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Super 14

The current Super 14 logo

The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. From 1996 through 2005, the competition was known as Super 12; the name change came about after two teams were added for the 2006 season.

Naming rights

The naming rights for the competition are different in the three countries:

  • In New Zealand, sporting goods retailer Rebel Sport has naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Rebel Sport Super 14. Previously Ubix and then Telecom New Zealand (TNZ).
  • In Australia, the Tooheys brewery has naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Tooheys New Super 14, named after its Tooheys New brand.
  • In South Africa, telecommunications company Vodacom has naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Vodacom Super 14.

The Competition

The Super 14 is a round-robin competition with each team playing every other team once, with six or seven home games and six or seven away games. There are 91 regular season games in total. Games are held over 14 weekends with each team receiving one bye. A team receives four points for a win, two for a draw, and none for a loss. Teams also receive a bonus point for scoring four tries, regardless of the final result. A bonus point is also earned by a team that loses a game by seven points (a converted try) or less. The top four teams at the end of the round-robin phase then play semifinals, with the first placed team hosting the fourth placed team and the second placed team hosting the third placed team. The two winners then play the final at the home ground of the top surviving seed.

The Australian teams also play each other for the National Ricoh Championship (or State of the Union), the winner of which is awarded the Bob Templeton trophy.

History

The first Super 12 series was held in 1996, although it has its origins in the Super 10, Super 6 and South Pacific championships. It was born out of the success of 1995 Rugby Union World Cup, pitting regional teams of the then three strongest rugby nations against each other. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa formed SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) to administer an annual 12-team provincial competition and Tri-Nations Test Series between the three countries.

One significant reason for the development of the Super 12 competition was the introduction, in Australia especially but also in other nations, of pay (or subscription) television. A key part of the business model for the Foxtel pay TV network in Australia was to attract subscribers by offering an exclusive product (such as rugby union) which could not be seen on free-to-air broadcast television. Another reason is that with the establishment of the Super League, the Rugby Unions were concerned that they would lose players, who were switching codes to follow the high salaries. Therefore by setting up the Super 12, the Unions had a product that was in demand from viewers, enabling them to sell a 10 year contract for exclusive television rights to News Corp for USD 555 million [1], giving them both coverage and financial support.

In recent years (2001 onwards), Australia had pushed unsuccessfully for the inclusion of a fourth Australian team (this has been now confirmed as Western Australia), and South Africa for another team from its country (two extra teams were added, for a total of six, but only five will compete in any given year). There was also discussion of including a team from the South Pacific Island nations, such as Fiji; or a combined Pacific Islanders team from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Argentina was also pushing for inclusion in the Super 12. However, until 2006, the competition remained as it began.

In September 2004, SANZAR began negotiations for a new television deal to take effect in 2006. That December, SANZAR announced that a new TV deal had been signed, with News Corporation winning the rights for the UK, Australia and New Zealand and Supersport winning rights for South Africa. The contract is worth USD 323 million over five years, which is a 16% annual increase compared to the previous deal. [2]. It covers international fixtures as well as the Super 14. SANZAR remains free to negotiate separate deals for other markets, such as France, Japan and the Americas.

Under the new deal, Australia and South Africa each got one extra team in the competition, and a third round of fixtures will be added to the Tri Nations Series. The proposal also included the possibility of splitting the updated Super 14 into two seven-team divisions, but it was decided to keep the competition in its traditional single-table format. However, Argentina and the Pacific Islands remain shut out of the competition proper under this proposal (but see the following paragraphs for more information).

It has been confirmed that the new Australian team in the competition will be based in Perth and is to be called the Western Force.

The addition of the new South African team led to considerable controversy, including government involvement. Finally, the five teams for 2006 were confirmed to be the country's existing four teams, plus the Central Cheetahs, which will draw its players from the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. However, a sixth South African team, the Southern Spears, will be formed in the Southern and Eastern Cape region. The Spears will replace one of the five existing South Africa sides for 2007 and 2008. South Africa will establish a promotion/relegation system to determine the five sides that will compete in the Super 14 each year. The fallout from the controversy surrounding the addition of the fifth South African side resulted in the creation of a competitive series involving Argentina, the Pacific Islands and at least one South African side, slated to begin in 2006.

