2018 Super Rugby season

2018 Super Rugby season
CountriesArgentina (1 team)
Australia (4 teams)
Japan (1 team)
New Zealand (5 teams)
South Africa (4 teams)
Tournament format(s)Conference and knockout
ChampionsCrusaders (9th title)
Matches played127
Tries scored925 (7.28 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Bernard Foley, Waratahs (223)
Top try scorer(s)Ben Lam, Hurricanes (16)
Official websiteOfficial site
2017 (Previous) (Next) 2019

The 2018 Super Rugby season was the 23rd season of Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR between teams from Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. After two seasons in which 18 teams participated, the 2018 season reverted to a 15-team competition, consisting of three geographical conferences.

The South African Rugby Union announced that the Cheetahs and Southern Kings would be dropped for the 2018 season,[1] while the Australian Rugby Union, now known as Rugby Australia, announced the exclusion of the Force. The South African franchises thereafter entered the newly renamed Pro14 competition, while the Western Force took part in the National Rugby Championship, the domestic Australia competition, while preparing to enter the new Global Rapid Rugby competition in 2019.[2]

Competition format

The 15 participating teams are divided into three geographical conferences: the Australian Conference (consisting of four Australian teams and the Japanese Sunwolves), the New Zealand Conference (consisting of five New Zealand teams), and the South African Conference (consisting of four South African teams and the Jaguares from Argentina).[3]

In the group stages, there are 19 rounds of matches, with each team playing 16 matches and having two rounds of byes, resulting in a total of 120 matches. Teams play eight inter-conference matches and eight cross-conference matches; they play all the other teams in their conference twice - once at home and once away - and play once against four of the teams in each of the other two conferences.

The top team in each of the three conferences qualify for the quarterfinals, as do the next five teams with the best records across the three conferences, known as wildcards. The conference winners and best wildcard team hosted the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal winners progressed to the semifinal, and the winners of the semifinals advanced to the final.[3]

Standings

Conference standings

Overall standings

2018 Super Rugby standings
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Crusaders (C) 16 14 0 2 542 295 +247 77 39 7 0 63 Quarter-finals (Conference leaders)
2 Lions 16 9 0 7 519 435 +84 77 55 6 4 46
3 Waratahs 16 9 1 6 557 445 +112 74 59 4 2 44
4 Hurricanes 16 11 0 5 474 343 +131 66 43 5 2 51 Quarter-finals (Wildcard)
5 Chiefs 16 11 0 5 463 368 +95 60 48 3 2 49
6 Highlanders 16 10 0 6 437 445 −8 59 57 3 1 44
7 Jaguares 16 9 0 7 409 418 −9 51 55 2 0 38
8 Sharks 16 7 1 8 437 442 −5 49 57 2 4 36
9 Rebels 16 7 0 9 440 461 −21 57 60 5 3 36
10 Brumbies 16 7 0 9 393 422 −29 56 52 2 4 34
11 Stormers 16 6 0 10 390 423 −33 46 56 0 5 29
12 Bulls 16 6 0 10 441 502 −61 59 66 2 3 29
13 Reds 16 6 0 10 389 501 −112 49 66 1 3 28
14 Blues 16 4 0 12 378 509 −131 50 66 2 4 22
15 Sunwolves 16 3 0 13 404 664 −260 48 99 0 2 14
Source: Super Rugby


Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:

Team Progression – Australian Conference
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 QF SF Final
Waratahs 4
(7th)
6
(5th)
6
(8th)
10
(7th)
10
(9th)
14
(6th)
19
(6th)
24
(3rd)
24
(3rd)
24
(3rd)
25
(3rd)
26
(3rd)
31
(3rd)
31
(3rd)
35
(3rd)
39
(3rd)
44
(2nd)
44
(3rd)
Won Lost
Rebels 5
(2nd)
10
(2nd)
15
(1st)
15
(2nd)
20
(1st)
20
(1st)
20
(3rd)
21
(6th)
21
(7th)
21
(7th)
21
(10th)
25
(7th)
25
(9th)
30
(8th)
34
(8th)
35
(8th)
35
(8th)
36
(9th)
Brumbies 4
(5th)
4
(8th)
4
(13th)
8
(11th)
8
(11th)
9
(11th)
14
(8th)
14
(9th)
15
(11th)
15
(13th)
15
(14th)
16
(14th)
16
(14th)
20
(12th)
25
(11th)
29
(10th)
30
(10th)
34
(10th)
Reds 0
(14th)
4
(11th)
8
(6th)
12
(4th)
13
(7th)
13
(8th)
13
(10th)
13
(12th)
13
(13th)
17
(12th)
17
(12th)
17
(12th)
18
(12th)
19
(13th)
19
(13th)
19
(14th)
23
(13th)
28
(13th)
Sunwolves 1
(12th)
1
(14th)
1
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
2
(15th)
6
(15th)
10
(15th)
10
(15th)
10
(15th)
14
(15th)
14
(15th)
14
(15th)
Team Progression – New Zealand Conference
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 QF SF Final
Crusaders 5
(3rd)
10
(3rd)
10
(4th)
10
(6th)
15
(3rd)
19
(4th)
24
(2nd)
24
(4th)
29
(2nd)
33
(1st)
38
(1st)
42
(1st)
46
(1st)
50
(1st)
54
(1st)
54
(1st)
58
(1st)
63
(1st)
Won Won Won
Hurricanes 1
(9th)
6
(4th)
10
(3rd)
10
(5th)
14
(4th)
19
(3rd)
23
(4th)
27
(1st)
27
(4th)
32
(4th)
36
(4th)
41
(4th)
45
(4th)
45
(4th)
45
(4th)
45
(4th)
50
(4th)
51
(4th)
Won Lost
Chiefs 0
(13th)
4
(10th)
4
(12th)
8
(10th)
13
(5th)
17
(5th)
21
(5th)
21
(5th)
26
(5th)
26
(6th)
27
(6th)
31
(6th)
32
(5th)
37
(5th)
37
(6th)
41
(5th)
45
(5th)
49
(5th)
Lost
Highlanders 4
(6th)
4
(7th)
9
(5th)
13
(3rd)
13
(6th)
14
(7th)
14
(7th)
19
(7th)
24
(6th)
28
(5th)
28
(5th)
32
(5th)
32
(6th)
36
(6th)
40
(5th)
40
(6th)
40
(6th)
44
(6th)
Lost
Blues 1
(10th)
2
(13th)
6
(9th)
6
(12th)
6
(13th)
6
(14th)
7
(14th)
12
(14th)
12
(14th)
13
(14th)
17
(13th)
17
(13th)
17
(13th)
17
(14th)
17
(14th)
22
(13th)
22
(14th)
22
(14th)
Team Progression – South African Conference
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 QF SF Final
Lions 4
(4th)
9
(1st)
14
(1st)
15
(2nd)
19
(1st)
19
(2nd)
20
(2nd)
25
(1st)
25
(2nd)
30
(1st)
31
(2nd)
31
(2nd)
31
(2nd)
36
(2nd)
40
(2nd)
40
(2nd)
41
(2nd)
41
(3rd)
46
(2nd)
Won Won Lost
Jaguares 0
(15th)
0
(15th)
0
(15th)
4
(14th)
4
(14th)
8
(12th)
8
(13th)
8
(13th)
12
(13th)
16
(10th)
20
(8th)
24
(7th)
24
(8th)
29
(7th)
34
(7th)
34
(7th)
38
(7th)
38
(7th)
38
(7th)
Lost
Sharks 1
(5th)
1
(11th)
3
(12th)
8
(7th)
9
(9th)
9
(10th)
13
(10th)
14
(9th)
14
(10th)
18
(9th)
18
(11th)
23
(8th)
24
(10th)
28
(8th)
28
(9th)
28
(9th)
32
(9th)
32
(9th)
36
(8th)
Lost
Stormers 4
(1st)
5
(4th)
5
(6th)
5
(11th)
9
(8th)
13
(8th)
13
(9th)
13
(11th)
13
(11th)
14
(12th)
18
(10th)
22
(9th)
23
(11th)
24
(11th)
25
(10th)
25
(10th)
25
(12th)
29
(11th)
29
(11th)
Bulls 0
(6th)
4
(8th)
4
(9th)
5
(10th)
5
(13th)
5
(14th)
9
(12th)
9
(12th)
14
(8th)
19
(8th)
20
(9th)
20
(11th)
24
(9th)
24
(10th)
24
(11th)
24
(12th)
25
(11th)
29
(12th)
29
(12th)
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches

The fixtures for the 2018 Super Rugby competition were released on 21 September 2017.[4] The following matches were played during the regular season:

