The 2006 Super 14 season started on 10 February 2006. The Grand Final was held on 27 May 2006. Super 14 is a provincial rugby union competition with 14 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. This season was the first of the expansion, which saw two new teams, the Western Force and the Cheetahs, join the Super 12/14. The addition of two new teams led to the name change from the Super 12. It was also the first year for a new Super 14 trophy.

2006 Super 14
Countries Australia
 South Africa
 New Zealand
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and Knockout
ChampionsNew Zealand Crusaders (6th title)
Matches played94
Attendance2,321,833 (24,700 per match)
Tries scored447 (4.76 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Dan Carter (221; Crusaders)
Top try scorer(s)Lome Fa'atau (10; Hurricanes)
2005 (Previous) (Next) 2007

The season saw the first joint commercial by the three SANZAR unions since 1996. The commercial was filmed in Ukraine and is set in a laundromat. The ad was attempting to draw interest, with the motto More teams, more games and more excitement at the end of the commercial. One player from each of the 14 teams was present, except for the Waratahs. A local extra named "Ouri" filled the role of Mat Rogers who injured his back in a test match for the Wallabies against Wales.

By the end of round twelve, critics began speculating that the pre-season favourites, the Crusaders, were losing their form after a draw against the winless Western Force and then a shock loss to the Stormers.[1] However they bounced back against the Bulls with a four-try bonus point victory. After a few results fell in their favour they were able to comfortably beat the Brumbies, and finished for the second consecutive season on top of the ladder. The Crusaders won the Super 14 after defeating the Hurricanes in Christchurch in the final, 19–12 in misty conditions. There was 94 matches held over three and a half months, with each team playing one full round robin against the 13 other teams and the playoffs involving two semi-finals and a final. Every team got one bye over the 14 rounds.

Table

edit
Key to colours
     Top four teams advance to playoffs
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1   Crusaders 13 11 1 1 412 210 +202 5 51
2   Hurricanes 13 10 0 3 328 226 +102 7 47
3   Waratahs 13 9 0 4 362 192 +170 9 45
4   Bulls 13 7 1 5 355 290 +65 7 38
5   Sharks 13 7 0 6 361 297 +64 10 38
6   Brumbies 13 8 1 4 326 269 +57 4 38
7   Chiefs 13 7 1 5 325 298 +27 6 36
8   Blues 13 6 0 7 290 344 −54 5 29
9   Highlanders 13 6 0 7 228 276 −48 3 27
10   Cheetahs 13 5 0 8 272 367 −95 7 27
11   Stormers 13 4 1 8 263 334 −71 5 23
12   Reds 13 4 0 9 240 320 −80 6 22
13   Cats 13 2 1 10 220 405 −185 5 15
14   Force 13 1 2 10 223 373 −150 4 12

South African relegation

edit

Originally, the fifth-placed South African side was to be replaced by the Spears, who were initially planned to compete in the 2007 and 2008 competitions. However, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) revisited the decision to admit the Spears, and announced on 19 April 2006 that the Spears would not enter the competition.[1]

On 5 August 2006, the High Court of South Africa threw a potential monkey wrench into the 2007 season when it issued its ruling in the Spears' legal challenge to the decision. It ruled that the Spears had a valid contract with SA Rugby, the commercial arm of SARU, to be included in the 2007 and 2008 Super 14. SA Rugby and SARU are expected to appeal the decision.[2] If the Spears win their court challenge, the Lions, the new name for the Cats, will be relegated for 2007 and will play a test match with the lowest South African team on the 2007 ladder, other than the Spears, for a place in the 2008 competition.

On 8 September 2006, the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the company that operates the Cats franchise, announced that the franchise would be known in the future as the Lions.[3]

Results

edit

Round 1

edit
10 February 2006
19:35
Blues  19–37  Hurricanes
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 35,200
10 February 2006
19:05
Western Force  10–25  Brumbies
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 37,037
10 February 2006
19:10
Cheetahs  18–30  Bulls
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 37,383
11 February 2006
19:35
Crusaders  38–15  Highlanders
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 28,000
11 February 2006
19:40
Reds  12–16  Waratahs
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 38,947
11 February 2006
17:00
Cats  12–23  Stormers
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 27,997
11 February 2006
19:10
Sharks  30–21  Chiefs
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,512

Round 2

edit
17 February 2006
19:35
Highlanders  25–13  Blues
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 17,000
17 February 2006
18:00
Cats  21–16  Chiefs
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 41,650
17 February 2006
20:00
Bulls  21–27  Brumbies
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 41,650
18 February 2006
19:35
Hurricanes  29–5  Western Force
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Attendance: 14,000
18 February 2006
19:00
Reds  21–47  Crusaders
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 23,551
18 February 2006
17:00
Sharks  26–27  Cheetahs
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 28,256
18 February 2006
19:10
Stormers  26–32  Waratahs
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 32,157

