Jump to content

2007 Super 14 season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from 2007 Super 14)

2007 Super 14
Countries Australia
 South Africa
 New Zealand
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
ChampionsSouth Africa Bulls (1st title)
Matches played94
Tries scored440 (4.68 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Stephen Donald (164; Chiefs)
Top try scorer(s)JP Pietersen (12; Sharks)
2006 (Previous) (Next) 2008

The 2007 Super 14 season started in February 2007 with preseason matches held from mid-January. It finished on 19 May with the final at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, in the first final between two South African teams in the history of Super Rugby. The visiting Bulls won the 2007 Super 14 Final, scoring a try in the 83rd minute and narrowly defeating the Sharks 20–19, thereby becoming the first South African side to win the Super Rugby title in the professional era.

Super 14 is a provincial rugby union competition with 14 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. This season is the second of the expansion, which led to the name change to the Super 14. The 2007 season saw an old team emerge with a new name, as the Cats changed their name to the Lions effective 8 September 2006.[1]

There was also some confusion over the inclusion of the Southern Spears franchise, who were in the end not included. The season is also notable of the New Zealand sides resting several All Blacks players in the first half of the season. There were 94 matches held over the 3½ months, with each team playing one full round robin against the 13 other teams, 2 semi-finals and a final. Every team will get one bye over the 14 rounds.

Player withdrawal

[edit]

With the Rugby World Cup in September, all three countries would have some of their top players rested, to avoid injuries. All Blacks coach Graham Henry made clear his wish for up to 30 of New Zealand's best players to miss around half of the Super 14, with the five New Zealand franchises supporting him in May 2006. The mandatory stand-down period meant that the 30 players who toured at the end of 2006 would miss at least the first week of competition.[2]

John Connolly, the Wallabies coach, was also interested in lightening the load for his top players. It was expected that the Australians would want to rest only a few players, especially veterans such as Stephen Larkham and George Gregan, as they are seen as key to Australia's World Cup chances.[2] Springboks coach Jake White met the board of SA Rugby, the commercial arm of the South African Rugby Union, in Cape Town on 25 May 2006 to put forward his suggestion to rest key players between then and the World Cup at regular intervals. White was also keen to rest some players during the Boks' 2006 mid-year internationals against Scotland and France.[2]

It was revealed in September 2006 that the All Blacks would rest 22 players, who would go into a "conditioning group" for the first 7 weeks of competition. The 22 players named were: Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore, Chris Jack, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Keven Mealamu, Anton Oliver, Greg Somerville, Rodney So'oialo, Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher, Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Piri Weepu. Seven of these players were from the Crusaders, six from the Hurricanes, four from the Blues, three from the Chiefs and two from the Highlanders.[3] These players would be available for their franchises from Week 8. From these 22 players, Jason Eaton and Piri Weepu didn't make the final All Blacks squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

After the NZRU announced the resting of 22 leading players, Pat Wilson, Australian High Performance Manager, revealed that leading Wallabies would only be rested for one match, which was to be chosen by their state's union. This decision has drawn criticism from former Wallabies coach and current Queensland Reds coach Eddie Jones, who said that while resting the older players could be beneficial, it is better for younger players, such as his own Rodney Blake, to receive game time.[4]

The SARU decided against resting their top players for the 2007 Super 14 but conceded that it was likely that players would be rested for some games.[5] It is expected that News Corp and the other SANZAR nations will request compensation from the New Zealand Rugby Union.[citation needed]

Southern Spears saga

[edit]

During the 2006 Super 14 season, SA Rugby announced that, contrary to the original plans, the Southern Spears would not replace the lowest ranked South African based side.

In August 2006, however, the Spears won a court case for inclusion into the 2007 season, which would be at the expense of the Cats, who changed their name to the Lions the following month. SA Rugby and the South African Rugby Union were expected to appeal the High Court of South Africa's decision.[6] In November 2006, SA Rugby and the Spears reached a settlement. The financially troubled Spears abandoned the court case. They will still exist as an organisation to promote and develop rugby in the Southern and Eastern Cape region, with the support of SA Rugby and the SARU, but will now not be a part of Super Rugby in the foreseeable future.[7] With the settlement, the season's Super 14 line-up was set, with the Lions taking up the final South African place.

Table

[edit]
Key to colours
     Top four teams advance to playoffs.
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 South Africa Sharks 13 10 0 3 355 214 141 5 45
2 South Africa Bulls 13 9 0 4 388 223 165 6 42
3 New Zealand Crusaders 13 8 0 5 382 235 147 10 42
4 New Zealand Blues 13 9 0 4 355 235 120 6 42
5 Australia Brumbies 13 9 0 4 234 173 61 4 40
6 New Zealand Chiefs 13 7 1 5 373 321 52 10 40
7 Australia Western Force 13 6 1 6 276 292 −16 6 32
8 New Zealand Hurricanes 13 6 0 7 247 300 −53 3 27
9 New Zealand Highlanders 13 5 0 8 235 301 −66 7 27
10 South Africa Stormers 13 6 0 7 249 326 −77 3 27
11 South Africa Cheetahs 13 4 1 8 265 342 −77 4 22
12 South Africa Lions 13 5 0 8 175 284 −109 2 22
13 Australia Waratahs 13 3 1 9 266 317 −51 7 21
14 Australia Reds 13 2 0 11 201 438 −237 3 11

Results

[edit]

The draw for the 2007 season was released on 2006-10-13. The season started 8 days earlier than the 2006 season, with the first match being between the Blues and the Crusaders at Auckland's Eden Park, the second time in the last two years the Blues had hosted the first match. In total, 94 matches were played, comprising 91 regular season matches, 2 semi-finals and the final. There were 29 Friday night match-ups and 61 Saturday matches. One match, the Brumbies-Waratahs regional derby in Week 10, was played on a Sunday night.[8][9]

Round 1

[edit]

The 2007 Super 14 started in contrast to that of 2006. The game of the week was the Blues from Auckland beating the defending champions the Crusaders, which was the first loss to a New Zealand side that the Crusaders had suffered since May 2004 and was ironically the Blues' first win over a New Zealand team for two years. The other upset was 2006 Finalists the Hurricanes losing to last years 12th placed Queensland Reds.


