Super Rugby Countdown: 23 Past Winners
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With just 23 days left until the new Super Rugby season kicks off, we take a look at the 23 clubs who lifted the trophy since the competition's inception in 1993.
1996 Blues
The Auckland Blues and Natal Sharks were the finalists for the first Super 12 competion, with the Blues winning 45 – 21.
"If we hadn’t won at Durban,’ said then coach Graham Henry. "We would have been playing our sem-final back there seven days later, and I don’t believe we would have won the title in those circumstances.’ The 30-23 win in Durban was a masterpiece of strategic planning, which carried over into the final at Eden Park.
1997 Blues
The Auckland Blues yet again proved their dominance in the competion by winning their second Super 12 title.
They went against the Brumbies to clinch the title in 23-7 thriller.
1998 Crusaders
After finishing dead-last in the inaugural season of Super Rugby in 1996, the Crusaders underwent a remarkable turnaround to finish sixth in 1997 before being crowned champions for the first time in 1998.
In a blockbuster final at Eden Park, the Crusaders scored late through James Kerr to defeat the two-time champions the Blues by a margin of 20-13. Since winning their first crown in 1998, the Crusaders have become the most successful team in Super Rugby history with 10 title wins.
1999 Crusaders
2000 Crusaders
2001 Brumbies
The Brumbies defeated South Africa’s Sharks 36-6 in 2001 before winning the competition for the second time on May 22, 2004 with a 47-38 victory over the Crusaders of New Zealand’s South Island.
2002 Crusaders
2003 Blues
The Blues edged the Crusaders 21-17 in front of a packed house at Eden Park to win their third Super Rugby crown.
2004 Brumbies
2005 & 2006 Crusaders
After the Super 12 became the Super 14 the Crusaders continued with their dominance of Southern Hemisphere rugby by winning the inaugaral Super 14.
2007 Bulls
The Final of the 2007 Super 14 season took place on 19 May 2007 at ABSA Stadium in Durban, South Africa. The match was won by the Bulls 20 points to 19 over their hosts the Sharks.
2008 Crusaders
The Crusaders defeated the Hurricanes 33–22 with three tries each, and the Waratahs defeated the Sharks 28–13. The Crusaders eventually prevailed in a toughly fought final, 20–12.
2009 Bulls
2010 Bulls
2011 Queensland Reds
2012 Chiefs
2013 Chiefs
2014 NSW Waratahs
2015 Highlanders
2016 Hurricanes
2017 Crusaders
2018 Crusaders
2020 No Winner [cancelled due to pandemic]
Super Rugby Aotearoa (NZ)
2020 Crusaders
2021 Crusaders
Super Rugby AU (Australia)
2020 Brumbies
2021 Queensland Reds
Super Rugby Unbroken (RSA)
2020 Bulls
Super Rugby Trans-Tasman
2021 Blues
Super Rugby Pacific
2022 Crusaders