The 2019 Super Rugby season was the 24th season of Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR between teams from Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. The 2019 season was the second season using the reduced 15-team format consisting of three geographical conferences since being reduced from an 18-team competition in 2017.
This was the final season that used the traditional format of international teams playing each other.
Competition format The 15 participating teams were divided into three geographical conferences: the Australian Conference (consisting of four Australian teams and the Japanese ), the New Zealand Conference (consisting of five New Zealand teams), and the South African Conference (consisting of four South African teams and the from Argentina).
In the group stages, there were 18 rounds of matches, with each team playing 16 matches and having two rounds of byes, resulting in a total of 120 matches. Teams played eight inter-conference matches and eight cross-conference matches; they played all the other teams in their conference twice — once at home and once away — and play once against four of the teams in the other two conferences.
The top team in each of the three conferences qualified 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 progressed to the final.
Standings Conference standings
Overall standings
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 QF SF Final Brumbies 1 (11th) 6 (3rd) 6 (9th) 7 (11th) 11 (9th) 11 (10th) 11 (12th) 11 (14th) 15 (12th) 19 (11th) 20 (12th) 24 (9th) 29 (2nd) 29 (3rd) 34 (3rd) 39 (3rd) 43 (3rd) 48 (3rd) Won Lost N/A Rebels 4 (2nd) 4 (9th) 8 (3rd) 12 (3rd) 13 (3rd) 13 (8th) 18 (2nd) 23 (2nd) 23 (3rd) 24 (2nd) 24 (3rd) 24 (3rd) 28 (6th) 28 (9th) 33 (5th) 34 (6th) 34 (8th) 34 (11th) N/A N/A N/A Reds 0 (12th) 1 (12th) 1 (14th) 1 (14th) 5 (14th) 10 (10th) 10 (13th) 14 (9th) 14 (13th) 18 (12th) 18 (13th) 22 (10th) 23 (11th) 23 (13th) 24 (14th) 24 (14th) 28 (14th) 28 (14th) N/A N/A N/A Sunwolves 0 (14th) 1 (14th) 5 (12th) 5 (13th) 6 (13th) 6 (15th) 10 (15th) 10 (15th) 10 (15th) 11 (15th) 11 (15th) 12 (15th) 12 (15th) 12 (15th) 12 (15th) 12 (15th) 12 (15th) 12 (15th) N/A N/A N/A Waratahs 1 (8th) 5 (8th) 5 (10th) 9 (7th) 10 (10th) 14 (3rd) 15 (7th) 16 (8th) 16 (10th) 20 (7th) 20 (10th) 21 (12th) 22 (13th) 26 (10th) 26 (12th) 30 (10th) 30 (12th) 30 (12th) 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 QF SF Final Blues 1 (9th) 1 (13th) 2 (13th) 6 (12th) 6 (12th) 10 (11th) 15 (8th) 19 (5th) 20 (6th) 20 (8th) 20 (11th) 21 (13th) 21 (14th) 26 (11th) 26 (13th) 28 (13th) 29 (13th) 30 (13th) N/A N/A N/A Chiefs 1 (10th) 1 (15th) 1 (15th) 1 (15th) 3 (15th) 8 (14th) 12 (11th) 12 (13th) 16 (11th) 17 (14th) 17 (14th) 19 (14th) 23 (12th) 23 (14th) 27 (11th) 31 (9th) 31 (10th) 36 (7th) Lost N/A N/A Crusaders 4 (6th) 8 (2nd) 12 (1st) 17 (1st) 19 (1st) 19 (1st) 24 (1st) 29 (1st) 34 (1st) 34 (1st) 39 (1st) 42 (1st) 47 (1st) 49 (1st) 53 (1st) 53 (1st) 58 (1st) 58 (1st) Won Won Won Highlanders 4 (3rd) 8 (4th) 9 (7th) 10 (6th) 12 (7th) 13 (9th) 13 (10th) 14 (12th) 14 (14th) 18 (13th) 23 (8th) 25 (7th) 29 (5th) 29 (8th) 29 (10th) 29 (12th) 31 (11th) 36 (8th) Lost N/A N/A Hurricanes 4 (7th) 4 (10th) 8 (5th) 13 (4th) 15 (4th) 19 (4th) 19 (4th) 23 (4th) 23 (4th) 27 (4th) 32 (4th) 36 (4th) 40 (4th) 40 (4th) 40 (4th) 44 (4th) 49 (4th) 53 (4th) Won Lost 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 QF SF Final Bulls 5 (1st) 5 (5th) 9 (4th) 13 (2nd) 13 (2nd) 13 (7th) 17 (5th) 18 (6th) 23 (2nd) 23 (3rd) 24 (5th) 28 (2nd) 28 (7th) 32 (2nd) 32 (7th) 34 (7th) 36 (5th) 41 (5th) Lost N/A N/A Jaguares 0 (13th) 5 (7th) 9 (6th) 9 (8th) 9 (11th) 9 (12th) 10 (14th) 14 (10th) 19 (7th) 19 (9th) 23 (6th) 27 (6th) 28 (8th) 32 (5th) 36 (2nd) 41 (2nd) 46 (2nd) 51 (2nd) Won Won Lost Lions 4 (5th) 5 (6th) 5 (11th) 9 (9th) 13 (5th) 18 (2nd) 18 (3rd) 18 (7th) 18 (9th) 22 (5th) 22 (9th) 22 (11th) 26 (9th) 30 (6th) 30 (8th) 35 (5th) 35 (6th) 35 (9th) N/A N/A N/A Sharks 5 (4th) 10 (1st) 11 (2nd) 11 (5th) 11 (8th) 15 (5th) 16 (6th) 21 (3rd) 21 (5th) 22 (6th) 26 (2nd) 28 (5th) 29 (3rd) 29 (7th) 33 (6th) 33 (8th) 33 (9th) 37 (6th) Lost N/A N/A Stormers 0 (15th) 4 (11th) 8 (8th) 8 (10th) 13 (6th) 14 (6th) 14 (9th) 14 (11th) 18 (8th) 19 (10th) 23 (7th) 24 (8th) 24 (10th) 26 (12th) 30 (9th) 30 (11th) 34 (7th) 35 (10th) N/A N/A N/A Key: win draw loss bye
Matches
The fixtures for the 2019 Super Rugby competition were released on 12 June 2018. The following matches were played during the regular season:
Finals
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Players
Squads
The following 2019 Super Rugby squads have been named:
+ squad Forwards Leni Apisai • Jed Brown • Gerard Cowley-Tuioti • Blake Gibson • Josh Goodhue • Alex Hodgman • Akira Ioane • Lua Li • Ezekiel Lindenmuth • Matt Matich • Sione Mafileo • Matt Moulds • Dalton Papalii • James Parsons • Marcel Renata • Tom Robinson • Hisa Sasagi • Scott Scrafton • Hoskins Sotutu • Karl Tu'inukuafe • Patrick Tuipulotu • Ofa Tu'ungafasi • Did not play • Jacob Pierce • Jimmy Tupou Backs Levi Aumua • Otere Black • Caleb Clarke • Michael Collins • Matt Duffie • TJ Faiane • Rieko Ioane • Melani Nanai • Sam Nock • Ma'a Nonu • Harry Plummer • Augustine Pulu • Jonathan Ruru • Tanielu Tele’a • Sonny Bill Williams • Did not play • Stephen Perofeta • Jordan Trainor Coach Leon MacDonald
+ squad Forwards Allan Alaalatoa • Rory Arnold • Jahrome Brown • Sam Carter • Tom Cusack • Murray Douglas • Blake Enever • Folau Fainga'a • Vunipola Fifita • Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin • Joshua Mann-Rea • Lachlan McCaffrey • Connal McInerney • David Pocock • Tom Ross • Pete Samu • Scott Sio • James Slipper • Darcy Swain • Rob Valetini • Did not play • Ben Hyne • Maile Ngauamo • Angus Wagner Backs Tom Banks • Mack Hansen • Wharenui Hawera • Len Ikitau • Jordan Jackson-Hope • Tevita Kuridrani • Christian Lealiifano • Ryan Lonergan • Matt Lucas • Andy Muirhead • Chance Peni • Joe Powell • Toni Pulu • Irae Simone • Henry Speight • Lausii Taliauli • Tom Wright • Did not play • Bayley Kuenzle • Noah Lolesio Coach Dan McKellar
+ squad Forwards Tim Agaba • Thembelani Bholi • Schalk Brits • Lood de Jager • Corniel Els • Lizo Gqoboka • Johan Grobbelaar • Wiehahn Herbst • Jason Jenkins • Jannes Kirsten • Hanro Liebenberg • Simphiwe Matanzima • Trevor Nyakane • Paul Schoeman • Roelof Smit • Eli Snyman • RG Snyman • Ruan Steenkamp • Dayan van der Westhuizen • Marco van Staden • Conraad van Vuuren • Duane Vermeulen • Jaco Visagie • Did not play • Matthys Basson • Nick de Jager • Carel du Preez • Madot Mabokela • Edgar Marutlulle • Nqoba Mxoli • Hendré Stassen • Muller Uys • Jano Venter Backs Warrick Gelant • Cornal Hendricks • JT Jackson • Johnny Kôtze • Jesse Kriel • Manie Libbok • Burger Odendaal • Embrose Papier • Handré Pollard • Divan Rossouw • Dylan Sage • Rosko Specman • Jade Stighling • Ivan van Zyl • André Warner • Did not play • Marnitz Boshoff • Stedman Gans • Travis Ismaiel • Theo Maree • Duncan Matthews • Chris Smith Coach Pote Human
