014 

John Eales 

Medallist in just 

his second year 

in Rugby (23/10) 

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 

Australian Rugby 

Union signs a 

new Inclusion 

Policy to launch 

2014 Bingham 

Cup (29/08) 

Brisbane City win inaugural Buildcorp 

National Rugby Championship 37-26 

against the Perth Spirit at Ballymore 

Stadium (2/11) 

Australian girls win 

Gold at the 2014 Youth 

Olympic Games in 

Nanjing, China (20/08) 

20,546 fans 

turn out and 

celebrate the 

Gold Coast 

Sevens (12/10) 

Adam Ashley-Cooper 

plays 100th Test for 

Australia against All 

Blacks (14/10) 


9


Award 

Winners 

Israel Folau became the irst back to win 

the John Eales Medal since Kurtley Beale 

in 2011 

John Eales Medal 

Israel Folau took out top honours at 

Australian Rugby’s night of nights, 

winning the 2014 John Eales Medal 

in just his second year since switching 

codes. 

The 25-year-old, who was last year 

recognised as the Qantas Wallabies Rookie of 

the Year, picked up 314 votes in total, ahead 

of his closest rivals, Michael Hooper (232) 

and James Slipper (208), to claim the coveted 

accolade. 

Folau also helped the NSW Waratahs win 

a maiden Asteron Life Super Rugby title in 

2014, and was named joint Asteron Life 

Super Rugby Player of the Year alongside 

teammate, Michael Hooper. 

Hooper – aged 22 at the time of the 

award – was also named Australia’s Choice 

Qantas Wallaby of the Year, in an impressive 

season which saw the former John Eales 

Medallist captain the Qantas Wallabies and 

NSW Waratahs. 

Sam Carter completed a stellar debut 

international season by winning the Qantas 

Wallabies Rookie of the Year, while Rob 

Horne was awarded the Qantas Wallabies 

Try of the Year for his last-minute effort in 

Australia’s victory over South Africa in Perth. 

It was however Rebels enforcer Sean 

McMahon who stole the show, winning 

three awards – Super Rugby Rookie of the 

Year, Buildcorp NRC Player of the Series and 

Australian Under 20’s Player of the Year, 

capping off his meteoric rise which also 

included his debut Test cap for Australia 

against Wales in Cardiff. 

Cameron Clark was named Qantas 

Australian Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, 

while Emilee Cherry was presented with the 

Shawn Mackay Award for Qantas Sevens 

Player of the Year and Qantas Australian 

Women’s Sevens Player of the Year. 

Other award winners included Amy 

Perrett, winner of the Roger Vanderfield 

Award for Referee of the Year, and Steve 

Walsh as the Super Rugby Referee of the 

Year. 

Dick Marks was given the Joe French 

Award for his outstanding contribution to 

Australian Rugby as a player, coach and 

administrator, while Sydney Convicts founder 

Andrew Purchas earned the Nick Farr-Jones 

Spirit of Rugby award for his involvement 

with the 2014 Bingham Cup. 

Community awards went to Chris Hicks 

(HSBC Volunteer of the Year), Jessie Treherne 

(HSBC Young Volunteer of the Year) and 

Bill Coulter (HSBC Lifetime Volunteer). 

Sila Taungakava received the Asteron Life 

Community Coach of the Year and Trevor 

Hancock was named ‘Ultimate Fan’ for a 

second consecutive year. 

The 2014 Wallaby Hall of Fame inductees 

were Wylie Breckenridge, Greg Davis and 

Simon Poidevin. 


All Rugby Awards Winners 

John Eales Medal: Israel Folau (NSW 

Waratahs) 

Qantas Wallabies Rookie of the Year: 

Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies) 

Qantas Wallaby Try of the Year: Rob 

Horne (Qantas Wallabies v South Africa in 

Perth) 

Australia’s Choice – Qantas Wallaby of 

the Year: Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs) 

Wallabies Hall of Fame: Wylie 

Breckenridge, Greg Davis and Simon 

Poidevin 

Super Rugby Player of the Year: Joint 

winners - Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs) and 

Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs) 

Super Rugby Team of the Year: NSW 

Waratahs 

Super Rugby Coach of the Year: Michael 

Cheika (NSW Waratahs) 

Super Rugby Rookie of the Year: Sean 

McMahon (Melbourne Rebels) 

Super Rugby Try of the Year: Scott 

Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels v 

Cheetahs, Round Three) 

Super Rugby Referee of the Year: Steve 

Walsh 

Australian Under 20’s Player of the 

Year: Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels) 

The Shawn Mackay Award Qantas 

Sevens Player of the Year: Emilee Cherry 

Qantas Men’s Sevens Player of the 

Year: Cameron Clark 

Women’s Player of the Year: Emilee 

Cherry 

Buildcorp NRC Player of the Series: Sean 

McMahon (Melbourne Rising) 

Joe French Award: Dick Marks 

Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby: Andrew 

Purchas 

Roger Vanderfield Award Referee of 

the Year: Amy Perrett 

HSBC Volunteer of the Year: Chris Hicks 

HSBC Young Volunteer of the Year 

Award: Jessie Treherne 

HSBC Lifetime Volunteer Award: Bill 

Coulter 

Asteron Life Community Coach of the 

Year: Sila Taungakava 

Ultimate Fan: Trevor Hancock 


11


Castrol 

EDGE 

France 

Tour 

Record Breaking Series 

The Qantas Wallabies entered their threegame 

series against France determined to 

build on the momentum they gained during 

a highly successful 2013 Spring Tour of the 

United Kingdom and Europe, where they 

ended the year by winning four straight 

games. The highly-anticipated series lived up 

to expectations with the Wallabies securing 

their first-ever clean sweep over France as 

part of a three-game series. That success 

meant the Wallabies also ended the series 

with seven straight victories, a winning 

streak last accomplished by the Wallabies in 

1999/2000. 

Tries Flow As Wallabies Perform At 

Suncorp Stadium Fortress 

Suncorp Stadium has been a happy hunting 

ground for the Wallabies in recent times, 

and they were determined to get their 2014 

campaign off on a high-note against the 

French in Brisbane. Australia scored seven 

tries in an excellent display of running Rugby 

to secure a memorable 50-23 win in what 

was a special occasion for prop James Slipper 

and No.8 Wycliff Palu, who both reached the 

milestone 50-game Test mark in the match. 

It was also a special moment for debutant 

Sam Carter, who despite suffering a severe 

ankle sprain in the early stages of the match, 

produced a stirring 80-minute effort in his 

first opportunity wearing the green and gold 

jersey. 

Defence Rules In Melbourne 

Rugby returned to Melbourne in a match 

where victory for Australia would give them 

an insurmountable 2-0 series lead over France. 

A proud French team was always going to 

respond after the opening game defeat and 

delivered their best performance of the series. 

Unfortunately for the visitors, they ran into a 

green and gold brick wall with the Wallabies 

coming away with a grinding 6-0 win. The 

result was the first time in history France had 

been kept scoreless by Australia, as part of 

44 previous Tests dating back to 1928. The 

match also carried added significance for 

young Rebels duo Laurie Weeks and Luke 

Jones, who made their Test debut in front 

of their home fans at Etihad Stadium. The 

match also marked the introduction of hooker 

Nathan Charles to the Test arena. 

Afternoon Rugby A Major Success As 

Wallabies Secure Clean Sweep 

The decision to host the final game of 

the Test series in Sydney on a Saturday 

afternoon proved to be a masterstroke as 

the 43,188-strong crowd was the biggest 

Test Rugby crowd ever at Allianz stadium. 

Not wanting to disappoint their fans, the 

Wallabies produced an attacking masterclass 

to score five tries, including a double to 

fan-favourite Israel Folau, in a thrilling 39-13 

victory. However, it was debutant and NSW 

Waratahs local Will Skelton who stole the 

show, with a powerhouse first effort which 

also saw the 140kg lock score his first Test try. 

Castrol EDGE 

France Tour 

Test Results 

Australia 50, France 23 

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7 June 


Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, 14 June 


Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 21 June 



13



Castrol 

EDGE 

Rugby 

Championship 

Bledisloe Drought Continues Despite 

Opening Game Draw 

Coming off an undefeated series over 

France, the Wallabies and their supporters 

entered the 2014 Castrol EDGE Rugby 

Championship with high hopes of breaking 

New Zealand’s stranglehold on the Bledisloe 

Cup. Following a fortnight of festivities 

and build-up, the tournament kicked off 

with a bang at ANZ Stadium with Australia 

producing one of their better efforts of the 

tournament, and were unfortunate to walk 

away from the rain-soaked match with just a 

12-all draw. It was a match the Wallabies felt 

they should have won, and while it put an 

end to New Zealand’s 17-game win streak, it 

would ultimately be a result they would come 

to lament, with the All Blacks locking up the 

trophy once again at their Eden Park fortress 

a week later. 

Iceman Bernard Foley Repeats Super 

Rugby Heroics 

Heading into the next stage of the 

tournament, it was important for the 

Wallabies to put the disappointment against 

New Zealand behind them as they re-focused 

on two home games against South Africa in 

Perth and Argentina on the Gold Coast. They 

faced the Springboks first, in a match that 

will be remembered for a wild finish which 

saw winger Rob Horne score an unlikely 

try in the dying minutes. His heroics were 

followed by flyhalf Bernard Foley maintaining 

his composure to kick a difficult sideline 

conversion to see the home side move ahead 

24-23. The Australians went on to score 

back-to-back Rugby Championship victories 

by defeating Argentina 32-25 the following 

week on the Gold Coast. It was a match the 

Wallabies led comfortably going into the final 

10 minutes, only for a resurgent Argentina to 

Castrol EDGE Rugby 

Championship Ladder 

Pos Team P W D L -/+ BP Pts 

1 New Zealand 6 4 1 1 73 4 22 

2 South Africa 6 4 0 2 24 3 19 

3 Australia 6 2 1 3 -45 1 11 

4 Argentina 6 1 0 5 -52 3 7 

* Further details see appendix Page 86-87 

storm back into the match, giving themselves 

an opportunity to win in the final moments 

of the game. It was however the Wallabies 

who kept their poise, rewarding hooker 

Tatafu Polota-Nau with a win in his milestone 

50th game for Australia. 

Wallabies End Tournament With Road Trip 

To Cape Town And Mendoza 

There was plenty at stake for Australia in 

their next clash against South Africa – an 

opportunity to win the Mandela Plate and go 

second on the IRB World Rankings, while a 

win would also break the Springboks’ longrunning 

win streak over the Wallabies in 

Cape Town, dating back to 1992. In the end, 

the Wallabies were 10 minutes away from 

ticking off all three milestones as they led the 

Springboks’ 10-8 late in the match, only to 

let their lead slip in a powerful final period 

for the home side, who walked away 28-10 

winners. It was a flattering final margin for 

South Africa considering the effort of the 

young Australians, who went on to end their 

road tour in disappointing fashion by again 

Castrol Edge Rugby 

Championship Test 

Results 

Australia 12, New Zealand 12 

ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 16 August 

New Zealand 51, Australia 20 

Eden Park, Auckland, 23 August 

Australia 24, South Africa 23 

Patersons Stadium, Perth, 6 September 

Australia 32, Argentina 25 

Cbus Stadium, Gold Coast, 13 September 

South Africa 28, Australia 10 

Newlands, Cape Town, 27 September 

Argentina 21, Australia 17 

Estadio Malvinas, Mendoza, 4 October 

letting an early lead slip to go down 21-17 

against Argentina. Despite the outcome in 

Mendoza, it was a special night for hooker 

Josh Mann-Rea and Jake Schatz, who made 

their Test debut. 

The One That Got Away 

Despite the Bledisloe Cup being locked 

away, the Wallabies entered their third and 

final game against New Zealand at Suncorp 

Stadium determined to draw the three-game 

series. It was also a memorable occasion for 

stalwart Adam Ashley-Cooper, who became 

just the sixth player in Australian Rugby 

history to reach 100-games for the Wallabies. 

It was a match where Australia led by 10 

points twice in the second half, and by six 

points with just two minutes to go, before 

going down in heartbreaking circumstances 

with the All Blacks scoring a converted try 

after the full-time siren. 

It was a cruel end to what had been an 

outstanding performance from Australia, 

with centurion Ashley-Cooper celebrating his 

milestone with a first-half try. 


15


Spring Tour 

New Era Under Michael Cheika 

Following the resignation of Ewen 

McKenzie after the third Bledisloe Cup Test, 

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Michael Cheika 

stepped into the Test role, taking on the job 

just a week before to the team’s departure 

for their Spring Tour in the United Kingdom 

and Europe. He came to the position with 

strong credentials, winning the Super Rugby 

title with the Waratahs and Heineken Cup 

with Leicester, and with a determination to 

put the necessary groundwork in place ahead 

of a 2015 campaign which includes a Rugby 

World Cup. 

Ten Straight As Wallabies Extend Winning 

Run Against Wales 

The attacking intentions of new coach 

Michael Cheika were made clear in a noncapped 

outing against the Barbarians during 

the first week of tour, giving the side plenty 

of confidence heading into their first Test 

against Wales. Australia entered the match 

with a decisive mental edge over the Welsh, 

winning their previous nine games, and were 

determined to set a high standard in what 

was the final match between the two nations 

before the World Cup. In a promising sign, 

the Wallabies trailed late in the match before 

showing enough composure to finish the 

better of the two sides, winning 33-28. It 

was the perfect start for Cheika, but also a 

memorable night for prop Tetera Faulkner 

and backrower Sean McMahon, as they 

made a winning start to their Test careers. 

Close Losses But Improvement Shown 

The return of Michael Cheika to France 

and Ireland was highly anticipated although 

the results wouldn’t go the way of the 

Australians, going down in tightly contested 

battles 29-26 and 26-23, before ending their 

campaign in similarly frustrating fashion with 

a 26-17 loss to England. Despite the results, 

there were many encouraging signs that 

the Wallabies were making progress under 

Cheika as they adapted to his style and new 

game plan. 

Spring 

Tour Results 

Barbarians 36, Australia 40 

Twickenham, London, 1 November 

Wales 28, Australia 33 

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 8 November 

France 29, Australia 26 

Stade de France, Paris, 15 November 

Ireland 26, Australia 23 

Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 22 November 

England 26, Australia 17 

Twickenham, London, 29 November 

Milestones 

100 Tests 

Adam Ashley- 

Cooper 

50 Tests 

James Slipper 

Wycliff Palu 

James Horwill 

Tatafu Polota-Nau 

Sekope Kepu 

Rob Simmons 

Debutants 

Sam Carter 

Nathan Charles 

Luke Jones 

Laurie Weeks 

Will Skelton 

Josh Mann-Rea 

Jake Schatz 

Sean McMahon 

Tetera Faulkner 

Henry Speight 

Ashley-Cooper Hits 100-Game Milestone 

Wallabies stalwart Adam Ashley-Cooper 

became just the sixth player in Australian 

Rugby history to reach the prestigious 100- 

game Test milestone, coming in Australia’s 

third and final game against New Zealand 

at Suncorp Stadium. By reaching the 

mark, Ashley-Cooper joined an illustrious 

group that boasts only five legends of the 

game – George Gregan (139 caps), Nathan 

Sharpe (116), George Smith (111), Stephen 

Larkham (102) and David Campese (101). 

He finished the season ranked fourth alltime 

and will go down as one of the great 

players the Wallabies have produced. His 

status in Australian Rugby has grown in 

recent seasons and he now takes on the 

responsibility of vice-captain of the national 

team. 

Debut: 2005 v South Africa in Perth 

Test Caps: 104 

Test Points: 155 



Rugby Sevens 

Gold 

Coast 

Sevens 

Sun, surf and Rugby returned 

to Cbus Super Stadium on 

the Gold Coast in October to 

kick off the 2014/15 HSBC 

Sevens World Series season. 

The event also doubled as the first 

round of the qualification process 

for the Olympics – with the top 

four sides at the end of the nineround 

season securing automatic 

qualification for Rio 2016. Over the 

two days, 20,546 fans were treated 

to some quality Rugby Sevens and a 

thrilling 31-24 final between Fiji and 

Samoa. 

The captain’s photo to promote 

the tournament was the centrepiece 

of the build-up to the Gold Coast 

Sevens, with all 16 countries 

represented by their captains. Each 

captain gathered for a spectacular 

promotional opportunity at 

Australia’s tallest building – Q1 

SkyPoint – in the centre of the Gold 

Coast. 

At the tournament itself, under 

new Head Coach Geraint John, 

Australia saw off the challenge of 

Portugal (29-0) and Scotland (24- 

14) before succumbing to eventual 

winners Fiji (12-35) to finish Runners- 

Up in Pool C. 

A stunning late fight back from 

a vastly-improved Argentina side 

saw Australia’s Gold Coast Sevens 

campaign ended at the Plate Semi- 

Final stage. 

Australia’s Women’s Sevens side 

were afforded a rare opportunity 

to showcase their skills in front of 

their home crowd at the Gold Coast 

Sevens. Under Head Coach Tim 

Walsh, Australia emerged victorious 

in the three-match exhibition series 

against a talented Canadian side 

ranked third in the world. Lightning 

winger Ellia Green scored a stunning 

late 75 metre try in game three to 

settle matters. 

FOX SPORTS in Australia broadcast 

all of the action from Cbus Super 

Stadium which was also streamed to 

more than 200 countries worldwide. 

Rugby Sevens is going from strength to 

strength in Australia 

In 2014, the Qantas Men’s and Women’s 

Rugby Sevens programs benefited from a 

centralised base at the Sydney Academy of 

Sport in Narrabeen, on the city’s northern 

beaches. 

Contracted players now enjoy the benefits 

of full-time support staff, including Analysts, 

Strength and Conditioning coaches, and 

physiotherapists, as both teams geared towards 

the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. 


17


Men 

Australia ended the 2013/14 HSBC 

Sevens World Series season where they 

began the year – in fifth position. Despite 

some impressive wins over Fiji in Las Vegas, 

Samoa in Wellington, South Africa in Hong 

Kong and England at Twickenham, the 

Australians couldn’t register enough Cup 

Semi-Final appearances to improve on their 

position at the end of the season. 

