2006 Super 14 season

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 →

At the start of round one, the Crusaders were the favourite to win this year's title 1 with a return of A$3.25 for every $1 bet. The Blues were second favourite with a return of A$4.75 for every $1 bet and the Waratahs were third with a return of A$5.00 for every $1 bet. The Cats were favourites for the wooden spoon. These figures are the final odds.

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. 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
Key to colours
     Top four teams advance to playoffs
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1New Zealand Crusaders 131111412210+202551
2New Zealand Hurricanes 131003328226+102747
3Australia Waratahs 13904362192+170945
4South Africa Bulls 13715355290+65738
5South Africa Sharks 13706361297+641038
6Australia Brumbies 13814326269+57438
7New Zealand Chiefs 13715325298+27636
8New Zealand Blues 13607290344−54529
9New Zealand Highlanders 13607228276−48327
10South Africa Cheetahs 13508272367−95727
11South Africa Stormers 13418263334−71523
12Australia Reds 13409240320−80622
13South Africa Cats 132110220405−185515
14Australia Force 131210223373−150412

South African relegation

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

Round 1
10 February 2006
19:35
Blues New Zealand19–37New Zealand Hurricanes
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 35,200
10 February 2006
19:05
Western Force Australia10–25Australia Brumbies
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 37,037
10 February 2006
19:10
Cheetahs South Africa18–30South Africa Bulls
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 37,383
11 February 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand38–15New Zealand Highlanders
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 28,000
11 February 2006
19:40
Reds Australia12–16Australia Waratahs
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 38,947
11 February 2006
17:00
Cats South Africa12–23South Africa Stormers
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 27,997
11 February 2006
19:10
Sharks South Africa30–21New Zealand Chiefs
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,512

Round 2
17 February 2006
19:35
Highlanders New Zealand25–13New Zealand Blues
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 17,000
17 February 2006
18:00
Cats South Africa21–16New Zealand Chiefs
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 41,650
17 February 2006
20:00
Bulls South Africa21–27Australia Brumbies
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 41,650
18 February 2006
19:35
Hurricanes New Zealand29–5Australia Western Force
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Attendance: 14,000
18 February 2006
19:00
Reds Australia21–47New Zealand Crusaders
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 23,551
18 February 2006
17:00
Sharks South Africa26–27South Africa Cheetahs
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 28,256
18 February 2006
19:10
Stormers South Africa26–32Australia Waratahs
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 32,157

Round 3
24 February 2006
19:35
Hurricanes New Zealand29–16South Africa Cats
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 23,400
24 February 2006
19:05
Western Force Australia9–26New Zealand Chiefs
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 29,000
24 February 2006
19:10
Stormers South Africa15–15Australia Brumbies
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 35,000
25 February 2006
17:30
Crusaders New Zealand22–20South Africa Sharks
Fraser Park, Timaru
Attendance: 10,000
25 February 2006
19:35
Reds Australia20–21New Zealand Blues
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 21,154
25 February 2006
17:00
Bulls South Africa26–17Australia Waratahs
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 30,601
25 February 2006
19:10
Cheetahs South Africa12–17New Zealand Highlanders
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 21,373

Round 4
3 March 2006
19:35
Chiefs New Zealand35–17Australia Reds
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 12,500
3 March 2006
19:40
Brumbies Australia28–7South Africa Cats
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 19,059
4 March 2006
15:30
Waratahs Australia31–16South Africa Sharks
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 25,619
4 March 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand39–10New Zealand Blues
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 30,000
4 March 2006
17:00
Stormers South Africa15–30New Zealand Highlanders
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 34,000
4 March 2006
19:10
Cheetahs South Africa27–25New Zealand Hurricanes
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 13,000

Round 5
10 March 2006
19:35
Chiefs New Zealand19–25New Zealand Crusaders
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 24,300
10 March 2006
19:40
Waratahs Australia50–3South Africa Cats
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 23,986
11 March 2006
19:00
Brumbies Australia35–30South Africa Sharks
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 18,237
11 March 2006
20:05
Reds Australia29–18Australia Western Force
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 21,373
11 March 2006
17:00
Bulls South Africa23–16New Zealand Highlanders
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 39,887
11 March 2006
19:10
Stormers South Africa19–23New Zealand Hurricanes
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 32,000

