2018 Super Rugby season

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.

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 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

The final standings for the 2018 Super Rugby season were:

2018 Super Rugby standings
Overall standings
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Crusaders161402542295+24777397063
2 Lions16907519435+8477556446
3 Waratahs16916557445+11274594244
4 Hurricanes161105474343+13166435251
5 Chiefs161105463368+9560483249
6 Highlanders161006437445−859573144
7 Jaguares16907409418−951552038
8 Sharks16718437442−549572436
9 Rebels16709440461−2157605336
10 Brumbies16709393422−2956522434
11 Stormers166010390423−3346560529
12 Bulls166010441502−6159662329
13 Reds166010389501−11249661328
14 Blues164012378509−13150662422
15 Sunwolves163013404664−26048990214
Australian Conference
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Waratahs16916557445+11274594244
2 Rebels16709440461−2157605336
3 Brumbies16709393422−2956522434
4 Reds166010389501−11249661328
5 Sunwolves163013404664−26048990214
New Zealand Conference
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Crusaders161402542295+24777397063
2 Hurricanes161105474343+13166435251
3 Chiefs161105463368+9560483249
4 Highlanders161006437445−859573144
5 Blues164012378509−13150662422
South African Conference
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Lions16907519435+8477556446
2 Jaguares16907409418−951552038
3 Sharks16718437442−549572436
4 Stormers166010390423−3346560529
5 Bulls166010441502−6159662329
Legend and Competition rules
Legend:
Conference leaders, qualified to the finals. P = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, PD = Points Difference, TF = Tries For, TA = Tries Against, TB = Try Bonus Points, LB = Losing Bonus Points, Pts = Tournament Points
Wildcard teams, qualified to finals.
Competition rules:[4]
Qualification:
Eight teams will qualify to the finals, with their final positions in the overall log determining their seedings in the Quarter Finals. The conference winners will be seeded #1 to #3 for the Quarter Finals, in order of log points gained during the group stages, while the wildcards will be seeded as #4 to #8 in order of log points gained during the group stages.
In the Quarter Finals, the three conference winners and the highest-ranked wildcard team will host the first round of the finals, with the highest-seeded conference winner (Team #1) hosting the fifth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #8) in Quarter Final 1, the second-seeded conference winner (Team #2) hosting the fourth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #7) in Quarter Final 3, the third-seeded conference winner (Team #3) hosting the third-seeded wildcard entry (Team #6) in Quarter Final 4 and the top-seeded wildcard entry (Team #4) hosting the second-seed wildcard entry (Team #5) in Quarter Final 2.
The Quarter Final winners will progress to the Semi-Finals, where the winners of Quarter Finals 1 and 2 will play each other, as well as the winners of Quarter Finals 3 and 4, each tie hosted by the higher-seeded team.
The winner of the Semi-Finals will progress to the Final, again to be held at the venue of the highest-seeded team.

Tournament Points breakdown:
* 4 tournament points for a win
* 2 tournament points for a draw
* 1 tournament bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
* 1 tournament bonus point for scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match

Classification:
Teams standings are calculated as follows:
* Conference Leaders
* Tournament points
* Number of games won
* Overall points difference
* Number of tries scored
* Overall try difference
* Coin toss

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 N/A 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 N/A
Rebels N/A 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)		 N/A N/A N/A
Brumbies N/A 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)		 N/A N/A N/A
Reds N/A 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)		 N/A N/A N/A
Sunwolves N/A 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)		 N/A N/A N/A
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 N/A 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 N/A 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 N/A
Chiefs N/A 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 N/A N/A
Highlanders N/A 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 N/A N/A
Blues N/A 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)		 N/A N/A N/A
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 N/A N/A
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 N/A N/A
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)		 N/A N/A N/A
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)		 N/A N/A N/A
Key: win draw loss bye

Matches
Main article: List of 2018 Super Rugby matches

The fixtures for the 2018 Super Rugby competition were released on 21 September 2017.[5] 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

The finals fixtures were as follows:

 
QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
 
          
 