The 2013/14 Sevens World Series ended 

with one of the most memorable Cup Finals 

in recent memory with Michael O’Connor’s 

young side roaring into a 21-0 lead against 

World Champions New Zealand at an 

80,000 Twickenham Stadium. However, the 

Kiwis turned around the deficit to ultimately 

record a scintillating 52-33 win. 

At the end of the year, Australian centre 

Cameron Clark was rewarded for a season 

of top quality performances by being 

named in the IRB’s annual Dream Team. 

February 2014 saw the resignation 

of long-serving Head Coach Michael 

O’Connor. After six years at the helm of the 

Australian Men’s Sevens team, the former 

dual international would leave his post in 

May due to family considerations. O’Connor 

still remained involved with the sport in its 

National Youth Programs in Brisbane. 

In June, experienced Canadian Rugby 

Sevens coach Geraint John was appointed 

Director of Rugby Sevens and the Head 

Coach of the Men’s Sevens team. John’s 

first mission was to prepare his side for the 

XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

Australia’s bid for Gold was halted by 

New Zealand, though the team rallied to 

comfortably see off Samoa in the Bronze 

Medal match. 

The 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series 

started in October with the Olympic era 

upon us. A top four finish at season’s end 

will guarantee a spot at Rio 2016 – at the 

turn of the year Australia sit in fourth spot 

tucked in behind New Zealand. A slow 

start to the season on the Gold Coast was 

followed by two excellent performances in 

Dubai (runners-up) and Port Elizabeth (third 

place). 

Women 

Our Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens 

team finished second in the 2013/2014 

Women’s Sevens World Series, behind 

World Champions New Zealand. The team 

reached four of the five finals throughout 

the season and won two tournaments. 

In Tim Walsh’s first season as Head 

Coach, Australia won two tournaments – in 

Dubai and São Paulo. Despite impressive 

efforts to reach Cup Finals in Guangzhou 

and Amsterdam, on both occasions the 

Australians were unable to overcome the 

world number one ranked nation, New 

Zealand. 

Australia’s Emilee Cherry was named 

IRB Women’s Player of the Year for her 

performances throughout the season and 

has proved to be one of the exciting new 

generation of Australian Rugby players. 

The 2014 off-season saw Walsh 

refine the squad he hopes will secure 

an automatic top four spot that ensures 

qualification for Rio 2016. Taleena Simon, 

Tanisha Stanton, Chloe Dalton, Brooke 

Walker and Mollie Gray all joined the 

Women’s Sevens program to increase the 

depth in the squad. 

Despite playing some of the best Rugby 

throughout the opening tournament of the 

2014/15 season, Australian hearts were 

broken as New Zealand came from behind 

to take the Dubai Sevens title. 

Investment 

And Pathways 

In 2014, the Australian Sports 

Commission continued to acknowledge the 

growing importance of Rugby Sevens, with 

the sport a beneficiary of high performance 

funding under the Australia’s Winning 

Edge plan. This investment recognised 

the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the 

Olympic Games from 2016 and the strong 

performances of our national teams on the 

world stage. 

Throughout 2014, the ARU continued 

to attract new players to Rugby Sevens 

to ensure there are sufficient pathways in 

place for players who want to pursue a 

career in the sport. 

Once again, the National Women’s 

Rugby Sevens Championships proved a 

huge success, with 150 players trying to 

help their respective states and teams to 

success at the Australian Institute of Sport 

in Canberra. Led by nationally contracted 

players Shannon Parry, Emilee Cherry and 

Charlotte Caslick, Queensland took the 

honours in a keenly contested final against 

New South Wales. 

The Next 

Generation 

In October and November, the ARU ran 

an initiative under the banner of ‘Search for 

a Sevens Star’ to find the best 15-17 year 

old Rugby Sevens talent in Australia. More 

than 500 young men and women turned 

out across New South Wales, Queensland, 

ACT, South Australia, Victoria and Western 

Australia. 

The Australian Girls Youth Olympics 

squad made history in August when they 

won the first-ever Gold Medal in Rugby 

Sevens at an Olympic event in Nanjing, 

China. The squad of 12 young women aged 

between 16-18 years amassed 217 points 

in seven games including victories against 

the USA, Canada and hosts China to win 

the title. 

Tiana Penitani was handed the honour of 

Flag Bearer on behalf of the entire Australia 

team at the Opening Ceremony at the 

Games. 

The 

centralisation of the 

Australian Rugby 

Sevens program at 

the Sydney Academy 

of Sport will have a 

massive impact as 

the team’s build for 

Rugby’s introduction 

to the Olympic 

Games.” 

– Ben Whitaker General Manager, 

Pathways & Performance 


Message From 

The 

Australian 

Sports 

Commission 

Australia’s Winning Edge 

It has been another significant year for 

the Australian Sports Commission and 

the sports network as we continue to 

work together to pursue victory on the 

world stage and inspire all Australians to 

experience the joy of sport. 

Despite a challenging economic environment, 

in 2013–14 the Australian Government invested 

almost $120 million in our national sporting 

organisations. In high performance, Australia’s 

Winning Edge continues to evolve as we target 

sports with potential to deliver international 

success and invest more in our most promising 

athletes. 

Some highlights in 2013–14 have included: 

• Campaign Rio — a partnership between 

the AIS, Australian Olympic Committee and 

Australian Paralympic Committee to prepare 

athletes for the Rio Olympic Games. 

• AIS Centre for Performance Coaching and 

Leadership — the Centre continues to develop 

Australia’s coaches and high performance 

leaders, with a Podium Coach program 

launched. 

• AIS Sports Draft — a fast-tracked 

development program for talented athletes 

who are interested in transferring to Olympic or 

Commonwealth Games sports. 

Our work with sports to reform governance 

structures and develop their strategic and 

commercial capabilities also continues. The 

ASC is determined to create better businesses 

and we are leading the way with a lean and 

agile operating model, a new AIS brand, and 

continued focus on philanthropy through the 

Australian Sports Foundation. 

Grassroots participation remains a key 

priority, with the Australian Government’s 

announcement of the Sporting Schools program 

a significant endorsement of community sport. 

The $100 million program will commence in 

2015 — reaching more than 850,000 children 

— and will enable sports to boost their 

participation numbers. 

Australian sport is on a transformative 

journey. Few periods have been filled with 

so much activity or so much promise, and I 

appreciate your hard work and support over 

the past year. By joining us on this journey you 

continue to prove your capacity to succeed in 

this ever-changing sporting landscape. 

John Wylie AM 

Chairman 

Australian Sports Commission 


19


Asteron Life 

Super Rugby 

The Waratahs claimed their maiden Super Rugby 

title by defeating the Crusaders in the inal 

2014 was a highly successful year 

for the Australian Conference 

in the Asteron Life Super Rugby 

Competition, with the NSW Waratahs 

claiming their maiden Super Rugby 

title. The ACT Brumbies also joined the 

Waratahs in the finals race, while the Western 

Force had their best season to date, finishing 

in eighth position - one win away from a 

potential finals berth. 

The kicking success of Waratahs flyhalf, 

Bernard Foley proved to be the difference as 

Foley slotted a penalty in the 79th minute of 

the final to give the Waratahs the lead, 33-32 

against the Crusaders. The win was the first 

for an Australian side since the Queensland 

Reds in 2011. 

It was also the first time the NSW Waratahs 

had won the Super Rugby competition despite 

two previous attempts in 2005 and 2008. 

The University of Canberra Brumbies were 

one of the top performing teams in 2014 with 

10 wins and six losses. The Brumbies defeated 

the 2013 Champion Chiefs in the Qualifying 

Final, 32-30, proceeding to the final four of 

the competition. Despite showing signs of 

promise, the St George Queensland Reds and 

RaboDirect Rebels finished in 13th and 15th 

respectively. 

University Of Canberra Brumbies 

The University of Canberra Brumbies 

qualified for their second consecutive 

Finals series in 2014, falling to the eventual 

competition-winning NSW Waratahs in the 

Semi-Final at Allianz Stadium. The Brumbies 

finished the regular season in fourth. 

Highlights for the year were a homeground 

win over the Waratahs; a win on the 

road against the Reds; victory in Wellington 

against the Hurricanes; and two big wins 

against the 2013 Champions, the Chiefs. 

The Brumbies provided the Qantas 

Wallabies with 10 players throughout the 

season, including a single cap as Captain 

for hooker Stephen Moore. Josh Mann-Rea, 

Henry Speight and Sam Carter made their 

debut for the Wallabies. 

Asteron 

Life Super 

Rugby Finals 

Results 

Qualifying Finals 

Brumbies 32, Chiefs 30 

GIO Stadium, Canberra, 19 July 

Sharks 31, Highlanders 27 

Kings Park, Durban, 19 July 

Semi Finals 

Crusaders 38, Sharks 6 

AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 26 July 

Waratahs 26, Brumbies 8 

Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 26 July 

Final 

Waratahs 33, Crusaders 32 

ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 2 August 


Super Rugby Final Standings 

Wins Losses Draws Difference 4 tries bonus points


Buildcorp National 

Rugby Championship 

Brisbane Ciy took out the inaugural NRC title 

with victory over Perth Spirit in the inal 

In August 2014, ARU officially 

launched the Buildcorp National 

Rugby Championship, with nine 

teams competing – two teams from 

Queensland, four from NSW and one 

each from the ACT, Victoria and Western 

Australia. 

With a wealth of Rugby talent on offer 

in Australia, the Buildcorp NRC provided 

an excellent pathway for players to push 

towards Super Rugby and ultimately Qantas 

Wallabies selection. 

The competition ran for 11 weeks and 

included eight preliminary rounds, with 

each team playing four home and four away 

games, one bye week and finishing with 

Semi-Finals and the Final. 

It provided the ideal platform for the best 

up and coming players to test themselves 

against proven Super Rugby stars. It also 

created an opportunity for fans to engage 

with the game at a local level and enjoy an 

exciting brand of professional Rugby right 

through until November. 

The first year trialled a number of new 

law variations, which saw penalty goals and 

drop goals reduced to two, and conversions 

increased by one to add incentive for scoring 

a try. 

As a result, only 13 penalty goals were 

attempted throughout the competition. 

Other examples included a bonus point 

system for a team finishing with three or 

more tries ahead of their opponents and a 

bonus point if the losing team finishes within 

eight points of the winning team. 

A total of 358 tries were scored across 

39 matches during the season, an average 

of 9.2 tries per game. In the inaugural year, 

Brisbane City claimed the trophy, beating 

Perth Spirit 37-26 in front of a strong 

Ballymore crowd of 8,000. 

FOX SPORTS broadcasted one live fixture 

every Thursday night during the season, 

along with Semi-Finals and Finals, with the 

competition breathing new life into the game 

from a supporter and player perspective. 

The competition also proved successful 

for profesional player development, with 13 

players earning Super Rugby contracts at the 

end of the first season. 


Buildcorp NRC Final Standings 

Wins Draws Losses Difference 3 tries bonus points


Participation 

Boys and girls will learn about rugby values 

and heroes, play games all year round, 

have fun with friends, and feel good about 

themselves. 

Parents will enjoy safe, fun, healthy and 

inclusive family-friendly rugby experiences 

which reflect the values of the game. 

Players will easily access rugby playing 

opportunities and continue to enjoy quality 

experiences in an environment that reflects 

the values of the game. 

Deliverers will be respected members of 

the global rugby family, supported and 

rewarded for their contributions to creating 

environments which build character and 

reflect the values of the game. 

Clubs Administrators will be respected 

members of the global rugby family, 

supported and rewarded for their 

contributions to creating environments which 

build character and reflect the values of the 

game, to support existing and attract new 

participants. 

Our purpose is to help more participants play 

more often across all formats of non-contact 

Rugby, Sevens and 15 a-side Rugby. 

M 

ore people played Rugby in 2014 

than ever before, with 687,488 

participants enjoying Rugby 

experiences nationally, an increase 

of 12% compared to 2013. 

241,577 of the total participants played 

in Rugby competitions and programs, 

an increase of nearly 5% (10,915); while 

445,911 participants had less than 5 games/ 

sessions, an increase of 16% (60,662). 

For the past two years, Rugby participation 

has grown annually by an average of 20% 

and the trend is set to continue through the 

introduction of a new non-contact version of 

Rugby - VIVA7s and Sevens Rugby’s presence 

at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. 

Although overall participation has 

increased, participation in Club Rugby has 

remained stable with marginal growth of less 

than 1% from 2013. 

School Competition participation increased 

by 6.3%, as Australian Rugby looks to 

broaden Rugby’s appeal to schools across 

the country through the introduction of the 

Australian Sports Commissions Sporting 

Schools Program. 

National Rugby Week was an 

overwhelming success in 2014 with more 

than 120,000 students (56% boys and 44% 

girls) from 726 schools across all eight states 

and territories participating in classroom, 

field and carnival-based Rugby activities. 

The traditional format of 15 a-side 

Women’s Rugby saw 12,733 participants, 

while Women’s Sevens attracted a further 

13,488 for a combined total of 26,841 

participants, an increase of 18% compared 

to 2013. 

At a state level, when aggregating all 

participant categories Queensland led the 

country with 296,356 participants (43% 

of 687,488) in 2014, representing a 14% 

increase. New South Wales has the highest 

number of competition participants, with 

116,521 (48% of 241,577) in 2014. 

ACT and Western Australia maintained 

overall participation rates for Club 

Competition, however significantly increased 

promotional or occasional participation, 

sampled over 60,000 and 40,000 

participants respectively. 

Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania 

and Northern Territory recorded marginal 

decreases in competition and noncompetition 

programs in 2014, however 

Tasmania and Northern Territory achieved 

positive growth with more than 5,000 

promotional participants. 

In the Australian Rugby Union’s second 

Annual Participation Census under the 

revised methodology to come in line 

with other major sports, the report was 

once again undertaken by independent 

demographers, Street Ryan and Associates, 

during the Census calendar year of 1 October 

– 30 September 2014. 

It’s important 

for us to work closely with 

clubs and competitions 

nationally to help recruit 

and retain players and 

seek to convert new 

participants from VIVA7s 

and Sevens to the 15-aside 

game.” 

– Andrew Larratt General Manager, 

Participation. 

Australian Rugby’s Participation Census 

defines two categories of Rugby 

Participants: 

Competition (Comp >5) – Playing 

Rugby/participating in an organised 

competition/tournament/structured 

program at least five times over the 

Census year. 

Promotional (Promo

687,488 

5.0% 

241,577 participants 

were involved in 

competitions and 

non–competition 

programs (>5 

games/structured 

sessions), an 

increase of 5%. 

16% 

66% 

Overall there were 687,488 participants 

nationally in 2014 compared to 615,153 

in 2013, an increase of 12% or 72,335 

participants. 

13,488 Women’s Sevens 

Rugby players in 2014, an 

increase of 66% 

16% increase in the 

number of Promotional 

participants (


Women In Rugby 

Increasing female participation in Rugby 

continues to be a crucial goal for 

growing and enhancing the game in 

Australia. 

Globally, female participation in Rugby 

continues to soar, with women’s Sevens 

being one of the fastest growing female 

sports. In Australia, that trend continued 

in 2014 as 26,221 women participated in 

Rugby, including 12,733 in the traditional 

fifteen-a-side format and 13,488 playing 

Sevens. 

The growth of women’s Sevens is a 

continued strength for Australian Rugby as 

Australia targets gold in the Rio Olympics. 

Women 

are continuing to 

enjoy the game, 

especially in the 

Sevens format, with 

overall participation 

increasing by 66%. 

Our women’s Sevens 

program continues 

to represent this 

trend well leading 

into the Olympic 

Games.” 

– Ben Whitaker General Manager, 

Pathways & Performance 


Wallaroos - 2014 

Women’s Rugby 

World Cup 

In 2014, the Wallaroos competed in the IRB 

Women’s Rugby World Cup in Paris in June. 

Their campaign included an extended program 

boasting additional training camps and a Tri- 

Nations tournament held in New Zealand, where 

they played against New Zealand and Canada. 

Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens players 

Shannon Parry, Sharni Williams and Cobie Jane- 

Morgan were brought into the Wallaroos program 

to add extra experience to the squad, while NSW 

representative Tui Ormsby from the Warringah Rats 

Rugby Club participated in her fourth Rugby World 

Cup. 

Our Australian women had a solid campaign 

defeating South Africa, Wales and USA, finishing 

second in Pool C behind host nation, France. 

Australia finished seventh in the tournament, 

ensuring automatic qualification for the 2017 

Women’s Rugby World Cup. 

2014 Womens 

Rugby World 

Cup Results 

Pool Matches 

Australia 26, South Africa 3, 

Marcoussis, Paris, 1 August 

Australia 25, Wales 3 


France 17, Australia 3 


5th Place Playoff 

USA 23, Australia 20 



Australia 30 defeated Wales 3 



27


Indigenous 

The ARU’s vision for reconciliation is to 

engage Indigenous Australians with 

opportunities to enhance their lives 

through a lifelong association with 

Rugby. 

At an elite level, Aboriginal participation 

in Rugby continues to grow with two 

Aboriginal women receiving professional 

fulltime contracts with the Australian 

Women’s Sevens Program in 2014. Taleena 

Simon was the first Aboriginal to sign 

a professional contract with the Qantas 

Australian Women’s Sevens squad with 

former NSW Netballer, Tanisha Stanton 

following in her wake. 

Six Aboriginal girls were a part of the 

Women’s Youth Olympics squad, three 

of whom went on to obtain selection in 

the squad to represent Australia at the 

Youth Olympics. In the Junior Gold Cup 

program for Under 15s and Under 17s, there 

were 92 Indigenous players participating, 

representing 6.7% of players involved in the 

2014 Junior Gold Cup. 

The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development 

Team (LMRDT) continued to host successful 

Rugby programs for Indigenous athletes 

in 2014 with the popular Ella Sevens 

tournaments continuing around the country. 

Inspired by Indigenous Classic Wallabies, 

Mark, Glen and Gary Ella, the tournament 

provided a fast flowing Sevens competition 

for Indigenous teams to compete and 

celebrate in. 