Round 6
17 March 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand43–15South Africa Cats
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 20,888
17 March 2006
19:00
Western Force Australia7–32Australia Waratahs
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 26,140
17 March 2006
19:10
Bulls South Africa23–26New Zealand Hurricanes
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 38,855
18 March 2006
17:30
Blues New Zealand26–15Australia Brumbies
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 26,135
18 March 2006
19:35
Highlanders New Zealand11–26South Africa Sharks
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 11,500
18 March 2006
17:00
Stormers South Africa25–31South Africa Cheetahs
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 30,000

Round 7
24 March 2006
19:00
Hurricanes New Zealand23–17South Africa Sharks
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 19,800
24 March 2006
20:05
Waratahs Australia43–9New Zealand Blues
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 30,978
24 March 2006
19:10
Cheetahs South Africa10–6Australia Reds
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 16,000
25 March 2006
16:30
Brumbies Australia28–26New Zealand Chiefs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,217
25 March 2006
19:35
Highlanders New Zealand16–14South Africa Cats
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
Attendance: 7,902
25 March 2006
20:05
Western Force Australia21–30South Africa Bulls
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 23,392

Round 8
31 March 2006
19:00
Blues New Zealand30–17South Africa Bulls
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 21,233
31 March 2006
20:05
Waratahs Australia26–3South Africa Cheetahs
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 25,296
31 March 2006
19:10
Western Force Australia25–26South Africa Stormers
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 24,507
1 April 2006
17:30
Hurricanes New Zealand11–20New Zealand Crusaders
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 34,500
1 April 2006
19:35
Chiefs New Zealand16–13New Zealand Highlanders
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 14,607
1 April 2006
17:00
Sharks South Africa36–28Australia Reds
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 27,700

Round 9
7 April 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand17–11Australia Waratahs
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 30,000
8 April 2006
14:35
Highlanders New Zealand25–22Australia Western Force
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 9,500
8 April 2006
17:30
Chiefs New Zealand26–26South Africa Bulls
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 12,500
8 April 2006
19:35
Blues New Zealand32–15South Africa Stormers
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 23,013
8 April 2006
19:40
Brumbies Australia53–20South Africa Cheetahs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,117
8 April 2006
17:00
Cats South Africa16–23Australia Reds
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 12,990

Round 10
14 April 2006
19:35
Blues New Zealand39–8Australia Western Force
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Attendance: 13,500
15 April 2006
17:30
Crusaders New Zealand53–17South Africa Cheetahs
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 21,500
15 April 2006
19:35
Chiefs New Zealand30–20South Africa Stormers
Baypark Stadium, Mount Maunganui
Attendance: 16,500
15 April 2006
19:40
Reds Australia20–19South Africa Bulls
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 16,033
15 April 2006
17:00
Cats South Africa8–36South Africa Sharks
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 23,072
16 April 2006
14:35
Highlanders New Zealand13–29New Zealand Hurricanes
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 11,000
16 April 2006
19:40
Waratahs Australia37–14Australia Brumbies
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 36,656

Round 11
21 April 2006
19:35
Chiefs New Zealand33–32South Africa Cheetahs
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 11,000
21 April 2006
19:40
Reds Australia20–24South Africa Stormers
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 17,866
21 April 2006
19:40
Western Force Australia23–23New Zealand Crusaders
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 30,231
22 April 2006
19:40
Brumbies Australia21–16New Zealand Hurricanes
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,122
22 April 2006
15:00
Sharks South Africa32–15New Zealand Blues
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,780
22 April 2006
17:00
Bulls South Africa46–17South Africa Cats
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 33,836