2 February 2007 Blues New Zealand 34–25 New Zealand Crusaders Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35 Tries: Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf, Doug Howlett
Con: Isa Nacewa (2)
Pen: Isa Nacewa (5)
Tries: Corey Flynn, Mose Tuiali'i, Rico Gear
Con: Stephen Brett (2)
Pen: Brent Ward (2)
Attendance: 26,300[10]
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)[11]


2 February 2007 Western Force Australia 7–8 New Zealand Highlanders Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:05 Tries: James Hilgendorf
Con: Cameron Shepherd
Tries: Josh Blackie
Pen: Callum Bruce
Attendance: 30,704[12]
Referee: Jerome Fortuin (South Africa)[11]


2 February 2007 Lions South Africa 16–25 Australia Waratahs Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
19:10 Tries: Louis Ludik
Con: Louis Strydom
Pen: Louis Strydom (3)
Tries: Daniel Halangahu, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier
Con: Peter Hewat (2)
Pen: Peter Hewat (2)
Attendance: 15,000[13]
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)[11]


3 February 2007 Chiefs New Zealand 15–21 Australia Brumbies Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35 Tries: Sosene Anesi (2), Lelia Masaga Tries: Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock
Con: Stirling Mortlock
Pen: Julian Huxley (2), Stirling Mortlock
Attendance: ~12,500[14]
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)[11]


3 February 2007 Reds Australia 25–16 New Zealand Hurricanes Lang Park, Brisbane  
19:40 Tries: Mitchell Chapman
Con: Clinton Schifcofske
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (5)
Drop: Berrick Barnes
Tries: Cory Jane
Con: Jimmy Gopperth
Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (3)
Attendance: 22,654
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)[11]


3 February 2007 Sharks South Africa 17–3 South Africa Bulls Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
17:00 Tries: JP Pietersen (2)
Con: Percy Montgomery (2)
Pen: Percy Montgomery
Pen: Morné Steyn Attendance: 33,572[15]
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)[11]


3 February 2007 Cheetahs South Africa 27–9 South Africa Stormers Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein  
19:10 Tries: Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Kabamba Floors
Pen: Meyer Bosman (4)
Pen: Naas Olivier (3) Attendance: ~35,000[16]
Referee: Craig Joubert[11]

Round 2

[edit]

Week two saw the New Zealand teams have a strong week with the Hurricanes, Crusaders, Blues notching wins. Western Force began to show vast improvement from 2006 winning only their second match since entering the competition in 2006. Apart from the Force all other Australian teams suffered a loss.


9 February 2007 Chiefs New Zealand 32–39 New Zealand Hurricanes Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35 Tries: Roy Kinikinilau, Tom Willis, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam
Con: Stephen Donald (3)
Pen: Stephen Donald (2)
Tries: Alby Mathewson, Serge Lilo, Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Paul Tito
Con: Jimmy Gopperth (4)
Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (2)
Attendance: 17,000 (approx)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)[11]


9 February 2007 Stormers South Africa 3–22 Australia Western Force Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
18:00 Pen: Naas Olivier Tries: Ryan Cross
Con: Cameron Shepherd
Pen: Cameron Shepherd (5)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)[11]


9 February 2007 Sharks South Africa 22–9 Australia Waratahs Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
20:05 Tries: Butch James
Con: Percy Montgomery
Pen: Percy Montgomery (4)
Drop: François Steyn
Pen: Peter Hewat (3) Attendance: 28,669[17]
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)[11]


10 February 2007 Crusaders New Zealand 33–22 Australia Reds Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
19:35 Tries: Ross Filipo, Mose Tuiali'i, Scott Hamilton, Brent Ward, Stephen Brett
Con: Stephen Brett (4)
Tries: Greg Holmes, Peter Hynes
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (4)
Attendance: ~19,000
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)[11]


10 February 2007 Brumbies Australia 15–17 New Zealand Blues Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
19:40 Pen: Julian Huxley (5) Tries: Isa Nacewa, Saimone Taumoepeau
Con: Isa Nacewa (2)
Pen: Isa Nacewa
Attendance: 16,127[18]
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)[11]


10 February 2007 Bulls South Africa 24–20 South Africa Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
17:00 Tries: Wessel Roux, Bryan Habana, Adriaan Fondse
Con: Morné Steyn (3)
Pen: Morné Steyn
Tries: CJ Van Der Linde, Eddie Fredericks
Con: Meyer Bosman (2)
Pen: Meyer Bosman (2)
Attendance: 51,762[19]
Referee: Jerome Fortuin (South Africa)[11]


10 February 2007 Lions South Africa 11–6 New Zealand Highlanders Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
19:00 Tries: Wylie Human
Pen: Louis Strydom (2)
Pen: Callum Bruce, Charlie Hore Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)[11]

Round 3

[edit]

In week three a Super rugby record was broken, although not one to be proud of. The Reds and Brumbies played in the lowest scoring match ever, a dire affair that resulted in a Brumbies win 6–3. The 22 All Blacks missing from New Zealand teams started to have a visible effect on the kiwi sides with only the Hurricanes claiming a tight win over the Blues. Another relatively low scoring match saw even the last years powerhouse champions the Crusaders beaten by last years 13th placed Lions, it was the first match in six years the Crusaders hadn't scored a single try.


16 February 2007 Stormers South Africa 21–16 New Zealand Chiefs Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
18:10 Tries: Breyton Paulse, Jean de Villiers
Con: Peter Grant
Pen: Peter Grant (3)
Tries: Dwayne Sweeney
Con: Stephen Donald
Pen: Stephen Donald (3)
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)[11]


16 February 2007 Bulls South Africa 27–30 Australia Western Force Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
20:35 Tries: JP Nel (2), Anton Leonard
Con: Morné Steyn (3)
Pen: Morné Steyn (2)
Tries: Cameron Shepherd (2), Gareth Hardy
Con: Cameron Shepherd (3)
Pen: Cameron Shepherd (3)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)[11]


17 February 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 23–22 New Zealand Blues Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington  
19:35 Tries: Cory Jane, Serge Lilo
Con: Jimmy Gopperth (2)
Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (3)
Tries: Doug Howlett, Anthony Tuitavake, Greg Rawlinson
Con: Isa Nacewa(2)
Pen: Isa Nacewa
Attendance: 24,208
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)[11]


17 February 2007 Reds Australia 3 – 6 * Australia Brumbies Lang Park, Brisbane  
19:05 Pen: Clinton Schifcofske Pen: Stirling Mortlock, Julian Huxley Attendance: 25,170
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)[11]


17 February 2007 Cheetahs South Africa 30–26 Australia Waratahs ABSA Park, Kimberley  
16:30 Tries: Ronnie Cooke, Phillip Burger, Eddie Fredericks, Juan Smith
Con: Meyer Bosman (2)
Pen: Meyer Bosman
Drop: Herkie Kruger
Tries: Kurtley Beale, Ben Jacobs
Con: Peter Hewat (2)
Pen: Peter Hewat(4)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)[11]


17 February 2007 Lions South Africa 9–3 New Zealand Crusaders Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
18:30 Pen: Louis Strydom (3) Pen: Stephen Brett Referee: Brett Bowden (Australia)[11]


17 February 2007 Sharks South Africa 23–16 New Zealand Highlanders Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
20:30 Tries: Percy Montgomery (2)
Con: Percy Montgomery (2)
Pen: Percy Montgomery (3)
Tries: Jason Kawau
Con: Charlie Hore
Pen: Charlie Hore (3)
Attendance: 28,023[20]
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)[11]

* Note: This match was the lowest-scoring in Super Rugby history at the time.

