1996 Super 12 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Countries | Australia South Africa New Zealand | ||
Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout | ||
Champions | Auckland Blues (1st title) | ||
Matches played | 69 | ||
Tries scored | 442 (6.41 per match) | ||
Top point scorer(s) | Matt Burke (157) (NSW Waratahs) | ||
Top try scorer(s) | James Small (13) (Natal Sharks) | ||
|
The 1996 Super 12 season was the inaugural season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1996, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semifinals, with the first placed team playing the fourth and the second placed team playing the third. The winner of each semifinal qualified for the final, which was contested between the Auckland Blues and Natal Sharks, with the Blues winning 45–21 to win the first Super 12 title.
This was the first season of professional rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere (the Northern Hemisphere had their first season a few months earlier due to the seasonal differences). The season was also the first of 10 under the deal between SANZAR and News Corporation which gave all broadcasting rights to News Limited for the Super 12, Tri-Nations, all inbound tours and test matches and in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as well as provincial competition matches. The deal was collectively worth $550 million USD. [1]
The teams from Australia and New Zealand were regional teams, a system that has continued to this day. South Africa used a different system for determining its Super 12 teams. The top four sides from the previous season of the country's domestic competition, the Currie Cup, were granted berths in the Super 12. This system would continue through the 1998 competition; only in 1999 did South Africa adopt the same system used by the other two participating countries.
Top four teams advance to playoffs |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Queensland Reds | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 320 | 247 | 73 | 5 | 41 |
2 | Auckland Blues | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 408 | 354 | 54 | 9 | 41 |
3 | Northern Transvaal | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 329 | 208 | 121 | 6 | 38 |
4 | Natal Sharks | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 389 | 277 | 112 | 9 | 33 |
5 | ACT Brumbies | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 306 | 273 | 33 | 4 | 32 |
6 | Waikato Chiefs | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 291 | 269 | 22 | 4 | 28 |
7 | NSW Waratahs | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 312 | 290 | 22 | 8 | 28 |
8 | Otago Highlanders | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 329 | 391 | −62 | 6 | 26 |
9 | Wellington Hurricanes | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 290 | 353 | −63 | 5 | 17 |
10 | Transvaal | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 228 | 299 | −71 | 4 | 16 |
11 | Western Province | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 251 | 353 | −101 | 1 | 15 |
12 | Canterbury Crusaders | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 234 | 373 | −139 | 2 | 12 |
Points breakdown:
The playoffs follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the highest placed team at home.
1 March 1996 | Wellington Hurricanes | 28–36 | Auckland Blues | The Showgrounds, Palmerston North | ||
Try: Alama Ieremia Con: Jamie Cameron (1/1) Pen: Jamie Cameron (7) | Scoreboard [2] | Try: Andrew Blowers Eroni Clarke Ofisa Tonu'u Carlos Spencer Craig Dowd Con: Zinzan Brooke Pen: Greg Cooper (3) | Attendance: 13,000 [3] Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
1 March 1996 | NSW Waratahs | 32–11 | Transvaal | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | ||
Try: Matt Burke (2) Tim Gavin Alistair Murdoch Con: Matt Burke (3/3) Pen: Matt Burke (2) | Scoreboard [4] | Try: Christiaan Scholtz Pen: Gavin Johnson (2) | Referee: Scott Young (Australia) |
2 March 1996 | Natal Sharks | 28–22 | Western Province | King's Park, Durban | ||
Try: Jeremy Thomson André Joubert Dieter Kriese Con: André Joubert (2) Pen: André Joubert (3) | Scoreboard [5] | Try: Justin Swart Pieter Rossouw Louis Blom Con: Vlokkie Cilliers (2) Pen: Vlokkie Cilliers | Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
3 March 1996 | Waikato Chiefs | 27–26 | Canterbury Crusaders | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
Try: Glen Osborne Eric Rush Con: Ian Foster Pen: Ian Foster (5) | Scoreboard [6] | Try: Adrian Tukaki Brad Fleming Con: Andy Miller (2) Pen: Andy Miller (3) Drop: Andy Miller | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
3 March 1996 | Otago Highlanders | 57–17 | Queensland Reds | Carisbrook, Dunedin | ||
