1998 Super 12 season

1998 Super 12
1998 Super 12
Countries	Australia ; South Africa ; New Zealand
Tournament format(s)	Round-robin and knockout
Champions	Canterbury Crusaders (1st title)
Matches played	69
Top point scorer(s)	Andrew Mehrtens (206) ; (Canterbury Crusaders)
Top try scorer(s)	Joeli Vidiri (10); (Auckland Blues)
← 1997 (Previous)	(Next) 1999 →

Last updated July 28, 2024

The 1998 Super 12 season was the third season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1998, 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 Auckland Blues and the Canterbury Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland. The Canterbury Crusaders won 20–13 to win their first Super 12 title.

Table

Key to colours
	Top four teams advance to playoffs

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Blues	11	9	0	2	388	296	+92	7	43
2	Crusaders	11	8	0	3	340	260	+80	9	41
3	Sharks	11	7	0	4	329	263	+66	8	36
4	Highlanders	11	7	0	4	343	279	+64	6	34
5	Reds	11	6	1	4	273	229	+44	5	31
6	Waratahs	11	6	1	4	306	276	+30	4	30
7	Chiefs	11	6	0	5	279	291	−12	5	29
8	Hurricanes	11	5	0	6	313	342	−29	6	26
9	Stormers	11	3	0	8	248	364	−166	6	18
10	Brumbies	11	3	0	8	228	308	−80	5	17
11	Bulls	11	3	0	8	249	306	−57	4	16
12	Cats	11	2	0	9	266	346	−80	7	15

Results

Round 1

	27 February 1998	Otago Highlanders	26–19	Queensland Reds	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Simon Culhane Pen: Simon Culhane (7)		Try: David Wilson, Tim Horan (2) Con: John Eales (2)	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

	27 February 1998	Western Stormers	31–45	Wellington Hurricanes	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Bob Skinstad, Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery (2) Con: Percy Montgomery (4) Pen: Percy Montgomery		Try: Alex Telea (2), Christian Cullen, Filo Tiatia, Stephen Bachop Con: Jon Preston (4) Pen: Jon Preston (4)	Attendance: 28,656 Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

	28 February 1998	Waikato Chiefs	25–23	Canterbury Crusaders	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
		Try: Scott McLeod, Walter Little Pen: Leon MacDonald (5)		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, James Kerr, Justin Marshall, Mark Mayerhofler Pen: Andrew Mehrtens	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

	28 February 1998	Coastal Sharks	24–8	Auckland Blues	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
		Try: Henry Honiball, Hentie Martens, Jeremy Thomson Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball		Try: Joeli Vidiri Pen: Carlos Spencer	Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

	28 February 1998	Northern Bulls	32–39	Golden Cats	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: André Snyman, Casper Steyn (2), Conrad Breytenbach Con: Casper Steyn, Franco Smith (2) Pen: Franco Smith (2)		Try: Andre Venter, Jan-Harm van Wyk, Jannie van der Walt (3) Con: MJ Smith (4) Pen: MJ Smith (2)

	1 March 1998	Waratahs	32–7	ACT Brumbies	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Chris Witaker (2), Jason Jones-Hughes, John Welborn Con: Matt Burke (3) Pen: Matt Burke (2)		Try: Stephen Larkham Con: David Knox

Round 2

	6 March 1998	ACT Brumbies	34–26	Otago Highlanders	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Sam Cordinhley, Stephen Larkham (2), Stirling Mortlock, Troy Jaques Con: David Knox (3) Drop: Rod Kafer		Try: Matt Carrington, Pita Alatini Con: Simon Culhane (2) Pen: Simon Culhane (4)	Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

	6 March 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	33–12	Waratahs	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Angus Gardiner, Justin Marshall, Tabai Matson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Pen: Matt Burke (4)	Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)

