As with many competitions, the Super Rugby series has evolved from modest beginnings to grow into what many claim would be pole position as premier non international competition in the world. It is easily the lead competition in the Southern Hemisphere.
History of the Competition A precursor to the Super Rugby era was the South Pacific Championship (Super 6) which was launched in 1986. This involved Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury from New Zealand; Queensland and NSW from Australia; and Fiji.
Super Rugby came a lot closer with launch of the Super 10 kicking off in 1993. This competition featured North Harbour, Auckland, Waikato and Otago from New Zealand; Queensland and New South Wales from Australia; Natal, Transvaal and Northern Transvaal from South Africa; and Western Samoa.
However Super Rugby as we now know it really came of age in 1996 when the Super 12 kicked off, being a key strategic move by the recently formed SANZAR. For the first time there was true representation from each country with the Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs, Wellington Hurricanes, Canterbury Crusaders and Otago Highlanders from New Zealand; Natal Sharks, Northern Transvaal, Transvaal and Western Province from South Africa; Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies from Australia. Directly tied in with a greater scale of competition came much increased media coverage, a package negotiated as part of delivering the series. This series always had games played over the weekend, and ran a typical round robin with the top 4 teams playing out a semi-final and finals format.
In 2006 two more teams were added and the Super 14 arrived. In combination with commercial deals the competition was expanded to allow one more team from each of South Africa and Australia. The Central Cheeters and the Western Force were born and each made their maiden appearance this year.
Starting 2011 Super Rugby finally matured to its current state, with Australia being granted a 5th team and giving each country the same representation. Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia joined the ranks, giving rise to a team built almost entirely of imported players. With the increased size also came a change of format with a hybrid of round robin and pools based on countries making up the body of the competition, leading into a finals series where 3rd - 6th placed team play a knockout round, leading a semi-final and then finals structure.
Super Rugby Results
Year | Teams | Winner | v | Second | Third | Fourth | 1996 | 12 | Blues | 45 - 21 | Sharks | Reds | Bulls | 1997 | 12 | Blues | 23 - 7 | Brumbies | Hurricanes | Sharks | 1998 | 12 | Crusaders | 20 - 13 | Blues | Sharks | Highlanders | 1999 | 12 | Crusaders | 24 - 19 | Highlanders | Reds | Stormers | 2000 | 12 | Crusaders | 20 - 19 | Brumbies | Highlanders | Cats | 2001 | 12 | Brumbies | 36 - 6 | Sharks | Cats | Reds | 2002 | 12 | Crusaders | 31 - 13 | Brumbies | Waratahs | Highlanders | 2003 | 12 | Blues | 21 - 17 | Crusaders | Hurricanes | Brumbies | 2004 | 12 | Brumbies | 47 - 38 | Crusaders | Stormers | Chiefs | 2005 | 12 | Crusaders | 35 - 25 | Waratahs | Bulls | Hurricanes | 2006 | 14 | Crusaders | 19 - 12 | Hurricanes | Waratahs | Bulls | 2007 | 14 | Bulls | 20 - 19 | Sharks | Crusaders | Blues | 2008 | 14 | Crusaders | 20 - 12 | Waratahs | Sharks | Hurricanes | 2009 | 14 | Bulls | 61 - 17 | Chiefs | Hurricanes | Crusaders | 2010 | 14 | Bulls | 25 - 17 | Stormers | Crusaders | Waratahs | 2011 | 15 | Reds | 18 - 13 | Crusaders | Blues | Stormers | 2012 Draw
Round | Home | Away | Ground | City | Local Date | Round 1 | Blues | Crusaders | Eden Park | Auckland | 24 Feb 12, 19:35 | Round 1 | Brumbies | Force | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 24 Feb 12, 19:40 | Round 1 | Bulls | Sharks | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 24 Feb 12, 19:10 | Round 1 | Chiefs | Highlanders | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 25 Feb 12, 19:35 | Round 1 | Waratahs | Reds | Stadium Australia | Sydney | 25 Feb 12, 19:40 | Round 1 | Stormers | Hurricanes | Newlands | Cape Town | 25 Feb 12, 17:05 | Round 1 | Lions | Cheetahs | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 25 Feb 12, 19:10 | Round 2 | Chiefs | Blues | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 02 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 2 | Rebels | Waratahs | AAMI Park | Melborne | 02 Mar 12, 19:40 | Round 2 | Lions | Hurricanes | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 02 Mar 12, 19:10 | Round 2 | Highlanders | Crusaders | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 03 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 2 | Reds | Force | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 03 Mar 12, 18:40 | Round 2 | Cheetahs | Bulls | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 03 Mar 12, 17:05 | Round 2 | Stormers | Sharks | Newlands | Cape Town | 03 Mar 12, 19:10 | Round 3 | Crusaders | Chiefs | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 09 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 3 | Force | Hurricanes | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 09 Mar 12, 