Try: Stephen Bachop (2) Taine Randell Lio Falaniko Brendon Timmins Kupu Vanisi Brian Lima Con: Matthew Cooper (5) Pen: Matthew Cooper (4) | Scoreboard [7] | Try: Ben Tune (2) Garrick Morgan Con: John Eales | Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
5 March 1996 | ACT Brumbies | 13–9 | Transvaal | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | ||
Try: Elisi Vunipola Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (2) | Scoreboard [8] | Pen: Gavin Johnson (2) Gavin Lawless | Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
9 March 1996 | Otago Highlanders | 29–15 | Transvaal | Carisbrook, Dunedin | ||
Try: Jeff Wilson (2) Tony Brown Brian Lima Con: Tony Brown (2) Jeff Wilson Pen: Jeff Wilson | Scoreboard [9] | Try: Charles Rossouw Japie Mulder Con: Gavin Johnson Pen: Gavin Johnson | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
9 March 1996 | ACT Brumbies | 35–28 | Wellington Hurricanes | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | ||
Try: Mitch Hardy (2) George Gregan Ipolito Fenukitau Con: David Knox (2), Adam Friend Pen: David Knox (3) | Scoreboard [10] | Try: Christian Cullen Chresten Davis Rhys Duggan Con: Jamie Cameron (2) Pen: Jamie Cameron (3) |
9 March 1996 | Western Province | 22–30 | NSW Waratahs | Newlands, Cape Town | ||
Try: Justin Swart Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (5) | Scoreboard [11] | Try: Alistair Murdoch Tim Gavin Matt Burke Con: Matt Burke (3) Pen: Matt Burke (3) | Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
9 March 1996 | Northern Transvaal | 30–8 | Natal Sharks | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
Try: Jacques Olivier Adriaan Richter Penalty try Con: Jannie Kruger (3) Pen: Jannie Kruger (3) | Scoreboard [12] | Try: James Small Con: André Joubert | Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa) |
10 March 1996 | Canterbury Crusaders | 18–49 | Auckland Blues | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
Try: Adrian Tukaki Brad Fleming Matt Sexton Drop: Graeme Dempster | Scoreboard [13] | Try: Andrew Blowers (2) Lee Stensness Jonah Lomu Charles Riechelmann Waisake Sotutu Errol Brain Penalty try Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Carlos Spencer | Attendance: 10,400 [14] Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
10 March 1996 | Queensland Reds | 26–22 | Waikato Chiefs | Ballymore, Brisbane | ||
Try: Damian Smith Ben Tune Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (4) | Scoreboard [15] | Try: Joeli Veitayaki Walter Little Penalty try Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster | Referee: Mick Keogh (Australia) |
15 March 1996 | Wellington Hurricanes | 32–16 | Transvaal | McLean Park, Napier | ||
Try: Christian Cullen Tana Umaga Alama Ieremia Mark Allen Con: Jamie Cameron (3) Pen: Jamie Cameron (2) | Scoreboard [16] | Try: Jannie van der Walt Con: Gavin Lawless Pen: Gavin Lawless (3) | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
15 March 1996 | ACT Brumbies | 40–34 | Auckland Blues | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | ||
Try: Ipolito Fenukitau (2) Joe Roff Troy Coker Owen Finegan Con: Adam Friend (3) Pen: Adam Friend (3) | Scoreboard [17] | Try: Joeli Vidiri (2) Eroni Clarke Jonah Lomu Chris Rose Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Carlos Spencer | Attendance: 17,000 [18] Referee: Barry Leask (Australia) |
16 March 1996 | Western Province | 25–52 | Otago Highlanders | Newlands, Cape Town | ||
Try: Justin Swart (2) Simon Berridge Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky (2) | Scoreboard [19] | Try: To’o Vaega (3) Paul Cooke (2), Brian Lima Stu Forster Brendon Timmins Con: Jeff Wilson (6) | Referee: Marius Franken (South Africa) |
16 March 1996 | Northern Transvaal | 32–29 | NSW Waratahs | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
Try: FA Meiring Krynauw Otto Con: Lance Sherrell Jannie Kruger Pen: Lance Sherrell (6) | Scoreboard [20] | Try: Tim Kelaher Sam Payne Con: Matt Burke (2) Pen: Matt Burke (5) | Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa) |
17 March 1996 | Queensland Reds | 52–16 | Canterbury Crusaders | Ballymore, Brisbane | ||
Try: Garrick Morgan (2) Ben Tune Mark Connors Michael Flanagan Michael Foley Con: John Eales (5) Pen: John Eales (4) | Scoreboard [21] | Try: Mark Mayerhofler Con: Mark Mayerhofler Pen: Andy Miller (3) | Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
17 March 1996 | Natal Sharks | 63–25 | Waikato Chiefs | King's Park, Durban | ||
Try: James Small (3) André Joubert Dick Muir Joos Joubert Ollie le Roux Con: André Joubert (5) Pen: André Joubert (5) Henry Honiball | Scoreboard [22] | Try: Frank Bunce Richard Turner Blair Larsen Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster Drop: Ian Foster | Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa) |
20 March 1996 | Northern Transvaal | 59–29 | Otago Highlanders | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