Home \ Away BLU BRU BUL CHI CRU HIG HUR JAG LIO REB RED SHA STO SUN WAR
Blues 21–27 24–32 16–34 15–36 13–20 10–20 39–16 40–63
Brumbies 8–21 24–12 20–25 24–27 45–21 24–17 41–31 17–24
Bulls 28–38 28–29 21–19 43–34 35–49 28–10 39–33 33–23
Chiefs 21–19 24–19 41–28 20–34 27–22 28–24 19–23 39–27
Crusaders 54–17 33–14 45–23 45–22 24–13 45–28 33–11 31–29
Highlanders 41–34 43–17 22–45 25–17 30–14 39–27 43–37 33–15
Hurricanes 42–24 25–13 29–19 29–12 28–19 38–34 38–37 43–15
Jaguares 54–24 14–40 9–34 49–35 7–18 29–13 25–14 38–28
Lions 35–38 42–24 38–12 8–14 47–27 26–19 52–31 40–38
Rebels 33–10 10–55 19–50 22–25 45–19 46–14 40–13 26–31
Reds 18–10 20–14 12–36 15–18 27–22 37–23 48–27 41–52
Sharks 10–40 28–24 38–12 20–10 31–24 24–17 50–22 24–24
Stormers 37–20 29–17 9–15 28–20 23–26 34–18 25–19 27–16
Sunwolves 10–24 25–32 42–37 10–61 17–37 63–28 26–23 29–50
Waratahs 21–24 31–40 41–12 0–29 51–27 37–16 34–27 77–25
Updated to match(es) played on 3 June 2018. Source: http://images.supersport.co.za/content/Vodacom%20Super%20Rugby%202018%20Draw.pdf
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Finals

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
21 July – Christchurch
 
 
Crusaders40
 
28 July – Christchurch
 
Sharks10
 
Crusaders30
 
20 July – Wellington
 
Hurricanes12
 
Hurricanes32
 
4 August – Christchurch
 
Chiefs31
 
Crusaders37
 
21 July – Johannesburg
 
Lions18
 
Lions40
 
28 July – Johannesburg
 
Jaguares23
 
Lions44
 
21 July – Sydney
 
Waratahs26
 
Waratahs30
 
 
Highlanders23
 

Quarter-finals

20 July 2018
19:35
Hurricanes32–31Chiefs
Try: Julian Savea rugby ball 1'
TJ Perenara rugby ball 33'62'
Ben Lam rugby ball 69'
Con: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 2', 33'
Jordie Barrett rugby goalposts icon 70'
Pen: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 11', 55'
Cards: Vaea Fifita Yellow card 80'
Report[5]
Scoreboard[6]
Try: Brad Weber rugby ball 7'
Anton Lienert-Brown rugby ball 51'
Damian McKenzie rugby ball 79'
Lachlan Boshier rugby ball 80'
Con: Damian McKenzie rugby goalposts icon 8', 52', 79'
Charlie Ngatai rugby goalposts icon 80'
Pen: Damian McKenzie rugby goalposts icon 22'
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 16,402[7]
Referee: Glen Jackson
21 July 2018
19:35
Crusaders40–10Sharks
Try: Bryn Hall rugby ball 9'
David Havili rugby ball 12'
Matt Todd rugby ball 42'
Braydon Ennor rugby ball 67'
Pete Samu rugby ball 72'
Con: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 43', 68', 73'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 7', 40', 57'
Report[8]
Scoreboard[9]
Try: Kobus van Wyk rugby ball 26'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 27'
Pen: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 48'
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Mike Fraser
21 July 2018
20:05
Waratahs30–23Highlanders
Try: Bernard Foley rugby ball 54'61'
Israel Folau rugby ball 56'
Con: Bernard Foley rugby goalposts icon 54', 57', 62'
Pen: Bernard Foley rugby goalposts icon 4', 9', 71'
Cards: Paddy Ryan Yellow card 74'
Report[10]
Scoreboard[11]
Try: Waisake Naholo rugby ball 11'
Rob Thompson rugby ball 25'
Con: Lima Sopoaga rugby goalposts icon 12', 26'
Pen: Lima Sopoaga rugby goalposts icon 7', 19', 34'
Cards: Waisake Naholo yellow card 52' to 62'
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 12,067[12]
Referee: Angus Gardner
21 July 2018
15:05
Lions40–23Jaguares
Try: Ruan Combrinck rugby ball 8'
Harold Vorster rugby ball 15'
Malcolm Marx rugby ball 27'
Andries Coetzee rugby ball 57'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 9', 16', 28', 58'
Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 26', 44', 76'
Drop: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 64'
Report[13]
Scoreboard[14]
Try: Bautista Delguy rugby ball 42'
Pablo Matera rugby ball 48'
Con: Nicolás Sánchez rugby goalposts icon 43', 49'
Pen: Nicolás Sánchez rugby goalposts icon 4', 6', 37'
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Jaco Peyper