19:05 | Round 3 | Brumbies | Cheetahs | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 10 Mar 12, 15:35 | Round 3 | Highlanders | Waratahs | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 10 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 3 | Reds | Rebels | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 10 Mar 12, 19:40 | Round 3 | Sharks | Lions | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 10 Mar 12, 17:05 | Round 3 | Bulls | Blues | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 10 Mar 12, 19:10 | Round 4 | Chiefs | Brumbies | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 16 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 4 | Stormers | Blues | Newlands | Cape Town | 16 Mar 12, 19:10 | Round 4 | Hurricanes | Highlanders | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 17 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 4 | Waratahs | Force | Aussie Stadium | Sydney | 17 Mar 12, 19:40 | Round 4 | Sharks | Reds | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 17 Mar 12, 17:05 | Round 4 | Rebels | Cheetahs | AAMI Park | Melborne | 18 Mar 12, 16:10 | Round 5 | Blues | Hurricanes | Eden Park | Auckland | 23 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 5 | Rebels | Force | AAMI Park | Melborne | 23 Mar 12, 19:40 | Round 5 | Waratahs | Sharks | Aussie Stadium | Sydney | 24 Mar 12, 15:35 | Round 5 | Crusaders | Cheetahs | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 24 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 5 | Brumbies | Highlanders | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 24 Mar 12, 19:40 | Round 5 | Bulls | Reds | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 24 Mar 12, 17:05 | Round 5 | Lions | Stormers | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 24 Mar 12, 19:10 | Round 6 | Highlanders | Rebels | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 30 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 6 | Hurricanes | Cheetahs | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 31 Mar 12, 17:30 | Round 6 | Chiefs | Waratahs | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 31 Mar 12, 19:35 | Round 6 | Brumbies | Sharks | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 31 Mar 12, 19:40 | Round 6 | Force | Reds | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 31 Mar 12, 18:40 | Round 6 | Lions | Crusaders | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 31 Mar 12, 17:05 | Round 6 | Stormers | Bulls | Newlands | Cape Town | 31 Mar 12, 19:10 | Round 7 | Rebels | Blues | AAMI Park | Melborne | 05 Apr 12, 19:40 | Round 7 | Hurricanes | Sharks | Stadium Taranaki | New Plymouth | 06 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 7 | Reds | Brumbies | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 06 Apr 12, 19:40 | Round 7 | Force | Chiefs | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 06 Apr 12, 19:40 | Round 7 | Highlanders | Stormers | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 07 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 7 | Cheetahs | Lions | North West Stadium | Welkom | 07 Apr 12, 15:00 | Round 7 | Bulls | Crusaders | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 07 Apr 12, 17:05 | Round 8 | Blues | Sharks | Eden Park | Auckland | 13 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 8 | Force | Waratahs | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 13 Apr 12, 19:10 | Round 8 | Crusaders | Stormers | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 14 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 8 | Brumbies | Rebels | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 14 Apr 12, 19:40 | Round 8 | Cheetahs | Chiefs | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 14 Apr 12, 17:05 | Round 8 | Lions | Bulls | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 14 Apr 12, 19:10 | Round 9 | Highlanders | Blues | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 20 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 9 | Reds | Stormers | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 20 Apr 12, 19:40 | Round 9 | Hurricanes | Crusaders | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 21 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 9 | Waratahs | Rebels | Aussie Stadium | Sydney | 21 Apr 12, 19:40 | Round 9 | Sharks | Chiefs | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 21 Apr 12, 17:05 | Round 9 | Bulls | Brumbies | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 21 Apr 12, 19:10 | Round 10 | Blues | Reds | Eden Park | Auckland | 27 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 10 | Lions | Brumbies | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 27 Apr 12, 19:10 | Round 10 | Chiefs | Hurricanes | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 28 Apr 12, 19:35 | Round 10 | Force | Stormers | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 28 Apr 12, 17:40 | Round 10 | Cheetahs | Highlanders | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 28 Apr 12, 17:05 | Round 10 | Waratahs | Crusaders | Aussie Stadium | Sydney | 29 Apr 12, 16:10 | Round 11 | Hurricanes | Blues | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 