Round 4

[edit]

Week Four saw the Brumbies lose their second game by conceding a try in the final seconds to the Hurricanes (the first was to the Blues in Week Two). The Blues convincingly put away the Queensland Reds while the Force surrendered in the final seconds to the Lions leaving them yet to win a home game. The Bulls beat the Chiefs while the Crusaders began the show the form that they have displayed in past years by beating the Cheetahs 49–28.

23 February 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 11–10 Australia Brumbies Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington  
19:35 Tries: Thomas Waldrom
Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (2)
Tries: Adam Wallace-Harrison
Con: Julian Huxley
Pen: Julian Huxley
Attendance: 21,194
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)[11]


24 February 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 35–24 South Africa Stormers Carisbrook, Dunedin  
17:50 Tries: Matt Saunders (2), Viliame Waqaseduadua, Hale T-Pole
Cons: Charlie Hore (3)
Pens: Charlie Hore (3)
Tries: Andries Bekker, Breyton Paulse, François van der Merwe, Luke Watson
Cons: Peter Grant (2)
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)[11]


24 February 2007 Blues New Zealand 38–13 Australia Reds Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35 Tries: Rudi Wulf (2), Isa Nacewa, Jerome Kaino
Con: Isa Nacewa, Luke McAlister
Pen: Isa Nacewa, Luke McAlister (3)
Tries: Charlie Fetoai
Con: Clinton Schifcofske
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (2)
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Willie Roos (South Africa)[11]


24 February 2007 Western Force Australia 24–25 South Africa Lions Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:05 Tries: Cameron Shepherd, Gareth Hardy
Con: Cameron Shepherd
Pen: Cameron Shepherd (4)
Tries: Jaque Fourie
Con: Louis Strydom
Pen: Louis Strydom (4), André Pretorius
Drop: André Pretorius
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)[11]


24 February 2007 Bulls South Africa 30–27 New Zealand Chiefs Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
17:00 Tries: Bakkies Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp, Bryan Habana
Pens: Morné Steyn (3), Derick Hougaard (2)
Tries: Lelia Masaga (2), Dwayne Sweeney
Con: Stephen Donald (3)
Pen: Stephen Donald (2)
Referee: Brett Bowden (Australia)[11]


24 February 2007 Cheetahs South Africa 28–49 New Zealand Crusaders Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein  
19:10 Tries: Darren Nell (2), Herkie Kruger
Con: Meyer Bosman (2)
Pen: Meyer Bosman (2)
Drop: Herkie Kruger
Tries: Casey Laulala, Caleb Ralph (2), Scott Hamilton (2), Stephen Brett
Con: Stephen Brett (5)
Pen: Stephen Brett (3)
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)[11]

Round 5

[edit]

Week 5 saw the Blues defeat the Highlanders, the Chiefs drew with the Cheetahs in the final moments of the game, the Hurricanes lost at | home to bottom placed Stormers and the Crusaders suffered their 3rd defeat of the season losing in the final minute because of a blunder by Rico Gear. The Brumbies also suffered a loss at | home to the Bulls whereas the controversial game of the round saw the Waratahs draw with the Western Force because of a blunder by Waratahs utility back Sam Norton-Knight who decide to run with the ball in the final minute instead of taking the penalty shot which could have won them the game and for his mistake Lote Tuqiri shoved him and walked off the pitch looking very disappointed.

2 March 2007 Blues New Zealand 28–9 New Zealand Highlanders Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35 Tries: Isaia Toeava (2), Troy Flavell
Pen: Luke McAlister (3)
Con: Luke McAlister (2)
Pen: Nick Evans (3) Attendance: 22,500
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)


2 March 2007 Waratahs Australia 16–16 Australia Western Force Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Morgan Turinui
Con: Peter Hewat
Pen: Peter Hewat (3)
Tries Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell
Pen: Cameron Shepherd (2)
Attendance: 31,149
Referee: Paul Marks (New Zealand)


2 March 2007 Cheetahs South Africa 22–22 New Zealand Chiefs Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  
19:10 Tries: Tiger Mangweni
Con: Willem de Waal
Pen: Willem de Waal (5)
Tries: Lelia Masaga
Con: Stephen Donald
Pen: Stephen Donald (5)
Attendance: 20,500
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)


3 March 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 17–30 South Africa Stormers FMG Stadium, Palmerston North  
19:05 Tries: David Smith, Cory Jane
Con: Jimmy Gopperth, Blair Stewart
Pen: Jimmy Gopperth
Tries: Jean de Villiers, Justin Melck, Corne Uys, Breyton Paulse
Con: Peter Grant (2)
Pen: Peter Grant (2)
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)


3 March 2007 Brumbies Australia 7–19 South Africa Bulls Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
19:10 Tries: Gene Fairbanks
Con: Julian Huxley
Tries: Pedrie Wannenburg
Con: Derick Hougaard
Pen: Derick Hougaard (3)
Drop: Derick Hougaard
Attendance: 15,101
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)


3 March 2007 Reds Australia 20–26 South Africa Lions Lang Park, Brisbane  
20:10 Tries: Quade Cooper, Will Genia
Con: Clinton Schifcofske (2)
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (2)
Tries: Jaque Fourie, Ernst Joubert
Con: Earl Rose (2)
Pen: Earl Rose (4)
Attendance: 17,011
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)


3 March 2007 Sharks South Africa 27–26 New Zealand Crusaders ABSA Stadium, Durban  
17:00 Tries: Albert van den Berg, Bismarck du Plessis, Odwa Ndungane
Con: Percy Montgomery (2), Ruan Pienaar
Pen: Percy Montgomery (2)
Tries: Kieran Read, Mose Tuiali'i
Con: Stephen Brett (2)
Pen: Stephen Brett (3)
Drop: Stephen Brett
Attendance: 33,470
Referee: Australia Stuart Dickinson

Round 6

[edit]

Week 6 saw the Reds travel to the "House of Pain" to play the Highlanders. Recent signing Andrew Walker was rushed into the starting team, however the Reds lost 17–33. The next game saw the Brumbies looking to rectify a three-game losing streak at their home ground. They did so with a convincing 26–13 win against the Stormers. The Force were also looking to end a | home ground hoodoo against the Hurricanes. Seeking their first ever victory at Subiaco the Force looked to have squandered an 11–10 lead upon conceding a try with two minutes left to put the score at 17–11. However a try on the sideline and followed by an unlikely conversion by Force wing Cameron Shepherd gave the Force a maiden | home victory. The next day opened with the Blues thrashing an in-form Lions outfit 41–14. The game saw Doug Howlett score two tries and in doing so becoming the equal highest try scorer in Super Rugby history (with Joe Roff of the Brumbies). The Waratahs then played a | home game against the Bulls – who won 32–19 thanks to two tries apiece to Bryan Habana and Fourie du Preez.