Semi-finals

28 July 2018
19:35
Crusaders30–12Hurricanes
Try: Richie Mo'unga rugby ball 15'
George Bridge rugby ball 28'
David Havili rugby ball 44'
Braydon Ennor rugby ball 69'
Con: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 16', 45'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 36', 39'
Report[15]
Scoreboard[16]
Try: Julian Savea rugby ball 19'
Ben Lam rugby ball 80'
Con: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 19'
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Jaco Peyper
28 July 2018
15:05
Lions44–26Waratahs
Try: Kwagga Smith rugby ball 21'63'
Aphiwe Dyantyi rugby ball 26'
Malcolm Marx rugby ball 35'58'
Courtnall Skosan rugby ball 79'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 28', 37', 64', 80'
Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 55', 74'
Report[17]
Scoreboard[18]
Try: Ned Hanigan rugby ball 4'
Israel Folau rugby ball 8'
Tom Robertson rugby ball 39'
Jake Gordon rugby ball 76'
Con: Bernard Foley rugby goalposts icon 6', 10', 76'
Cards: Damien Fitzpatrick yellow card 57' to 67'
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Glen Jackson

Final

4 August 2018
19:35
Crusaders37–18Lions
Try: Seta Tamanivalu rugby ball 19'
David Havili rugby ball 34'
Mitchell Drummond rugby ball 62'
Scott Barrett rugby ball 70'
Con: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 20', 36', 63', 71'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 16', 33', 43'
Cards: Ryan Crotty yellow card 67' to 77'
Report[19]
Scoreboard[20]
Try: Cyle Brink rugby ball 53'
Malcolm Marx rugby ball 68'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 54'
Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 13', 39'
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Attendance: 20 000
Referee: Angus Gardner

Players

Squads

The following 2018 Super Rugby squads have been named:

Blues squad
Forwards Leni Apisai • Gerard Cowley-Tuioti • Lyndon Dunshea • Blake Gibson • Josh Goodhue • Sione Havili • Alex Hodgman • Akira IoaneJerome Kaino • Antonio Kiri Kiri • Sione Mafileo • Pauliasi Manu • Matiaha Martin • Matt Moulds • Ben Nee-Nee • Dalton Papalii • James Parsons • Jacob Pierce • Glenn Preston • Kara Pryor • Scott Scrafton • Mike Tamoaieta • Murphy Taramai • Patrick Tuipulotu • Jimmy Tupou • Ofa Tu'ungafasi • Ross Wright • Did not play: • Isaac Salmon
Backs Caleb Clarke • Michael Collins • Matt Duffie • TJ Faiane • Bryn Gatland • Terrence Hepetema • Jordan Hyland • Rieko Ioane • Daniel Kirkpatrick • Orbyn Leger • Tumua Manu • George Moala • Melani Nanai • Sam Nock • Stephen Perofeta • Augustine Pulu • Jonathan Ruru • Jordan Trainor • Tamati Tua • Sonny Bill WilliamsDid not play: • Otere Black • Matthew Johnson
Coach Tana Umaga
Brumbies squad
Forwards Robbie Abel • Allan Alaalatoa • Ben Alexander • Richie Arnold • Rory Arnold • Sam Carter • Tom Cusack • Blake Enever • Mees Erasmus • Folau Fainga'a • Lolo Fakaosilea • Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin • Joshua Mann-Rea • Nic Mayhew • Lachlan McCaffrey • Connal McInerney • Isi Naisarani • Michael Oakman-Hunt • David Pocock • Scott Sio • Faalelei Sione • Darcy Swain • Rob Valetini • Did not play: • Ben Hyne
Backs Tom Banks • James Dargaville • Kyle Godwin • Wharenui Hawera • Jordan Jackson-Hope • Tevita KuridraniChristian Lealiifano • Matt Lucas • Andy Muirhead • Chance Peni • Joe Powell • Andrew Smith • Henry Speight • Lausii Taliauli • James Verity-Amm • Did not play: • Mack Hansen • Ryan Lonergan
Coach Dan McKellar
Bulls squad
Forwards Shaun Adendorff • Tim Agaba • Matthys Basson • Thembelani Bholi • Lood de Jager • Nick de Jager • Johan Grobbelaar • Lizo Gqoboka • Jason Jenkins • Jannes Kirsten • Hanro Liebenberg • Edgar Marutlulle • Nqoba Mxoli • Ruan Nortjé • Trevor Nyakane • Pierre Schoeman • Roelof Smit • Mornay Smith • RG Snyman • Hendré Stassen • Adriaan Strauss • Ruben van Heerden • Conraad van Vuuren • Marco van Staden • Frans van Wyk • Jaco Visagie • Did not play: • Aston Fortuin • Simphiwe Matanzima • Ruan Steenkamp
Backs Marnitz Boshoff • Francois Brummer • Warrick Gelant • Boeta Hamman • Travis Ismaiel • JT Jackson • Johnny Kôtze • Jesse Kriel • Manie Libbok • Duncan Matthews • Burger Odendaal • Embrose Papier • Handré Pollard • Divan Rossouw • Dries Swanepoel • Jamba Ulengo • Ivan van Zyl • André Warner • Did not play: • Jade Stighling
Coach John Mitchell
Chiefs squad
Forwards Michael Allardice • Tyler Ardron • Dominic Bird • Lachlan Boshier • Mitchell Brown • Sam Cane • Nathan Harris • Luke Jacobson • Mitchell Karpik • Sefo Kautai • Nepo Laulala • Matt Matich • Liam Messam • Atunaisa Moli • Jesse Parete • Liam Polwart • Sam Prattley • Brodie Retallick • Aidan Ross • Taleni Seu • Pita Gus Sowakula • Angus Ta'avao • Samisoni Taukei'aho • Jeff Thwaites • Karl Tu’inukuafe • Did not play: • Mitchell Graham • Kane Hames • Fin Hoeata
Backs Solomon Alaimalo • Johnny Fa'auli • Tiaan Falcon • Luteru Laulala • Anton Lienert-Brown • Damian McKenzie • Marty McKenzie • Alex Nankivell • Charlie Ngatai • Declan O'Donnell • Toni Pulu • Shaun Stevenson • Baylin Sullivan • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Jonathan Taumateine • Sean Wainui • Brad Weber • Did not play: • Levi Aumua • Sam McNicol • Tim Nanai-Williams • Regan Verney
Coach Colin Cooper
Crusaders squad
Forwards Michael Alaalatoa • Harry Allan • Sam Anderson-Heather • Scott Barrett • Heiden Bedwell-Curtis • Ethan Blackadder • Donald Brighouse • Wyatt Crockett • Mitchell Dunshea • Owen Franks • Ben Funnell • Billy Harmon • Oliver Jager • Chris King • Andrew Makalio • Joe Moody • Tim Perry • Kieran ReadLuke Romano • Pete Samu • Tom Sanders • Sebastian Siataga • Quinten Strange • Jordan Taufua • Codie TaylorMatt ToddSam Whitelock
Backs Tim Bateman • George Bridge • Brett Cameron • Ryan CrottyIsrael Dagg • Mike Delany • Mitchell Drummond • Braydon Ennor • Tima Fainga'anuku • Jack Goodhue • Bryn Hall • David Havili • Mitchell Hunt • Jone Macilai-Tori • Manasa Mataele • Richie Mo'unga • Jack Stratton • Seta Tamanivalu • Did not play:Will Jordan
