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 played	94
Attendance	2,321,833 (24,700 per match)
Tries scored	447 (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

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

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.

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. 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.

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 15 Leon MacDonald 14 Rico Gear 13 Casey Laulala 12 Aaron Mauger 11 Scott Hamilton 10 Dan Carter 9 Kevin Senio 8 Mose Tuiali'i 7 Richie McCaw (captain) 6 Reuben Thorne 5 Ross Filipo 4 Chris Jack 3 Greg Somerville 2 Corey Flynn 1 Wyatt Crockett Substitutes: 16 Tone Kopelani 17 Campbell Johnstone 18 Johnny Leo'o 19 Tanerau Latimer 20 Stephen Brett 21 Cameron McIntyre 22 Caleb Ralph Coach: Robbie Deans

Hurricanes 15 Isaia Toeava 14 Lome Fa'atau 13 Ma'a Nonu 12 Tana Umaga 11 Shannon Paku 10 David Holwell 9 Piri Weepu 8 Rodney So'oialo (captain) 7 Chris Masoe 6 Jerry Collins 5 Jason Eaton 4 Paul Tito 3 Neemia Tialata 2 Andrew Hore 1 John Schwalger Substitutions: 16 Luke Mahoney 17 Joe McDonnell 18 Luke Andrews 19 Thomas Waldrom 20 Brendan Haami 21 Jimmy Gopperth 22 Tamati Ellison Coach: Colin Cooper

Player statistics

Leading try scorers

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

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