Try: André Snyman Danie van Schalkwyk Jannie Kruger Joost van der Westhuizen Adriaan Richter Con: Jannie Kruger (5) Pen: Jannie Kruger (8) | Scoreboard [23] | Try: Matthew Cooper Taine Randell Con: Matthew Cooper (2) Pen: Matthew Cooper (2) Jeff Wilson (3) | Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
22 March 1996 | Canterbury Crusaders | 16–16 | Western Province | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
Try: Simon Forrest Con: Graeme Dempster Pen: Simon Forrest Graeme Dempster (2) | Scoreboard [24] | Try: Johan Kapp Con: Vlokkie Cilliers Pen: Joel Stransky (3) | Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
23 March 1996 | Transvaal | 26–23 | Waikato Chiefs | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | ||
Try: Jopie Adlam Francois Pienaar Con: Gavin Lawless (2) Pen: Gavin Lawless (4) | Scoreboard [25] | Try: Glen Osborne (2) Con: Warren Burton (2) Pen: Warren Burton (3) | Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
24 March 1996 | Wellington Hurricanes | 25–32 | Queensland Reds | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
Try: Alex Telea Chresten Davis Pen: Jamie Cameron (3) Simon Mannix (2) | Scoreboard [26] | Try: Tim Horan Daniel Herbert Ben Tune Tony Daly Toutai Kefu Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales | Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
24 March 1996 | NSW Waratahs | 44–10 | ACT Brumbies | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | ||
Try: Jason Madz (2) David Campese Scott Bowen Richard Harry Matt Burke Con: Matt Burke (4) Pen: Matt Burke (2) | Scoreboard [27] | Try: Joe Roff Andrew Williams | Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
27 March 1996 | Auckland Blues | 48–30 | Western Province | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
Try: Eroni Clarke Andrew Blowers Carlos Spencer Michael Jones Ofisa Tonu'u Richard Fromont Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Carlos Spencer (3) Drop: Carlos Spencer | Scoreboard [28] | Try: Simon Berridge Tinus Linee Corné Krige Con: Joel Stransky (3) Pen: Joel Stransky (3) | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
29 March 1996 | Canterbury Crusaders | 21–16 | NSW Waratahs | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
Try: Mark Mayerhofler Justin Marshall Con: Greg Coffey Pen: Greg Coffey (3) | Scoreboard [29] | Try: Warwick Waugh Con: Matt Burke Pen: Matt Burke (3) | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
29 March 1996 | ACT Brumbies | 44–31 | Natal Sharks | Manuka Oval, Canberra | ||
Try: Joe Roff (4) Stephen Larkham James Holbeck Con: Adam Friend (4) Pen: Adam Friend (2) | Scoreboard [30] | Try: Henry Honiball Jeremy Thomson James Small Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Henry Honiball (4) | Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
29 March 1996 | Queensland Reds | 25–18 | Northern Transvaal | Ballymore, Brisbane | ||
Try: Penalty try Con: John Eales Pen: John Eales (6) | Scoreboard [31] | Try: Danie van Schalkwyk Andries Truscott Con: Jannie Kruger Pen: Jannie Kruger (2) | Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia) |
30 March 1996 | Waikato Chiefs | 44–17 | Western Province | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
Try: Milton Going (2) Joeli Veitayaki Craig Stevenson Ian Foster Con: Ian Foster (4) Warren Burton Pen: Warren Burton (3) | Scoreboard [32] | Try: Justin Swart (2) Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
30 March 1996 | Otago Highlanders | 15–44 | Wellington Hurricanes | Carisbrook, Dunedin | ||
Pen: Simon Culhane (4) Drop: Simon Culhane | Scoreboard [33] | Try: Sam Doyle Rhys Duggan Karl Williams Marty Berry Penalty try Con: Jamie Cameron (5) Pen: Jamie Cameron (3) | Referee: Alan Riley (New Zealand) |
2 April 1996 | Auckland Blues | 51–29 | Otago Highlanders | Growers Stadium, Pukekohe | ||
Try: Jarrod Cunningham (2) Andrew Blowers (2), James Kerr Eroni Clarke Dylan Mika Con: Carlos Spencer (4) Pen: Carlos Spencer (2) | Scoreboard [34] | Try: Matthew Cooper George Leaupepe Brett McCormack Penalty try Con: Simon Culhane (3) Drop: Simon Culhane | Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
2 April 1996 | NSW Waratahs | 6–34 | Natal Sharks | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | ||
Pen: Matt Burke (2) | Scoreboard [35] | Try: Jeremy Thomson (2) James Small Joos Joubert Wayne Fyvie Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball | Referee: Scott Young (Australia) |
3 April 1996 | Waikato Chiefs | 26–18 | ACT Brumbies | Lowe Walker Stadium, Whangārei | ||
Try: Scott McLeod Duane Monkley Con: Warren Burton (2) Pen: Warren Burton (4) | Scoreboard [36] | Try: John Langford Patricio Noriega Con: Adam Friend Pen: Adam Friend (2) | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
3 April 1996 | Canterbury Crusaders | 18–34 | Northern Transvaal | Jade Stadium, Christchurch | ||