Round 12
28 April 2006
19:35
Highlanders New Zealand3–20Australia Waratahs
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 7,500
28 April 2006
19:10
Cats South Africa34–34Australia Western Force
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 11,263
29 April 2006
19:35
Hurricanes New Zealand35–10New Zealand Chiefs
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 27,211
29 April 2006
19:40
Brumbies Australia36–0Australia Reds
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 17,041
29 April 2006
15:00
Cheetahs South Africa33–34New Zealand Blues
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 8,000
29 April 2006
17:00
Bulls South Africa34–27South Africa Sharks
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 45,000
29 April 2006
19:10
Stormers South Africa28–17New Zealand Crusaders
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 30,000

Round 13
5 May 2006
19:35
Hurricanes New Zealand26–22Australia Reds
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 21,367
5 May 2006
19:10
Bulls South Africa17–35New Zealand Crusaders
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: 41,968
6 May 2006
19:35
Chiefs New Zealand37–33Australia Waratahs
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 13,000
6 May 2006
19:40
Brumbies Australia26–28New Zealand Highlanders
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 19,023
6 May 2006
15:00
Cheetahs South Africa14–16Australia Western Force
Griqua Park, Kimberley
Attendance: 8,500
6 May 2006
17:00
Sharks South Africa24–17South Africa Stormers
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 31,296
6 May 2006
19:10
Cats South Africa34–33New Zealand Blues
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 13,000

Round 14
12 May 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand33–3Australia Brumbies
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 31,000
12 May 2006
19:40
Reds Australia22–16New Zealand Highlanders
Willows Sports Complex, Townsville
Attendance: 10,580
12 May 2006
19:10
Sharks South Africa41–25Australia Western Force
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 26,947
13 May 2006
19:35
Blues New Zealand9–30New Zealand Chiefs
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 30,000
13 May 2006
19:40
Waratahs Australia14–19New Zealand Hurricanes
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 37,042
13 May 2006
15:00
Cheetahs South Africa28–23South Africa Cats
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 7,000
13 May 2006
17:00
Stormers South Africa10–43South Africa Bulls
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 49,000

Finals

Semi finals
19 May 2006
19:35
Hurricanes New Zealand16–14Australia NSW Waratahs
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 34,500
20 May 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand35–15South Africa Bulls
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 24,000

Grand final
Main article: 2006 Super 14 Final
27 May 2006
19:35
Crusaders New Zealand19–12New Zealand 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)
Crusaders
15Leon MacDonald
14Rico Gear
13Casey Laulala
12Aaron Mauger
11Scott Hamilton
10Dan Carter
9Kevin Senio
8Mose Tuiali'i
7Richie McCaw (captain)
6Reuben Thorne
5Ross Filipo
4Chris Jack
3Greg Somerville
2Corey Flynn
1Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes:
16Tone Kopelani
17Campbell Johnstone
18Johnny Leo'o
19Tanerau Latimer
20Stephen Brett
21Cameron McIntyre
22Caleb Ralph
Coach:
New Zealand Robbie Deans
Hurricanes
15Isaia Toeava
14Lome Fa'atau
13Ma'a Nonu
12Tana Umaga
11Shannon Paku
10David Holwell
9Piri Weepu
8Rodney So'oialo (captain)
7Chris Masoe
6Jerry Collins
5Jason Eaton
4Paul Tito
3Neemia Tialata
2Andrew Hore
1John Schwalger
Substitutions:
16Luke Mahoney
17Joe McDonnell
18Luke Andrews
19Thomas Waldrom
20Brendan Haami
21Jimmy Gopperth
22Tamati Ellison
Coach:
New Zealand Colin Cooper

Player statistics

Leading try scorers
Top 3 try scorers
Pos Name Tries Pld Team
1Lome Fa'atau 1014Hurricanes
2Stirling Mortlock 913Brumbies
3Scott Staniforth 913Western Force

Leading point scorers
Top 3 overall point scorers
Pos Name Points Pld Team
1Dan Carter 22114Crusaders
2Peter Hewat 19114Waratahs
3Stephen Donald 13313Chiefs

References
  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.
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