	6 March 1998	Northern Transvaal	19–37	Wellington Hurricanes	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Casper Steyn, Jannie Brooks, Nicky van der Walt Con: Franco Smith (2)		Try: Finau Maka, George Leaupepe, Mark Allen Con: Jon Preston (4) Pen: Jon Preston (3)	Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

	7 March 1998	Golden Cats	37–38	Auckland Blues	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Edrich Lubbe, Hennie le Roux, Jannie van der Walt (2), MJ Smith Con: Hennie le Roux (2), MJ Smith Pen: Hennie le Roux, MJ Smith		Try: Penalty try, Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri, Michael Jones, Olo Brown Con: Adrian Cashmore (2) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)	Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

	7 March 1998	Coastal Sharks	32–17	Western Stormers	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
		Try: Penalty try, Gary Teichmann (2), Warren Brosnihan Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball (2)		Try: Dick Muir, Toks van der Linde Con: Louis Koen (2) Drop: Louis Koen	Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)

	7 March 1998	Queensland Reds	25–28	Waikato Chiefs	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Damien Smith, Elton Flatley, Tim Horan Con: Elton Flatley (2) Pen: Elton Flatley (2)		Try: Bruce Reihana, Matt Cooper, Roger Randle Con: Leon MacDonald, Matt Cooper Pen: Ian Foster, Matt Cooper	Referee: Johan Meuwesen (South Africa)

Round 3

	13 March 1998	Waratahs	25–10	Golden Cats	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Graeme Bond, Nathan Grey, Phil Kearns Con: Manny Edmonds (2) Pen: Manny Edmonds (2)		Try: Victor Matfield Con: Hennie le Roux Pen: Hennie le Roux Drop: Bryan Habana	Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

	13 March 1998	Waikato Chiefs	19–22	Wellington Hurricanes	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		Try: Mark Robinson, Roger Randle Pen: Ian Foster, Leon MacDonald (2)		Try: Alex Telea (2), George Leaupepe, Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand)

	14 March 1998	Queensland Reds	35–9	Canterbury Crusaders	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Damien Smith, Jason Little, John Eales, Shane Drahm, Tim Horan Con: John Eales (5)		Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)	Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

	14 March 1998	Auckland Blues	41–22	Otago Highlanders	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Jonah Lomu, Lee Stensness, Mark Carter, Paul Mitchell, Robin Brooke Con: Adrian Cashmore, Hayden Taylor Pen: Adrian Cashmore (4)		Try: Brendan Laney Con: Tony Brown Pen: Simon Culhane (4), Tony Brown	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

	14 March 1998	Western Stormers	35–18	Northern Transvaal	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Joggie Viljoen, Johan van Wyk, Percy Montgomery, Pieter Rossouw Con: Louis Koen (3) Pen: Louis Koen (3)		Try: Grant Esterhuizen (2) Con: Franco Smith Pen: Franco Smith (2)	Attendance: 25,671 Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)

	14 March 1998	ACT Brumbies	23–41	Coastal Sharks	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Adam Magro, Sam Cordingley, Stephen Larkham Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (2)		Try: André Joubert, Gary Teichmann, Kevin Putt, Mornay Visser, Stefan Terblanche, Stephen Brink Con: Henry Honiball (4) Pen: Henry Honiball	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

Round 4

	20 March 1998	Otago Highlanders	41–35	Coastal Sharks	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Isitolo Maka (2), John Leslie, Pailate Fili, Tony Brown Con: Tony Brown (5) Pen: Tony Brown (2)		Try: André Joubert (2), Gary Teichmann (2), Walter Minnaar Con: André Joubert (2) Pen: André Joubert (2), Henry Honiball	Referee: Andrew Cole (New Zealand)

	21 March 1998	Northern Transvaal	34–19	Waratahs	Johann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank
		Try: Henry Kemp, Marius Goosen, Franco Smith Con: Franco Smith (2) Pen: Franco Smith (5)		Try: Michael Brial Con: Manny Edmonds Pen: Manny Edmonds (4)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