Round 3

edit
24 February 2006
19:35
Hurricanes  29–16  Cats
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 23,400
24 February 2006
19:05
Western Force  9–26  Chiefs
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 29,000
24 February 2006
19:10
Stormers  15–15  Brumbies
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 35,000
25 February 2006
17:30
Crusaders  22–20  Sharks
Fraser Park, Timaru
Attendance: 10,000
25 February 2006
19:35
Reds  20–21  Blues
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 21,154
25 February 2006
17:00
Bulls  26–17  Waratahs
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 30,601
25 February 2006
19:10
Cheetahs  12–17  Highlanders
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 21,373

Round 4

edit
3 March 2006
19:35
Chiefs  35–17  Reds
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 12,500
3 March 2006
19:40
Brumbies  28–7  Cats
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 19,059
4 March 2006
15:30
Waratahs  31–16  Sharks
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 25,619
4 March 2006
19:35
Crusaders  39–10  Blues
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 30,000
4 March 2006
17:00
Stormers  15–30  Highlanders
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 34,000
4 March 2006
19:10
Cheetahs  27–25  Hurricanes
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 13,000

Round 5

edit
10 March 2006
19:35
Chiefs  19–25  Crusaders
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 24,300
10 March 2006
19:40
Waratahs  50–3  Cats
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 23,986
11 March 2006
19:00
Brumbies  35–30  Sharks
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 18,237
11 March 2006
20:05
Reds  29–18  Western Force
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 21,373
11 March 2006
17:00
Bulls  23–16  Highlanders
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 39,887
11 March 2006
19:10
Stormers  19–23  Hurricanes
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 32,000

Round 6

edit
17 March 2006
19:35
Crusaders  43–15  Cats
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 20,888
17 March 2006
19:00
Western Force  7–32  Waratahs
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 26,140
17 March 2006
19:10
Bulls  23–26  Hurricanes
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 38,855
18 March 2006
17:30
Blues  26–15  Brumbies
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 26,135
18 March 2006
19:35
Highlanders  11–26  Sharks
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 11,500
18 March 2006
17:00
Stormers  25–31  Cheetahs
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 30,000

Round 7

edit
24 March 2006
19:00
Hurricanes  23–17  Sharks
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 19,800
24 March 2006
20:05
Waratahs  43–9  Blues
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 30,978
24 March 2006
19:10
Cheetahs  10–6  Reds
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 16,000
25 March 2006
16:30
Brumbies  28–26  Chiefs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,217
25 March 2006
19:35
Highlanders  16–14  Cats
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
Attendance: 7,902
25 March 2006
20:05
Western Force  21–30  Bulls
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 23,392

Round 8

edit
31 March 2006
19:00
Blues  30–17  Bulls
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 21,233
31 March 2006
20:05
Waratahs  26–3  Cheetahs
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 25,296
31 March 2006
19:10
Western Force  25–26  Stormers
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 24,507
1 April 2006
17:30
Hurricanes  11–20  Crusaders
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 34,500
1 April 2006
19:35
Chiefs  16–13  Highlanders
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 14,607
1 April 2006
17:00
Sharks  36–28  Reds
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 27,700

Round 9

edit
7 April 2006
19:35
Crusaders  17–11  Waratahs
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 30,000
8 April 2006
14:35
Highlanders  25–22  Western Force
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 9,500
8 April 2006
17:30
Chiefs  26–26  Bulls
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 12,500
8 April 2006
19:35
Blues  32–15  Stormers
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 23,013
8 April 2006
19:40
Brumbies  53–20  Cheetahs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,117
8 April 2006
17:00
Cats  16–23  Reds
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 12,990

Round 10

edit
14 April 2006
19:35
Blues  39–8  Western Force
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Attendance: 13,500
15 April 2006
17:30
Crusaders  53–17  Cheetahs
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 21,500
15 April 2006
19:35
Chiefs  30–20  Stormers
Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui
Attendance: 16,500
15 April 2006
19:40
Reds  20–19  Bulls
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 16,033
15 April 2006
17:00
Cats  8–36  Sharks
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 23,072
16 April 2006
14:35
Highlanders  13–29  Hurricanes
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 11,000
16 April 2006
19:40
Waratahs  37–14  Brumbies
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 36,656

Round 11

edit
21 April 2006
19:35
Chiefs  33–32  Cheetahs
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 11,000
21 April 2006
19:40
Reds  20–24  Stormers
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 17,866
21 April 2006
19:40
Western Force  23–23  Crusaders
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 30,231
22 April 2006
19:40
Brumbies  21–16  Hurricanes
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,122
22 April 2006
15:00
Sharks  32–15  Blues
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,780
22 April 2006
17:00
Bulls  46–17  Cats
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 33,836