9 March 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 33–17 Australia Reds Carisbrook, Dunedin  
19:35 Tries: Aaron Bancroft, Lucky Mulipola, Glen Horton, Jason MacDonald
Con: Nick Evans (2)
Pen: Nick Evans (2)
Drop: Aaron Bancroft
Tries: Berrick Barnes, John Roe
Con: Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes
Pen: Berrick Barnes
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


9 March 2007 Brumbies Australia 26–13 South Africa Stormers Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
19:40 Tries: Mark Chisholm, Stirling Mortlock, Adam Ashley-Cooper
Con: Stirling Mortlock
Pen: Stirling Mortlock (3)
Tries: Gio Aplon
Con: Peter Grant
Pen: Peter Grant (2)
Attendance: 14, 410
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)


9 March 2007 Western Force Australia 18–17 New Zealand Hurricanes Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:05 Tries: Drew Mitchell, Cameron Shepherd
Con: Cameron Shepherd
Pen: Cameron Shepherd (2)
Tries: Tana Umaga, Jimmy Gopperth
Con: Blair Stewart, Jimmy Gopperth
Pen: Blair Stewart
Attendance: 30,704
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)


10 March 2007 Blues New Zealand 41–14 South Africa Lions Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35 Tries: Doug Howlett (2)*, Ben Atiga, Rudi Wulf, Daniel Braid, David Holwell
Con: David Holwell (4)
Pen: David Holwell
Tries: Louie Ludik, Ethienne Reynecke
Con: André Pretorius, Earl Rose
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)


9 March 2007 Waratahs Australia 19–32 South Africa Bulls Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Kurtley Beale
Con: Peter Hewat
Pen: Peter Hewat (4)
Tries: Bryan Habana(2), Fourie du Preez(2)
Con: Derick Hougaard(3)
Pen: Derick Hougaard (2)
Attendance: 21,854
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)


9 March 2007 Cheetahs South Africa 14–30 South Africa Sharks Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Tries: Juan Smith, Herkie Kruger
Con: Willem de Waal (2)
Tries: JP Pietersen, Jacques Botes, Waylon Murray
Con: Ruan Pienaar (3)
Pen: Ruan Pienaar (3)
Attendance: 29,500
Referee: JC Fortuin (South Africa)

Round 7

[edit]

The Chiefs put on a convincing win against the Lions to start week seven. This was followed later that evening with the Force easily putting away the bottom of the table Reds in Perth. The Crusaders began to show their regular form with a win against the Bulls and the Waratahs season slumped to a new low with a home loss at the hands of the Stormers. The Cheetahs pulled off an unexpected win against the Brumbies and the undefeated Sharks continued their streak – beating the Hurricanes.

16 March 2007 Chiefs New Zealand 34–7 South Africa Lions Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35 Tries: Stephen Donald (2), Marty Holah, Liam Messam, Tane Tuipulotu
Con: Stephen Donald, Tasesa Lavea (2)
Pen: Stephen Donald
Tries: André Pretorius
Con: André Pretorius
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)


16 March 2007 Western Force Australia 38–3 Australia Reds Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:05 Tries: Chris O'Young, Penalty try, Cameron Shepherd, Digby Ioane
Con: Cameron Shepherd (3)
Pen: Cameron Shepherd (4)
Pen: Andrew Walker Attendance: 26,023
Referee: Brett Bowden (Australia)


17 March 2007 Crusaders New Zealand 32–10 South Africa Bulls Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
19:35 Tries: Johnny Leo'o, Rico Gear, Tim Bateman, Scott Hamilton
Con: Stephen Brett (3)
Pen: Stephen Brett (2)
Tries: Wikus van Heerden
Con: Derick Hougaard
Pen: Derick Hougaard
Attendance: 18,240
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


17 March 2007 Waratahs Australia 10–16 South Africa Stormers Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Penalty try
Con: Peter Hewat
Pen: Peter Hewat
Tries: Luke Watson
Con: Peter Grant
Pen: Peter Grant (3)
Attendance: 18,409
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)


17 March 2007 Cheetahs South Africa 38–20 Australia Brumbies Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein  
17:00 Tries: Falie Oelschig, Gavin Passens, Richardt Strauss, Phillip Burger, Juan Smith
Con: Willem de Waal (5)
Drop: Willem de Waal
Tries: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mark Chisholm, Patrick Phibbs
Con: Julian Huxley
Pen: Julian Huxley
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)


17 March 2007 Sharks South Africa 27–14 New Zealand Hurricanes Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
19:10 Tries: JP Pietersen, Johan Ackermann, Jacques Botes, Warren Britz
Con: Butch James (2)
Pen: Butch James (1)
Tries: Anthony Perenise
Pen: Blair Stewart (3)
Attendance: 36,700
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Round 8

[edit]

The Waratahs fell to another loss – being convincingly beaten by the Blues in Auckland. The Bulls were not worried about the "House of Pain" moniker of Carisbrook – instead they turned in on the Highlanders to win 22–13. The Crusaders continued their quick ascent up the ladder with a bonus-point win over the Stormers. Queensland slipped to another loss – albeit a close one – against the Chiefs. The Sharks suffered their first loss of the season as the Brumbies recording a big upset at ABSA Stadium. It was also the Brumbies first ever away win against the Sharks. The Lions continued the Hurricanes bad season with an easy win.