The tournaments have a focus on health, 

education, anti-gambling and anti-alcohol as 

well as providing Indigenous athletes with a 

pathway into Rugby. 

Through this program, the ‘Lloydies’ 

manage government and stakeholder 

partners to run events, school programs and 

provide assistance to the States to enhance 

Indigenous Rugby. 

The introduction of a Universities Ella 

Sevens tournament at the National Centre of 

Indigenous Excellence, was a great success 

with teams from Wollongong University, The 

University of Technology Sydney, New South 

Wales University, Newcastle University and 

Macquarie University taking part in the new 

non-contact Sevens tournament. 

Australian Rugby continued to support the 

growth of Rugby in Indigenous communities. 

In June the ARU successfully held the 

inaugural NAIDOC Cup for schools across 

NSW, in western Sydney. The NAIDOC Cup 

was an invitational Rugby Sevens carnival for 

Indigenous teams and included 12 schools 

and was a great sign of the rapid growth 

and development of Rugby Sevens. 

The tournament also saw a side from 

Thursday Island compete, exposing young 

Indigenous kids to Rugby. 

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens star 

Shannon Walker and captain of the girls 

Youth Olympic Sevens Squad Tiana Penitani 

were in attendance throughout the day. 

NAIDOC Cup Age 

Division Results 

Boys 

Under 17’s - Hunter Sports High 

Under 15’s - Endeavour Sports High 

Girls 




Pacific in 

Union 

In 2014, the Pacific in Union (PiU) Program, 

in partnership with the Australian Federal 

Government and International Rugby Board 

(IRB), continued to benefit the Pacific Island 

region by educating communities on the 

advantages of a healthy lifestyle, social 

cohesion and how Rugby’s values of inclusion 

and activity support this. 

The ARU and PiU program has 264 active 

volunteers running the program in three 

Pacific countries, in partnership with local 

ministries of education. Education modules 

linked to the program are available for 

delivery in schools focusing on the game, 

health, diversity and values. Run in Samoa, 

Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, the 

program overseas 45,000 participants, with a 

third of this number being female. 

With obesity and social issues a major 

health problem in the region, the PiU has 

strived to deliver outcomes that benefit these 

communities. 

In Samoa, Saturday morning Rugby 

for kids was re-introduced through the 

PiU having a clear health benefit for the 

community. 

In Papua New Guinea, 49% of participants 

are female allowing for the continued 

development and the empowerment of 

women in the region. 


29


Our Rugby Community 

Australian Rugby recognises the many 

thousands of men and women who 

work to make our game consistently 

great, both on and off the field. 

However in 2014, several volunteers 

were rewarded for their outstanding 

contributions to developing and promoting 

the game at a grassroots level. 

Chris Hicks from Penrith District Junior 

Rugby Union (PDJRU) was presented the 

inaugural HSBC Volunteer of the Year 

award for his commitment to Rugby within 

his community. Hicks won the prestigious 

award following his involvement with 

the game through the PDJRU Academy, 

coaching the PDJRU U12s to a State 

Championship. 

Sila Tuangakava, from the Western 

Raptors Junior Rugby Union and PDJRU, 

was named the 2014 Asteron Life 

Community Coach of the Year. As a proud 

Tongan Australian, and all round passionate 

supporter of Rugby, Sila has proved himself 

a source of guidance to hundreds of young 

men playing Rugby in Western Sydney. 

HSBC Lifetime Volunteer of the Year 

Bill Coulter and HSBC Young Volunteer of 

the Year Jessie Treherne were also worthy 

winners for their outstanding efforts within 

the Victorian Rugby community. 

These winners epitomise the ultimate 

Rugby volunteer who continually exhibits 

the values of passion, teamwork, 

camaraderie and a genuine love for the 

game. 

The ARU launched National Rugby 

Week in 2014, an initiative encouraging 

Australian Primary and Secondary Schools 

to experience all things Rugby, including a 

new non-contact version of Rugby Sevens. 

From 11-15 August, more than 120,000 

students in 726 schools across the country 

participated in National Rugby Week, with 

girls and boys enjoying specific resources for 

classroom, field and carnival participation. 


Inclusion 

Policy 

In 2014, The Australian Rugby Union 

signed a landmark Inclusion Policy, designed 

to stamp out all forms of discrimination 

and homophobia in Rugby and to ensure a 

positive environment for everyone involved in 

the game. In August 2013, the ARU became 

the first major Australian sporting code to 

commit to developing an Inclusion Policy. 

The new Inclusion Policy reinforces 

Australian Rugby’s commitment to ensuring 

every individual, whether they’re players, 

supporters, coaches or administrators, feels 

safe, welcome and included, regardless of 

race, gender or sexuality. 

The announcement coincided with the 

launch of the Bingham Cup, which saw 

teams from more than 15 countries come 

together to participate in the gay and 

inclusive Rugby World Cup in Sydney. 

The Policy was developed in consultation 

with the Rugby Union Players’ Association, 

Australian Sports Commission, Australian 

Human Rights Commission and the 

organisers of the 2014 Bingham Cup. 

“We want 

Australian Rugby to 

be an environment 

where everyone is 

treated with respect 

and dignity, reflecting 

our desire to create 

a truly diverse and 

inclusive Australian 

Rugby community.” 

– Bill Pulver CEO, Australian Rugby Union 


31


Wallaby 1st Members 

More than 9,000 tickets to Wallabies Test 

matches at home and abroad were sold to 

our Wallaby 1st Members in 2014 and the 

2014 renewal rate was 87%. 

Members enjoyed the opportunity to 

attend three Wallaby 1st Member functions 

in 2014 – the Wallaby 1st Season launch 

held at the Australia Club; Qantas Wallabies 

v New Zealand Sydney Pre Match Function; 

and the ARU Supporters Function in 

Auckland. 

The Fans 

Our Fans are the lifeblood of the game 

and in 2014 the Australian Rugby Union 

undertook a range of activities that engaged 

them in a variety of ways. 

2014 saw several new initiatives introduced 

– from the hugely successful Bush2Bledisloe 

Tour to the creation of a new fan group, the 

Gold Brigade. 

Taking place the week before the annual 

Bledisloe Cup fixture in Sydney, the Wallabies 

squad embarked on a five-day tour across 

regional New South Wales – Dubbo, Orange, 

Bathurst and Penrith – culminating in the 

team’s arrival in Sydney. Locals were invited 

to open training sessions; players hosted 

training sessions at local Rugby clubs; and 

the Bledisloe Cup trophy was taken to 

schools across the region. 

As part of the Bledisloe Cup Festival and 

in partnership with Destination New South 

Wales, the Australian Rugby Union created 

Bledisloe Bay, a fan-friendly activation at 

Circular Quay in Sydney. More than 2,000 

people attended the eight-hour event at 

First Fleet Park where fans were able to 

meet current Wallaby players, have their 

photograph taken with the Bledisloe Cup 

trophy as well as the chance to take part in 

skills and drills sessions. 

The Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney also 

saw the debut of the Gold Brigade – the 

Wallabies fan group. After months of 

preparation to get as many people as 

possible involved in the group, more than 

2,000 passionate Rugby fans sat in the 

section reserved for the Gold Brigade at ANZ 

Stadium. Plans are already underway to grow 

this group in 2015 and make the group an 

integral part of the match day experience. 

One of the highlights of the year was the 

return of the Fan Day held at the Sydney 

Cricket Ground, adjacent to Allianz Stadium 

where the Qantas Wallabies played France in 

the last of the three-Test June series. More 

than 3,000 fans of all ages attended the day 

as representatives from the Wallabies, Classic 

Wallabies as well as Men’s and Women’s 

national Sevens players signed autographs 

and posed for photos with fans. As well as 

meeting their heroes, fans were also able to 

The Wallaby 1st Membership was 

rebranded in 2014 – with a new logo and 

tagline (‘We Are Rugby’) to symbolise 

our Wallaby 1st Members’ passion and 

dedication to Australian Rugby. 

Based on feedback from the 2013 season 

survey, the ARU Membership Team made 

a number of other changes for members, 

including: 

• More frequent newsletters; the 

introduction of the Post Match Report after 

take part in a series of skills and drills sessions 

hosted by the ARU’s Rugby Participation team 

while key ARU partners such as HSBC and 

Samsung hosted activities to excite attendees. 

During the French series, the ARU sought 

to engage fans in a playful, cheeky way with 

the distribution of 25,000 Gold Berets to fans 

attending the Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne 

and Sydney. 

The Gold Coast Sevens was another party 

in the truest sense of the word and the fans 

each Test match; and coaching and squad 

announcements. 

• Introduction of ‘money can’t buy 

experiences’ such as attending a Qantas 

Wallabies captain’s run and stadium back of 

house tours were introduced 

• The Membership Online Portal was 

reinvigorated to make it easier for Members 

to book their tickets and renew their 

subscription. 

were front and centre. Mechanical surfboards, 

sumo-suits, face-painting, Brazilian dancers 

and fire twirling performers among a host of 

other fan-friendly activities. If it was fun, it 

was in! 

Open training sessions and the opportunity 

to meet Wallaby players were held in Brisbane 

and Perth in 2014, while scores of students 

in Melbourne were given a unique chance to 

attend the Captain’s Run at Etihad Stadium. 


Merchandise 

ASICS was named as the official Qantas 

Wallabies on-field supplier and released the 

first ever ASICS Wallabies jersey in May in 

Sydney. 

The jersey was well received by retailers 

and fans and a nod to the tradition of 

Qantas Wallabies jerseys past, with a 

notable showing of the Southern Cross and 

detailed green paneling. 

There were strong sales of jerseys and 

the full ASICS Wallabies range including the 

Social Media 

In 2014, the ARU’s focus on social media 

was to be innovative by reigniting passion 

among our fans with uplifting content, 

conversation and interaction. 

During the France Test series, the 

ARU worked on a social campaign with 

Twitter Australia to hide 20 gold berets in 

iconic locations in Melbourne and Sydney 

ahead of each Test for Qantas Wallabies 

supporters to find and wear to the game. 

The campaign promoted direct 

interaction with fans, boosted awareness 

of the matches and significantly increased 

social media activity; with the campaign 

receiving more than 47,264 impressions and 

1,489 engagements on Twitter. 

It was a successful year on Facebook for 

Australian Rugby, with a significant increase 

in likes and fans engaging with content on 

Qantas Wallabies, Asteron Life Super Rugby 

and Gold Coast Sevens pages. The Castrol 

EDGE France Series and the Castrol EDGE 

Rugby Championship saw a reach of more 

than 21 million and 64 million impressions 

on Facebook. 

2014 saw a 39% increase in Likes on 

Facebook and an average organic reach per 

post of more than 75,000, nearly four times 

the industry average of 20,000. Viral videos 

such as Pama Fou’s skills reached half a 

million people and had more than 123,000 

unique video views on Facebook. 

During 2014, the ARU focused on 

growing our audience base on Instagram. 

Followers on Instagram tripled – moving 

from 10,222 to more than 35,000. 

dark navy, metallic gold and black training 

range. The training range was a step away 

from tradition and the first time black has 

ever been incorporated for the Wallabies. 

This kept the sales momentum throughout 

the first three quarters of the year. 

Support from key retailers Rebel, Amart, 

Mick Simmons, Souvenir World and 

Australia Way was critical throughout the 

year, which saw more than 16,000 jerseys 

sold as the Wallabies look to regain the 

mantle as the number one Australian jersey. 

The year proved a challenging one at a 

retail level across all licensed properties in 

Australia however the Qantas Wallabies 

maintained a notable presence, largely 

thanks to the support of key retailers. 

International sales made up 8% of total 

sales in 2014, a figure expected to rise in 

2015 due to the Rugby World Cup. 

Customer Relations Management - SCRUM 

For the past 18 months, ARU has been 

working in partnership with Accenture 

Consulting to design, build and implement 

the Salesforce Customer Relationship 

Management (CRM) tool, known as SCRUM. 

The implementation was 80% complete 

in October 2014, with the remaining 20% 

to be delivered in parallel with the Rugby 

Participation Competition Management and 

Registration solution, Interact. 

The implementation of SCRUM has had 

two phases. The first phase delivered CRM 

capability across all Super Rugby franchises, 

with the exception of the Western Force. This 

phase was launched in February, providing a 

seamless season rollover for the 2015 Super 

Rugby membership drive. 

The second phase of the implementation 

shifts the focus from Memberships to 

Participation. In preparation for the national 

participation solution, we have updated the 

data for all Brisbane Junior and Sydney Junior 

players and parents and we have successfully 

migrated all relevant contacts from 2013 and 

2014 into SCRUM. This is the first time all 

participant data has been housed in a central 

repository. 

The Australian Rugby Union now has an 

improved understanding and visibility of our 

‘customers’, leading the way in Australian 

sport to achieve a single view of the customer 

and the first code to have all participants, 

ticket buyers and members within the one 

central repository. 

We will focus on leveraging this competitive 

advantage and start shifting from a building 

focus to a marketing, sales and service focus. 

Phase two is on target to complete 

integration with the Interact solution for 

the 2015 Rugby season and we will have an 

increased focus on improving gate revenue 

through analysis and further investigating new 

revenue streams. 


33


43,188 

21-Jun-14 

FRANCE 

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 

27,189 

14-Jun-14 

FRANCE 

Etihad Stadium, 

Melbourne 

6-Sep-14 

SOUTH AFRICA 

Subiaco Oval, 

Perth 

25,718 

45,186 

18-Oct-14 

NEW ZEALAND 

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

68,848 

16-Aug-14 

NEW ZEALAND 

ANZ Stadium, Sydney 

Ticketing 

The 2014 Wallabies Test match season 

saw another strong year of ticket sales 

with a total of 258,128 fans attending 

Wallabies Test matches throughout 

the year. 

The biggest crowd of 2014 was once again 

at ANZ Stadium for the first Bledisloe in 

August, with more than 68,848 fans on the 

edge of their seats as the points were shared 

in a thrilling 12-all draw. 

Another highlight was the capacity crowd 

of 43,188 at the France Test match in Sydney. 

33,718 

7-Jun-14 

FRANCE 

Suncorp 

Stadium, 

Brisbane 

Wallaby fans clearly love attending daytime 

Test matches at Allianz Stadium. 

At a Super Rugby level, a record crowd 

of 61,823 watched the NSW Waratahs 

clinch their maiden Super Rugby title at ANZ 

Stadium. 

As an acknowledgement to the 

investment, time and effort from our 

14,281 

13-Sep-14 

ARGENTINA 

Skilled Park, 

Gold Coast 

dedicated junior school Rugby community, 

ARU continued to provide any player 

administrator, coach or referee registered 

with a school an exclusive offer for home 

Wallabies Test matches. 

Adults who were a part of the junior 

school community who attend the match 

with a junior player were charged at kids 

prices. The offer was a success, with a 

collective total of over 7,500 tickets sold 

through the initiative. 


Our Partners 

Support for Australian Rugby was 

stronger than ever in 2014. 

Creative activations and brilliant 

innovations were a common theme 

throughout the year as partners used 

Rugby as a vehicle to promote their own 

brands. 

Asteron Life joined the stable of valued 

partners at the ARU at the beginning of 

2014, becoming Naming Rights Partner 

of the Super Rugby competition for three 

years in a deal encompassing major 

branding at all domestic matches to a wide 

ranging grassroots activation through the 

Community Coach of the Year program. 

Qantas continued as Wallabies Naming 

Rights sponsor, flying the team around 

Australia and the world, as well as 

maximising their brand presence at all match 

days, from the branding on the jersey, to the 

co-funding of 25,000 gold berets that were 

handed out across the Castrol EDGE French 

Series. 

2014 saw ASICS become the Apparel 

and Footwear Partner of Australian Rugby, 

launching their first ever Qantas Wallabies 

strip in May. 

Castrol EDGE continued as Naming 

Rights partner of all home Test Matches 

and launched the Rugby Championship 

with the whole team at Mount Panorama 

in Bathurst with Castrol ambassadors Mark 

Winterbottom and Russel Ingall inside a 

branded bus. 

Samsung explored new territory with their 

Samsung SlideLiner - a world first consumer 

promotion giving the public the opportunity 

to win a sideline seat that moved up and 

down the pitch during play against the All 

Blacks and Springboks. 

Lion continued its support of Rugby by 

promoting their partnership through their on 

and off premise platforms. 

Accenture also had a big year, working 

with the ARU and the Defence Force 

streaming the Bledisloe Cup matches live 

to the troops in the Middle East. Accenture 

also took the lead in reviewing the ARU 

Digital Strategy, which resulted in a ‘best in 

breed’ Customer Relationship Management 

program. 

The National Rugby Championship, 

launched in August, would not have been 

possible without the huge support of 

naming rights partner Buildcorp. Allianz 

Insurance also joined as a partner during 

the inaugural Buildcorp NRC season by 

supporting the match officials. 

Lexus continued to provide the ARU with 

access to vehicles to use at events including 

a fleet of vehicles to transport Team Wallaby 

to the John Eales Medal event. Lexus also 

utilised their Test Match ball kid activation 

with an exclusive experience for up to two 

children of dealers or customers at each of 

the domestic Tests in 2014. 

The ARU also welcomed HSBC and Dove 

as partners of the Wallabies. HSBC leveraged 

its sponsorship through activations from 

grassroots with their Volunteer of the Year 

Award to an extensive hospitality program, 

while Dove activated its sponsorship through 

content creation and digital campaigns 

(filming with Wallaby players, past and 

present). The ARU also reviewed its online 

merchandise store and rebranded to Wallaby 

Shop. 


35


Naming Rights Partner 

National Team Kit Partner 

Test Event Partner 

Competition Partners 


Major Partners 

Broadcasting Partners 

Goverment Partners 

Official Partners 

Official Sponsors 


37


Broadcasting - FOX SPORTS 

FOX SPORTS delivered a staggering 785 

hours of live Rugby content in 2014, which 

was consumed by over 3.1 million Australian 

Rugby fans. 