Round 12

edit
28 April 2006
19:35
Highlanders  3–20  Waratahs
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 7,500
28 April 2006
19:10
Cats  34–34  Western Force
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 11,263
29 April 2006
19:35
Hurricanes  35–10  Chiefs
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 27,211
29 April 2006
19:40
Brumbies  36–0  Reds
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,041
29 April 2006
15:00
Cheetahs  33–34  Blues
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 8,000
29 April 2006
17:00
Bulls  34–27  Sharks
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 45,000
29 April 2006
19:10
Stormers  28–17  Crusaders
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 30,000

Round 13

edit
5 May 2006
19:35
Hurricanes  26–22  Reds
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 21,367
5 May 2006
19:10
Bulls  17–35  Crusaders
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 41,968
6 May 2006
19:35
Chiefs  37–33  Waratahs
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 13,000
6 May 2006
19:40
Brumbies  26–28  Highlanders
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 19,023
6 May 2006
15:00
Cheetahs  14–16  Western Force
Griqua Park, Kimberley
Attendance: 8,500
6 May 2006
17:00
Sharks  24–17  Stormers
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 31,296
6 May 2006
19:10
Cats  34–33  Blues
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 13,000

Round 14

edit
12 May 2006
19:35
Crusaders  33–3  Brumbies
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 31,000
12 May 2006
19:40
Reds  22–16  Highlanders
Willows Sports Complex, Townsville
Attendance: 10,580
12 May 2006
19:10
Sharks  41–25  Western Force
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,947
13 May 2006
19:35
Blues  9–30  Chiefs
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 30,000
13 May 2006
19:40
Waratahs  14–19  Hurricanes
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 37,042
13 May 2006
15:00
Cheetahs  28–23  Cats
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 7,000
13 May 2006
17:00
Stormers  10–43  Bulls
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 49,000

Finals

edit

Semi finals

edit
19 May 2006
19:35
Hurricanes  16–14  NSW Waratahs
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 34,500
20 May 2006
19:35
Crusaders  35–15  Bulls
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 24,000

Grand final

edit
27 May 2006
19:35
Crusaders  19–12  Hurricanes
Try: Laulala 62'
Con: Carter 63'
Pen: Carter (4) 32', 37', 46', 69'
Pen: Weepu 14'
Holwell 44'
Gopperth (2) 56', 70'
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 36,500
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
FB 15 Leon MacDonald
RW 14 Rico Gear
OC 13 Casey Laulala
IC 12 Aaron Mauger
LW 11 Scott Hamilton
FH 10 Dan Carter
SH 9 Kevin Senio
N8 8 Mose Tuiali'i
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Reuben Thorne
RL 5 Ross Filipo
LL 4 Chris Jack
TP 3 Greg Somerville
HK 2 Corey Flynn
LP 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes:
HK 16 Tone Kopelani
PR 17 Campbell Johnstone
FL 18 Johnny Leo'o
FL 19 Tanerau Latimer
FH 20 Stephen Brett
CE 21 Cameron McIntyre
WG 22 Caleb Ralph
Coach:
  Robbie Deans
FB 15 Isaia Toeava
RW 14 Lome Fa'atau
OC 13 Ma'a Nonu
IC 12 Tana Umaga
LW 11 Shannon Paku
FH 10 David Holwell
SH 9 Piri Weepu
N8 8 Rodney So'oialo (c)
OF 7 Chris Masoe
BF 6 Jerry Collins
RL 5 Jason Eaton
LL 4 Paul Tito
TP 3 Neemia Tialata
HK 2 Andrew Hore
LP 1 John Schwalger
Substitutions:
HK 16 Luke Mahoney
PR 17 Joe McDonnell
LK 18 Luke Andrews
N8 19 Thomas Waldrom
SH 20 Brendan Haami
FH 21 Jimmy Gopperth
CE 22 Tamati Ellison
Coach:
  Colin Cooper

Player statistics

edit

Leading try scorers

edit
Top 3 try scorers
Pos Name Tries Pld Team
1 Lome Fa'atau 10 14 Hurricanes
2 Stirling Mortlock 9 13 Brumbies
3 Scott Staniforth 9 13 Western Force

Leading point scorers

edit
Top 3 overall point scorers
Pos Name Points Pld Team
1 Dan Carter 221 14 Crusaders
2 Peter Hewat 191 14 Waratahs
3 Stephen Donald 133 13 Chiefs

References

edit
  1. ^ "It is official: Spears shafted" Archived 9 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, RugbyRugby.com, 19 April 2006
  2. ^ "Southern Spears get okay to compete in Super 14". Pretoria News. 5 August 2006. Archived from the original on 31 August 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2006.
  3. ^ "From Cats to Lions ... the new look". Planet Rugby. 8 September 2006. Archived from the original on 21 May 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2006.