Try: Damon Kaui (2) Con: Greg Coffey Pen: Greg Coffey (2) | Scoreboard [37] | Try: Adriaan Richter (2) Dawie du Toit Jacques Olivier Andries Truscott Con: Lance Sherrell (3) Pen: Lance Sherrell | Referee: Rod Hill (New Zealand) |
3 April 1996 | Queensland Reds | 36–26 | Western Province | Ballymore, Brisbane | ||
Try: Tim Horan Daniel Herbet Jason Little Mark Connors Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (4) | Scoreboard [38] | Try: Joggie Viljoen Garry Pagel Johan Kapp Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (3) | Referee: Mick Keogh (Australia) |
6 April 1996 | Wellington Hurricanes | 27–43 | Natal Sharks | Athletic Park, Wellington | ||
Try: Christian Cullen (2) Marty Berry Tana Umaga Con: Jamie Cameron (2) Pen: Jamie Cameron | Scoreboard [39] | Try: André Joubert (3) James Small (3) Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Henry Honiball (3) | Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
7 April 1996 | Auckland Blues | 30–26 | Northern Transvaal | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
Try: Jonah Lomu (2) Andrew Blowers Lee Stensness Con: Carlos Spencer (2) Pen: Carlos Spencer (2) | Scoreboard [40] | Try: Dawie du Toit Frikkie Bosman Lance Sherrell Con: Lance Sherrell Pen: Lance Sherrell (3) | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
8 April 1996 | Canterbury Crusaders | 7–29 | ACT Brumbies | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
Try: Richard Loe Con: Greg Coffey | Scoreboard [41] | Try: Craig Sweeney Ipolito Fenukitau Mitch Hardy Con: Adam Friend Pen: Adam Friend (4) | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
10 April 1996 | Otago Highlanders | 33–32 | Natal Sharks | Carisbrook, Dunedin | ||
Try: Brian Lima Jeff Wilson John Leslie Matthew Cooper Con: Matthew Cooper (2) Pen: Matthew Cooper (2) Jeff Wilson | Scoreboard [42] | Try: André Joubert Jeremy Thomson Wayne Fyvie Wikus van Heerden Con: Henry Honiball Drop: James Small | Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
11 April 1996 | Waikato Chiefs | 17–9 | Northern Transvaal | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
Try: Glen Osborne Norm Berryman Con: Warren Burton (2) Pen: Warren Burton | Scoreboard [43] | Pen: Dawie du Toit Jannie Kruger Drop: Jannie Kruger | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
13 April 1996 | Transvaal | 23–26 | Western Province | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | ||
Try: Gavin Lawless James Dalton Con: Gavin Lawless (2) Pen: Gavin Lawless (3) | Scoreboard [44] | Try: Justin Swart Pen: Joel Stransky (7) | Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
14 April 1996 | Queensland Reds | 15–13 | NSW Waratahs | Ballymore, Brisbane | ||
Pen: John Eales (5) | Scoreboard [45] | Try: Kevin O'Kane Con: Matt Burke Pen: Matt Burke (2) | Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
14 April 1996 | Wellington Hurricanes | 13–36 | Canterbury Crusaders | Rugby Park, New Plymouth | ||
Try: Christian Cullen Con: Jamie Cameron Pen: Jamie Cameron (2) | Scoreboard [46] | Try: Damon Kaui Daryl Gibson Pita Alatini Todd Blackadder Con: Andy Miller (2) Pen: Andy Miller (4) | Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
16 April 1996 | Otago Highlanders | 5–22 | Waikato Chiefs | Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill | ||
Try: Matthew Cooper | Scoreboard [47] | Try: Paul Mitchell Richard Turner Simon Crabb Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster | Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
19 April 1996 | Northern Transvaal | 25–15 | Transvaal | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
Try: Hannes Venter Con: Jannie Kruger Pen: Jannie Kruger (5) Drop: Jannie Kruger | Scoreboard [48] | Try: Gavin Lawless Ian Hattingh Pieter Hendriks | Referee: Marius Franken (South Africa) |
20 April 1996 | Auckland Blues | 39–31 | Waikato Chiefs | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
Try: Joeli Vidiri Jonah Lomu Ofisa Tonu'u Zinzan Brooke Penalty try Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore Carlos Spencer | Scoreboard [49] | Try: Eric Rush Paul Mitchell Penalty try Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster (4) | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
20 April 1996 | ACT Brumbies | 21–20 | Queensland Reds | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | ||
Try: Ipolito Fenukitau Owen Finegan Con: Adam Friend Pen: Adam Friend (2) Joe Roff | Scoreboard [50] | Try: Ben Tune Daniel Herbert Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (2) | Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
21 April 1996 | NSW Waratahs | 29–25 | Otago Highlanders | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | ||
Try: Alistair Murdoch David Campese Matt Dixon Tim Wallace Con: Matt Burke (3) Pen: Matt Burke | Scoreboard [51] | Try: Brian Lima (2) Kupu Vanisi Con: Matthew Cooper (2) Pen: Matthew Cooper (2) | Referee: Scott Young |