	21 March 1998	ACT Brumbies	37–3	Golden Cats	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Marco Caputo, Mitch Hardy, Sam Cordingley, Stephen Larkham Con: David Knox (4) Pen: David Knox (3)		Pen: MJ Smith	Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

	21 March 1998	Auckland Blues	25–23	Waikato Chiefs	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Joeli Vidiri Con: Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore (6)		Try: Glen Marsh, Roger Randle Con: Matt Cooper (2) Pen: Matt Cooper (3)	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

	22 March 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	33–41	Queensland Reds	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Christian Cullen, George Leaupepe, Jason O'Halloran, Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (3)		Try: Jason Little, Shane Drahm (2), Tim Horan, Toutai Kefu Con: John Eales (5) Pen: John Eales (2)	Referee: Carl Spannenberg (South Africa)

Round 5

	27 March 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	24–31	Auckland Blues	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Daryl Gibson, Tabai Matson Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Try: Caleb Ralph, Jonah Lomu, Michael Jones, Royce Willis Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen: Adrian Cashmore	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

	28 March 1998	Western Stormers	35–33	Waratahs	Boland Stadium, Wellington, South Africa
		Try: Andrew Aitken, Bob Skinstad (2), Breyton Paulse, James Small Con: Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery Pen: Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery		Try: Jason Jones-Hughes, Michael Brial, Semi Taupeaffe Con: Manny Edmonds (3) Pen: Manny Edmonds (4)	Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Steve Walsh

	28 March 1998	Northern Bulls	24–7	ACT Brumbies	Bosman Stadium, Brakpan
		Try: Adriaan Richter, Dan van Zyl, Marius Goosen (2) Con: Franco Smith (2)		Try: Patricio Noriega Con: David Knox	Attendance: 3,661^[1] Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

	28 March 1998	Otago Highlanders	57–27	Golden Cats	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
		Try: Isitolo Maka (2), Jeff Wilson (2), John Leslie (2), John Kronfeld, Pita Alatini Con: Tony Brown (4) Pen: Tony Brown (3)		Try: AJ Venter, Chris Badenhorst, Hannes Strydom, Helgard Müller Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer	Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

	29 March 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	23–39	Coastal Sharks	Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
		Try: Alama Ieremia, Filo Tiatia, Jason O'Halloran Con: Jarrod Cunningham Pen: Christian Cullen		Try: Lawrence Payne, Pieter Muller (2), Stefan Terblanche (3) Con: Henry Honiball (2), Ollie Le Roux Pen: Henry Honiball	Referee: Scott Young (Australia)

Round 6

	3 April 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	30–15	Golden Cats	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
		Try: Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga Con: David Holwell Pen: David Holwell (3)		Try: Andre Venter, Wybrand Els Con: MJ Smith Pen: MJ Smith

	3 April 1998	Western Stormers	34–3	ACT Brumbies	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Bob Skinstad, Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery, Robbie Fleck (2) Con: Louis Koen (3) Pen: Louis Koen		Pen: David Knox	Attendance: 35,000 Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

	4 April 1998	Otago Highlanders	29–11	Waikato Chiefs	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Jeff Wilson, Jeremy Stanley, John Leslie, Lio Falaniko Con: Simon Culhane (3) Pen: Simon Culhane		Try: Scott McLeod Pen: Matt Cooper (2)	Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

	4 April 1998	Queensland Reds	33–18	Auckland Blues	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Ben Tune, Shane Drahm, Tim Horan Con: John Eales (3) Pen: John Eales (4)		Try: Caleb Ralph, Lee Stensness Con: Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)	Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)

	5 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	31–20	Northern Transvaal	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Daryl Gibson, Daryl Lilley (2), Norm Berryman Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Drop: Andrew Mehrtens		Try: Jannie Brooks, Joost van der Westhuizen, Franco Smith Con: Braam van Straaten Pen: Braam van Straaten	Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