23 March 2007 Blues New Zealand 34–6 Australia Waratahs Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35 Tries: Daniel Braid, Troy Flavell (2), Steve Devine
Cons: Luke McAlister (4)
Pens: Luke McAlister (2)
Pens: Peter Hewat (2) Attendance: 27,500
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


24 March 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 13–22 South Africa Bulls Carisbrook, Dunedin  
17:30 Try: Jimmy Cowan
Con: Nick Evans
Pens: Nick Evans (2)
Try: Jaco van der Westhuyzen
Con: Derick Hougaard
Pens: Derick Hougaard (5)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


24 March 2007 Crusaders New Zealand 36–11 South Africa Stormers Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
19:35 Tries: Casey Laulala, Rico Gear (2), Leon MacDonald
Con: Dan Carter (2)
Pen: Dan Carter (4)
Tries: De Wet Barry
Pen: Peter Grant (2)
Referee: Australia Brett Bowden


24 March 2007 Reds Australia 19–21 New Zealand Chiefs Lang Park, Brisbane  
19:40 Tries: David Croft
Con: Andrew Walker
Pen: Andrew Walker (4)
Tries: Kristian Ormsby (2)
Con: Stephen Donald
Pen: Stephen Donald (3)
Attendance: 16,830
Referee: Willie Roos (South Africa)


24 March 2007 Sharks South Africa 10–21 Australia Brumbies Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
17:00 Tries: Adrian Jacobs
Con: Butch James
Pen: Ruan Pienaar
Tries: Julian Huxley, Adam Wallace-Harrison
Con: Julian Huxley
Pen: Julian Huxley (3)
Attendance: 38,787[21]
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)


24 March 2007 Lions South Africa 30–7 New Zealand Hurricanes Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
19:10 Tries: Ethienne Reynecke, Jaque Fourie
Con: André Pretorius
Pen: André Pretorius (5)
Drop: André Pretorius
Tries: Piri Weepu
Con: Blair Stewart
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Round 9

[edit]

The Highlanders recorded a home win over the Cheetahs to open the round before the Force subjected the Sharks to their second loss in as many matches in Perth. The Hurricanes pulled off a win over the Bulls and the Blues put in a hard-fought win over the Chiefs. The Blues' Doug Howlett took sole possession of the all-| time try scoring lead in Super Rugby during the latter match. The Crusaders pulled away from the Waratahs early in the game before slacking off in the second half and seeing their lead evaporate to 34–28. The Waratahs scored a try late in the game to seemingly secure a win with the kick to come – but Peter Hewat missed a relatively easy kick to hand the Crusaders a 34–33 win. The Brumbies won a second game in South Africa – this time a close encounter against the Lions. A late Julian Huxley try securing a 14–9 win for the Canberra-based side.

30 March 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 21–17 South Africa Cheetahs Rugby Park, Invercargill  
19:35 Tries: Kane Thompson, Lucky Mulipola
Con: Charlie Hore
Pen: Nick Evans(2), Charlie Hore
Tries: Eddie Fredericks, Kabamba Floors
Con: Willem de Waal, Meyer Bosman
Pen: Willem de Waal
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


30 March 2007 Western Force Australia 22–12 South Africa Sharks Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:05 Tries: Cameron Shepherd
Pen: Matt Giteau (5)
Con: Matt Giteau
Pen: Ruan Pienaar (3)
Drop: François Steyn
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)


31 March 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 17–9 South Africa Bulls Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington  
17:30 Tries: Hosea Gear
Pen: Piri Weepu (4)
Pen: Derick Hougaard (3) Attendance: 20,874
Referee: Brett Bowden (Australia)


31 March 2007 Chiefs New Zealand 11–18 New Zealand Blues Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35 Try: Tasesa Lavea
Pen: Stephen Donald (2)
Tries: Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Doug Howlett
Pen: Isa Nacewa
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)


31 March 2007 Waratahs Australia 33–34 New Zealand Crusaders Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Lachlan Turner, Sam Harris, Sam Norton-Knight, Tatafu Polota-Nau
Con: Peter Hewat (2)
Pen: Peter Hewat (3)
Tries: Campbell Johnstone, Rico Gear (2), Mose Tuiali'i, Aaron Mauger, Casey Laulala
Con: Stephen Brett (2)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)


31 March 2007 Lions South Africa 9–14 Australia Brumbies Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
17:00 Pen: André Pretorius (3) Try: Julian Huxley
Pen: Julian Huxley (2)
Drop: Julian Huxley
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Round 10

[edit]

The Blues easily put away the Cheetahs in the sole Good Friday game. The next day saw the Chiefs beat the Highlanders before a startling mountain backdrop in Queenstown. The Crusaders annihilated the Force 53–0. It was the largest score ever conceded by the Force and the largest losing margin – but for the Crusaders it didn't come close to their 96–19 win against the Waratahs in 2002. The Sharks continued the high scoring – putting 57 points on the Reds in Brisbane for a big win. The Stormers upset the Lions 30–8 in Cape Town. In the sole Easter Sunday clash the Waratahs failed to resurrect their season against the Brumbies – going down 36–10 in the interstate grudge match between the rivals. The win put the Brumbies into the top four for the first time in 2007.

6 April 2007 Blues New Zealand 26–8 South Africa Cheetahs Eden Park, Auckland  
19:35 Tries: Steve Devine, Doug Howlett, Anthony Tuitavake
Con: Isa Nacewa
Pen: Isa Nacewa (3)
Try: Ryno van der Merwe
Pen: Herkie Kruger
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)


7 April 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 34–38 New Zealand Chiefs Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown  
14:35 Tries: Lucky Mulipola, Anton Oliver, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Matt Saunders, Toby Morland
Con: Nick Evans (2), Charlie Hore
Pen: Nick Evans
Tries: Niva Ta'auso, Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Lelia Masaga (2)
Con: Stephen Donald (5)
Pen: Stephen Donald
Attendance: 11,000[22]
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)


7 April 2007 Crusaders New Zealand 53–0 Australia Western Force Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
19:35 Tries: Rico Gear, Mose Tuiali'i, Kieran Read (2), Ross Filipo (3), Richie McCaw
Con: Dan Carter (5)
Pen: Dan Carter
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)


7 April 2007 Reds Australia 16–59 South Africa Sharks Lang Park, Brisbane  
19:40 Try: John Roe
Con: Clinton Schifcofske
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (3)
Tries: AJ Venter (2), JP Pietersen (2), Jacques Botes, Brad Barritt, Waylon Murray, Bismarck du Plessis, Keegan Daniel
Con: Ruan Pienaar (5), François Steyn (2)
Attendance: 14,443[23]
Referee: Chris Polluck (New Zealand)


7 April 2007 Stormers South Africa 30–8 South Africa Lions Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:00 Tries: Peter Grant, De Wet Barry, Naas Olivier
Con: Peter Grant (3)
Pen: Peter Grant (3)
Try: Jaque Fourie
Pen: André Pretorius
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (South Africa)


8 April 2007 Brumbies Australia 36–10 Australia Waratahs Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
19:40 Tries: Mark Gerrard (2), Jone Tawake, Stephen Larkham (2)
Con: Julian Huxley (2), Mark Gerrard (2)
Pen: Julian Huxley
Try: Rocky Elsom
Con: Peter Hewat
Pen: Peter Hewat
Attendance: 23,097
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Round 11

[edit]

This week saw the Hurricanes take on the Cheetahs and Hosea Gear became the Hurricanes' hero after scoring a 90-metre try in the final moments of the game. It was also the team's fourth try of the game which gave them a bonus point on top of the win. The following day, the Chiefs thrashed the Western Force 64–36, a game which saw a total of 14 tries being scored, nine of which were scored by the Chiefs, with Roy Kinikinilau and Brendon Leonard each getting hat-tricks. The Crusaders then defeated the Highlanders to climb to the top of the table. The Blues lost to the Sharks at home, going down by 7 points, and the Waratahs won only their second game this season, defeating the Reds, who sit at the bottom of the table. In the last match of the week, the Bulls thrashed the Stormers 49–12.