04 May 12, 19:35 | Round 11 | Rebels | Bulls | AAMI Park | Melborne | 04 May 12, 19:40 | Round 11 | Chiefs | Lions | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 05 May 12, 19:35 | Round 11 | Brumbies | Waratahs | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 05 May 12, 19:40 | Round 11 | Sharks | Highlanders | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 05 May 12, 17:05 | Round 11 | Cheetahs | Force | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 05 May 12, 19:10 | Round 11 | Crusaders | Reds | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 06 May 12, 16:00 | Round 12 | Blues | Lions | Eden Park | Auckland | 11 May 12, 19:35 | Round 12 | Waratahs | Bulls | Aussie Stadium | Sydney | 11 May 12, 19:40 | Round 12 | Highlanders | Hurricanes | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 12 May 12, 19:35 | Round 12 | Rebels | Crusaders | AAMI Park | Melborne | 12 May 12, 19:40 | Round 12 | Sharks | Force | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 12 May 12, 17:05 | Round 12 | Stormers | Cheetahs | Newlands | Cape Town | 12 May 12, 19:10 | Round 12 | Reds | Chiefs | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 13 May 12, 16:10 | Round 13 | Hurricanes | Brumbies | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 18 May 12, 19:35 | Round 13 | Highlanders | Bulls | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 19 May 12, 17:30 | Round 13 | Crusaders | Blues | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 19 May 12, 19:35 | Round 13 | Reds | Lions | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 19 May 12, 19:40 | Round 13 | Cheetahs | Sharks | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 19 May 12, 17:05 | Round 13 | Stormers | Waratahs | Newlands | Cape Town | 19 May 12, 19:10 | Round 13 | Force | Rebels | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 20 May 12, 14:35 | Round 14 | Chiefs | Bulls | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 25 May 12, 19:35 | Round 14 | Hurricanes | Rebels | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 26 May 12, 17:30 | Round 14 | Blues | Highlanders | Eden Park | Auckland | 26 May 12, 19:35 | Round 14 | Brumbies | Reds | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 26 May 12, 19:40 | Round 14 | Force | Lions | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 26 May 12, 19:40 | Round 14 | Cheetahs | Waratahs | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 26 May 12, 17:05 | Round 14 | Sharks | Stormers | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 26 May 12, 19:10 | Round 15 | Crusaders | Highlanders | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 01 Jun 12, 19:35 | Round 15 | Rebels | Brumbies | AAMI Park | Melborne | 01 Jun 12, 19:40 | Round 15 | Blues | Chiefs | Eden Park | Auckland | 02 Jun 12, 19:35 | Round 15 | Waratahs | Hurricanes | Aussie Stadium | Sydney | 02 Jun 12, 19:40 | Round 15 | Lions | Sharks | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 02 Jun 12, 17:05 | Round 15 | Bulls | Stormers | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 02 Jun 12, 19:10 | Round 16 | Highlanders | Chiefs | Forsyth Barr Stadium | Dunedin | 29 Jun 12, 19:35 | Round 16 | Rebels | Reds | AAMI Park | Melborne | 29 Jun 12, 19:40 | Round 16 | Crusaders | Hurricanes | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 30 Jun 12, 19:35 | Round 16 | Force | Brumbies | Members Equity Bank Stadium | Perth | 30 Jun 12, 17:40 | Round 16 | Stormers | Lions | Newlands | Cape Town | 30 Jun 12, 17:05 | Round 16 | Bulls | Cheetahs | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 30 Jun 12, 19:10 | Round 17 | Chiefs | Crusaders | Waikato Stadium | Hamilton | 06 Jul 12, 19:35 | Round 17 | Reds | Highlanders | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 06 Jul 12, 19:40 | Round 17 | Blues | Force | Eden Park | Auckland | 07 Jul 12, 19:35 | Round 17 | Waratahs | Brumbies | Stadium Australia | Sydney | 07 Jul 12, 19:40 | Round 17 | Cheetahs | Stormers | Free State Stadium | Bloemfontein | 07 Jul 12, 15:00 | Round 17 | Lions | Rebels | Ellis Park | Johannesburg | 07 Jul 12, 17:05 | Round 17 | Sharks | Bulls | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 07 Jul 12, 19:10 | Round 18 | Hurricanes | Chiefs | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | 13 Jul 12, 19:35 | Round 18 | Brumbies | Blues | Canberra Stadium | Canberra | 14 Jul 12, 15:30 | Round 18 | Crusaders | Force | Rugby League Park | Christchurch | 14 Jul 12, 19:35 | Round 18 | Reds | Waratahs | Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane | 14 Jul 12, 19:40 | Round 18 | Stormers | Rebels | Newlands | Cape Town | 14 Jul 12, 15:00 | Round 18 | Sharks | Cheetahs | Mr Price Kings Park Stadium | Durban | 14 Jul 12, 17:05 | Round 18 | Bulls | Lions | Securicor Loftus | Pretoria | 14 Jul 12, 19:10 | Qualifier Round | TBA1 | TBA2 | TBA | TBA | 20 Jul 12, 15:00 | Qualifier Round | TBA3 | TBA4 | TBA | TBA | 21 Jul 12, 15:00 | Semi-Finals | TBA1 | TBA2 | TBA | TBA | 27 Jul 12, 15:00 | Semi-Finals | TBA3 | TBA4 | TBA | TBA | 28 Jul 12, 15:00 | The Final | TBA1 | TBA2 | TBA | TBA | 04 Aug 12, 15:00 |
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