The highlight reel moment of the year 

was provided by the NSW Waratahs, whose 

breakthrough Super Rugby title produced the 

second largest television audience in Super 

Rugby history, when 370,000 viewers tuned 

in to witness their dramatic victory over the 

Crusaders. 

The Super Rugby Final was the mostwatched 

Rugby match for the year, narrowly 

edging out the opening Bledisloe Cup clash 

in Sydney which attracted the fourth-largest 

audience for a Bledisloe Cup Test ever on FOX 

SPORTS with 342,000 viewers. 

The Bledisloe Cup showdown at ANZ 

Stadium remains the largest Outside Broadcast 

mounted by FOX SPORTS every year, with 29 

cameras and more than 100 crew involved in 

the three and a half hour telecast. 

Match Coverage 

FOX SPORTS continued to host pre-match 

and post-match shows, where possible, 

from the field of play. Win or lose, the raw 

emotions from players were shared with 

viewers just moments after the fulltime 

whistle. 

Innovation 

FOX SPORTS is the recognised leader in 

broadcast initiatives and innovations. In 2014, 

FOX SPORTS went sideline with Wallabies 

Coach Ewen McKenzie for what was a world 

first for Rugby. ‘Coach Comms’ allowed 

viewers into the Wallaby inner sanctum during 

Test matches, inviting fans to share in the 

coach’s communication with his assistants and 

players. Once again, FOX SPORTS delivered on 

its promise to take Rugby fans closer to the 

game than ever before. 

Rugby HQ 

Rugby HQ, Australia’s only weekly Rugby 

entertainment show, returned for 35 episodes 

in 2014 at 8.30pm AET on Thursday nights. 

Host Nick McArdle was joined by a panel of 

FOX SPORTS experts along with special guests 

and Sean Maloney to engage, entertain 

and inform the Rugby public. The show also 

enjoyed unprecedented access to the leading 

stars of the game, including Israel Folau and 

Quade Cooper. 

Commentary Team 

A world-class Rugby production demands 

a world-class commentary team. Rugby’s 

premier caller Greg Clark returned for his 19th 

season at the wheel of the FOX SPORTS team, 

combining with an expert team boasting 

more than 500 combined Wallabies Test caps, 

including John Eales, George Gregan, Phil 

Kearns, Tim Horan, Rod Kafer, Nathan Sharpe 

and Greg Martin. 

Buildcorp NRC 

FOX SPORTS was at the forefront of 

the new competition, airing exclusive live 

coverage of the ‘match of the round’ each 

Thursday night. A total of 12 matches from 

the inaugural NRC season screened live on 

FOX SPORTS, with each club appearing in 

at least one TV match. During the season, 

FOX SPORTS was able to trial new broadcast 

innovations such as immediate on-field 

interviews with try-scorers. This initiative, in 

particular, was met with an overwhelming 

positive reaction from viewers and players. 

ABC Grandstand 

ABC Grandstand is Australia’s home of 

live sport and live Rugby on the radio. In 

2014, the ABC Grandstand team broadcast 

32 games of Super Rugby and seven 

Wallabies matches for ABC Radio, using 

experts Owen Finnegan, Ross Reynolds, 

John Roe and John Welborn; and 

commentators Tim Gavel, Jim Maxwell, 

Quentin Hull and Mick Colliss. To ensure 

ABC Radio can deliver as much Rugby 

as possible, ABC Radio used all available 

platforms, including ABC Local Radio, ABC 

Grandstand on Digital Radio and via the 

ABC Radio App and website. 

Top moments of 2014 

Sean Maloney – NRC - FOXSPORTS 

“From a personal point of view, I loved 

calling every second of the Buildcorp NRC. 

I was always of the belief that the Rugby 

would look after itself and I think it did. We 

were treated to some special moments from 

youngsters set for bigger things. Each of the 

teams were willing to push new broadcast 

initiatives, including the on-field interviews 

with try-scorers. This was a world first for 

Rugby and made for great TV.” 

Tim Gavel – Asteron Life Super Rugby - 

ABC 

“Super Rugby when it exploded onto the 

scene in 1996 was akin to commentating a 

totally different sport. The open running play 

displayed by the likes of Gregan, Larkham 

and Roff felt similar to calling a 100-metre 

sprint. Last year 

was reminiscent 

of those days, 

with the Waratahs’ exhilarating style of play a 

joy to call and a delight for the fans to watch 

as well.” 

Greg Clark – IRB World Sevens 

– FOXSPORTS 

“FOX SPORTS continued their world-class 

Rugby coverage with all nine events on 

the World Rugby IRB Sevens World Series 

for Men. It was also fantastic to see some 

coverage of the Women’s World Series, 

with many of our girls dominating on the 

world stage. Although the men finished 

fifth on the table, they did their country 

proud, almost giving outgoing Sevens Coach 

Michael O’Connor the perfect send off 

at Twickenham, going down in the final. 

Highlights of the year would have been 

winning the Bronze Medal at the Glasgow 

Commonwealth Games and of course our 

Australian Women’s Sevens team finishing 

second in the inaugural World Series.” 

Stirling Mortlock – Qantas Wallabies 

– TEN 

“It was fantastic to see a packed house 

at Allianz Stadium and for Network Ten to 

provide a quality Test match live and free 

to air. To see our young Wallabies take the 

opportunity against the French, and to be 

out there on the sidelines and interviewing 

some Wallaby debutants after the game on 

the ground was certainly a highlight in my 

broadcasting career. Calling the game with 

my former Wallabies teammate Matthew 

Burke and hearing the excitement resonate 

through Gordon Bray’s commentary brought 

back so many fond memories for me as I am 

sure it did for the entire Rugby community.” 


Stars Of The Future 

The ARU continued to develop a new generation of players 

throughout 2014, with an improved Pathway to Gold program, 

including the introduction of the Junior Gold Cup and 

National Under 20’s program. 

Junior Gold Cup 

As an extension of the Pathway to Gold 

program, the inaugural Junior Gold Cup was 

an overwhelming success in 2014, which 

included teams from across the country in 

a conference style tournament for school 

aged Rugby players. 

The Junior Gold Cup involved 1,200 

players nationally across the Under 15’s and 

Under 17’s age divisions, running for five 

weeks of rounds and two weeks of finals. 

Western Australia won the Grand Final 

against Victoria in the Under 17’s age group 

with Victoria defeating Brisbane Purple in 

the Under 15’s. 

While the primary focus of the Junior 

Gold Cup is player development, it also 

seeks to provide important quality exposure 

and development opportunities to more 

than 200 coaches and match officials 

nationwide. The program is managed and 

coached by quality local staff who undergo 

training and professional development 

provided by the ARU and State Unions. 

It is envisaged that many of Australia’s 

Super Rugby, Wallabies and Sevens players, 

coaches and match officials of the future 

will benefit from the national level exposure 

and development provided by the Junior 

Gold Cup. 

Junior Gold Cup 

Finals Results 

Under 15’s Junior Gold Cup Semi Finals 

Victoria 19, ACT 15. 

AAMI Park, Melbourne, 28 March 

Brisbane Purple 15, Brisbane Yellow 9 

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 29 March 

Under 17’s Junior Gold Cup Semi Finals 

Victoria 29, Sydney North West 15. 

AAMI Park, Melbourne, 28 March 

Western Australia 23, Brisbane Purple 8 

McGillivray Oval, Perth, 29 March 

Under 15’s Junior Gold Cup Final 

Victoria 31, Brisbane Purple 15 

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 5 April 

Under 17’s Junior Gold Cup Final 

Western Australia 28, Victoria 19 

McGillivray Oval, Perth, 5 April 

Under 20’S 

The final stage of the Pathway to Gold 

program, the National Under 20’s continues 

to be a vital part of the development of 

future Wallabies and Rugby talent across 

the country. 

Selection for the tournament was 

the culmination of successful form and 

performances through the state-based 

Under 20’s programs, Southern States 

Under 20’s Championship and the National 

Under 20’s Championship. 

The landmark event for our Under 

20’s players was the IRB Junior World 

Championship in Auckland in June. 

Placed in Pool A, Australia defeated 

Argentina (36-17) and Italy (29-3) but went 

down to England (38-24) to finish second in 

their pool. 

Although the Australians finished with 

10 points and equal with hosts New 

Zealand, the host nation progressed in the 

tournament with a greater point differential. 

Australia defeated France 34-27 in 

the fifth placed playoff, a two place 

improvement from the previous year. 

IRB Junior World 

Championship 

Results 

Pool A 

Australia 36, Argentina 17, 

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, 2 June 

England 38, Australia 24 

QBE Stadium Auckland, 6 June 

Australia 29, Italy 3 

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, 10 June 

5th-8th Place Play-Offs 

Australia 53, Samoa 16 



Australia 34 France 27 


Q & A With 

U20s Captain 

Sean McMahon 

How did you find the Under 20s 

Tournament in New Zealand? 

It was awesome. The standard of 

competition was fantastic. Coming from 

only limited Super Rugby experience, it 

was hard to compare, I just remember 

it being very physical and the footy was 

up tempo and quick. Also being in New 

Zealand was pretty cool, we were always 

going to expect a little more attention put 

on us; they love their Rugby over there. 

Was it an honour leading your 

country out onto the pitch for the 

first time? 

It was and still is a massive honour, not 

just for me, but for my family as well. I 

have always aspired to play for the Aussie 

20’s and to lead them out was a great 

feeling. In saying that, I had an obligation 

to not only lead as a captain, but to lead 

by example on the pitch and perform. I 

had a great bunch of blokes backing me 

as well. So yeah, I was captain, but I was a 

representation of the entire playing group. 

I was pretty lucky. 

Having now played for the 

Qantas Wallabies, how important 

is it for young players to aspire to 

take part in the National and State 

Under 20’s Tournaments? 

All young players should have goals, no 

question, I know I did and still do! My goal 

was to make the Under 20’s and I had that 

honour, but I also know that if I didn’t, I 

would still be focused on the next goal 

whatever that was at the time. 

Playing Aussie 20’s helps, there is no 

doubt about it, coaches and media are 

watching you and you are being compared 

with the best in the world. But what is 

really important is that if you don’t, it is 

not the end of your Rugby career. Plenty 

of players who are in the Wallabies squad, 

and some of the greats never did, and we 

are a better code for them not giving up. 

So yeah, it is important, but it is just as 

important not to change your passion to 

play in the Wallaby Gold if you don’t. 


39


Referees And Match Officials 

2014 began with the 

announcement that TNT had 

extended its successful decadelong 

partnership with Australian 

Rugby to have its logo remain 

across the front of all referee 

jerseys for the Asteron Life Super Rugby 

season. 

To coincide with this news, January also 

saw the first stage of the implementation 

of the new National Strategic Plan and the 

appointment of former international referee 

Scott Young to the position of Pathway 

Services Manager – Officiating, Pathways and 

Performance. The role saw Young assume 

responsibility for overseeing all aspects 

of officiating in Australian Rugby – from 

grassroots to the elite level. November also 

saw the appointment of Rohan Hoffmann 

as Match Official Development Manager – 

Queensland. 

Five themes underpinned the Match 

Officials Strategic Plan: 

• Grow match official participation 

nationally. 

• Identify and develop emerging talent. 

• Develop an ARU elite program. 

• Increase Match Official representation at 

SANZAR and World Rugby level. 

• ARU to have an enhanced influence on 

the game. 

On the field, Australian Rugby enjoyed 

its best representation at Super Rugby level, 

with Steve Walsh, Angus Gardner, James 

Leckie, Matthew O’Brien, Rohan Hoffmann 

and Andrew Lees all appointed to games 

in 2014. In total, Australian officials were 

appointed to 41 Super Rugby games, up 

from 29 the previous year. 

Australian Rugby officials were also 

recognised on the international stage. Amy 

Perrett took charge of the Women’s Rugby 

World Cup Final between England and 

Canada in August, while Steve Walsh was 

handed duties for five Test matches over the 

course of the year. 

Angus Gardner was appointed referee for 

the IRB Junior World Championship Semi- 

Final clash between England and Ireland in 

June. 

Andrew Cole was appointed to the IRB 

Match Official Selection Committee and 

Wayne Erickson on the women’s IRB Match 

Official Selection Committee. 

Matt O’Brien and Anthony Moyes were 

both selected on the IRB Sevens panel, with 

Moyes refereeing the Gold Medal match at 

the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

On the domestic front, the newly-formed 

Buildcorp NRC provided opportunities for the 

growth and development of Australian match 

officials. 

Not only a pathway for players, the 

competition also provided a vital stepping 

stone for match officials aspiring to reach 

elite level. 


Sports Medicine & Integrity 

In 2014, the ARU in conjunction with 

RUPA developed and implemented 

the ARU Sports Supplements Policy 

(effective 17 February 2014) and the 

ARU Medical Policy (effective 1 July 

2014). 

The policies were introduced after a review 

in 2013 highlighted a need for a documented 

policy framework relating to medical support 

and supervision. 

These Policies set out the ARU’s position 

on the provision and usage of supplements, 

medications, medical procedures and other 

medical practices and binds all players and 

professional Rugby bodies. 

The policies are also designed to be 

an education resource and guide for all 

participants and members concerning 

best practices in relation to supplements, 

medications and medical procedures. 

The objectives of the policies are: 

• To protect the health and well-being 

of players and encourage safe and healthy 

practices for all participants; 

• To minimise the risk of players’ 

supplements usage, medications or medical 

procedures leading to an inadvertent ‘doping’ 

offence, or their health or performance being 

compromised; 

• To establish protocols for providing and 

documenting supplements, medications 

and medical procedures, to be followed by 

players, Super Rugby licensees, the ARU 

and persons within those organisations, 

which will ensure a safe and consistent 

approach to player health and well-being 

whilst maintaining appropriate levels of 

confidentiality; and 

• To clearly set out the responsibilities and 

minimum standards and qualifications of the 

core members of the medical and health staff 

within the ARU and Super Rugby licensees. 

Sports supplements and medical policies 

were also developed and implemented for 

the Buildcorp NRC and they became effective 

on 4 August, 2014. These policies were 

based on the same principles as the ARU 

Sports Supplement and Medical Policies and 

are binding to all NRC players, staff and 

clubs. 

Anti-Doping Testing Program 

A total of 388 anti-doping tests were 

carried out on Australian Rugby players in 

2014, which resulted in no positive tests. 

In partnership with Australian Sports Anti- 

Doping Authority (ASADA), ARU has in 

place an anti-doping testing program that 

covers our elite players including the Qantas 

Wallabies, Super Rugby, Men’s and Women’s 

Sevens, National U20’s and Australian 

Schoolboys team. 

For the Buildcorp NRC, the ARU engaged 

Sports Drug Testing International (SDTI) to 

conduct a testing program and SDTI carried 

out 54 IC and OOC tests on NRC players – 

there were also no positive test results. 

ARU Illicit Drug Policy 

The new ARU Illicit Drugs Policy and Testing 

Program became effective on 1 January 2014. 

Education to players and staff commenced 

at the RUPA Induction Camp in December 

2013 and was delivered to the Super Rugby 

and Australian Sevens teams in January and 

February 2014. 

Sports Drug Testing International (SDTI) 

was engaged to coordinate the testing 

program and testing commenced in April 

2014. 

SDTI conducted 171 tests on players and 

team staff with no positive results. 

Anti-Corruption 

ARU has arrangements in place with a large 

number of betting operators in relation to 

Product Fee & Integrity Agreements. 

In addition to ARU’s agreements with 

betting operators, ARU continued to use 

Sportradar to provide bet monitoring services 

in relation to all Qantas Wallabies, Australian 

Super Rugby and NRC matches. 

No suspicious betting activity was reported 

during 2014. 


41


Integrity And Drugs In Sport 

Integrity Education 

ARU Integrity Unit conducted a 

comprehensive education program on 

integrity matters for Super Rugby, Men’s and 

Women’s Sevens and NRC players and staff 

ahead of the start of their respective 2014 

seasons. 

ARU Integrity Online 

A new online education system for 

integrity matters - ARU Integrity Online - was 

launched in December 2014. 

Integrity Online educates all professional 

players and team staff in relation to ARU’s 

integrity policies. It contains a testing 

module for each policy and has recording 

and reporting capabilities to ensure policies 

have been read and understood by each 

player and member of team staff. The 

policies covered by Integrity Online are: 

• ARU Code of Conduct 

• ARU Anti-Doping Code 

• ARU Medical Policy 

• ARU Sports Supplement Policy 

• ARU Illicit Drugs Policy 

• Anti-Corruption and Betting 

Concussion 

Concussion management is a key focus of 

the ARU’s player welfare approach, aimed at 

protecting players at all times and promoting 

the highest standards of education and 

medical care. 

In June 2014, the ARU announced the 

appointment of Sport and Exercise Medicine 

Physician, Dr Ryan Kohler, to the position of 

part-time Concussion Specialist. 

In this role, Dr Kohler is responsible for 

developing, implementing and monitoring 

concussion management strategies at all 

levels of the game. Dr Kohler works closely 

with ARU Chief Medical Officer Dr Warren 

McDonald. 

The role of the ARU Concussion Specialist 

achieved the following outcomes in 2014; 

• A comprehensive Concussion Guidance 

Document for schools and clubs. 

• Media spokesperson on concussionrelated 

topics and enquiries. 

• Establishment of a process of 

independent Rugby specific concussion 

research application. 

• Review of all Super Rugby and Buildcorp 

NRC head injury incidents. 

• Ongoing education and support of Super 

Rugby and NRC doctors on all aspects of 

concussion. 

• Attendance at all Qantas Wallaby home 

test matches utilising field side video review 

• Member Protection Policy – including 

Inclusion Policy and Racism 

Integrity Online will become the main 

education tool for players on Integrity but 

it is not intended to replace face-to-face 

education sessions which will continue 

to take place, including the ARU/RUPA 

induction camp for new players which takes 

place in December each year. 

