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
Champions 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
1 Crusaders 131111412210+202551
2 Hurricanes 131003328226+102747
3 Waratahs 13904362192+170945
4 Bulls 13715355290+65738
5 Sharks 13706361297+641038
6 Brumbies 13814326269+57438
7 Chiefs 13715325298+27636
8 Blues 13607290344−54529
9 Highlanders 13607228276−48327
10 Cheetahs 13508272367−95727
11 Stormers 13418263334−71523
12 Reds 13409240320−80622
13 Cats 132110220405−185515
14 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Semi finals
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
Main article: 2006 Super 14 Final
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)
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:
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:
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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