 21 July – Christchurch
 
 
 Crusaders 40
 
 28 July – Christchurch
 
 Sharks 10
 
 Crusaders 30
 
 20 July – Wellington
 
 Hurricanes 12
 
 Hurricanes 32
 
 4 August – Christchurch
 
 Chiefs 31
 
 Crusaders 37
 
 21 July – Johannesburg
 
 Lions 18
 
 Lions 40
 
 28 July – Johannesburg
 
 Jaguares 23
 
 Lions 44
 
 21 July – Sydney
 
 Waratahs 26
 
 Waratahs 30
 
 
 Highlanders 23
 

Quarterfinals
20 July 2018 Hurricanes 32–31 Chiefs Westpac Stadium, Wellington  
19:35 Try: Julian Savea  1'
TJ Perenara  33', 62'
Ben Lam  69'
Con: Beauden Barrett  2', 33'
Jordie Barrett  70'
Pen: Beauden Barrett  11', 55'
Cards: Vaea Fifita  80'		 Report[6]
Scoreboard[7]		 Try: Brad Weber  7'
Anton Lienert-Brown  51'
Damian McKenzie  79'
Lachlan Boshier  80'
Con: Damian McKenzie  8', 52', 79'
Charlie Ngatai  80'
Pen: Damian McKenzie  22'		 Attendance: 16,402[8]
Referee: Glen Jackson
21 July 2018 Crusaders 40–10 Sharks AMI Stadium, Christchurch  
19:35 Try: Bryn Hall  9'
David Havili  12'
Matt Todd  42'
Braydon Ennor  67'
Pete Samu  72'
Con: Richie Mo'unga  43', 68', 73'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga  7', 40', 57'		 Report[9]
Scoreboard[10]		 Try: Kobus van Wyk  26'
Con: Robert du Preez  27'
Pen: Robert du Preez  48'		 Referee: Mike Fraser
21 July 2018 Waratahs 30–23 Highlanders Allianz Stadium, Sydney  
20:05 Try: Bernard Foley  54', 61'
Israel Folau  56'
Con: Bernard Foley  54', 57', 62'
Pen: Bernard Foley  4', 9', 71'
Cards: Paddy Ryan  74'		 Report[11]
Scoreboard[12]		 Try: Waisake Naholo  11'
Rob Thompson  25'
Con: Lima Sopoaga  12', 26'
Pen: Lima Sopoaga  7', 19', 34'
Cards: Waisake Naholo 52' to 62'		 Attendance: 12,067[13]
Referee: Angus Gardner
21 July 2018 Lions 40–23 Jaguares Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
15:05 Try: Ruan Combrinck  8'
Harold Vorster  15'
Malcolm Marx  27'
Andries Coetzee  57'
Con: Elton Jantjies  9', 16', 28', 58'
Pen: Elton Jantjies  26', 44', 76'
Drop: Elton Jantjies  64'		 Report[14]
Scoreboard[15]		 Try: Bautista Delguy  42'
Pablo Matera  48'
Con: Nicolás Sánchez  43', 49'
Pen: Nicolás Sánchez  4', 6', 37'		 Referee: Jaco Peyper

Semifinals
28 July 2018 Crusaders 30–12 Hurricanes AMI Stadium, Christchurch  
19:35 Try: Richie Mo'unga  15'
George Bridge  28'
David Havili  44'
Braydon Ennor  69'
Con: Richie Mo'unga  16', 45'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga  36', 39'		 Report[16]
Scoreboard[17]		 Try: Julian Savea  19'
Ben Lam  80'
Con: Beauden Barrett  19'		 Referee: Jaco Peyper
28 July 2018 Lions 44–26 Waratahs Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg  
15:05 Try: Kwagga Smith  21', 63'
Aphiwe Dyantyi  26'
Malcolm Marx  35', 58'
Courtnall Skosan  79'
Con: Elton Jantjies  28', 37', 64', 80'
Pen: Elton Jantjies  55', 74'		 Report[18]
Scoreboard[19]		 Try: Ned Hanigan  4'
Israel Folau  8'
Tom Robertson  39'
Jake Gordon  76'
Con: Bernard Foley  6', 10', 76'
Cards: Damien Fitzpatrick 57' to 67'		 Referee: Glen Jackson

