Super Rugby - bigger still and bigger
Realising their folly, it is going to be brought down to 16 next year and who knows it may become more manageable in the future and give other rugby a better chance to exist, if not thrive.
Results, Super 15 and 18
Super 15
2011: Reds vs Crusaders, 18-13 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2012: Chiefs vs Sharks, 37-6 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
2013: Chiefs vs Brumbies, 27-22 at Waikato Stadium
2014: Waratahs vs Crusaders, 33-32 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
2015: Highlanders vs Hurricanes, 21-14 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Super 18
2016: Hurricanes vs Lions, 20-3 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Finaliusts and scorers
2011
There was a new format this year with the 15 teams divided into three national conferences. Each country's set of five teams played each other twice in the season in which the round robin consisted of 16 matches for each of the 15 teams. The winner of each conference headed for the play-offs.
At the end of the 'regular season' teams positioned third to sixth played off for a place in the semifinals. The Crusaders topped the New Zealand conference. They played the Sharks in Nelson in a play-off match, the Stormers at Newlands in a semifinal and then the Reds in Brisbane in the Final.
At half-time the Crusaders led 7-6 and the scores were 13-all when Will Genia ran some 65 metres to score a miracle try and a match-winner.
Scorers:
For the Reds:
Try: Ioane, Genia
Con: Cooper
Pens: Cooper 2
For the Crusaders:
Try: Carter
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 2
Teams:
Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Will Chambers.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Ryan Crotty.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
2012
The Sharks just pipped the Brumbies for a place in the Super Rugby play-offs. They were sixth on the log and so had to travel. They went Durban-Brisbane, Brisbane Durban, Durban-Cape Town, Johannesburg-Sydney-Auckland and then on to Hamilton to play the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium. The Sharks beat the reigning champions, the Reds, in Brisbane and then beat the Stormers at Newlands in a semifinal and then went back to Australasia to face the Chiefs and their crowd of 25 100 noisy supporters. The Stormers and the Chiefs, first and second on the log, had joined in the knock-out only for the semfinal. The Chiefs had thus played a match fewer than the Sharks and that at home.
Scorers:
For the Chiefs:
Tries: Nanai-Williams, Thompson, Masaga, Williams
Cons: Cruden 4
Pens: Cruden 3
For the Sharks
Pens: Michalak 3
Teams
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frédéric Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
Referee: Steve Walsh Australia
2013
It was a thriller, the Final at Waikato Stadium. The Brumbies led 16-9 at half-time and 22-12 with 20 minutes to go but a try by Liam Messam enhanced the home side's cause and then, with under 10 minutes to play Robbie Robinson scooted through for the try which gave his side the lead for the first time in the match.
The victory meant that the Chiefs had retained their Super Rugby crown.
Scorers
For Chiefs:
Tries: Messam, Robinson
Con: Cruden
Pen: Cruden 5
For Brumbies:
Try: Lealiifano
Con: Lealiifano
Pen: Lealiifano 5
Teams
Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Andrew Horrell, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant Leven, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (cptain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Toby Smith
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Bundee Aki, 22 Robbie Robinson
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 7 Ruan Smith, 18 Fotu Auelua 19 Colby Fainga'a, 20 Ian Prior 21 Andrew Smith, 22 Joe Tomane
Referee: Craig Joubert
2014
It was a high-scoring thriller but a boot-produced one. Each side scored two tries but a penalty was worth one point more than a conversion at ANZ Stadium in Sydney before a Super Rugby record crowd of 61 800.
The Waratahs led 14-0 early in the half and then 20-13 at half time but a try by Nemani Nadolo brought the scores level at 20-all. With 17 minutes to play the Crusaders led 26-23 but then Ashley-Cooper scored his second try and the Waratahs were 30-26. A Colin Slade penalty with four minutes to play put the Crusaders 32-30 ahead.
When Richie McCaw was penalised at a tackle near the half-way line with a minute to play, Bernard Foley calmly kicked the winner.
It was the first time the Waratahs had won the Super Rugby title.
Scorers:
For Waratahs:
Tries: Ashley-Cooper 2
Con: Foley
Pens: Foley 7
For Crusaders:
Tries: Todd, Nadolo
Cons: Carter, Slade
Pens: Slade 6
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 5 Kane Douglas, 6 Stephen Hoiles, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Mitchell Chapman, 21 Pat McCutcheon, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Peter Betham
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Kieron Fonotia, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Johnny McNicholl.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
2015
Highlanders vs Hurricanes, 21-14
The Hurricanes were favourites but the rugged Highlanders upset them and won the Super Rugby title for the first time ever. They came fourth on the log but beat the Chiefs in a play-off and then the Waratahs in a semi-final while the Hurricanes brushed the Brumbies aside.