23 April 1996 | Western Province | 35–25 | Wellington Hurricanes | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
Try: Joggie Viljoen (2) Justin Swart Con: Joel Stransky Pen: Joel Stransky (6) | Scoreboard [52] | Try: Christian Cullen George Konia Karl Williams Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (2) | Attendance: 22,169 Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
23 April 1996 | Transvaal | 55–23 | Canterbury Crusaders | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | ||
Try: James Dalton (2) Gavin Lawless Gerhard Combrinck Johan Roux Pieter Hendriks Penalty try Con: Gavin Lawless (4) Pen: Gavin Lawless (4) | Scoreboard [53] | Try: Angus Gardiner (2) Justin Marshall Con: Andy Miller Pen: Andy Miller (2) | Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa) |
26 April 1996 | Queensland Reds | 51–13 | Auckland Blues | Ballymore, Brisbane | ||
Try: Garrick Morgan (2) Ben Tune Damien Smith Jason Little Mark Connors Toutai Kefu Con: John Eales (5) Pen: John Eales (2) | Scoreboard [54] | Try: Joeli Vidiri Olo Brown Pen: Adrian Cashmore | Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia) |
27 April 1996 | Northern Transvaal | 38–20 | Wellington Hurricanes | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
Try: André Snyman Andries Truscott Ruben Kruger Theo Jansen van Rensburg Con: Jannie Kruger (3) Pen: Jannie Kruger (3) Joost Van der Westhuizen | Scoreboard [55] | Try: Alex Telea Jason O'Halloran Tana Umaga Con: Marty Berry Pen: Marty Berry | Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa) |
27 April 1996 | Natal Sharks | 58–26 | Canterbury Crusaders | ABSA Stadium, Durban | ||
Try: Cabous van der Westhuizen (2) Joost Joubert (2), James Small Jeremy Thomson John Allan Ollie Le Roux Con: Henry Honiball (5) André Joubert Pen: Henry Honiball (2) | Scoreboard [56] | Try: Adrian Tukaki Norm Maxwell Con: Andy Miller (2) Pen: Andy Miller (4) | Referee: Carl Spannenberg (South Africa) |
28 April 1996 | Waikato Chiefs | 39–17 | NSW Waratahs | Rugby Park, Hamilton | ||
Try: Ian Jones (3) Eric Rush (2) Con: Ian Foster (4) Pen: Ian Foster Drop: Ian Foster | Scoreboard [57] | Try: Alistair Murdoch Jason Madz Con: Matt Burke (2) Pen: Matt Burke | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
28 April 1996 | Western Province | 25–16 | ACT Brumbies | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
Try: Johan Kapp Rhys Botha Vlok Cilliers Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky (2) | Scoreboard [58] | Try: Patricio Noriega Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (2) Adam Friend | Attendance: 28,107 Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
1 May 1996 | Auckland Blues | 56–44 | NSW Waratahs | Eden Park, Auckland | ||
Try: Joeli Vidiri (3) Eroni Clarke Ofisa Tonu'u Olo Brown Zinzan Brooke Penalty try Con: Adrian Cashmore (5) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2) | Scoreboard [59] | Try: Alistair Murdoch Andrew Blades Anthony Ekert Daniel Manu David Campese Warwick Waugh Con: Matt Burke (4) Pen: Matt Burke (2) | Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
1 May 1996 | Natal Sharks | 49–13 | Transvaal | ABSA Stadium, Durban | ||
Try: Henry Honiball (2) Adrian Garvey André Joubert James Small Wayne Fyvie Con: Henry Honiball (5) Pen: Henry Honiball (3) | Scoreboard [60] | Try: Gavin Lawless Con: Gavin Lawless Pen: Gavin Lawless (2) | Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa) |
4 May 1996 | Waikato Chiefs | 15–23 | Wellington Hurricanes | Rotorua Int'l Stadium, Rotorua | ||
Try: Dean Anglesey Warren Johnston Con: Ian Foster Pen: Ian Foster | Scoreboard [61] | Try: Jason O'Halloran Mark Allen Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (3) | Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
4 May 1996 | Northern Transvaal | 23–10 | ACT Brumbies | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | ||
Try: Frikkie Bosman Pen: Jannie Kruger (6) | Scoreboard [62] | Try: Marco Caputo Patricio Noriega | Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa) |
5 May 1996 | Canterbury Crusaders | 27–29 | Otago Highlanders | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | ||
Try: Justin Marshall Pita Alatini Richard Loe Con: Andy Miller (3) Pen: Andy Miller (2) | Scoreboard [63] | Try: Jeff Wilson (2) To'o Vaega Con: Matthew Cooper Pen: Matthew Cooper (4) | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
5 May 1996 | Natal Sharks | 20–21 | Queensland Reds | ABSA Stadium, Durban | ||
Try: André Joubert Pen: Henry Honiball (5) | Scoreboard [64] | Try: Jason Little Tim Horan Con: John Eales Pen: John Eales (3) | Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
7 May 1996 | Transvaal | 34–22 | Auckland Blues | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | ||