13 April 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 37–15 South Africa Cheetahs Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington  
19:35 Tries: Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Hosea Gear
Con: Piri Weepu (4)
Pen: Piri Weepu (3)
Tries: Gavin Passens, Juan Smith
Con: Willem de Waal
Pen: Willem de Waal
Attendance: 15,770[24]
Referee: Australia Paul Marks


14 April 2007 Chiefs New Zealand 64–36 Australia Western Force Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
14:35 Tries: Roy Kinikinilau (3), Lelia Masaga, Brendon Leonard (3), Tanerau Latimer, Tasesa Lavea
Con: Stephen Donald (5)
Pen: Stephen Donald (3)
Tries: Nathan Sharpe, Matt Giteau (2), Cameron Shepherd, Drew Mitchell
Con: Matt Giteau (4)
Pen: Matt Giteau
Attendance: 13,100
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)


14 April 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 3–38 New Zealand Crusaders Carisbrook, Dunedin  
17:30 Pen: Nick Evans Tries: Dan Carter, Casey Laulala (2), Caleb Ralph, Rua Tipoki
Con: Dan Carter (4), Stephen Brett
Pen: Dan Carter
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)


14 April 2007 Blues New Zealand 25–32 South Africa Sharks North Harbour Stadium, Albany  
19:35 Tries: Keven Mealamu, David Gibson, Daniel Braid
Con: Isa Nacewa (2)
Pen: Isa Nacewa (2)
Tries: JP Pietersen (2), Odwa Ndungane
Con: François Steyn
Pen: Percy Montgomery (2), François Steyn
Drop: François Steyn (2)
Attendance: 20,100
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


14 April 2007 Waratahs Australia 26–13 Australia Reds Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Josh Valentine, Benn Robinson
Con: Peter Hewat (2)
Pen: Peter Hewat (4)
Tries: Clinton Schifcofske
Con: Clinton Schifcofske
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (2)
Attendance: 21,872
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)


14 April 2007 Bulls South Africa 49–12 South Africa Stormers Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
16:00 Tries: Bakkies Botha (2), Wikus van Heerden (2) Pedrie Wannenburg, Heinie Adams, Wynand Olivier
Con: Derick Hougaard (2), Morné Steyn (2)
Pen: Derick Hougaard (2)
Tries: Brent Russell, Dylan des Fountain
Con: Peter Grant
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Round 12

[edit]

The Crusaders defeated the Hurricanes in a thrilling encounter which saw Jerry Collins being stretchered off after injuring his neck in a tackle on Rua Tipoki. The Brumbies defeated the Western Force in an all-Australian derby by just two points and the Reds won their second game of the season defeating the Cheetahs. Ben Tune (who is leaving the club after the season) scored the winning try in that match, but the match of the round saw the Chiefs defeat the Sharks to put themselves in contention for a semi-final spot. The Waratahs lost to the Highlanders by a point after Peter Hewat missed another conversion, and in a South African derby, the Bulls thrashed the Lions 31–7. Finally, the Blues lost their away match to the Stormers, but they remain second in the table nonetheless.

20 April 2007 Crusaders New Zealand 23–13 New Zealand Hurricanes Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
19:35 Tries: Corey Flynn, Ross Filipo
Con: Dan Carter (2)
Pen: Dan Carter (3)
Tries: Ma'a Nonu
Con: Piri Weepu
Pen: Piri Weepu (2)
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)


20 April 2007 Brumbies Australia 14–12 Australia Western Force Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
19:40 Tries: Jeremy Paul
Pen: Julian Huxley (2), Mark Gerrard
Pen: Matt Giteau (4) Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


21 April 2007 Reds Australia 23–13 South Africa Cheetahs Lang Park, Queensland  
15:30 Tries: James Horwill, Ben Tune
Con: Clinton Schifcofske (2)
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske
Tries: Kabamba Floors
Con: Meyer Bosman
Pen: Meyer Bosman (2)
Attendance: 12,500
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)


21 April 2007 Chiefs New Zealand 35–27 South Africa Sharks Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  
19:35 Tries: Lelia Masaga, Tasesa Lavea (2), Brendon Leonard
Con: Stephen Donald (3)
Pen: Stephen Donald (3)
Tries: Bobby Skinstad, Deon Carstens, Bismarck du Plessis, Penalty try
Con: Percy Montgomery, François Steyn
Pen: François Steyn
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)


21 April 2007 Waratahs Australia 25–26 New Zealand Highlanders Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Peter Hewat (2), Josh Holmes
Con: Peter Hewat (2)
Pen: Peter Hewat (2)
Tries: Viliame Waqaseduadua, Nick Evans, Jason Kawau
Con: Nick Evans
Pen: Nick Evans (3)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)


21 April 2007 Lions South Africa 7–31 South Africa Bulls Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00 Tries: Willem Alberts
Con: André Pretorius
Tries: Wynand Olivier (2), Bryan Habana, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel
Con: Derick Hougaard (3)
Referee: J.C. Fortuin (South Africa)


21 April 2007 Stormers South Africa 33–20 New Zealand Blues Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:05 Tries: Conrad Jantjes, Luke Watson, Jean de Villiers
Con: Peter Grant (3)
Pen: Peter Grant (4)
Tries: Isaia Toeava, Tony Woodcock
Con: David Holwell, Isa Nacewa
Pen: David Holwell (2)
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Round 13

[edit]

With the semi-final week just around the corner, Week 13 saw some close matches including the opener between the Highlanders and the Hurricanes at the cake tin. The score was 22 – 16 to the Hurricanes at 80 minutes but a final minute try to Toby Morland in the corner turned things around. Nick Evans needed to get the kick over to win the game but was unsuccessful allowing the Hurricanes to win the game lucky to not have the same situation when the Hurricanes lost to the Force in week 6. The force continued their up and down season by comfortably beating the cheetahs. The Waratahs narrowly lost going down to the chiefs. The Brumbies pulled an upset win over the Crusaders to keep their semi final hopes alive. The Sharks dominated the lions to make sure they would at least get a home semi final. The Blues lost their third game in a row going down to the Bulls which slimmed the chances of the Blues securing a semi final spot and helped the Bulls secure a semi final spot. The last game of the week saw the stormers easily put away the Reds.