+ squad Forwards Michael Allardice • Tyler Ardron • Lachlan Boshier • Mitchell Brown • Sam Cane • Ryan Coxon • Nathan Harris • Luke Jacobson • Mitch Jacobson • Mitchell Karpik • Sefo Kautai • Nepo Laulala • Daymon Leasuasu • Tevita Mafileo • Atunaisa Moli • Jesse Parete • Liam Polwart • Brodie Retallick • Aidan Ross • Taleni Seu • Bradley Slater • Pita Gus Sowakula • Angus Ta'avao • Samisoni Taukei'aho • Did not play • Kane Hames • Fin Hoeata • Laghlan McWhannell • Reuben O'Neill Backs Solomon Alaimalo • Jack Debreczeni • Stephen Donald • Orbyn Leger • Anton Lienert-Brown • Tumua Manu • Damian McKenzie • Marty McKenzie • Ataata Moeakiola • Etene Nanai-Seturo • Alex Nankivell • Shaun Stevenson • Bailyn Sullivan • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Jonathan Taumateine • Sean Wainui • Brad Weber • Did not play • Tiaan Falcon Coach Colin Cooper
+ squad Forwards Michael Alaalatoa • Harry Allan • Scott Barrett • Ethan Blackadder • George Bower • Whetu Douglas • Mitchell Dunshea • Owen Franks • Ben Funnell • Billy Harmon • Oliver Jager • Andrew Makalio • Brodie McAlister • Joe Moody • Tim Perry • Kieran Read • Luke Romano • Tom Sanders • Quinten Strange • Jordan Taufua • Codie Taylor • Matt Todd • Isileli Tu'ungafasi • Sam Whitelock Backs Tim Bateman • George Bridge • Brett Cameron • Ryan Crotty • Mitchell Drummond • Ere Enari • Braydon Ennor • Leicester Fainga'anuku • Jack Goodhue • Bryn Hall • David Havili • Mitchell Hunt • Will Jordan • Manasa Mataele • Richie Mo'unga • Ngane Punivai • Sevu Reece • Did not play • Israel Dagg Coach Scott Robertson
+ squad Forwards Liam Coltman • Josh Dickson • Ash Dixon • Elliot Dixon • Sef Fa'agase • Tom Franklin • Shannon Frizell • Jackson Hemopo • Dillon Hunt • Josh Iosefa-Scott • Ricky Jackson • Ayden Johnstone • James Lentjes • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Tyrel Lomax • Marino Mikaele-Tu'u • Pari Pari Parkinson • Liam Squire • Siate Tokolahi • Jack Whetton • Luke Whitelock • Did not play • Ray Niuia Backs Marty Banks • Richard Buckman • Matt Faddes • Folau Fakatava • Bryn Gatland • Kayne Hammington • Dan Hollinshead • Jordan Hyland • Josh Ioane • Tevita Li • Josh McKay • Waisake Naholo • Aaron Smith • Ben Smith • Rob Thompson • Sio Tomkinson • Thomas Umaga-Jensen • Teihorangi Walden • Did not play • Tevita Nabura Coach Aaron Mauger
+ squad Forwards Fraser Armstrong • Asafo Aumua • Heiden Bedwell-Curtis • James Blackwell • Dane Coles • Gareth Evans • Chris Eves • Alex Fidow • Vaea Fifita • Sam Henwood • Du'Plessis Kirifi • Kane Le'aupepe • Ben May • Liam Mitchell • Xavier Numia • Reed Prinsep • Ricky Riccitelli • Ardie Savea • Toby Smith • Jeffery Toomaga-Allen • Isaia Walker-Leawere • Did not play • Geoff Cridge • Andries Ferreira • Sam Lousi • James O'Reilly Backs Vince Aso • Beauden Barrett • Jordie Barrett • Finlay Christie • Jackson Garden-Bachop • Wes Goosen • Richard Judd • Ben Lam • Ngani Laumape • Jonah Lowe • James Marshall • TJ Perenara • Billy Proctor • Matt Proctor • Salesi Rayasi • Fletcher Smith • Chase Tiatia • Danny Toala • Peter Umaga-Jensen • Did not play • Nehe Milner-Skudder Coach John Plumtree
+ squad Forwards Matías Alemanno • Gaspar Baldunciel • Rodrigo Bruni • Agustín Creevy • Santiago García Botta • Francisco Gorrissen • Marcos Kremer • Tomás Lavanini • Juan Manuel Leguizamón • Tomás Lezana • Pablo Matera • Santiago Medrano • Julián Montoya • Javier Ortega Desio • Lucas Paulos • Guido Petti • Enrique Pieretto • Santiago Socino • Lucio Sordoni • Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro • Mayco Vivas • Juan Pablo Zeiss • Did not play • Javier Díaz • Diego Fortuny • Santiago Grondona • Franco Molina Backs Gonzalo Bertranou • Emiliano Boffelli • Sebastián Cancelliere • Santiago Carreras • Tomás Cubelli • Jerónimo de la Fuente • Bautista Delguy • Joaquín Díaz Bonilla • Bautista Ezcurra • Felipe Ezcurra • Santiago González Iglesias • Martín Landajo • Juan Cruz Mallia • Domingo Miotti • Matías Moroni • Ramiro Moyano • Matías Orlando • Joaquín Tuculet • Did not play • Santiago Chocobares • Ignacio Mendy Coach Gonzalo Quesada