Try: Francois Pienaar Ian McDonald Joe Gillingham Johan Roux Con: Gavin Lawless (4) Pen: Gavin Lawless (2) | Scoreboard [65] | Try: Joeli Vidiri (2) Penalty try Con: Adrian Cashmore (2) Pen: Adrian Cashmore | Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
10 May 1996 | NSW Waratahs | 52–25 | Wellington Hurricanes | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | ||
Try: Alistair Murdoch (3) David Campese Jason Madz Matt Burke Richard Harry Con: Matt Burke (4) Pen: Matt Burke (3) | Scoreboard [66] | Try: Alex Telea Christian Cullen Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (2) | Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
10 May 1996 | Western Province | 7–35 | Northern Transvaal | Newlands Stadium, Cape Town | ||
Try: Nico Wegner Con: Vlok Cilliers | Scoreboard [67] | Try: Hannes Venter (2) Theo Jansen van Rensburg (2), Krynauw Otto Con: Jannie Kruger (2) Pen: Jannie Kruger (2) | Attendance: 37,524 Referee: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa) |
11 May 1996 | Transvaal | 16–25 | Queensland Reds | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | ||
Try: Johan Roux Pieter Hendriks Pen: Gavin Lawless (2) | Scoreboard [68] | Try: Ben Tune Brett Johnstone Tim Horan Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (2) | Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
11 May 1996 | Natal Sharks | 23–30 | Auckland Blues | ABSA Stadium, Durban | ||
Try: James Small Penalty try Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Henry Honiball (3) | Scoreboard [69] | Try: Adrian Cashmore Eroni Clarke Penalty try Con: Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3) | Attendance: 52,000 Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa) |
12 May 1996 | ACT Brumbies | 70–26 | Otago Highlanders | Bruce Stadium, Canberra | ||
Try: Mitch Hardy (3) Brett Robinson David Giffin Ipolito Fenukitau Joe Roff Owen Finegan Penalty try Con: David Knox (6) Joe Roff (2) Pen: David Knox (3) | Scoreboard [70] | Try: Chris England Jeff Wilson Kupu Vanisi Con: Jeff Wilson Pen: Jeff Wilson (3) | Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
18 May 1996 |
Queensland Reds | 25–43 | Natal Sharks |
Try: Michael Foley Tim Horan Penalty try Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (2) | Scoreboard [71] | Try: Cabous van der Westhuizen (3) André Joubert (2) Jeremy Thomson Wikus van Heerden Con: André Joubert (2) Henry Honiball (2) |
Ballymore, Brisbane Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
19 May 1996 |
Auckland Blues | 48–11 | Northern Transvaal |
Try: Jonah Lomu (2) Adrian Cashmore Joeli Vidiri Johnny Ngauamo Ofisa Tonu'u Robin Brooke Sean Fitzpatrick Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) | Scoreboard [72] | Try: Conrad Breytenbach Pen: Jannie Kruger (2) |
Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 42,000 Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
25 May 1996 |
Auckland Blues | 45–21 | Natal Sharks |
Try: Andrew Blowers (2) Carlos Spencer Charles Riechelmann Eroni Clarke Jonah Lomu Con: Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3) | Scoreboard [73] | Try: André Joubert James Small Con: Henry Honiball Pen: Henry Honiball (3) |
Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 46,000 Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
Blues | Sharks |
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Player | Team | Total | Points per game | Details | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Semis | Final | ||||
Matt Burke | NSW Waratahs | 157 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 22 | DNQ | DNQ | 5 try; 27 con; 26 pen |
John Eales | Queensland Reds | 155 | 2 | 16 | 22 | 7 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 10 | DNQ | 25 con; 33 pen |
Jannie Kruger | Northern Transvaal | 139 | 15 | 2 | 39 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 10 | 6 | DNQ | 1 try; 16 con; 32 pen; 2 dg |
Henry Honiball | Natal Sharks | 136 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 16 | 29 | 15 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 3 try; 23 con; 25 pen |
Joel Stransky | Western Province | 120 | DNP | 17 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 11 | 21 | 20 | 10 | 0 | DNQ | DNQ | 12 con; 34 pen |
Gavin Lawless | Transvaal | 111 | 0 | 3 | DNP | 11 | 16 | 18 | 5 | 25 | 13 | 14 | 6 | DNQ | DNQ | 4 try; 14 con; 21 pen |
André Joubert | Natal Sharks | 101 | 18 | 2 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 11 try; 11 con; 8 pen |
Jamie Cameron | Wellington Hurricanes | 91 | 23 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 7 | 8 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNQ | DNQ | 14 con; 21 pen |
Ian Foster | Waikato Chiefs | 89 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 5 | DNQ | DNQ | 1 try; 18 con; 14 pen; 2 dg |
Matthew Cooper | Otago Highlanders | 86 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 14 | DNP | DNQ | DNQ | 4 try; 12 con; 14 pen |