Anti Doping Testing 

Under this program, ASADA conducted 

174 tests in 2014: 

• 60 urine in-competition (IC) tests 

• 24 urine out-of-competition (OOC) tests 

• 75 urine and blood screen OOC tests 

• 15 urine and blood (human growth 

hormone) OOC tests 

ASADA also implements a governmentfunded 

testing program on the Men’s 

and Women’s Sevens squads due to their 

inclusion in the Olympic and Commonwealth 

Games. ASADA conducted 49 tests during 

the 2013-14 Sevens season: 

• 17 urine OOC tests 

• 10 urine EPO OOC tests 

• 22 HGH OOC tests 

technology and performing Head Injury 

Assessments (HIA’s) on head injured players. 

• Review of concussion incidents at 

community level. 

• Involvement in Internal Concussion 

Working Group comprising senior 

management and medical staff. 

• Formation of an external Concussion 

Advisory Group (detailed below) 

• Continuing education of amateur team 

medical support staff via seminars and 

presentations. 

• Education of coaches via the SmartRugby 

publication. 

• Leading advances in new sideline video 

technology to be available to all Super Rugby 

franchises in 2015. 

• Presentation of leading sideline 

concussion initiatives at the World Rugby 

Medical Conference Dublin December 2014 

(c/o Dr Warren McDonald). 

Head Injury Assessment (HIA) 

In the professional game (Super Rugby 

and Test matches), the HIA is mandated by 

World Rugby as the process to follow when 

assessing head injured rugby players. The 

data collected continues to form part of 

of an international concussion surveillance 

initiative by World Rugby. Our experience in 

Australia is that the majority of head injured 

In addition to the above, IRB conducted 

97 (urine and blood) tests on our elite 

players (including the Under 20’s) at IRB 

tournaments, and the host unions in The 

Rugby Championship and conducted a 

further 14 urine IC tests on Qantas Wallabies 

players during the Spring Tour. 

players meet the World Rugby criteria for 

permanent removal from play and do not 

require a HIA. Unpublished data from World 

Rugby supports the notion that a significant 

proportion of players with diagnosed 

concussion are being removed from the field. 

Concussion Advisory Group 

The ARU external Concussion Advisory 

Group (CAG) includes respected international 

and local concussion clinicians and 

researchers, some from other football codes. 

Chaired by Dr Warren McDonald, the cross 

pollination of expertise within the group 

provides a rich framework to discuss and 

action general Rugby concussion issues, 

review current best practice guidelines and 

assess research proposals submitted through 

a standardised process. 

Members of the CAG include: 

• Dr Michael Makdissi: (AFL) Sports 

Physician and PhD in concussion research 

• Professor John Watson: Neurologist 

• Dr Andrew Gardner: Clinical 

Neuropsychologist and Researcher 

• Dr Ryan Kohler: ARU Concussion 

Specialist, Sports Physician and Researcher 

• Dr Seamus Dalton: (NRL) Sports Physician 

and Rehabilitation Specialist 


Celebrating 

Our 

Heritage 

The ARU remains committed to 

recognising its Classic Wallabies and 

in 2014 paid tribute to a number of 

players who helped shape the game 

of Rugby. 

This was highlighted through 

the induction of three new members in the 

ARU Hall of Fame and through the Classic 

Wallabies Statesmen program. 

Additionally, one Australian legend of the 

game joined an illustrious group in being 

voted into the IRB Hall of Fame. 

Australian Rugby would also like to pay 

tribute to the Classic Wallabies and the 

work they continue to do to recognise and 

represent those who have had the honour of 

representing their country in the Wallabies 

jersey. 

Wallaby Hall Of Fame Inductees 

Each year, the ARU inducts three former 

Wallaby greats into the Wallaby Hall of 

Fame, as a way to recognise the outstanding 

contributions these men made to the game of 

Rugby, on and off the field. 

Wylie Breckenridge was acknowledged for 

his involvement in Australian Rugby through 

his 11 Test Caps and 24 Non Test Caps, his 

years of service as a team manager and an 

Australian selector. 

Greg Davis, a New Zealander by birth who 

moved to Australia and played for his adopted 

country was revered as an outstanding player 

and tireless leader. He represented Australia 

99 times with 39 Test Caps and 66 Non Test 

caps. 

Simon Poidevin played in 59 Tests and 37 

Non Test matches for the Wallabies. He also 

captained Australia in four Test Matches and 

is currently the Co-President of the Classic 

Wallabies. 

IRB Hall Of Fame 

Former Wallaby great and Rugby World Cup 

champion Michael Lynagh was inducted into 

the 2014 IRB Hall of Fame, a worthy honour 

for one of Australian Rugby’s all-time legends. 

In Lynagh’s 73 Tests for the Wallabies, he 

scored 17 tries and had a winning rate of 

more than 70 per cent. 

A successful flyhalf, Lynagh was the leader 

of a legendary Australian backline that 

included David Campese, Tim Horan and 

Jason Little. Lynagh was also an instrumental 

player in Australia’s 1984 Grand Slam success 

and captained Australia for two years 1993- 

1995. 

Wallaby Statesmen 

In 2014, six of Rugby’s most distinguished 

players were named as the 2014 Classic 

Wallabies Statesmen. 

In their position as Statesmen, they played 

a role in each Test series, before coming 

together in the lead-up to Australia’s third 

Bledisloe Cup Test, where they were presented 

to the Rugby public. 

The group boasts a number of former 

Wallaby captains and Rugby World Cup 

champions, while each of the 2014 Statesmen 

continued their involvement in Rugby beyond 

their playing days in the administration and 

coaching ranks. 

2014 Wallaby 

Statesmen 

1950s - Dr Charles Wilson 

1960s - Dick Marks 

1970s - Stan Pilecki 

1980s - Jeff Miller 

1990s - Rod McCall 

2000s - Matt Cockbain 


43


Mourning The Loss 

Of Our Wallabies 

The Australian Rugby Union lost some remarkable men in 

2014, but their contribution to the game of Rugby will be a 

lasting legacy. 

Max Howell AO – Cap No.339 

Max Howell (pictured above), played five 

Tests and 27 non-Test caps for Australia 

between 1946 and 1948, making his debut 

against New Zealand at the age of 19. 

Max was awarded an Order of Australia 

for service to Education as a pioneer in the 

development of sports studies and sport 

science, as academic disciplines both in 

Australia and overseas and to the study of 

sports history. Max wrote more than 50 

books and had more than 300 other articles 

published throughout his life. 

Thomas “Kevin” Bourke - Cap No 349 

Born in Kingaroy in Queensland, Kevin 

attended Downlands College before playing 

for Brothers Rugby Club in Brisbane. He has 

the accolade of being the first Wallaby to 

have attended Downlands College. Kevin 

proudly represented Australia 17 times 

including one Test match against New 

Zealand and was regarded as one of the 

great team players for the Australian touring 

side of 1947. 

Nev “Notchy” Cottrell – Cap No.360 

Nev played 23 times for Australia, he 

earned 14 Test caps and he captained 

his Country in two Tests, he was the first 

hooker to do so. Playing his club career at 

West End and Souths, Cottrell’s first break 

in representative Rugby came when he was 

20 years old, playing for Queensland against 

the All Blacks. It was to be a long association 

with Queensland, with Cottrell playing 

with the side from 1947-1955. He also has 

the honour of being a part of an excellent 

Wallaby team. The 1949 Wallaby team was 

the first Australian side to defeat the All 

Blacks in a series in New Zealand. 

Ian Moutray – Cap No.491 

Ian received ten non Test caps for the 

Wallabies and one Test Cap against the 

Springboks in Cape Town where the 

Wallabies won 9-5. Ian had a short Wallaby 

career being a part of the very successful 

Australian side which toured South Africa 

in 1963 winning eight of the tour games 

and squaring the Test series with two Test 

wins. Although a very gifted player, injuries 

prevented him from having a longer playing 

career with the Wallabies. 

John Cornes – Cap No.556 

John played for Queensland from 1969- 

1972 and received one Test Cap for the 

Wallabies and three non-Test matches. He 

was part of the first Wallabies side to play 

a Test on Fijian soil, when Australia won 21 

to 19. His family property is at Augathella 

about 600km North West of Toowoomba in 

Queensland where he has been laid to rest. 

Eric “Nookie” Tindall – Cap No.564 

Eric joined the Drummoyne Club with his 

brother Edwin, where they became longtime 

stalwarts. Nookie played 200 first grade 

games and Edwin over 300. Nookie was 

a first-class halfback, strong in attack and 

courageous in defence, with a long, accurate 

pass and the acceleration to make significant 

breaks. Nookie played one Test match in 

the Australian jersey in 1973 when he was 

selected to play against Tonga in Brisbane. 

He played six games for NSW from 1969 to 

1973. 


ARU Affiliate Reports 

Australian Barbarians 

The Australian Barbarians 

were involved in several 

fixtures with wins over NSW 

Under 20’s and the Northern 

Rays, and losses against Australian Under 20’s and 

the NSW Country Eagles’ Development Squad 

The ‘Baa Baas’ will look to continue its 

associating with Hearts of Union to assist Rugby 

players who have suffered misfortune whilst 

playing the game, while also maintaining our close 

affiliation with the Australian Schoolboys Rugby 

Union. 

Australian Capital 

Territory & Southern 

New South Wales Rugby 

Union 

The Tuggeranong Vikings 

clinched their fourth 

successive title in 2014, 

downing Queanbeyan 25-13 to cement themselves 

as the ACT’s most accomplished side in ACT 

Premier Division history. 

Once again the Vikings dominated the 

representative landscape, with 16 players going on 

to feature in the inaugural Buildcorp NRC. 

Six ACT players were selected to represent the 

Australian U20’s at the Junior World Cup in New 

Zealand, with Tom Staniforth, Joe Powell, Rowan 

Perry, Andrew Robinson, Joel Penders and Allan 

Alaalatoa all earning selection. Once again, all 

Brumbies players were contracted to ACT clubs 

providing the local competition with more than 

20 professional players to choose from during the 

season. 

Australian Junior Rugby Union 

The Australian Junior Rugby Union continued as 

the peak body of junior Rugby in Australia enjoying 

active participation of junior delegates from 

Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital 

Territory, Victoria and Western Australia. 

Each member had the responsibility to foster, 

govern and promote the game in their respective 

states or territories. 

The AJRU played an integral role in the 

metamorphosis of the AJRU Nationals into the 

highly successful Junior Gold Cup. 2014 provided 

the opportunity to evaluate this program and 

to plan for further innovation in talent and 

representative programs throughout Australia. 

Australian Schools 

Rugby Union 

The Australian Schools 

Rugby Union (ASRU) 

Championships were again 

played at St Ignatius’ College, 

Sydney, with 12 teams competing across the two 

divisions. For the second consecutive year NSW 

I defeated NSW II in the final, while the National 

Indigenous Team won the Division II title. 

During late September and early October, the 

Australian Schools team toured New Zealand, 

playing Fiji Schools (won 50 -15), New Zealand 

Barbarians (lost 39 – 21) and New Zealand (lost 

34 – 24). 

To assist the ASRU with funding, an Associate 

Membership program was introduced for students, 

adults, schools and clubs. The program has been 

well received by the schools Rugby community, 

raising more than $14,000. 

Australian Services 

Rugby Union 

2014 was another exciting 

year for the Australian Services 

Rugby Union (ASRU). The 

highlights of the men’s year included games 

against NSW Country, NSW Suburban and the NT 

Mosquitoes. 

Our women competed strongly in the National 

Sevens Program and, pleasingly, seven Australian 

Service women achieved selection in the Wallaroos 

or national Sevens side. 

The ASRU will look to build on the success of our 

women’s program, as the men work towards taking 

part in the second International Defence Rugby 

World Cup, to be hosted in the UK concurrently 

with the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

New South Wales 

Country Rugby Union 

The New South Wales 

Country Rugby Union through 

its 122 Country Clubs 

continued to ensure the game 

was promoted and maintained across Regional and 

Rural NSW. 

Participation numbers remained constant in 

2014; a reflection of the tireless efforts put in by 

the many volunteers who continually give their 

time. The Union continued to perform well on and 

off the field, providing strong governance and 

maintaining identified representative pathways for 

players, coaches and administrators. 

The highlight of the year was the USA 

Development Tour that saw the team remain 

undefeated, maintaining the high profile the Union 

enjoys overseas. Through the efforts of NSWRU 

and Waratahs, together with NSWCRU sponsors, 

Country Rugby remained in a strong position for 

continued success in the future. 

New South Wales Rugby 

Union 

NSW Rugby Union had an 

outstanding season in 2014. 

With the Waratahs crowned 

Asteron Life Super Rugby Champions, NSW teams 

also achieved great success at a grassroots level 

with the Under 20’s and Schoolboys sides taking 

out National honours. 

NSWRU collected individual awards at the John 

Eales Medal ceremony; Chris Hicks (Volunteer 

of the Year); Amy Perrett (Referee of the Year); 

Andrew Purchase (Spirit of Rugby); and Sila 

Taungakava (Community Coach of the Year) joining 

Michael Cheika, Michael Hooper, Israel Folau and 

Rob Horne from the Waratahs. 

NSWRU competitions continue to produce 

outstanding Rugby giving every participant the 

opportunity to enjoy their Rugby experience. NSW 

Rugby relies on a solid base of volunteers and 

supporters. Their contribution to the game is an 

essential part towards the growth of Rugby in NSW. 

Northern Territory Rugby 

Union 

Northern Territory Rugby 

Union has seen positive growth 

in 2014, with Alice Springs 

running junior programs with 

Under 12’s, Under 15’s and Under 17’s for the first 

time. 

Junior participation is on the rise throughout 

other regional areas including Katherine, Tennant 

Creek and communities such as Bathurst and Tiwi 

Islands. 

With the rapid development of Rugby in the 

territory, the NTRU continues to work towards 

developing its Under 20’s Junior Mosquitoes 

programs and Junior Gold Cup teams. Due to the 

limited number of players in the Under 15’s and 

Under 17’s age groups, the Northern Territory did 

not participate in the Junior Gold Cup competition 

in 2014. 

The focus for the next three years will be on 

developing a program, which aims to prepare both 

players and coaches for a possible entry in more 

national competitions from 2016. 

Rugby Western Australia 

The rise of Rugby in Western 

Australia continued in 2014 

with a club record of eight 

locally produced players 

helping the Western Force 

realise its most successful Super Rugby season in the 

Rugby WA’s history. To add to this, more than 42 

Perth-based players were exposed to the Buildcorp 

NRC, who guided the Perth Spirit to the final. 

The WA Under 20’s squad finished undefeated at 

the Southern States tournament with four players 

selected for the Australian Under 20’s squad, with 

the WA Under 17’s claiming the national Junior Gold 

Cup. The ongoing growth of juniors, schools and 

Sevens contributed to another overall participation 

increase. 

South Australian Rugby Union 

South Australian Rugby 

Union participated in the 

inaugural Junior Gold Cup, and 

hosted the Southern States 

Under 20’s tournament. 

The Buildcorp NRC came to 

Adelaide in September with Perth Spirit hosting the 

Greater Sydney Rams at Adelaide Airport Stadium in 

front of a crowd of more than 2000 local Rugby fans 

Local Club Grand Final day, held at Adelaide’s 

Victoria Park, included all grades from Under 12s to 

Premier Grade for the first time. 

More than 10,000 local school children 

participated in National Rugby Week, and an 

impressive 17,141 South Australians participated in 

Rugby throughout the year. 


45


Queensland Rugby 

Union 

The Queensland Rugby 

Union (QRU) had many 

outstanding achievements 

in 2014, including membership and participation 

numbers. 

Among the many highlights for 2014 was the 

record membership of 58,738 and an increase of 

14.37% in Queenslanders playing Rugby. 

The membership result, an increase on 2013’s 

record number of 36,014, ensured the St.George 

Queensland Reds finished the year with the 

largest membership base in the Queensland 

sports market. Importantly, the Reds have risen to 

have the fifth largest membership base of all 56 

professional sporting teams in Australia – up from 

12th in 2013. 

296,356 Queenslanders played Rugby in 

2014 with highlights including a 49% rise in 

Sevens participation, a 5.6% rise in junior club 

Rugby participation and a 13% rise in females 

participating in the game last year. 

QRU reported an organisational surplus before 

depreciation of $935,518 for the 2014 financial 

year. This was achieved after direct and indirect 

investment of $9 million into the community 

game. The final result of a surplus of $354,624 

after depreciation was another strong result. Due 

to a change in the timing of the financial year, the 

2014 Queensland Rugby Financial results were for 

ten months only. 

Sydney Rugby Union 

Eastwood was crowned 

2014 Shute Shield 

Champions, claiming its first 

title since 2011, with a 33-13 

win over Southern Districts. 

The win capped a fantastic Grand Final day, 

with Manly lifting the Colin Caird Shield (second 

grade) and Sydney University claiming both the 

Henderson Shield (third grade) and Henderson 

Cup (fourth grade). 

In the Colts competition, Randwick had a 

brilliant season taking out the title for the first 

time since 1995, defeating University 23-17 in the 

Final. Sydney University continue their dominance 

in the Colts, winning second and third grade. 

Sydney University were again worthy winners of 

the Club Championship 

Victorian Rugby Union 

2014 was a successful 

year for Rugby in Victoria. 

In particular, the focus was 

on dedicated pathways 

for home-grown talent, continued success in 

generating national representatives and investment 

in new Sevens content, which will underpin the 

VRU’s future growth strategy. 

Further highlights included a premiership 

and runners-up in the Junior Gold Cup, and the 

resounding success of the Melbourne Rising in the 

inaugural Buildcorp NRC, with half of the team 

comprised of Dewar Shield players. 

The playing standard in the local competition 

continues to rise, with Harlequin Rugby Club 

leading the way as overall Club Champions and 

Dewar Shield Premiers. 


Corporate Governance 

In 2014, the ARU’s Board adopted the 

practice of reporting in compliance with 

ASX Best Practice Recommendations 

in relation to corporate governance. 

Whilst this is not required by law, the 

Directors believe this aids transparency and 

accountability in reporting to its members 

on the activities and performance of the 

ARU. The Board is committed to the highest 

level of governance and endeavours to foster 

a culture that promotes ethical standards 

and corporate integrity. This statement 

sets out the extent to which the Directors 

believe the ARU satisfies the ASX Corporate 

Governance Principles and Recommendations 

(ASX Recommendations) during the financial 

year ended 31 December 2014. Unless 

otherwise stated, the Directors believe that 

the corporate governance practices comply 

with the ASX Recommendations. 