It was probably the best of all Super Rugby Finals for intensity, speed and sheer excitement.
Ma'a Nonu scored first but by half-time the Highlanders were ahead 13-5 and stayed ahead. The Highlanders had three winning attributes – their decisive tackling, winning turnovers and taking the chances on offer.
It was the second time that the Hurricanes had been in a final and the second time they had been beaten. The previous occasion was that foggy match in Christchurch in 2006.
Scorers:
For the Hurricanes:
Try: Nonu
Pens: Barrett 3
For the Highlanders:
Tries: E Dixon, Naholo
Con: Sopoaga
Pens: Sopoaga 2
Drop: Banks
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea/Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Callum Gibbins/Mark Abbott, 20 Blade Thomson, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Rey Lee-Lo, 23 Matt Proctor.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Shane Christie, 22 Fumiaki Tanaka, 23 Marty Banks.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
2016
This is when it became the Super 18 with the addition of Argentina's Jaguares and Japan's Sunwolves.
The 18 teams were divided into five conferences and each team played 15 matches. The Hurricanes ended top of a combined log after the Lions sent a weak side to Buenos Aires and lost to the Jaguares.
There were quarterfinals, semifinals and the final. In the quarterfinals Hurricanes beat the Sharks 41-0 and the Lions beat the Crusaders 42-25.
In the semifinals, the Hurricanes beat the Chiefs 25-9 and the Lions beat the Highlanders 42-30.
The Hurricanes then beat the travelling Lions 20-3 in the Wellington final.
In those three top matches, the Hurricanes did not concede a single try.
In the Wellington rain and against the Hurricanes powerful defence, the Lions were not going to score a try, while the Hurricanes scored two from Lions' mistakes but created by their own pressure.
The first came when Lionel Mapoe kicked inside his own 22 and straight to Cory Jane who scored.
The other came from a slap back. Beauden Barrett, the stunning man of the match, swooped onto the ball and scored with 12 minutes to play.
Scorers:
For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Jane, Barrett
Cons: Barrett 2
Pens: Barrett 2
For the Lions:
Pen: Jantjies
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Jason Woodward, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles (captain), 1 Loni Uhila.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Michael Kainga, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Vince Aso, 23 Julian Savea.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylon Smith.
Replacements: 16 Armand vn der Merwe, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco van der Walt.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Final Results, 1993-2016
Super 10
1993: Transvaal vs Queensland, 20-17 at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
1994: Queensland vs Natal, 21-10 at Ballymore, Brisbane
1995: Queensland vs Transvaal, 30-16 at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Super 12
1996: Auckland vs Natal, 45-21 at Eden Park, Auckland
1997: Auckland Blues vs ACT Brumbies, 23-7 at Eden Park, Auckland
1998: Canterbury Crusaders vs Auckland Blues, 20-13 at Eden Park, Auckland
1999: Canterbury Crusaders vs Otago Highlanders, 24-19 at Carisbrook, Dunedin
2000: Crusaders vs Brumbies, 20-19 at Bruce Stadium, Canberra
2001: Brumbies vs Sharks, 30-6 at Bruce Stadium, Canberra
2002: Crusaders vs Brumbies, 31-13 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2003: Blues vs Crusaders, 21-17 at Eden Park, Auckland
2004: Brumbies vs Crusaders, 47-38 at Canberra Stadium
2005: Crusaders vs Waratahs, 35-25 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Super 14
2006: Crusaders vs Hurricanes, 19-12 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2007: Bulls vs Sharks, 20-19 at Kings Park, Durban
2008: Crusaders vs Waratahs, 20-12 at AMI Stadium, Christchurch
2009: Bulls vs Chiefs, 61-17 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2010: Bulls vs Stormers, 25-17 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto
Super 15
2011: Reds vs Crusaders, 18-13 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2012: Chiefs vs Sharks, 37-6 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
2013: Chiefs vs Brumbies, 27-22 at Waikato Stadium
2014: Waratahs vs Crusaders, 33-32 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
2015: Highlanders vs Hurricanes, 21-14 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Super 18
2016: Hurricanes vs Lions, 20-3 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