Player | Team | Total | Tries per game | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Semis | Final | |||
James Small | Natal Sharks | 13 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
André Joubert | Natal Sharks | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Joeli Vidiri | Auckland Blues | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | DNP | DNP | DNP | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Alistair Murdoch | NSW Waratahs | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | DNP | DNP | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | DNQ | DNQ |
Andrew Blowers | Auckland Blues | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | DNP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Ben Tune | Queensland Reds | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | DNQ |
Jonah Lomu | Auckland Blues | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | DNP | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | DNP | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Justin Swart | Western Province | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | DNQ | DNQ |
Joe Roff | ACT Brumbies | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | DNQ | DNQ |
Jeremy Thomson | Natal Sharks | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | DNP | DNP | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Christian Cullen | Wellington Hurricanes | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | DNP | DNP | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | DNQ | DNQ |
Eroni Clarke | Auckland Blues | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the Super 12 in the 1996 season with 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, building on competitions dating back to the South Pacific Championship in 1986. The Super 12 was established by SANZAR after the sport became professional in 1995. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the competition to split into three, the reformed competition in 2021 only included teams from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands.
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch, who compete in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in the competition's history and have won a total of 14 titles.
The Highlanders is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The team was formed in 1996 to represent the lower South Island in the newly formed Super 12 competition, and includes the Otago, North Otago and Southland unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that founded the Otago, North Otago, and Southland regions in the 1840s and 1850s.
The Blues are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Auckland, who play in the Super Rugby competition. Like New Zealand's four other Super Rugby teams, the Blues were established by the NZRU in 1996. One of the most successful teams in Super Rugby history, the Blues won the competition in its first two seasons, 1996 and 1997, and again in 2003 and 2024. Additionally, the team were finalists in 1998 and 2022, and semi-finalists in 2007, 2011 and 2023. They won a Trans Tasman competition in 2021.
Canterbury of New Zealand is a New Zealand sports equipment manufacturing company focused on rugby. The company originated from the Canterbury region in New Zealand.
The 2007 Super 14 season started in February 2007 with preseason matches held from mid-January. It finished on 19 May with the final at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, in the first final between two South African teams in the history of Super Rugby. The visiting Bulls won the 2007 Super 14 Final, scoring a try in the 83rd minute and narrowly defeating the Sharks 20–19, thereby becoming the first South African side to win the Super Rugby title in the professional era.
The 1997 Super 12 season was the second season of the Super 12, contested by rugby union teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from 28 February to 31 May 1997, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the play-off semi-finals, with the first-placed team playing the fourth and the second-placed team playing the third. The winner of each semi-final qualified for the final, which was contested by the Auckland Blues and the ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, Auckland. The Blues won 23–7 to win their second Super 12 title.
The 1999 Super 12 season was the fourth season of the Super 12, an annual rugby union competition contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1999, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi-finals, with the first placed team playing the fourth and the second placed team playing the third. The winner of each semi-final qualified for the final, which was contested by the Canterbury Crusaders and the Otago Highlanders at Carisbrook, Dunedin. The Crusaders won 24–19 to win their second Super 12 title.