	5 April 1998	Waratahs	51–18	Coastal Sharks	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Matthew Dowling, Michael Brial, Semi Taupeaffe (3), Tiaan Strauss, Viliami Ofahengaue Con: Manny Edmonds (4), Matthew Dowling Pen: Manny Edmonds (2)		Try: Gary Teichmann, Ollie Le Roux Con: André Joubert Pen: André Joubert (2)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Round 7

	11 April 1998	Waikato Chiefs	37–25	Northern Transvaal	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		Try: Glen Marsh, Justin Collins, Mark Cooksley, Todd Miller, Troy Flavell Con: Ian Foster (2), Matt Cooper Pen: Ian Foster (2)		Try: Danie van Schalkwyk, Derrick Grobbelaar, Joost van der Westhuizen Con: Franco Smith (2) Pen: Franco Smith (2)	Referee: Andrew Cole (New Zealand)

	11 April 1998	Queensland Reds	19–14	Western Stormers	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Damien Smith Con: Shane Drahm Pen: John Eales (2), Shane Drahm (2)		Try: Bob Skinstad, Robbie Fleck Con: Louis Koen (2)	Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

	11 April 1998	Coastal Sharks	30–18	Golden Cats	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
		Try: John Slade, Pieter Muller, Stefan Terblanche Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball (3)		Try: Andre Venter (2) Con: Jannie de Beer Pen: Jannie de Beer, Jannie van der Walt	Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

	11 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	38–26	ACT Brumbies	Fraser Park, Timaru
		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Daryl Lilley, Mark Mayerhofler, Norm Berryman, Scott Robertson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (5) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens		Try: Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock, Troy Coker Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (3)	Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)

	13 April 1998	Auckland Blues	47–25	Waratahs	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Adrian Cashmore, Andrew Blowers, Carlos Spencer, Joeli Vidiri, Lee Stensness, Ofisa Tonu'u, Xavier Rush Con: Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)		Try: Manny Edmonds, Matt Burke, Viliami Ofahengaue Con: Manny Edmonds (2) Pen: Manny Edmonds (2)	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Round 8

	17 April 1998	Auckland Blues	34–24	Northern Bulls	Growers Stadium, Pukekohe
		Try: Adrian Cashmore (2), Jonah Lomu, Royce Willis Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)		Try: Casper Steyn, Marius Goosen Con: Braam van Straaten Pen: Braam van Straaten (4)	Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

	18 April 1998	Golden Cats	35–36	Waikato Chiefs	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
		Try: Jannie van der Walt, Werner Swanepoel Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer (7)		Try: Errol Brain, Glen Marsh, Nick Moore, Walter Little (2) Con: Ian Foster (4) Pen: Ian Foster	Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

	18 April 1998	Queensland Reds	17–17	Waratahs	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Daniel Herbert Pen: John Eales (4)		Try: Matt Burke Pen: Manny Edmonds (4)	Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

	18 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	37–25	Western Stormers	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Kevin Nepia, Tabai Matson, Tony Marsh Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (6)		Try: Andrew Aitken, Jopie Adlam, Robbie Fleck Con: Louis Koen (2) Pen: Louis Koen (2)	Referee: Scott Young (Australia)

	19 April 1998	Otago Highlanders	29–8	Wellington Hurricanes	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Byron Kelleher, Lio Falaniko Con: Tony Brown (2) Pen: Tony Brown (4) Drop: Brendan Laney		Try: Christian Cullen Pen: David Holwell	Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Round 9

	24 April 1998	ACT Brumbies	29–32	Wellington Hurricanes	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Joe Roff (2), Owen Finegan (2) Con: David Knox (3) Pen: David Knox		Try: Christian Cullen, Martin Leslie Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (6)	Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)

	24 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	40–24	Otago Highlanders	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Mayerhofler, Scott Robertson, Tabai Matson Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Drop: Andrew Mehrtens (3)		Try: Isitolo Maka, Pita Alatini, Taine Randell Con: Tony Brown (3) Pen: Tony Brown	Attendance: 32,000 Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