PRINCIPLE 1: LAY SOLID FOUNDATIONS FOR 

MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT 

The Directors are responsible for the 

activities and performance of the ARU in 

both short and longer term. Their focus is to 

ensure the ARU is properly managed. 

A summary of matters reserved for the 

Board are as follows: 

• setting objectives, goals and strategic 

direction for the ARU; 

• monitoring financial performance and 

integrity of financial reporting including 

approving business plans, annual budgets 

and financial statements, and the capital 

management of the business including its 

ability to meet debts as and when they fall 

due; 

• establishing, monitoring and evaluating 

the effectiveness of internal controls and risk 

management; 

• appointing and reviewing the 

performance of the CEO and senior 

management; 

• monitoring areas of significant business 

risk and ensuring arrangements are in place 

to manage those risks; 

• ensuring conformance with workplace 

health and safety requirements; and 

• ensuring effective communication with 

stakeholders including reporting to members 

on performance, and regular meetings and 

forums with the ARU and its stakeholders. 

Beyond those matters, the Board has 

delegated all authority to achieve the 

objectives of the ARU to the CEO and senior 

management. 

The Board, based on recommendations 

from the Human Resources Committee, 

sets on an annual basis, financial and nonfinancial 

performance hurdles for the CEO 

and performance is assessed against these 

performance hurdles. 

Board Committees 

The Board has established a number of 

Committees to assist in the execution of its 

duties and to allow detailed consideration of 

complex issues. Current Committees of the 

Board are: 

• Human Resources Committee; 

• Audit & Risk Committee; and 

• Governance & Policy Committee. 

Each Committee is comprised entirely of 

Non-Executive Directors. Each Committee 

has its own written charter setting out 

its role and responsibilities, composition, 

structure, membership requirements and 

the manner in which the Committee is 

to operate. All matters determined by 

Committees are submitted to the full Board 

as recommendations for Board decisions. 

In addition, a Nominations Committee 

was established under the Constitution 

adopted by the members in December 2012. 

The Nominations Committee is comprised 

of three independent persons and chaired 

by the Chair of the Board. Its roles and 

responsibilities are described below. 

PRINCIPLE 2: STRUCTURE THE BOARD TO 

ADD VALUE 

In December 2012, the members of the 

ARU adopted a revised Constitution that sets 

out the process governing the appointment, 

term and removal of Directors. As part of 

this revision the ARU has now adopted a 

skills-based Board structure, such that: 

• at any point in time, its membership 

represents an appropriate balance between 

Directors with experience and knowledge 

of the ARU and Directors with an external 

perspective; 

• the size of the Board is conducive to 

effective discussion and efficient decisionmaking; 

and 

• The Chair of the Board must not at the 

same time be the Managing Director. 

The Board is also committed to fostering 

an appointment process that reflects an 

appropriate level of cultural, geographic, 

gender and age diversity. 

The Constitution provides for up to nine 

Directors and states that there must be not 

less than six independent Directors (excluding 

the Managing Director). The Board is to 

consist of: 

(i) the Managing Director; 

(ii) six Directors appointed by 

members by a two thirds majority vote 

following nomination by the Nominations 

Committee; and 

(iii) up to two Directors appointed by 

ordinary resolution of the Directors following 

nomination by the Nominations Committee. 

The Directors may at any time appoint 

a person to be a Director to fill a casual 

vacancy. This Director then holds office until 

the next general meeting and is then eligible 

for election at that meeting. 

Board Independence 

When considering independence, the 

Board considers the recommendation made 

by the ASX Corporate Governance Council. 

An assessment of Director’s independence 

is carried out at each Board meeting via the 

reporting of a register of interests. 

Board Evaluation 

The Nominations Committee is responsible 

for scheduling regular Board performance 

reviews. At the end of 2014 an independent 

consultant was engaged to perform a 

review of the Board and individual Directors’ 

performance. 

Nominations Committee 

Under the Constitution adopted by 

members in December 2012, a Nominations 

Committee was established which has the 

objective of assisting the Board in fulfilling 

its corporate governance responsibilities 

including with respect to: 

(i) Board appointments, re-elections and 

performance; and 

(ii) cultural and diversity obligations. 

During 2014, the Committee met on four 

occasions. 

PRINCIPLE 3: PROMOTE ETHICAL AND 

RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING 

Code of Conduct 

The ARU is committed to promoting 

and strengthening the positive image of 

the game of Rugby and its participants 

in Australia. In light of this commitment, 

the ARU has adopted a Code of Conduct 

which seeks to establish standards of 

performance and behaviour to ensure that 

participants act in a professional and proper 

manner and to ensure that the game is 

played and conducted with disciplined and 

sporting behaviour. The Code of Conduct 

also seeks to deter all on-field and Rugbyrelated 

conduct that could damage the 

game by impairing public confidence in the 

honest and orderly conduct of matches and 

competitions or in the integrity and good 

character of participants. In addition, the 

ARU seeks to ensure that every participant is 

liable to effective sanctions if they are found 

to have breached the Code of Conduct. 

Each Member Union and each Affiliated 

Union is obliged: 

• to comply with, and to require Rugby 

Unions, Clubs and other bodies and persons 

in membership with it or affiliated to it to 

comply with, the Code of Conduct; and 


47


• to adopt procedures for monitoring 

and disciplining breaches of the Code of 

Conduct approved by the ARU and notified 

to the Member Union and Affiliated Union 

from time to time. 

Inclusion Policy 

In August 2014, the ARU adopted an 

inclusion policy that seeks to stamp out 

all forms of discrimination in Rugby and 

foster equal opportunity in the workplace, 

providing a work environment that is 

inclusive and where all employees are 

treated with dignity, courtesy and respect. 

In relation to gender diversity, the table 

below shows the proportion of women 

employees in the ARU as at 31 December 

2014: 

Position Number Percentage 

Board 2 25% 

Management 1 12.5% 

Other 27 25% 

TOTAL 30 22.5% 

Governance & Policy Committee 

The Board has established a Governance 

& Policy Committee which has the objective 

of assisting the Board in fulfilling its 

responsibilities in relation to any matters 

concerning governance and policy issues of 

the ARU. 

The Committee operates under a Charter 

adopted by the Board and is comprised 

of four members, all of whom are Non- 

Executive independent Directors. The 

Chair of the Committee is considered 

independent and is not the Chair of the 

Board. 

The Committee met twice during 2014. 

Details of these Directors’ attendance at 

Committee meetings are set out in the 

Directors’ Report. 

The responsibilities and duties of the 

Committee as outlined in the Charter are 

as follows: 

(a) Formulate Corporate Governance 

Principles, Guidelines and Policies and bring 

forward to the Board as recommendations 

for adoption. Periodically review same to 

ensure that they are being complied with 

and remain relevant; 

(b) Review and make 

recommendations to the Board on any new 

Government regulations in relation to sport; 

(c) Facilitate the orientation and 

induction of new Directors to the Board; 

(d) Facilitate a continuing education 

programme for the Board as a whole; 

(e) Conduct an annual review of the 

Directors’ Handbook; 

(f) Monitor and periodically review 

the Company’s Constitution and bring 

forward to the Board any recommendations 

for change to put before General Meetings 

for adoption; 

(g) Monitor the operations of 

the Board Committees to ensure the 

Committees operate efficiently; 

(h) Conduct an annual review of the 

composition of Board Committees and each 

of their Charters; and 

(i) Consider any matters of 

governance and policy referred to it by the 

Board for deliberation. 

PRINCIPLE 4: SAFEGUARD INTEGRITY IN 

FINANCIAL REPORTING 

The Board is committed to integrity in 

financial reporting. This is monitored by the 

Board Audit & Risk Committee. 

As at the date of signing the Directors’ 

Report, the Committee is comprised of 

three members, all of whom are Non- 

Executive independent Directors. The Chair 

of the Committee is not the Chair of the 

Board. The Committee may extend an 

invitation to any person to attend all or part 

of any meeting of the Committee which it 

considers appropriate. 

The Committee met three times during 

the year. Details of these Directors’ 

attendance at Committee meetings are set 

out in the Directors’ Report. 

The Board has adopted a Charter for the 

Committee that outlines its main functions 

as: 

Financial Statements 

• Reviewing the quality and reliability 

of financial statements and other financial 

information distributed externally. 

• Liaising with external auditors to ensure 

the annual statutory audit is conducted in 

an effective manner. 

• Monitoring the procedures in place to 

ensure that the company is in compliance 

with the Corporations Act and other 

legislative and reporting requirements 

specifically including the annual financial 

statements. 

• Reviewing related party transactions 

and considering the adequacy of disclosure 

of those transactions in the financial 

statements. 

• Recommend to the Board approval of 

annual audited financial statements. 

• Conduct regular reviews of financial 

progress against future year initiatives. 

External Auditors 

(i) Reviewing the performance of 

external auditors. 

(ii) Assess the independence of 

the external auditor, having regard to the 

provision of non-audit services. 

(iii) Review the reasonableness of the 

external audit fees. 

(iv) Recommending nomination(s) of 

external auditors for approval of the Board. 

Controls 

(i) Monitoring financial and 

operating internal controls. 

(ii) Monitoring the establishment of 

an appropriate internal control framework. 

(iii) Reviewing external audit reports 

to ensure that major deficiencies or 

breakdowns in controls as identified by the 

auditors are remedied promptly and with 

the appropriate action. 

Risk 

• Monitoring financial and material 

business operating risks. 

• Regularly review and update the ARU’s 

risk matrix. 

• Reviewing risk management policies 

and systems, including the ARU’s use of 

derivatives and the ARU’s exposure to 

financial risks. 

• Reviewing policies to avoid conflicts 

of interest and reviewing past or proposed 

transactions between the ARU and 

members of management and the Board. 

• Review an annual report from 

management on the ARU’s Superannuation 

policy to ensure compliance with relevant 

laws and regulations. 

• Review an annual report from 

management on the adequacy of insurance 

coverage. 

Workplace Health & Safety 

• Reviewing and making 

recommendations to the Board in respect 

of the ARU’s management of its workplace 

health and safety responsibilities. 

In addition, the Committee shall examine 

any other matters referred to it by the 

Board. 

The Committee has the authority to 

seek any information it requires from any 

officer or employee of the ARU. Such 

officers or employees shall be instructed 

by the Board to respond to such enquiries. 

The Committee is authorised to take such 

independent professional advice as it 

considers necessary. 

Certification of Financial Reports 

The Chief Executive Officer and the 

Chief Financial Officer state in writing to 

the Board in each reporting period that the 

ARU’s financial reports present a true and 

fair view, in all material respects, of the 

ARU’s financial position and operational 

results and that they are in accordance with 

relevant accounting standards. 

External Auditors 

The external auditor (KPMG) has 

declared its independence to the Board 

through its representations to the 

Committee and provision of its Statement 

of Independence to the Board, stating that 

they have maintained their independence in 

accordance with the provisions of APES 110 

Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants 

and the applicable provisions of the 

Corporations Act 2001. 

The performance of the external auditor 

is reviewed annually. An analysis of fees 

paid to the external auditors, including a 

breakdown of fees for non-audit services, 

is provided in the Directors’ Report and in 

the notes to the financial statements. The 

external auditor is requested to attend the 

Annual General Meeting and be available to 

answer questions about the conduct of the 

audit and the preparation and content of 

the audit report. 


PRINCIPLES 5 & 6: MAKE TIMELY AND 

BALANCED DISCLOSURE, AND RESPECT 

THE RIGHTS OF MEMBERS 

This principle is generally applicable to 

continuous disclosure obligations of ASX 

listed companies and their communications 

policies with shareholders. However, in 

applying to the ARU, there are established 

policies in place for timely and balanced 

disclosure of material information 

concerning the ARU and its activities. 

Media Policy 

The ARU’s media policy seeks to 

promote and protect the profile, image 

and reputation of ARU and Rugby in 

general as a leading mass entertainment 

and participant sport. All media 

communications are designed to support 

and advocate ARU’s vision, functions, 

practices, goals, objectives and programs. 

The policy establishes guidelines for 

interaction between ARU and the media. 

All media activity must be in the best 

interests of Australian Rugby and no 

employee shall make media comment 

that could denigrate ARU, the ARU Board, 

other ARU employees, ARU sponsors, 

licensees and suppliers, or as a general 

rule the squads and teams that compete in 

tournaments controlled by Rugby bodies in 

Australia. 

Social Media Policy 

The ARU’s Social Media Policy seeks to 

ensure that items posted through social 

media appropriately reflect the interests 

of Australian Rugby and enhance the 

image and reputation of ARU and Rugby 

in general. Due to the growing impact 

of social media, guidelines have been 

established for posting on these sites to 

prevent harm to the reputation of the ARU. 

Social media can only be used to positively 

promote the ideas and interests of the ARU. 

In relation to communications with 

members, the ARU holds an Annual 

General Meeting, a mid-year member 

update, and also facilitates regular forums 

with its members to discuss activities of the 

ARU. 

PRINCIPLE 7: RECOGNISE AND MANAGE 

RISK 

The Board, through the Audit & Risk 

Committee, is responsible for ensuring the 

adequacy of the ARU’s risk management 

practices, and its system of internal controls 

and for regularly reviewing its effectiveness. 

The ARU has implemented risk 

management practices based on AS/NZS 

4360:2004; Risk Management standard 

and the ASX Recommendations. The 

framework is based around the following 

risk activities: 

• Risk Identification: identify all 

significant foreseeable risks associated with 

business activities in a timely and consistent 

manner; 

• Risk Evaluation: evaluate risks using an 

agreed risk assessment criteria; 

• Risk Treatment/Mitigation: develop 

mitigation plans for risk areas where the 

residual risk is greater than tolerable risk 

levels; and 

• Risk Monitoring and Reporting: 

report risk management activities and risk 

specific information to appropriate levels of 

management in a timely manner. 

The Board, through the Audit and 

Risk Committee, reviews reporting on 

risk management on a regular basis and 

satisfies itself that management has in place 

appropriate systems for managing risk and 

maintaining internal controls. 

The CEO and senior management team 

are responsible for identifying, evaluating 

and monitoring risk. Senior management 

are responsible for the accuracy and validity 

of risk information reported to the Board 

and also for ensuring clear communication 

of the Board and senior management’s 

position on risk throughout the ARU. 

The Board has received a written 

assurance from the Chief Executive Officer 

and the Chief Financial Officer that to the 

best of their knowledge and belief, the 

declaration provided by them in accordance 

with section 295A of the Corporations 

Act is founded on a sound system of risk 

management and internal control and the 

system is operating effectively in relation 

to financial reporting risks in all material 

respects. 

PRINCIPLE 8: REMUNERATE FAIRLY AND 

RESPONSIBLY 

The Board has an established Human 

Resources Committee which is responsible 

for policies in relation to remuneration and 

human resources. 

As at the date of signing the Directors’ 

Report, the Committee comprises three 

members, all of whom are Non-Executive 

independent Directors. The Chair of the 

Committee is considered independent and 

is not the Chair of the Board. 

The Committee met twice during the 

year. Details of these Directors’ attendance 

at Committee meetings are set out in the 

Directors’ Report. 

The Board has adopted a Charter for this 

Committee which states that the objectives 

of the Committee are to: 

(a) Make recommendations to 

the Board in respect of the employment 

agreement and remuneration arrangements 

for the Managing Director (MD) and/or 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and key senior 

executives; 

(b) Make recommendations to the 

Board on the remuneration frameworks 

including incentive arrangements and 

termination entitlements for senior 

executives; 

(c) Review and make 

recommendations to the Board in relation 

to Company strategies and policies for 

remunerating Wallabies players; 

(d) Monitor and review the 

Company’s succession planning, including 

in respect of the MD/CEO and senior 

executives; and 

(e) Review the Company’s human 

resource plans and policies for consistency 

with the Company’s strategic goals. 

To achieve the Committee’s objectives 

the Committee has the following duties and 

responsibilities: 

(a) Monitor the Company’s 

management of its human resources, 

including review of its HR & Diversity 

policies and procedures to ensure 

consistency with the overall strategy of the 

Company; 

(b) Make recommendations to 

the Board in respect of the employment 

agreement and remuneration arrangements 

for the MD/CEO; 

(c) Review and authorise the 

employment agreements and terms 

applicable for direct reports to the MD/ 

CEO, including the Head Coach of the 

Wallabies and the Men’s and Women’s 

Sevens; 

(d) Oversee and review strategies 

and policies in relation to Wallabies player 

payments, and authorise payments outside 

of approved policy parameters on behalf of 

the Board; 

(e) Monitor and review the 

Company’s succession planning, including 

in respect of the MD/CEO and senior 

executives; 

(f) Approve the Key Performance 

Indicators (KPIs), Short Term Incentive (STI) 

and Long Term Incentive (LTI) policies and 

structure proposed for direct reports to the 

MD/CEO; 

(g) Annually approve the proposed 

remuneration increases/variations, KPI 

performance and STI awards to the direct 

reports of the MD/CEO; 

(h) Authorise proposed termination 

arrangements for direct reports to the 

MD/CEO in the event that the terms of 

termination are different to those provided 

in the executive’s employment agreement; 

and 

(i) Recommend to the Board 

procedures to ensure appropriate succession 

planning for the Committee, including the 

role of Chair. 

The Committee has the authority to 

seek any information it requires from any 

officer or employee of the ARU. Such 

officers or employees shall be instructed 

by the Board to respond to such enquiries. 

The Committee is authorised to take such 

independent professional advice as it 

considers necessary. 

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, 

keeps the Board informed about matters 

arising at meetings of the Committee, 

including in respect of recommendations 

of the Committee and other material 

matters arising from the discharge of the 

Committee’s responsibilities. 

Non-Executive Directors receive a fixed 

fee per annum, which is inclusive of 

statutory superannuation. There are no 

performance-based components in Non- 

Executive Directors’ fees. There has been 

no increase in Directors’ fees since 2009 

and in 2013 the Directors accepted a 50 

per cent reduction in these fees. With 

effect from 1 May 2014, it was agreed that 

Directors’ fees would be reduced to zero. 