27 April 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 22–21 New Zealand Highlanders Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington  
19:35 Tries: Jimmy Gopperth, Hosea Gear
Pen: Piri Weepu (4)
Tries: Nick Evans, Toby Morland
Con: Nick Evans
Pen: Nick Evans (3)
Attendance: 19,790
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)


27 April 2007 Waratahs Australia 23–28 New Zealand Chiefs Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
19:40 Tries: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachlan Turner
Con: Peter Hewat (2)
Pen: Peter Hewat (3)
Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Liam Messam, Tane Tuipolotu
Con: Stephen Donald (2)
Pen: Stephen Donald (3)
Attendance: 16,266
Referee: Willie Roos (South Africa)


27 April 2007 Western Force Australia 45–17 South Africa Cheetahs Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:40 Tries: Ryan Cross (2), Scott Staniforth (2), Digby Ioane, Tai McIsaac, AJ Whalley
Con: Matt Giteau (5)
Tries: Philip Burger, Ryno van der Merwe, Kabamba Floors
Con: Wilem De Waal
Attendance: 24,330
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)


27 April 2007 Bulls South Africa 40–19 New Zealand Blues Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
19:05 Tries: Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Fourie du Preez, Heini Adams
Con: Derick Hougaard (4)
Pen: Derick Hougaard (3)
Drop: Derick Hougaard
Tries: Troy Flavell
Con: Isa Nacewa
Pen: Isa Nacewa (4)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


28 April 2007 Brumbies Australia 15–6 New Zealand Crusaders Canberra Stadium, Canberra  
19:40 Pen: Stirling Mortlock (3), Julian Huxley
Drop: Stephen Larkham
Pen: Dan Carter (2) Attendance: 20,127
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


28 April 2007 Sharks South Africa 33–3 South Africa Lions Kings Park Stadium, Durban  
15:00 Tries: JP Pietersen (2), Jacques Botes (2)
Con: Percy Montgomery (2)
Pen: Percy Montgomery (2), François Steyn
Pen: Earl Rose Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)


28 April 2007 Stormers South Africa 37–24 Australia Reds Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:05 Tries: Luke Watson (2), Brent Russell (2), Joe van Niekerk
Con: Peter Grant (3)
Pen: Peter Grant (2)
Tries: Ben Tune, Sean Hardman
Con: Clinton Schifcofske
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (4)
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)

Round 14

[edit]

This was an exciting week for the two South African contenders the Bulls and the Sharks, both with possibilities of a home semi final. The action-packed weekend started with an upset, the in-form Chiefs beating the Crusaders 30–24 at Lancaster Park. This result gave the Sharks the opportunity to take the top spot if they won in Cape Town. The Blues smashed the Western Force 33–6 to keep their title dreams alive. Later, the Brumbies kept their semi final hopes alive by defeating the tired and weary Highlanders 29–10. Waratahs defeated the Hurricanes away in Wellington 38–14. Cheetahs gave the Lions the South African wooden spoon by beating them 16–10. The first main game of the day was the Stormers vs the Sharks. The Sharks played an efficient and professional game whilst the Stormers played their usual erratic hot and cold game that had seen them beat some good teams during the season, but in the end the Sharks easily claimed a 36–10 victory to be the first South African side to finish at the top of the table at the end of the round-robin stage in the Super 14 competition's history. The last game of the weekend promised to be a huge one for the Bulls, who were chasing a semi final spot. They came up against a feeble Reds team, who after going ahead 3–0 in the beginning, had no idea of the onslaught they were going to receive. The Bulls, who needed a bonus-point win to reach the semifinals, easily achieved this goal a quarter of the way into the "match". Early in the second half they reached the 45-point margin needed to push them up to third place. Then the impossible became possible. If the Bulls went 72 points clear of the Reds, they would leapfrog to second, giving them a home semifinal in the high-altitude cauldron of noise that is Loftus Versfeld. They seemed to reach this goal with little effort against a humiliated Reds side, setting a new Super Rugby record for winning margin of 89 points.

4 May 2007 Crusaders New Zealand 24–30 New Zealand Chiefs Lancaster Park, Christchurch  
19:35 Tries: Richie McCaw, Ross Filipo
Con: Stephen Brett
Pen: Stephen Brett (4)
Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2)
Con: Stephen Donald
Pen: Stephen Donald (6)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)


5 May 2007 Western Force Australia 6–33 New Zealand Blues Subiaco Oval, Perth  
19:05 Pen: Matt Giteau (2) Tries: Rudi Wulf, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock
Con: Luke McAlister (2)
Pen: Luke McAlister (3)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)


5 May 2007 Highlanders New Zealand 10–29 Australia Brumbies Carisbrook, Dunedin  
17:30 Tries: Jason Kawau
Con: Nick Evans
Pen: Nick Evans
Tries: Julian Huxley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Mark Chisholm
Con: Stirling Mortlock (3)
Pen: Stirling Mortlock
Referee: J.C. Fortuin (South Africa)


5 May 2007 Hurricanes New Zealand 14–38 Australia Waratahs Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington  
19:35 Tries: Jimmy Gopperth, Jerry Collins
Con: Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu
Tries: Dean Mumm, Lachlan Turner, Lote Tuqiri, Ben Jacobs
Con: Peter Hewat (3)
Pen: Peter Hewat (4)
Attendance: 25,290
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)


5 May 2007 Lions South Africa 10–16 South Africa Cheetahs Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  
15:00 Tries: Ashwin Willemse
Con: Earl Rose
Pen: André Pretorius
Tries: Eddie Fredericks
Con: Willem de Waal
Pen: Willem de Waal (2)
Drop: Bevin Fortuin
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


5 May 2007 Stormers South Africa 10–36 South Africa Sharks Newlands Stadium, Cape Town  
17:05 Tries: Peter Grant
Con: Peter Grant
Pen: Peter Grant
Tries: Ryan Kankowski, Waylon Murray, Percy Montgomery, François Steyn, JP Pietersen
Con: Percy Montgomery (4)
Pen: Percy Montgomery
Attendance: 48,000
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)