	25 April 1998	Coastal Sharks	52–18	Waikato Chiefs	Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
		Try: Boeta Wessels, Stefan Terblanche (4), Stephen Brink, Walter Minnaar Con: Boeta Wessels, Henry Honiball (6) Pen: Henry Honiball		Try: Blair Larsen, Glen Osborne Con: Walter Little Pen: Matt Cooper (2)	Referee: Andrew Cole (New Zealand)

	25 April 1998	Queensland Reds	28–15	Northern Transvaal	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Ben Tune (2), Damien Smith Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (3)		Try: Braam van Straaten, Casper Steyn Con: Braam van Straaten Pen: Braam van Straaten

	26 April 1998	Auckland Blues	74–28	Western Stormers	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Caleb Ralph, Carlos Spencer, Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri (2), Mark Carter (3), Paul Mitchell, Xavier Rush (2) Con: Adrian Cashmore (7), Carlos Spencer Pen: Adrian Cashmore		Try: Andrew Aitken, Charl Marais, Joggie Viljoen, Jopie Adlam Con: Louis Koen (4)	Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

Round 10

	1 May 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	17–39	Canterbury Crusaders	McLean Park, Napier
		Try: Alex Telea, Martin Leslie Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Mayerhofler, Norm Berryman, Todd Blackadder Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (5)	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

	1 May 1998	Waratahs	23–22	Otago Highlanders	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Matt Burke, Michael Brial Con: Manny Edmonds, Matt Burke Pen: Manny Edmonds (3)		Try: Jeff Wilson Con: Simon Culhane Pen: Simon Culhane (4) Drop: Simon Culhane	Referee: Carl Spannenberg (South Africa)

	2 May 1998	Northern Transvaal	12–8	Coastal Sharks	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Pen: Braam van Straaten (4)		Try: Steve Atherton Pen: André Joubert

	2 May 1998	ACT Brumbies	24–27	Auckland Blues	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock Pen: Stephen Larkham (3)		Try: Penalty try, Joeli Vidiri, Paul Mitchell Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)	Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)

	2 May 1998	Waikato Chiefs	26–7	Western Stormers	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
		Try: Scott McLeod (2) Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster (4)		Try: Penalty try Con: Louis Koen	Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

	3 May 1998	Golden Cats	16–20	Queensland Reds	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: AJ Venter Con: Jannie de Beer Pen: Jannie de Beer (2), Werner Swanepoel		Try: Ben Tune, John Eales, Shane Drahm Con: John Eales Pen: John Eales	Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

Round 11

	8 May 1998	Waikato Chiefs	35–15	ACT Brumbies	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		Try: Bruce Reihana (2), Roger Randle (2) Con: Ian Foster (2), Matt Cooper Pen: Ian Foster (3)		Try: Josh Birch, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock	Referee: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

	9 May 1998	Golden Cats	25–34	Canterbury Crusaders	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
		Try: Chris Badenhorst, Joe Esterhuysen, Naka Drotské Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer (2)		Try: Aaron Gibson, Daryl Gibson, Mark Mayerhofler, Norm Berryman Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)	Attendance: 24,212 Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

	9 May 1998	Western Stormers	15–36	Otago Highlanders	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Chester Williams (2) Con: Louis Koen Pen: Louis Koen		Try: Jeff Wilson (3), Jeremy Stanley (3) Con: Tony Brown (3)	Attendance: 19,512 Referee: Scott Young (Australia)

	9 May 1998	Waratahs	36–32	Wellington Hurricanes	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: John Welborn, Matt Burke, Semi Taupeaffe, Viliami Ofahengaue Con: Matt Burke (2) Pen: Matt Burke (4)		Try: Christian Cullen, Mepi Faoagali Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (6)	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