Total remuneration for Non-executive 

directors for 2014 was $32,778. 


49


ARU Nominations Committee 

The adoption of the new Constitution 

by ARU’s members in December 

2012 saw the establishment of the 

ARU Nominations Committee. 

The objectives of this Committee 

as stated in its Charter are to assist the ARU 

Board in fulfilling its corporate governance 

responsibilities with respect to: 

• Board appointments, re-election and 

performance; and 

• Cultural and diversity obligations. 

The membership of the Nominations 

Committee consists of the Chair of the ARU 

Board, one person appointed by the ARU 

Board and two people elected by a twothirds 

majority of the ARU’s members. 

In February 2013, The Hon Peter 

Heerey was appointed to the Nominations 

Committee by the ARU Board, and Ms 

Josephine Sukkar and Mr John Massey were 

elected by the ARU’s members. 

The Hon Peter Heerey AM QC 

After practice at the Victorian Bar, Mr 

Heerey served as a judge of the Federal 

Court of Australia from 1990 until retirement 

in 2009. On the Bench he had particular 

involvement in intellectual property, 

competition law and administrative law. 

He is Chairman of the Australian Electoral 

Commission, Vice-President of the Arts 

Law Centre and a keen supporter of the 

Melbourne Rebels. 

Ms Josephine Sukkar 

Ms Josephine Sukkar is Principal of 

Buildcorp, a mid-tier private construction 

company. From 2010 to 2013 she served as 

a director of The Trust Company. Ms Sukkar 

is a director of Opera Australia, Centenary 

Institute, Sydney University Football Club 

Foundation and Co-President of YWCA 

NSW. 

Buildcorp is the naming rights partner for 

the National Rugby Championship and a 

major sponsor of University Rugby. Josephine 

particularly enjoys and sponsors university 

women’s Rugby and cricket. 

Mr John Massey 

Mr John Massey has extensive commercial 

and leadership experience as a Chairman, 

Director and Chief Executive spanning many 

different industries. He is currently Chairman 

of Queensland Motorways, UQ Holdings, 

Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal, Director 

of Stockyard Beef and member of the Board 

of Governors of the Committee for the 

Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). 

Mr Massey is also a Life Fellow of the 

Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Committee Activities 

The Committee met four times during 

2014, carrying out the following tasks in 

fulfilling the duties and responsibilities 

mandated by its Charter. 

Director Re-Eection 

The three directors who had been 

appointed to fill casual vacancies which 

arose during 2013 (Mr Paul McLean, Mr 

Cameron Clyne and Ms Nerolie Withnall) 

were nominated by the Committee for 

election at the 2014 Annual General 

Meeting and were unanimously voted in by 

the members at the AGM. The Committee 

also nominated Mr Brett Robinson as the 

second Board-appointed director (Ms Ann 

Sherry being the first) and Mr Robinson was 

re-appointed by the Board for a second term 

in February 2014. 

Board Performance Review 

The Committee engaged Robert Webster 

of Korn/Ferry to undertake a review of 

the Board’s performance during 2014. 

The review comprised individual director 

questionnaires and interviews with Mr 

Webster. 

The report emanating from this review 

was used by the Committee to assess the 

Board’s and individual Director effectiveness 

following the new appointments made in 

2013 and to evaluate whether there is the 

appropriate balance of expertise, experience 

and diversity on the Board. The report was 

also used by the Committee for the purposes 

of Board succession planning. 

Directors’ Time Commitment 

The Committee reviewed the time 

commitment required of directors by 

circulating individual director questionnaires 

recording time spent in attending and 

preparing for Board, Sub-Committee and 

other ARU meetings and in attending 

matches and other ARU functions. This 

review is used by the Committee to assess 

the time commitment made by the existing 

directors and to inform potential candidates 

of the time commitment required of an ARU 

director. 

Board Committees 

The Committee reviewed the composition 

of the Board Sub-Committees to ensure 

there is the appropriate balance of skills, 

experience and diversity on each Sub- 

Committee. The Committee also reviewed 

all Sub-Committee Charters which had been 

updated during 2013. 


Financial 

Analysis 

The financial statements for 2014 

are presented as a consolidated 

financial report, with the results of 

the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union 

Ltd (MRRU) and the Australian Rugby 

Foundation Ltd (ARF) consolidated with 

the results of the ARU. Consolidation of 

these entities is required under accounting 

regulations due to control that ARU has over 

board appointments for each of these entities. 

The financial analysis provided below 

relates only to the results of the ARU 

(“Parent Entity”). 

A net deficit of $6.3m was recorded for 

the year, compared to a surplus of $19.5m 

in 2013 – the 2013 superior result being 

attributable to the contribution from the 

British & Irish Lions (BL) tour. 

Broadcast 

Broadcast revenue recorded for the 

year was $26.2m, a decrease of $15.3m 

from 2013. The 2013 result included the 

one off sale of UK rights for BL which are 

negotiated and sold separately from the main 

broadcasting agreements. 

Matchday 

Gross matchday revenues were $31.8m for 

the year, a decrease of $36.4m from 2013. 

The reduction is due to the effect of the BL 

matches in 2013 which achieved higher than 

normal prices for the three Tests matches, 

and the effect of the six tour matches which 

are additional matches in the schedule when 

compared to an ordinary year. The 2014 

matchday revenue was generated from the 

June three match French Test series, three 

matches in the Rugby Championship, third 

Bledisloe Test match, Gold Coast Sevens, 

and fees from two additional Spring Ttour 

matches. 

Sponsorship 

Sponsorship revenues were $28.7m for 

the year, an increase of $2.8m from 2013. 

The increase was largely due to the signing 

of HSBC as a category sponsor for the 

Wallabies and the signing of Asteron Life as 

naming rights sponsor for the Super Rugby 

competition. 

Other Revenue 

• Licensing revenue decreased by $0.3m 

due to BL effect. 

• Government grants decreased $0.2m 

due to one off funding programs in 2013 not 

being replaced in 2014. 

• Other revenue increased by $2.5m 

attributable to the introduction of funding 

reform for community Rugby, including 

team-based participation levies for 

community Rugby, and levies received for 

the inaugural year of the Junior Gold Cup 

competition. 

Expenditure 

ARU Expenditure decreased $20.5m to 

$99m in 2013. Major factors contributing to 

this increase were: 

• Commissions and servicing costs 

decreased by $0.8m, due to higher servicing 

costs attributable to BL activities in 2013; 

• Matchday operations decreased by $10m 

due to the decreased match program from 

BL in 2013; 

• Marketing & media costs decreased by 

$3.3m due to BL activities not replicated in 

2014 and targeted expenditure reductions in 

general marketing activities; 

• Wallabies team costs decreased by 

$1.5m due to savings in team matchday and 

travel associated costs; 

• National Sevens teams costs were in line 

with prior year levels; 

• Player payments and RUPA costs 

decreased $1.4m attributable to reductions 

in per match rate paid for Wallaby test match 

payments as agreed with RUPA and the 

players; 

• High performance and national teams 

expenditure decreased by $0.7m due to 

savings generated from restructuring, but 

saving allocated direct to Super Rugby clubs 

for academy activities (refer below). 

• SANZAR expenditure, being ARU’s 

share of operating the independent office, 

increased by $0.3m for the year, attributable 

to costs of professional advice for new 

broadcast negotiations. 

Super Rugby Expenditure 

Super Rugby expenditure for the year 

totalled $26.9m, comprising $23.7m (down 

from $25.4m) in direct cash funding to teams 

and $3.2m in payments for teams travel 

expenditure as part of SANZAR obligations. 

The direct cash funding of $23.7m 

provided to teams comprises: 

• $12m being minimum guaranteed share 

of broadcast and other commercial revenues 

derived from the central organisation of the 

competition (no change from 2013); 

• $6.5m contribution for the funding of 

high performance programs and related 

professional player development needs (no 

change from 2013); 

• $1m contribution for teams to contract 

Extended Playing Squad (EPS) players (no 

change from 2013); 

• $0.7m contribution to support 

academy activities (previously part of High 

Performance activities in ARU departments); 

• $0.2m in other support. 

• $3.3m in financial assistance to 

Melbourne Rebels. This was provided as a 

long term loan, but has been fully provided 

for in ARU’s income statement in 2014. 

Community Rugby Expenditure 

Community Rugby expenditure was 

$7.8m for the year, down $2.2m from 

2013. The expenditure comprised $3.7m 

(2013: $5.2m) in direct cash funding to 

member unions and affiliates, and $4.3m 

(2013: $4.8m) in employment and program 

related expenditure, including. Of this 

expenditure $1.8m relates to New South 

Wales Rugby Union via the provision of 

staff and associated program expenditure 

for community Rugby activities within New 

South Wales. 

Net Finance Income 

Net finance income decreased by $1m 

from the prior year, due to foreign exchange 

gain of $0.9m realised in 2013, not replicated 

in 2014. 

Statement Of Financial Position 

The Statement of Financial Position shows 

a total capital position (excluding unrealised 

changes in net asset values) of $10.6m, 

down from $17.8m in 2013. The decrease 

is attributable to the current year deficit 

of $6.3m less a release of $0.9m from 

the realised cash flow hedge reserve. This 

reserve represents the balance of deferred 

proceeds of forward exchange contracts sold 

in 2010 which are released into the Income 

Statement over the course of 2011- 2015. 

A negative unrealised cash flow hedge 

reserve of $4.6m is recorded as at 31 

December 2014. The value in this reserve 

represents the difference between the 

forward rates contracted for foreign currency 

revenues to be received in the future and the 

spot rate at 31 December 2014. 

There was a decrease in cash of $10m 

for the year to $7.8m. The decrease is 

attributable to funding the deficit $6.3m, 

capital expenditure of $1.3m in replacement 

CRM system, and net working capital 

movements. 


51

2014 ARU ANNUAL REPORT


MATCH 

France 

France 

France 

New Zealand 

New Zealand 

South Africa 

Argentina 

South Africa 

Date 

Saturday 7 June 



Saturday 16 August 

Saturday 23 August 

Saturday 6 September 



Kick Off (Local Time) 

8:00pm 

8:00pm 

3:00pm 

8:00pm 

7:35pm 

6:00pm 

8:00pm 

5:00pm 

City 

Brisbane 

Melbourne 

Sydney 

Sydney 

Auckland 

Perth 

Gold Coast 

Cape Town 

Venue 

Suncorp Stadium 

Etihad Stadium 

Allianz Stadium 

ANZ Stadium 

Eden Park 

Patersons Stadium 

Cbus Stadium 

Newlands 

Full Time Score 

W 50-23 

W 6-0 

W 39-13 

12-12 Draw 

L 51-20 

W 24-23 

W 32-25 

L 28-10 

Half Time Score 

29-9 Australia 

0-0 Draw 


9-3 New Zealand 

23-6 New Zealand 

14-11 South Africa 


10 -5 Australia 

Yellow/Red Cards 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Simmons (22min) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Citings (suspensions) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Referee 

Craig Joubert 

Wayne Barnes 

Chris Pollock 

Jaco Peyper 

Romaine Poite 

George Clancy 

Glen Jackson 

Nigel Owens 

Asst referees 

Chris Pollock, 

Garratt Williamson 

Craig Joubert, 

Chris Pollock 

Wayne Barnes, 

George Clancy 

Romaine Poite, 

Stuart Berry 

Jaco Peyper, 

Stuart Berry 

Glen Jackson, 

Mike Fraser 

George Clancy, 

Mike Fraser 

Wayne Barnes, 

Mathieu Raynal 

Crowd 

33,718 

27,189 

43,188 

68,627 

48,211 

25,718 

14,281 

44,955 

Man of Gold 

Israel Folau 

James Slipper 

Wycliff Palu 

James Slipper 

Israel Folau 

Tevita Kuridrani 

Nick Phipps 


Tournament/Trophy 

Trophée des 

Bicentenaires 

Trophée des 

Bicentenaires 

Trophée des 

Bicentenaires 


(Bledisloe Cup I) 


(Bledisloe Cup II) 


(Mandela Challenge Plate I) 


(The Puma Trophy I) 


(Mandela Challenge Plate II) 

Player 

Alexander, Ben 

Ashley-Cooper, Adam 

Beale, Kurtley 

Betham, Peter 

Carter, Sam 

Charles, Nathan 

Pos T C P DG 

14 1 

22 1 

4 

Pos T C 

14 

22 

16 

P DG 

Pos T C 

14 

22 

16 

P DG 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

13 

10 4 

4 

2 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

13 

10 2 2 

4 

2 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

14 

23 

4 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

23 

14 1 

4 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

14 1 

22 

4 

Cooper, Quade 

Cowan, Pek 

Cummins, Nick 

Fainga'a, Saia 

Fardy, Scott 

17 

11 1 

6 

17 

11 

6 

11 

6 

17 

6 

17 (DNP) 

6 

17 

6 

17 

6 

2 

6 

Faulkner, Tetera 

Folau, Israel 

Foley, Bernard 

15 1 

10 6 1 

15 

10 1 

15 2 

10 4 2 

15 

22 

15 1 

22 

15 1 

10 1 4 

15 

10 1 5 

15 

10 1 1 

Genia, Will 

Hanson, James 

Higginbotham, Scott 

Hodgson, Matt 

Hooper, Michael 

Horne, Rob 

Horwill, James 

Jones, Luke 

Kepu, Sekope 

Kuridrani, Tevita 

7 1 

19 

3 

13 

20 

7 

5 

19 

3 

13 

7 1 

23 

19 

3 

13 

"16 (DNP)" 

20 

7 

11 

3 

"23 (DNP)" 

16 

20 

7 1 

11 

3 

23 

2 

20 

21 

7 

11 1 

19 

3 

13 

16 

20 

21 

7 2 

11 

19 

3 

13 

16 

20 

7 

23 

19 

3 

13 

Leali'ifano, Christian 

Mann-Rea, Josh 

McCabe, Pat 

McCalman, Ben 

23 1 

20 

23 

8 

20 

14 

14 

16 (DNP) 

8 

8 

McMahon, Sean 

Moore, Stephen 

Palu, Wycliff 

Phipps, Nick 

Polota-Nau, Tatafu 

Robinson, Benn 

Ryan, Paddy 

2 

8 

21 

16 

18 

21 

2 

8 

21 1 

2 

8 

21 

8 

21 

8 

9 

9 

2 

9 

17 

Schatz, Jake 

Simmons, Rob 

Sio, Scott 

Skelton, Will 

Slipper, James 

5 

1 

4 

1 

5 

17 

4 1 

1 

5 

19 

1 

5 

19 

1 

5 

1 

5 

1 

5 

1 

Speight, Henry 

Tomane, Joe 

Toomua, Matt 

Weeks, Laurie 

White, Nic 

12 1 

9 

12 

18 

9 1 

12 

18 

9 

12 

9 

12 

9 

12 

22 (DNP) 

12 

22 

11 

12 

21 (DNP) 

Replacements/ 

Blood 

5min - Polota-Nau 

for Moore 

53min - Ryan for 

Kepu 

54min - McCalman 

for Palu 

62min - Phipps for 

White 

62min - Beale for 

Toomua 

62min - Cowan for 

Slipper 

68min - Horwill for 

Simmons 

68min - McCabe for 

Kuridrani 

59min - McCabe 

for Kuridrani 

59min - Jones for 

Horwill 


Foley 

66min - Higginbotham 

for Fardy 


Slipper 

74min - Charles 

for Polota-Nau 

74min - Weeks for 

Kepu 


White 

52min - Sio for 

Slipper 


Toomua 


Skelton 


White 

58min - Weeks for 

Kepu 

63min - McCalman 

for Palu 

68min - Charles for 

Polota-Nau 

70min - Horne for 

Kuridrani 


White 


for Fardy 

70min - Foley for 

Beale 


Slipper 

70min - Skelton for Palu 

78min - Alexander for 

Kepu 

32min - Hanson for 

Charles 


White 


for Palu 

55min - Foley for 

Toomua 

60min - Kuridrani for 

McCabe 


Kepu 

64min - Skelton for Fardy 

52min - Cowan for Slipper 

59min - Horwill for Carter 


for Palu 

66min - Alexander for Kepu 

70min - Hodgson for Fardy 

72min - Beale for Toomua 


Polota-Nau 


for Fardy 


Slipper 


Toomua 


Kepu 


Carter 

69min - Hodgson for 

McCalman 

71min - White for 

Betham 

40min - Horwill for Simmons 

54min - Beale for Toomua 

58min - Higginbotham for 

McCalman 

61min - Hanson for Fainga'a 

65min - Robinson for Slipper 

66min - Horne for Tomane 



Qantas Wallabies Captain 

Qantas Wallabies Debut 

Argentina 

New Zealand 

Wales 

France 

Ireland 

England 

Barbarians (Non-Capped) 

Saturday 4 October 

Saturday 18 October 

Saturday 8 November 





7:40pm 

7:00pm 

2:30pm 

9:00pm 

4:30pm 

2:30pm 

2:30pm 

Mendoza 

Brisbane 

Wales 

France 

Ireland 

London 

London 

Estadio Malvinas 

Suncorp Stadium 

Millennium Stadium 

Stade de France 

Aviva Stadium 

Twickenham 

Twickenham 

L 21-17 

L 29-28 

W 33-28 

L 29-26 

L 26-23 

L 26-17 

W 40-36 



21-21 Draw 

17-16 France 

20 - 20 Drawn 

13-3 England 


Phipps (42min); Hooper (73min) 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Nigel Owens 

Craig Joubert 

Craig Joubert 

Nigel Owens 

Glen Jackson 

Jerome Garces 

Jaco Peyper 

Craig Joubert, 

Leighton Hodges 

Jaco Peyper, 

Marius van der Westhuizen 

Jaco Peyper, 

JP Doyle 

Wayne Barnes, 

Marius Mitrea 

Nigel Owens, 

Mike Fraser 

Nigel Owens, 

Mathieu Raynal 

TBC, 

TBC 

26,000 



(The Puma Trophy II) 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

14 

45,186 


Bledisloe 

Cup III 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

14 1 

55,004 

Bernard Foley 

Spring Tour 

(James Bevan Trophy) 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

14 

67,912 

Ben McCalman 

Spring Tour 

(Trophée des Bicentenaires) 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