Final
Main article: 2018 Super Rugby Final
4 August 2018 Crusaders 37–18 Lions AMI Stadium, Christchurch  
19:35 Try: Seta Tamanivalu  19'
David Havili  34'
Mitchell Drummond  62'
Scott Barrett  70'
Con: Richie Mo'unga  20', 36', 63', 71'
Pen: Richie Mo'unga  16', 33', 43'
Cards: Ryan Crotty 67' to 77'		 Report[20]
Scoreboard[21]		 Try: Cyle Brink  53'
Malcolm Marx  68'
Con: Elton Jantjies  54'
Pen: Elton Jantjies  13', 39'		 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 Ioane • Jerome 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 Williams • Did 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 Kuridrani • Christian 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 Ala'alatoa • 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 Read • Luke Romano • Pete Samu • Tom Sanders • Sebastian Siataga • Quinten Strange • Jordan Taufua • Codie Taylor • Matt Todd • Sam Whitelock
Backs Tim Bateman • George Bridge • Brett Cameron • Ryan Crotty • Israel 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 Smith • Ben 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 Riccitelli • Ardie 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 Barrett • Jordie Barrett • Jamie Booth • Finlay Christie • Jackson Garden-Bachop • Wes Goosen • Richard Judd • Ben Lam • Ngani Laumape • Jonah Lowe • Nehe Milner-Skudder • TJ 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 Lavanini • Juan Manuel Leguizamón • Tomás Lezana • Pablo Matera • Santiago Medrano • Julián Montoya • Javier Ortega Desio • Guido Petti Pagadizábal • 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 Slipper • George 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 Cooper • Karmichael Hunt • Lachlan Maranta
Coach Brad Thorn
Sharks squad
Forwards Hyron Andrews • Ruan Botha • Keegan Daniel • Dan du Preez • Jean-Luc du Preez • Thomas 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 Willemse • Did 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 Folau • Bernard 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:[22]

Referees

The following refereeing panel was appointed by SANZAAR for the 2018 Super Rugby season:[23]

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
TeamMain StadiumCapacityTotal AttendanceAverage Attendance % Capacity
BluesEden Park50,00077,2009,65019%
ChiefsWaikato Stadium25,800
HurricanesWestpac Stadium34,500136,91115,21246%
CrusadersRugby League Park18,000
HighlandersForsyth Barr Stadium30,728
RedsSuncorp Stadium52,50096,81012,10123%
BrumbiesCanberra Stadium25,01167,1288,39133%
WaratahsSydney Football Stadium44,000121,60313,51132%
Melbourne RebelsAAMI Park29,50078,5669,82033%
SharksABSA Stadium52,000
BullsLoftus Versfeld51,792
LionsEllis Park62,567
StormersNewlands Stadium51,900
JaguaresJosé Amalfitani Stadium49,640
SunwolvesPrince Chichibu Memorial Stadium27,18880,60810,07635%

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. "Sanzaar confirm Super 15 tournament from 2018". SuperXV. 9 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  4. "About Super Rugby". SANZAAR. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  5. "2018 Super Rugby Match Schedule Announced" (Press release). SANZAAR. 21 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  6. "Hurricanes beat Chiefs to secure Semi Final spot". SANZAAR. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  7. "Hurricanes 32-31 Chiefs". SANZAAR. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  8. https://www.westpacstadium.co.nz/fileadmin/Documents/Annual_Reports/WRST_AR19.pdf
  9. "Clinical Crusaders cruise past Sharks". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  10. "Crusaders 40-10 Sharks". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  11. "Waratahs Storm Back to Stun Highlanders". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  12. "Waratahs 30-23 Highlanders". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  13. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/07/22/waratahs-highlanders-reax
  14. "Lions overcome Jaguares to reach semi-final". SANZAAR. 22 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  15. "Lions 40-23 Jaguares". SANZAAR. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  16. "Crusaders Beat 'Canes Book Home Final". SANZAAR. 28 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  17. "Crusaders 30-12 Hurricanes". SANZAAR. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  18. "Lions overcome Waratahs to reach Super Rugby final". SANZAAR. 29 July 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  19. "Lions 44-26 Waratahs". SANZAAR. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  20. "Outstanding Crusaders claim ninth Super Rugby title". SANZAAR. 4 August 2018. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  21. "Crusaders 37-18 Lions". SANZAAR. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  22. "Super Rugby Stats". SANZAAR. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  23. "Super Rugby Referee Team 2018" (Press release). SANZAAR. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
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