	10 May 1998	Coastal Sharks	30–20	Queensland Reds	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
		Try: André Joubert, Henry Honiball (2), Ollie Le Roux Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: André Joubert, Henry Honiball		Try: Jason Little Pen: John Eales (5)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Round 12

	16 May 1998	Golden Cats	41–7	Western Stormers	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Chris Badenhorst, Jannie van der Walt (3), Werner Swanepoel (2) Con: Jannie de Beer (4) Pen: Jannie de Beer		Try: Percy Montgomery Con: Louis Koen	Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)

	16 May 1998	Coastal Sharks	20–32	Canterbury Crusaders	Kings Park Stadium, Durban
		Try: André Joubert, Gary Teichmann, Ollie Le Roux Con: André Joubert Pen: Henry Honiball		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Hammett, Norm Berryman (2) Con: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2)	Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

	16 May 1998	ACT Brumbies	23–16	Queensland Reds	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Ipolito Fenukitau, Stirling Mortlock Con: Stephen Larkham (2) Pen: Stephen Larkham (3)		Try: Shane Drahm Con: Shane Drahm Pen: Shane Drahm (3)	Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

	16 May 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	34–45	Auckland Blues	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Alex Telea, Jason O'Halloran (3), Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston (3) Pen: Jon Preston		Try: Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri (2), Jonah Lomu (2), Xavier Rush Con: Adrian Cashmore (6) Pen: Adrian Cashmore	Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

	16 May 1998	Northern Transvaal	26–31	Otago Highlanders	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Braam van Straaten, McNeil Hendricks Con: Braam van Straaten (2) Pen: Braam van Straaten (4)		Try: Brendan Laney, Jeff Wilson (2), Pita Alatini Con: Tony Brown Pen: Tony Brown (3)	Referee: Scott Young (Australia)

	15 May 1998	Waikato Chiefs	21–33	Waratahs	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
		Try: Matt Cooper, Roger Randle Con: Matt Cooper Pen: Matt Cooper (3)		Try: John Welborn, Matthew Dowling (2) Con: Matt Burke (3) Pen: Matt Burke (4)	Referee: Johan Meuwesen (South Africa)

Finals

Semi finals

22 May 1998

Auckland Blues	37–31	Otago Highlanders
Try: Adrian Cashmore (2), Joeli Vidiri, Lee Stensness Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)		Try: Jeff Wilson, Taine Randell, Isitolo Maka Con: Simon Culhane, Tony Brown Pen: Simon Culhane (3), Tony Brown

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand)

23 May 1998

Canterbury Crusaders	36–32	Coastal Sharks
Try: Norm Berryman (2), Daryl Lilley, Daryl Gibson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Try: Ollie le Roux (2), Shaun Payne, Stefan Terblanche, Kevin Putt Con: André Joubert (2) Pen: André Joubert

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 34,000
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)

Grand final

30 May 1998

Auckland Blues	13–20	Canterbury Crusaders
Try: James Christian Con: Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore Drop: Adrian Cashmore		Try: James Kerr, Norm Maxwell Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2)

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Statistics

Top try-scorers

Top 3 try scorers
Pos	Name	Team	Tries
1	Jeff Wilson	Otago Highlanders	10
	Joeli Vidiri	Auckland Blues	10
	Stefan Terblanche	Coastal Sharks	10

Top points-scorers

Top 3 points scorers
Pos	Name	Team	Points
1	Andrew Mehrtens	Canterbury Crusaders	206
2	Adrian Cashmore	Auckland Blues	180
3	Jon Preston	Wellington Hurricanes	112

Notes and references

↑ "Theory about 'good' guys finishing top goes bust this time".

McIlraith, M. (2005). "Ten Years of Super 12", Auckland: Hodder Moa. ISBN 1-86971-025-8

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blues (Super Rugby)</span> NZ rugby union club, based in Auckland

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.