Coach Scott Robertson
Highlanders squad
Forwards Alex Ainley • Liam Coltman • Josh Dickson • Ash Dixon • Elliot Dixon • Tom Franklin • Shannon Frizell • Jackson Hemopo • Dillon Hunt • James Lentjes • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Tyrel Lomax • Marino Mikaele-Tu’u • Guy Millar • Pari Pari Parkinson • Greg Pleasants-Tate • Dan Pryor • Aki Seiuli • Liam Squire • Siate Tokolahi • Kalolo Tuiloma • Luke Whitelock
Backs Richard Buckman • Matt Faddes • Kayne Hammington • Josh Ioane • Tevita Li • Josh McKay • Tevita Nabura • Waisake Naholo • Josh Renton • Aaron SmithBen Smith • Fletcher Smith • Lima Sopoaga • Rob Thompson • Sio Tomkinson • Thomas Umaga-Jensen • Teihorangi Walden
Coach Aaron Mauger
Hurricanes squad
Forwards Fraser Armstrong • Asafo Aumua • Murray Douglas • Gareth Evans • Chris Eves • Michael Fatialofa • Alex Fidow • Vaea Fifita • Sam Henwood • Sam Lousi • Ben May • James O'Reilly • Reed Prinsep • Marcel Renata • Ricky RiccitelliArdie Savea • Brad Shields • Toby Smith • Blade Thomson • Jeffery Toomaga-Allen • Nathan Vella • Isaia Walker-Leawere • Did not play: • James Blackwell • Dane Coles
Backs Vince Aso • Beauden BarrettJordie Barrett • Jamie Booth • Finlay Christie • Jackson Garden-Bachop • Wes Goosen • Richard Judd • Ben Lam • Ngani Laumape • Jonah Lowe • Nehe Milner-SkudderTJ Perenara • Matt Proctor • Julian Savea • Peter Umaga-Jensen • Ihaia West • Did not play: • TJ Va'a
Coach Chris Boyd
Jaguares squad
Forwards Matías Alemanno • Felipe Arregui • Agustín Creevy • Javier Díaz • Diego Fortuny • Santiago García Botta • Marcos Kremer • Tomás LavaniniJuan Manuel Leguizamón • Tomás Lezana • Pablo Matera • Santiago Medrano • Julián Montoya • Javier Ortega Desio • Guido Petti • Leonardo Senatore • Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro • Juan Pablo Zeiss • Did not play: • Franco Brarda • Rodrigo Bruni • Nicolás Leiva • Benjamín Macome • Santiago Montagner • Enrique Pieretto
Backs Gonzalo Bertranou • Emiliano Boffelli • Sebastián Cancelliere • Jerónimo de la Fuente • Bautista Delguy • Joaquín Díaz Bonilla • Bautista Ezcurra • Felipe Ezcurra • Santiago González Iglesias • Juan Martín Hernández • Martín Landajo • Juan Cruz Mallia • Matías Moroni • Ramiro Moyano • Matías Orlando • Nicolás Sánchez • Joaquín Tuculet • Did not play: • Santiago Álvarez • Tomás Cubelli
Coach Mario Ledesma
Lions squad
Forwards Jacobie Adriaanse • Cyle Brink • Robbie Coetzee • Hacjivah Dayimani • Ruan Dreyer • Lourens Erasmus • Andries Ferreira • Corné Fourie • Johannes Jonker • Robert Kruger • Malcolm Marx • Len Massyn • Franco Mostert • Marvin Orie • Marnus Schoeman • Sti Sithole • Dylan Smith • Kwagga Smith • Jacques van Rooyen • Warren Whiteley • Did not play: • Willie Engelbrecht • Rhyno Herbst • Jaco Kriel
Backs Andries Coetzee • Ruan Combrinck • Ross Cronjé • Ashlon Davids • Aphiwe Dyantyi • Nic Groom • Rohan Janse van Rensburg • Marco Jansen van Vuren • Elton Jantjies • Sylvian Mahuza • Lionel Mapoe • Howard Mnisi • Shaun Reynolds • Courtnall Skosan • Dillon Smit • Madosh Tambwe • Harold Vorster • Did not play: • Christiaan Meyer
Coach Swys de Bruin
Rebels squad
Forwards Jermaine Ainsley • Nathan Charles • Adam Coleman • Angus Cottrell • Ben Daley • Pone Fa'amausili • Colby Fainga'a • Tetera Faulkner • Richard Hardwick • Ross Haylett-Petty • Sam Jeffries • Amanaki Mafi • Sama Malolo • Geoff Parling • Matt Philip • Anaru Rangi • Fereti Sa'aga • Sam Talakai • Lopeti Timani • Jordan Uelese • Mahe Vailanu • Did not play: • Rob Leota • Tom Moloney • Laurie Weeks
Backs Tayler Adams • Jack Debreczeni • Tom English • Will Genia • Harrison Goddard • Dane Haylett-Petty • Reece Hodge • Marika Koroibete • Jack Maddocks • Bill Meakes • Sefa Naivalu • Michael Ruru • Semisi Tupou • Did not play: • David Horwitz • Henry Hutchison • Jack McGregor • Sione Tuipulotu
Coach David Wessels
Reds squad
