2006 Super 14 season
# 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.

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 | 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

* 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 |