The Bulls are a South African professional rugby union team based in Pretoria. They play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld. They compete in the United Rugby Championship, having competed in the Super Rugby competition until 2020. Prior to 1998, the Bulls competed in the then-Super 12 as Northern Transvaal, as in those years South Africa was represented in the competition by its top four Currie Cup sides from the previous season, instead of the modern Super Rugby teams.

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a portion of the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Its colours are red and black in a hooped design. The CRFU govern the running of the Canterbury representative team which have won New Zealand's first-tier domestic competition National Provincial Championship 14 times including a "six-peat" from 2008 to 2013 – with five in the National Provincial Championship, two in the Air New Zealand Cup, five in the ITM Cup and one in the Mitre 10 Cup. Their most recent victory was the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. Canterbury also acts as a primary feeder to the Crusaders, who play in the Super Rugby competition.

The 1998 NRL season was the 91st season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the inaugural season of the newly formed National Rugby League (NRL). After the 1997 season, in which the Australian Rugby League and Super League organisations ran separate competitions parallel to each other, they joined to create a reunited competition in the NRL. The first professional rugby league club to be based in Victoria, the Melbourne Storm was introduced into the League, and with the closure of the Hunter Mariners, Western Reds and South Queensland Crushers, twenty teams competed for the premiership, which culminated in the 1998 NRL grand final between the Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury-Bankstown. It was also the final season for the Illawarra Steelers and the St. George Dragons as their own clubs prior to their merger into the St. George-Illawarra Dragons for the 1999 NRL season

The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup was the inaugural season of the National Provincial Championship, contested by teams from New Zealand. The season ran from July to October 2006. At the end of the regular season, the top six teams were joined in the quarter-finals by the top team from each of the repechage routes, with the winners going through to the semi-finals. The winner of each semi-final qualified for the final, which was contested between Waikato and Wellington; Waikato won 37–31 to claim the first Air New Zealand Cup title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plunket Shield</span> Cricket competition

New Zealand has had a domestic first-class cricket championship since the 1906–07 season. Since the 2009–10 season it has been known by its original name of the Plunket Shield.

The 2005 Super 12 season was the tenth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2005, 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 Crusaders and New South Wales Waratahs at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. The Crusaders won 35–25 to win their fifth Super 12 title.

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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 Super 12 season</span> Rugby competition

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 2000 Super 12 season was the fifth 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 2000, 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 Crusaders and the Brumbies at Bruce Stadium, Canberra. The Crusaders won 20–19 to win their third consecutive Super 12 title.

The 2002 Super 12 season was the seventh 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 2002, 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 Crusaders and the Brumbies at Jade Stadium, Christchurch. The Crusaders won 31–13 to win their fourth Super 12 title.

The 2003 Super 12 season was the eighth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2003, 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 Blues and the Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland. The Blues won 21–17 to win their third Super 12 title, and their first since 1997, it was their first Grand Final appearance since 1998.

The 2004 Super 12 season was the ninth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2004, 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 Brumbies and the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium. The Brumbies won 47–38 to win their second Super 12 title.

Robert Maxwell Deans is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, currently the head coach of Japanese club Saitama Wild Knights. He was head coach of the Australian national team between 2008 and 2013. Deans previously coached the Crusaders for eight seasons and was an assistant coach of New Zealand between late 2001 and 2003. As the coach of the Crusaders, Deans won three Super 12 titles and two Super 14). He also coached Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship, winning the title in 1997. As a player, Deans represented Canterbury, first playing at fly half, and later fullback. He also played nineteen matches for the All Blacks, including five tests.

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.

Benjamin Camden John Funnell is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a hooker for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Western Force in Super Rugby. He previously played for the Crusaders.

George Crispin Bridge is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as an outside back for Montpellier Hérault Rugby in France's domestic TOP 14. Bridge made his international debut for New Zealand in 2018, aged 23.

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[1] "Theory about 'good' guys finishing top goes bust this time".

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