Forwards Angus Blyth • Kane Douglas • Sef Fa'agase • Scott Higginbotham • Harry Hockings • Harry Hoopert • Adam Korczyk • Alex Mafi • Brandon Paenga-Amosa • Andrew Ready • Izack Rodda • Angus Scott-Young • James SlipperGeorge Smith • JP Smith • Ruan Smith • Caleb Timu • Lukhan Tui • Taniela Tupou • Liam Wright • Did not play: • Michael Gunn • Reece Hewat • Markus Vanzati
Backs Filipo Daugunu • Chris Feauai-Sautia • Samu Kerevi • Jono Lance • Ben Lucas • Tate McDermott • Eto Nabuli • Jayden Ngamanu • Duncan Paia'aua • Izaia Perese • Jordan Petaia • Moses Sorovi • Hamish Stewart • Teti Tela • Aidan Toua • James Tuttle • Did not play:Quade CooperKarmichael Hunt • Lachlan Maranta
Coach Brad Thorn
Sharks squad
Forwards Hyron Andrews • Ruan Botha • Keegan Daniel • Dan du Preez • Jean-Luc du PreezThomas du Toit • Ross Geldenhuys • Gideon Koegelenberg • Stephan Lewies • Mzamo Majola • Franco Marais • John-Hubert Meyer • Tendai Mtawarira • Tera Mtembu • Tyler Paul • Chiliboy Ralepelle • Juan Schoeman • Akker van der Merwe • Philip van der Walt • Jacques Vermeulen • Wian Vosloo • Did not play: • Jean Droste • Khutha Mchunu • Coenie Oosthuizen • Kerron van Vuuren
Backs Lukhanyo Am • Garth April • Curwin Bosch • Robert du Preez • André Esterhuizen • Marius Louw • Makazole Mapimpi • Lwazi Mvovo • S'busiso Nkosi • Louis Schreuder • Kobus van Wyk • Grant Williams • Cameron Wright • Did not play: • Tristan Blewett • Michael Claassens • Johan Deysel • Rhyno Smith • Jeremy Ward • Courtney Winnaar • Leolin Zas
Coach Robert du Preez
Stormers squad
Forwards Juarno Augustus • Nizaam Carr • Jaco Coetzee • Jan de Klerk • Johan du Toit • Pieter-Steph du Toit • Neethling Fouché • JC Janse van Rensburg • Steven Kitshoff • Siya Kolisi • Wilco Louw • Frans Malherbe • Bongi Mbonambi • Salmaan Moerat • Dean Muir • Sikhumbuzo Notshe • Scarra Ntubeni • Carlü Sadie • Ramone Samuels • JD Schickerling • Kobus van Dyk • Chris van Zyl • Cobus Wiese • Did not play: • Stephan de Wit • Eben Etzebeth • Caylib Oosthuizen • Alistair Vermaak • Eduard Zandberg
Backs Craig Barry • Damian de Allende • Paul de Wet • Jean-Luc du Plessis • Dewaldt Duvenage • JJ Engelbrecht • Herschel Jantjies • Dillyn Leyds • SP Marais • Justin Phillips • Raymond Rhule • Seabelo Senatla • Joshua Stander • Jano Vermaak • EW Viljoen • George Whitehead • Damian WillemseDid not play: • Daniël du Plessis • Dan Kriel • Sergeal Petersen
Coach Robbie Fleck
Sunwolves squad
Forwards Asaeli Ai Valu • Takuma Asahara • Jaba Bregvadze • Willie Britz • Grant Hattingh • Uwe Helu • Kazuki Himeno • Shota Horie • Keita Inagaki • Shintaro Ishihara • Nika Khatiashvili • Koo Ji-won • Lappies Labuschagné • Fetuani Lautaimi • Michael Leitch • Shinya Makabe • Craig Millar • James Moore • Yusuke Niwai • Shunsuke Nunomaki • Ed Quirk • Atsushi Sakate • Yoshitaka Tokunaga • Wimpie van der Walt • Hencus van Wyk • Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco • Alex Woonton • Sam Wykes • Did not play: • Takeshi Hino • Masakatsu Nishikawa
Backs Jason Emery • Yoshikazu Fujita • Kenki Fukuoka • Kai Ishii • Timothy Lafaele • Lomano Lemeki • Michael Little • Semisi Masirewa • Rikiya Matsuda • Kotaro Matsushima • Yutaka Nagare • Ryoto Nakamura • Ryuji Noguchi • Hayden Parker • Robbie Robinson • Hosea Saumaki • Kaito Shigeno • Yu Tamura • Fumiaki Tanaka • Harumichi Tatekawa • Sione Teaupa • Will Tupou • Keisuke Uchida • Gerhard van den Heever • Akihito Yamada • Did not play: • Daishi Murata
Coach Tony Brown • Jamie Joseph
Waratahs squad
Forwards Damien Fitzpatrick • Ned Hanigan • Jed Holloway • Michael Hooper • Harry Johnson-Holmes • Sekope Kepu • Tolu Latu • Ryan McCauley • Will Miller • Nick Palmer • Hugh Roach • Tom Robertson • Paddy Ryan • Rob Simmons • Tom Staniforth • Kalivati Tawake • Shambeckler Vui • Michael Wells • Brad Wilkin • Did not play:Jack Dempsey • Maclean Jones • Kelly Meafua • Matt Sandell • JP Sauni • Lachlan Swinton • Cody Walker
Backs Kurtley Beale • Cameron Clark • Lalakai Foketi • Israel FolauBernard Foley • Jake Gordon • Bryce Hegarty • Andrew Kellaway • Taqele Naiyaravoro • Alex Newsome • Nick Phipps • Curtis Rona • Mitch Short • Michael Snowden • Did not play: • Nick Duffy • Mack Mason • Irae Simone
Coach Daryl Gibson