The history of the Highlanders focuses on the rugby union team in the Super Rugby competitions. The team was originally formed as one of five New Zealand franchises for the Super 12 in 1996. The team encompassed the provinces of North Otago, Otago and Southland. The Highlanders placed eighth in their first year with five wins, but slumped to last in the competition in 1997 with only three wins. They improved to qualify for their first semi-final in 1998, and became the first New Zealand team to defeat all four South African franchises in the process. They were defeated by eventual 1998 Champions the Auckland Blues in their semi-final however. Their best ever finish came in 1999 when they won eight matches, and their semi-final to host the 1999 Super 12 Final at Carisbrook, but lost to South Island rivals Crusaders in the match. They qualified for their third consecutive semi-finals in 2000, and this time played the Crusaders in Christchurch, but lost again.
The 2010 Super 14 season kicked off in February 2010 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 29 May. The 2010 season was the fifth and last season of the expanded Super 14 format. The schedule, which covers 3½ months, featured a total of 94 matches, with each team playing one full round-robin against the 13 other teams, two semi-finals and a final. Every team received one bye over the 14 rounds.
The 2012 Super Rugby season was the second season of the Super Rugby competition, an annual rugby union competition that involves teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, in its 15-team format. For sponsorship reasons, this competition is known as FxPro Super Rugby in Australia, Investec Super Rugby in New Zealand and Vodacom Super Rugby in South Africa. Including its past incarnations as Super 12 and Super 14, this was the 17th season for the Southern Hemisphere's premier transnational club competition. The conference games took place every weekend from 24 February until 14 July, followed by the finals series, culminating in the grand final on 4 August. While its three main broadcasting partners are Fox Sports (Australia), Sky Sport and SuperSport, Super Rugby can be viewed in many countries throughout the world.
The 2013 Super Rugby season was the third season of the new 15-team format for the Super Rugby competition involving teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament was won by the Chiefs, who defeated the Canberra-based Brumbies 27–22 in the competition final. For sponsorship reasons, this competition is known as FxPro Super Rugby in Australia, Investec Super Rugby in New Zealand and Vodacom Super Rugby in South Africa. Including the past incarnations as Super 12 and Super 14, this was the 18th season of the Southern Hemisphere's premier domestic competition. Conference matches took place every weekend from 15 February until 13 July – with a break between rounds 17 and 18 for internationals games – followed by the play-offs series that culminated in the final on 3 August.
The 2014 Super Rugby season is the fourth season of the 15-team format for the Super Rugby competition involving teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. For sponsorship reasons, this competition is known as Asteron Life Super Rugby in Australia, Investec Super Rugby in New Zealand and Vodacom Super Rugby in South Africa. Including its past incarnations as Super 12 and Super 14, this is the 19th season for the Southern Hemisphere's premier transnational club competition. The conference games will take place every weekend from 15 February until 12 July, followed by the finals series, culminating in the grand final on 2 August. The winners of the 2014 Super Rugby Season were the New South Wales Waratahs.
The 2015 Super Rugby season was the 20th season of Super Rugby and the fifth season featuring an expanded 15-team format. For sponsorship reasons, this competition was known as Asteron Life Super Rugby in Australia, Investec Super Rugby in New Zealand and Vodacom Super Rugby in South Africa. The round-robin matches took place every weekend from 13 February until 13 June, followed by the finals series and culminating in the final on 4 July. This was the final season that featured a 15-team format.
The 2015 Super Rugby Final, was played between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders. It was the 20th final in the Super Rugby competition's history and the fifth under the expanded 15-team format. This was the first Super Rugby final between two New Zealand teams since 2006 when the Hurricanes were beaten by the Crusaders.
2013 was a successful year for the Chiefs rugby team winning 12 of their Super rugby games to top the table and then went on to beat Crusaders in the Semi-final and Brumbies in the final. The Chiefs also became the New Zealand Conference winners and take out the BNZ Cup
The year 2014 was a challenging year for the Chiefs rugby team as they looked for their third straight super rugby title. They won eight of their Super Rugby games and finished fifth overall on the table, and second behind the Crusaders in the New Zealand Conference. Playing the Brumbies in the qualifying finals, they had a narrow loss, losing 32-30, which ended their super rugby season.
1996 was the first year of the Super 12 tournament and the Waikato Chiefs rugby team. They won 6 of their 11 games and finished 6th overall on the table, but they did not make the playoffs. The team was coached by Brad Meurant and captained by Richard Turner.