5 May 2007 Bulls South Africa 92–3 Australia Reds Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  
19:10 Tries: Bryan Habana (2), Pierre Spies (2), Wikus van Heerden (2), Derick Kuün (2), Fourie du Preez, Wynand Olivier, Gary Botha, Pedrie Wannenburg, Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen
Con: Derick Hougaard (11), Morné Steyn
Pen: Derick Hougaard
Pen: Clinton Schifcofske Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)

Finals

[edit]

Semi finals

[edit]
12 May 2007
15:00
Sharks South Africa34–18New Zealand Blues
Tries: Johann Muller, Butch James, Waylon Murray
Con: Percy Montgomery (2)
Pen: Percy Montgomery (4)
Drop: Butch James
Tries: Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa
Con: Isa Nacewa
Pen: Isa Nacewa (2)
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 52,173
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
12 May 2007
17:30
Bulls South Africa27–12New Zealand Crusaders
Pen: Derick Hougaard (8)
Drop: Derick Hougaard
Pen: Dan Carter (4)
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Attendance: ~53,000
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Grand final

[edit]

The match had four tries – two by each team, and the last of which was scored by Bulls' wing Bryan Habana in the 82nd minute to give his team the trophy. It was the first Super rugby final to be played in South Africa, as well as the first all South African final, and the first final with a South African winner.[25]

19 May 2007
15:00
Sharks South Africa19–20South Africa Bulls
Tries: Pietersen, Van den Berg
Pen: Montgomery (3)
Tries: Spies, Habana
Con: Hougaard (2)
Pen: Hougaard (2)
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 54,000
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
FB 15 Percy Montgomery
RW 14 François Steyn
OC 13 Waylon Murray
IC 12 Brad Barritt
LW 11 JP Pietersen
FH 10 Butch James
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar
N8 8 Ryan Kankowski
BF 7 AJ Venter
OF 6 Jacques Botes
RL 5 Johann Muller
LL 4 Johan Ackermann
TP 3 BJ Botha
HK 2 John Smit (c)
LP 1 Deon Carstens
Substitutes:
HK 16 Bismarck du Plessis
LP 17 Tendai Mtawarira
RL 18 Albert van den Berg
N8 19 Warren Britz
BL 20 Bob Skinstad
FH 21 Rory Kockott
OC 22 Adrian Jacobs
Coach:
South Africa Dick Muir
FB 15 Johan Roets
RW 14 Akona Ndungane
OC 13 JP Nel
IC 12 Wynand Olivier
LW 11 Bryan Habana
FH 10 Derick Hougaard
SH 9 Fourie du Preez
N8 8 Pierre Spies
BF 7 Wikus van Heerden
OF 6 Pedrie Wannenburg
RL 5 Victor Matfield (c)
LL 4 Bakkies Botha
TP 3 Rayno Gerber
HK 2 Gary Botha
LP 1 Gurthro Steenkamp
Substitutions:
HK 16 Jaco Engels
LP 17 Danie Thiart
RL 18 Danie Rossouw
N8 19 Derick Kuün
SH 20 Heinie Adams
FH 21 Morné Steyn
FB 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen
Coach:
South Africa Heyneke Meyer

Man of the Match:
Victor Matfield (Bulls)
Assistant referees:
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)

Player statistics

[edit]

Leading try scorers

[edit]
Top 3 try scorers (Stats)
Pos Name Tries Pld Team
1 JP Pietersen 12 15 Sharks
2 Bryan Habana 8 15 Bulls
Lelia Masaga 8 13 Chiefs
4 Cameron Shepherd 7 13 Force
Rico Gear 7 14 Crusaders

Leading point scorers

[edit]
Top 3 overall point scorers (Stats)
Pos Name Points Pld Team
1 Stephen Donald 164 (2T, 26C, 34P) 13 Chiefs
2 Derick Hougaard 161 (0T, 28C, 33P, 3DG) 15 Bulls
3 Peter Hewat 156 (2T, 19C, 36P) 13 Waratahs

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "From Cats to Lions ... the new look". Planet Rugby. 8 September 2006. Archived from the original on 21 May 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2006.
  2. ^ a b c "SANZAR geared for diluted S14". Archived from the original on 18 June 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2006.
  3. ^ "All Blacks To Miss Early Super 14 Named". Retrieved 13 September 2006. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Completely different approach to Super 14". Archived from the original on 2 June 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  5. ^ "Boks get Super action". Archived from the original on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2006.
  6. ^ "Get Giteau into Gregan's jersey: Jones". Archived from the original on 28 August 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2006.
  7. ^ "Spears abandon their Super conquest". Planet Rugby. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2006.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Blues, Crusaders to kick-start SANZAR showpiece". Archived from the original on 21 October 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
  9. ^ "Blues to host Crusaders in first Super 14 match". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2006.
  10. ^ "Rugby Union – Homepage – Yahoo!Xtra Sport". Xtramsn.co.nz. Archived from the original on 7 February 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "SANZAR announces Super 14 referees". scrum.com. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2007.
  12. ^ "Australian Stadiums :: S14: Force v Highlanders". Austadiums.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  13. ^ "SportsAustralia.com :: News Article". Sportsaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  14. ^ Fitzgerald, Peter (4 February 2007). "Bring back the glory years: ACT set for new entertainers era". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2007.
  15. ^ "Sharks Rugby". Sharksrugby.co.za. Retrieved 13 November 2008. [dead link]
  16. ^ Cronjé, Hendrik (5 February 2007). "Cheetahs slaag hul groot toets" (in Afrikaans). Die Volksblad. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2007.
  17. ^ "Sharks Rugby". Sharksrugby.co.za. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  18. ^ Fitzgerald, Peter (11 February 2007). "Blues break Brumbies' heart: Try pips better side at the post". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 20 September 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2007.
  19. ^ "Bulls edge Cheetahs in Loftus". Super 14. 10 February 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  20. ^ "Sharks Rugby". Sharksrugby.co.za. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  21. ^ "CA Brumbies sink Sharks". Brumbies Rugby. 24 March 2007. Archived from the original on 1 September 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  22. ^ "No Saving Highlanders James Ryan". www.Stuff.co.nz (Fairfax). 8 April 2007. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  23. ^ "Jones Slams his Reds after record loss". Stuff.co.nz. 8 April 2007. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  24. ^ "Canes Still in Contention for S14 Title". www.Stuff.co.nz (Fairfax). 14 April 2007. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2007.
  25. ^ Morris, David (18 May 2007). "Super 14 final preview: Sharks vs Bulls". worldcupweb.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2007.