Top scorers

The top ten try and point scorers during the 2018 Super Rugby season are:[21]

Referees

The following refereeing panel was appointed by SANZAAR for the 2018 Super Rugby season:[22]

2018 Super Rugby referees
Argentina Federico Anselmi
Australia Nic Berry • Angus Gardner • Will Houston
Japan Shuhei Kubo
New Zealand Nick Briant • Mike Fraser • Glen Jackson • Jamie Nutbrown • Ben O'Keeffe • Brendon Pickerill • Paul Williams
South Africa AJ Jacobs • Jaco Peyper • Rasta Rasivhenge • Egon Seconds • Marius van der Westhuizen

Attendances

Team Main Stadium Capacity Total Attendance Average Attendance % Capacity
New Zealand Blues Eden Park 50,000 77,200 9,650 19%
New Zealand Chiefs Waikato Stadium 25,800
New Zealand Hurricanes Westpac Stadium 34,500 136,911 15,212 46%
New Zealand Crusaders Rugby League Park 18,000
New Zealand Highlanders Forsyth Barr Stadium 30,728
Australia Reds Suncorp Stadium 52,500 96,810 12,101 23%
Australia Brumbies Canberra Stadium 25,011 67,128 8,391 33%
Australia Waratahs Sydney Football Stadium 44,000 121,603 13,511 32%
Australia Melbourne Rebels AAMI Park 29,500 78,566 9,820 33%
South Africa Sharks ABSA Stadium 52,000
South Africa Bulls Loftus Versfeld 51,792
South Africa Lions Ellis Park 62,567
South Africa Stormers Newlands Stadium 51,900
Argentina Jaguares José Amalfitani Stadium 49,640
Japan Sunwolves Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 27,188 80,608 10,076 35%

References

  1. ^ "Future SA Vodacom Super Rugby franchises confirmed". South African Rugby Union. 7 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Western Force culled from Super Rugby competition". Daily Telegraph. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Sanzaar confirm Super 15 tournament from 2018". SuperXV. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  4. ^ "2018 Super Rugby Match Schedule Announced" (Press release). SANZAAR. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Hurricanes beat Chiefs to secure Semi Final spot". SANZAAR. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Hurricanes 32-31 Chiefs". SANZAAR. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  7. ^ Wellington Regional Stadium Trust. "2019 Annual Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Clinical Crusaders cruise past Sharks". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Crusaders 40-10 Sharks". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Waratahs Storm Back to Stun Highlanders". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Waratahs 30-23 Highlanders". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Defence and crowd got us home, says Gibson | Latest Rugby News". RUGBY.com.au. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Lions overcome Jaguares to reach semi-final". SANZAAR. 22 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Lions 40-23 Jaguares". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Crusaders Beat 'Canes Book Home Final". SANZAAR. 28 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Crusaders 30-12 Hurricanes". SANZAAR. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Lions overcome Waratahs to reach Super Rugby final". SANZAAR. 29 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Lions 44-26 Waratahs". SANZAAR. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Outstanding Crusaders claim ninth Super Rugby title". SANZAAR. 4 August 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Crusaders 37-18 Lions". SANZAAR. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Super Rugby Stats". SANZAAR. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Super Rugby Referee Team 2018" (Press release). SANZAAR. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.