14 1 

51,100 

Nick Phipps 

Spring Tour 

(Lansdowne Cup) 

Pos T C P DG 

14 

23 

82,031 


Spring Tour 

(Cook Cup) 

Pos T C P DG 

18 

13 

23 

53,658 


N/A 

Pos T C P DG 

3 

2014 WAL CAPS 

2014 WAL TRIES 

2014 CONS 

2014 PENS 

2014 DGs 

2014 POINTS 

CAREER WAL POINTS 

CAREER WAL CAPS 

10 0 0 0 0 0 15 72 

13 4 0 0 0 20 155 104 

10 1 2 6 0 27 113 49 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 1 

1 1 0 0 0 5 5 2 

11 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 

22 (DNP) 

22 

22 

22 1 

10 3 

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 

3 0 1 0 0 2 126 53 

5 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 

2 

6 

15 

10 2 1 

8 1 

21 (DNP) 

7 

23 

5 

3 

13 1 

16 

2 

6 

15 

10 1 2 2 

8 

20 

7 

23 (DNP) 

19 

3 

13 

12 

16 

2 

17 

15 2 

10 3 3 1 

22 

16 

21 

7 

23 

19 

3 

13 1 

12 

2 

15 

10 2 4 

21 

16 

20 

7 

23 

4 

3 

13 

12 

2 

18 

15 

10 1 1 2 

21 

16 

7 

6 

3 

13 

2 

15 

10 1 1 1 

16 

7 

11 

20 

3 

2 

15 

22 1 2 

9 

16 

6 

7 

11 1 

5 

18 

13 1 

23 

3 1 0 0 0 5 30 15 

7 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 

10 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

14 7 0 0 0 35 85 29 

14 3 24 27 1 147 156 18 

3 0 0 0 0 0 40 58 

8 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 

8 1 0 0 0 5 15 31 

5 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 

14 5 0 0 0 25 35 42 

10 1 0 0 0 5 20 25 

10 0 0 0 0 0 30 58 

3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

14 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 

12 2 0 0 0 10 20 20 

3 0 0 0 0 0 124 16 

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

8 

6 

8 

6 

8 

8 

6 

8 

6 1 

4 1 0 0 0 5 20 24 

9 0 0 0 0 0 10 38 

3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

1 0 0 0 0 0 25 92 

9 

9 1 

9 

9 

9 2 

9 

5 0 0 0 0 0 5 54 

14 4 0 0 0 20 20 28 

17 

17 

17 

17 

17 

1 1 

4 0 0 0 0 0 10 50 

6 0 0 0 0 0 15 72 

20 

5 

5 

5 1 

20 

5 

5 

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

13 1 0 0 0 5 5 50 

19 

1 

11 

12 

1 

11 

20 

1 

11 

19 

1 

11 

19 

1 

11 

12 

19 1 

1 

14 

12 

19 

17 

14 

12 

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 

8 2 0 0 0 10 10 8 

14 0 0 0 0 0 0 63 

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

5 0 0 0 0 0 15 14 

11 1 0 0 0 5 15 21 

22 

21 1 

21 

21 

2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 

9 0 0 2 0 6 6 19 

30min - Horne for Toomua (Concussion) 


58min - Schatz for Higginbotham 


63min - White for Phipps 

67min - Skelton for Horwill 

71min - Mann-Rea for Fainga'a 

58min - White for Phipps 

59min - Hodgson for Higginbotham 

63min - Kepu for Alexander 

63min - Horwill for Carter 


68min - Mann- 

Rea for S.Fainga'a 

50min - Skelton for 

Carter 


S.Faingaa 


Kepu 


Simmons 

68min - Genia for 

Phipps 


McMahon 

74min - Faulkner for 

Slipper 

76min - Horne for 

Leali'ifano 

44min - Leali'ifano for Horne 

59min - Skelton for Horwill 

60min - Cooper for Tomane 



69min - Genia for Phipps 


S.Fainga'a 


McMahon 


Kuridrani 

53min - Schatz for 

Jones 

64min - Cooper for 

Foley 

68min - Genia for 

Phipps 

70min - Faulkner for 

Kepu 


S.Fainga'a 


Carter 

75min - Robinson for 

Slipper 

40min - Jones for Simmons 

46min - Cooper for 

Foley 

50min - White for 

Phipps 

52min - Alexander 

for Kepu 


McMahon 


Speight 

68min - Robinson for 

Slipper 


S.Fainga'a 

18min - McMahon for 

Higginbotham 

21min - Skelton for Hodgson 

(Blood Bin) 

25min - Hodgson for Skelton 

(Blood Bin Reverse) 

54min - Slipper for 

Robinson 

54min - Kepu for Alexander 


S.Fainga'a 

54min - Foley for Cooper 

54min - White for Genia 

57min - Skelton for Carter 

65min - Leali'ifano for 

Toomua 


87


Asteron Life Super 

Rugby Results 

ACT Brumbies 26, Blues 9 

Round Two 

22 February, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

ACT Brumbies 17, Queensland Reds 27 

23 February, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 43, Western Force 21 

Round Three 

28 February, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rebels 35, Cheetahs 14 

1 March, ANZ Stadium, Sydney 

32 NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds 5 

1 March, nib Stadium, Perth 

Western Force 14, ACT Brumbies 27 

Round Four 

7 March, Westpac Stadium, Wellington 

Hurricanes 21, ACT Brumbies 29 

7 March, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Queensland Reds 43, Cheetahs 33 


Western Force 32, Melbourne Rebels 7 

Round Five 

14 March, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rebels 19, Crusaders 25 

15 March, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 

Highlanders 29, Western Force 31 

15 March, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

ACT Brumbies 28, NSW Waratahs 23 

15 March, Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban 

Sharks 35, Queensland Reds 20 

Round Six 

21 March, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 32, Melbourne Rebels 8 

22 March, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

ACT Brumbies 25, Stormers 15 


Western Force 18, Chiefs 15 

22 March, Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 

Lions 23, Queensland Reds 20 

Round Seven 

28 March, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rebels 32, Brumbies 24 

29 March, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Queensland Reds 22, Stormers 17 

29 March, Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban 

Sharks 32, NSW Waratahs 10 

Round Eight 

4 Apri, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 

Highlanders 33, Melbourne Rebels 30 

4 April, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

5 April, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Queensland Reds 29, Western Force 32 

5 April, DHL Newlands, Cape Town 

Stormers 11, NSW Waratahs 22 

Round Nine 

11 April, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Queensland Reds 20, ACT Brumbies 23 

12 April, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 

Chiefs 22, Melbourne Rebels 16 

12 April, nib Stadium, Perth 

Western Force 28, NSW Waratahs 16 

Round 10 

18 April, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rebels 22, Western Force 16 I 

18 April, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 19, Bulls 12 

Round 11 

25 April, Eden Park, Auckland 

Blues 21, NSW Waratahs 13 

25 April, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

Brumbies 41, Chiefs 23 

26 April, Westpac Stadium, Wellington 

Hurricanes 35, Queensland Reds 21 

26 April, nib Stadium, Perth 

Western Force 15, Bulls 9 

Round 12 

2 May, Eden Park, Auckland 

Blues 44, Queensland Reds 14 

2 May, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rebels 16, Sharks 22 

3 May, AMI Stadium, Christchurch 

Crusaders 40, ACT Brumbies 20 

3 May, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 39, Hurricanes 30 

Round 13 


Melbourne Rebels 15, Hurricanes 25 

10 May, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

Brumbies 16, Sharks 9 

10 May, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 

Cheetahs 16, Western Force 23 

11 May, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Queensland Reds 29, Crusaders 57 

Round 14 


Queensland Reds 27, Melbourne Rebels 30 

17 May, DHL Newlands, Cape Town 

Stormers 24, Western Force 8 

17 May, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 

Cheetahs 27, ACT Brumbies 21 

18 May, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 41, Lions 13 

Round 15 


Melbourne Rebels 19, NSW Waratahs 41 

23 May, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 

Bulls 44, ACT Brumbies 23 

May 24, nib Stadium, Perth 

Western Force 29, Lions 19 

Round 16 

30 May, AMI Stadium, Christchurch 

Crusaders 30, Western Force 7 


Queensland Reds 38, Highlanders 31 

31 May, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 

Chiefs 17, NSW Waratahs 33 

31 May, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

ACT Brumbies 37, Melbourne Rebels 10 

Round 17 

27 June, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rebels 20, Queensland Reds 36 

28 June, ANZ Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 39, ACT Brumbies 8 

28 June, nib Stadium, Perth 

Western Force 14, Blues 40 

Round 18 

4 July, Ellis Park, Johannesburg 

Lions 34, Melbourne Rebels 17 

5 July, nib Stadium, Perth 

Western Force 30, Queensland Reds 20 

6 July, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 

NSW Waratahs 44, Highlanders 16 

Round 19 

11 July, GIO Stadium, Canberra 

ACT Brumbies 47, Western Force 25 

11 July, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 

Bulls 40, Melbourne Rebels 7 

12 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Queensland Reds 3, NSW Waratahs 34 


Buildcorp National Rugby 

Championship Results 

Round One 

22 August, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 

Brisbane City 45, Sydney Stars 20 

23 August, Viking Park, Canberra 

UC Vikings 23, Perth Spirit 28 

23 August, Coogee Oval, Sydney 

NSW Country Eagles 31, Great Sydney Rams 

2 

24 August, AAMI Park Melbourne 

Melbourne Rising 55, North Harbour Rays 34 

Round Two 

28 August, Pirtek Stadium, Sydney 

Greater Sydney Rams 18, UC Vikings 37 

30 August, Bond University, Gold Coast 

Queensland Country 13, NSW Country 

Eagles 37 

31 August, University of WA, Perth 

Perth Spirit 21, Brisbane City 26 

31 August, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney 

Sydney Stars 13, Melbourne Rising 45 

Round Three 

4 September, Brookvale Oval, Sydney 

North Harbour Rays 21, NSW Country Eagles 

33 

6 September, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 

Brisbane City 18, Melbourne Rising 79 

6 September, Viking Park, Canberra 

UC Vikings 26, Queensland Country 21 

6 September, Adelaide Airport Stadium, 

Adelaide 

Perth Spirit 34, Greater Sydney Rams 44 

Round Four 

11 September, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rising 44, Perth Spirit 24 

13 September, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold 

Coast 

Queensland Country 29, North Harbour Rays 

32 

13 September, Pirtek Stadium, Sydney 

Greater Sydney Rams 47, Sydney Stars 18 

14 September, Oakes Oval, Lismore 

NSW Country Eagles 26, Brisbane City 34 

Round Five 


Queensland Country 24, Greater Sydney 

Rams 13 

20 September, Wade Park, Orange 

NSW Country Eagles 16, Melbourne Rising 

37 


North Harbour Rays 32, Perth Spirit 29 

20 September, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney 

Sydney Stars 37, UC Vikings 37 

Round Six 

25 September, AAMI Park Melbourne 

Melbourne Rising 34, UC Vikings 13 


Brisbane City 29, Queensland Country 13 

28 September, HBF Arena, Perth 

Perth Spirit 63, Sydney Stars 21 


North Harbour Rays 34, Greater Sydney 

Rams 34 

Round Seven 

2 October, Viking Park, Canberra 

UC Vikings 21, North Harbour Rays 21 

3 October, Pirtek Stadium, Sydney 

Greater Sydney Rams 56, Brisbane City 29 

4 October, Rockingham RUC, Perth 

Perth Spirit 68, Queensland Country 29 

6 October, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney 

Sydney Stars 24, NSW Country Eagles 26 

Round Eight 

9 October, Brookvale Oval, Sydney 

North Harbour Rays 26, Brisbane City 77 

11 October, Viking Park, Canberra 

UC Vikings 37, NSW Country Eagles 42 

11 October, Pirtek Stadium, Sydney 

Greater Sydney Rams 40, Melbourne Rising 

58 

11 October, Mike Carney Toyota Park, 

Townsville 

Queensland Country 53, Sydney Stars 29 

Round Nine 

16 October, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney 

Sydney Stars 49, North Harbour Rays 40 

18 October, Caltex Park, Dubbo 

NSW Country Eagles 40, Perth Spirit 34 

18 October, AAMI Park, Melbourne 

Melbourne Rising 47, Queensland Country 

26 

18 October, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Brisbane City 37, UC Vikings 16 


89


Qantas Men’s Sevens Results 

HSBC Sevens World Series 

Las Vegas, USA (2013/14 Series) 

24-26 January 

Australia 7-31 New Zealand (Pool B) 

Australia 22-21 Fiji (Pool B) 

Australia 26-7 Scotland (Pool B) 

Australia 10-12 Samoa (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 24-19 Argentina (Semi-Final Plate) 

Australia 24-26 England (Final Plate) 

Wellington, New Zealand (2013/14 

Series) 

7-8 February 

Australia 33-5 Tonga (Pool D) 

Australia 24-0 Kenya (Pool D) 

Australia 15-12 Samoa (Pool D) 

Australia 0-10 South Africa (Quarter-Final 

Cup) 


Australia 12-10 Canada (Final Plate) 

Tokyo, Japan (2013/14 Series) 

22-23 March 

Australia 28-7 Spain (Pool D) 

Australia 26-19 Scotland (Pool D) 

Australia 21-24 England (Pool D) 

Australia 12-21 New Zealand (Quarter-Final 

Cup) 

Australia 36-0 Kenya (Semi-Final Plate) 

Australia 17-12 USA (Final Plate) 

Hong Kong (2013/14 Series) 

28-30 March 

Australia 28-14 Spain (Pool B) 

Australia 26-0 France (Pool B) 

Australia 10-7 South Africa (Pool B) 

Australia 14-12 Canada (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 7-19 New Zealand (Semi-Final Cup) 

Australia 12-21 Fiji (3rd Place Play-Off) 

Glasgow, Scotland (2013/14 Series) 

3-4 May 

Australia 7-19 Scotland (Pool D) 

Australia 36-7 Spain (Pool D) 

Australia 34-14 USA (Pool D) 

Australia 7-19 New Zealand (Quarter-Final 

Cup) 

Australia 7-21 England (Semi-Final Plate) 

London, England (2013/14 Series) 

10-11 May 

Australia 28-0 Japan (Pool C) 

Australia 36-0 Spain (Pool C) 

Australia 24-12 Fiji (Pool C) 

Australia 12-5 Kenya (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 15-12 England (Semi-Final Cup) 

Australia 33-52 New Zealand (Cup Final) 

Gold Coast, Australia (2014/15 Series) 

11-12 October 

Australia 29-0 Portugal (Pool C) 

Australia 24-14 Scotland (Pool C) 

Australia 12-35 Fiji (Pool C) 

Australia 10-12 South Africa (Quarter-Final 

Cup) 


Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2014/15 

Series) 

5-6 December 

Australia 29-12 Kenya (Pool C) 

Australia 26-10 USA (Pool C) 

Australia 12-5 England (Pool C) 

Australia 22-17 Scotland (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 29-24 Fiji (Semi-Final Cup) 

Australia 7-33 South Africa (Cup Final) 

Port Elizabeth, South Africa (2014/15 

Series) 

3-14 December 

Australia 33-21 Portugal (Pool B) 

Australia 50-0 Zimbabwe (Pool B) 

Australia 21-31 Argentina (Pool B) 

Australia 31-19 Fiji (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 10-19 South Africa (Semi-Final Cup) 

Australia 34-19 Argentina (3rd Place Play- 

Off) 

XX Commonwealth Games, 

Glasgow, Scotland 

26-27 July 

Australia 62-7 Sri Lanka (Pool D) 

Australia 43-5 U ganda (Pool D) 

Australia 15-7 England (Pool D) 

Australia 21-19 Wales (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 7-19 New Zealand (Semi-Final Cup) 

Australia 24-0 Samoa (Bronze Medal Match) 

Qantas Women’s Sevens Results 

Women's Sevens World Series 

Atlanta, USA (2013/14 Series) 

15-16 July 

Australia 31-0 China (Pool A) 

Australia 17-0 USA (Pool A) 

Australia 7-12 Canada (Pool A) 

Australia 17-12 England (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 7-17 Canada (Semi-Final Cup) 

Australia 22-12 Russia (3rd Place Play-Off) 

São Paulo, Brazil (2013/14 Series) 

21-22 February 

Australia 38-0 Argentina (Pool B) 

Australia 24-7 Japan (Pool B) 

Australia 34-0 Russia (Pool B) 

Australia 27-0 Japan (Quarter-Final Cup) 

Australia 31-0 England (Semi-Final Cup) 


Guangzhou, China (2013/14 Series) 

5-6 April 

Australia 50-0 Ireland (Pool B) 

Australia 24-5 Fiji (Pool B) 

Australia 12-15 England (Pool B) 

Australia 12-5 Spain (Quarter-Final Cup) 



Amsterdam, Netherlands (2013/14 

Series) 

16-17 May 



Australia 36-5 Russia (Pool B) 

Australia 33-0 Brazil (Quarter-Final Cup) 



Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2014/15 

Series) 

4-5 December 



Australia 39-0 Spain (Pool B) 

Australia 47-0 Fiji (Quarter-Final Cup) 



2014 Youth Olympic Games, 

Nanjing, China 

17-20 August 

Australia 31-0 Tunisia (Pool Stage) 

Australia 15-12 China (Pool Stage) 

Australia 38-0 USA (Pool Stage) 

Australia 41-0 Spain (Pool Stage) 

Australia 21-5 Canada (Pool Stage) 

Australia 33-0 USA (Semi-Final) 

Australia 38-10 Canada (Gold Medal Match) 



91

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION LTD. 

ARU Headquarters, 

Ground Floor, 29-57 Christie St, 

St Leonards NSW 2065 

Telephone +61 2 8005 5555 

Fax +61 2 8005 5699 

www.rugby.com.au 

ACN 002 898 544

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