Teams

In 2006, the competing teams will be:

  • Australia
    • Brumbies - Australian Capital Territory (plus southern New South Wales)
    • New South Wales Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force, the new Perth Team for Super 14
  • New Zealand
    • Blues - Northland Peninsula and most of metropolitan Auckland
    • Chiefs - central North Island, plus South Auckland
    • Crusaders - north and central South Island, including Christchurch
    • Highlanders - southern South Island, including Dunedin
    • Hurricanes - southern North Island, including Wellington
  • South Africa
    • Bulls - Pretoria (plus East Rand and Limpopo Province)
    • Cats - Johannesburg (plus Mpumalanga and North West)
    • Central Cheetahs - Bloemfontein (Free State Province plus Northern Cape)
    • Sharks - Durban (KwaZulu-Natal)
    • Stormers - Cape Town (plus northern Western Cape)

For more details regarding the areas from which each Super 14 team draws its players, see Super 14 franchise areas.

In 2007, the Southern Spears, based in Port Elizabeth, will replace the lowest-finishing South African team in the 2006 table. The Spears are also guaranteed a place in the 2008 Super 14. After the 2007 season, the lowest-finishing South African team in that year's Super 14 table, other than the Spears, will play a promotion/relegation test match against the team that was relegated in 2006. There will be a similar test match in following years, with the Spears subject to possible relegation starting at the end of the 2008 season.

The Spears, as well as the relegated region from 2007, will play in a series against the national teams of Argentina, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The South African region that is not participating in the Super 14 is also guaranteed regular competition with the other five South Africa regions.

Past Winners

The 2004 Super 12 Trophy was taken by the ACT Brumbies, who defeated the Crusaders 47-38 in the final. The 2005 Super 12 Trophy was taken back by the Crusaders, who defeated the NSW Waratahs 35-25. For more information see Super 12 Champions.

Final Results

  • 1996 Blues 45-21 Sharks
  • 1997 Blues 23-7 ACT Brumbies
  • 1998 Crusaders 20-13 Blues
  • 1999 Crusaders 24-19 Highlanders
  • 2000 Crusaders 20-19 ACT Brumbies
  • 2001 ACT Brumbies 36-6 Sharks
  • 2002 Crusaders 31-13 ACT Brumbies
  • 2003 Blues 21-17 Crusaders
  • 2004 ACT Brumbies 47-38 Crusaders
  • 2005 Crusaders 35-25 Waratahs

Total wins (Runners-up in brackets)

  • Crusaders 5 (2)
  • Blues 3 (1)
  • ACT Brumbies 2 (3)
  • Sharks 0 (2)
  • Highlanders 0 (1)
  • Waratahs 0 (1)

Wins by Country (Runners-up in brackets)

  • New Zealand 8 (4)
  • Australia 2 (4)
  • South Africa 0 (2)

Super 12/14 Records

Team records

  • Highest score: 96 – Crusaders v Waratahs (19), 2002
  • Lowest score: 0 – Bulls v Brumbies (15), 1999; Cats v Brumbies (64), 2000
  • Highest winning margin: 77 – Crusaders v Waratahs (96-19), 2002
  • Highest score away: 60 – Blues v Hurricanes (7), 2002
  • Most consecutive wins: 15 – Crusaders, 2002/03
  • Most consecutive losses: 11 – Bulls, 2002
  • Most tries in a match: 14 – Crusaders v Waratahs, 2002
  • Most tries in a season: 56 – Auckland, 1996/7, 1998
  • Fewest tries in a season: 15 – Auckland, 1999, 2000
  • Most wins in a season: 11 – Crusaders, 2002 regular season
  • Fewest wins in a season: 0 – Bulls, 2002 regular season

Firsts

  • First Super 12 try: Alama Ieremia, Auckland v Wellington, Palmerston North, 1996
  • First Super 12 conversion: Cameron, Wellington v Auckland, Palmerston North, 1996
  • First Super 12 penalty: Cameron, Wellington v Auckland, Palmerston North, 1996

Individual records

Career

  • Points: 926 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders
  • Tries: 57 – Joe Roff, Brumbies
  • Conversions: 148 – Matt Burke, Waratahs
  • Penalties: 195 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders

Season

  • Points: 206 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders, 1998
  • Tries: 14 – Joe Roff, Brumbies, 1997, Rico Gear, Crusaders, 2005
  • Conversions: 39 – Stirling Mortlock, Brumbies, 2000
  • Penalties: 43 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders, 1999

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Wins by Country (Runners-up in brackets). . Total wins (Runners-up in brackets). Delta may refer to:. Final Results. Delta Amacuro State. For more information see Super 12 Champions. Venezuela

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    The 2005 Super 12 Trophy was taken back by the Crusaders, who defeated the NSW Waratahs 35-25. Delta County, Texas. The 2004 Super 12 Trophy was taken by the ACT Brumbies, who defeated the Crusaders 47-38 in the final. Delta County, Michigan. The South African region that is not participating in the Super 14 is also guaranteed regular competition with the other five South Africa regions. Delta Charter Township, Michigan. The Spears, as well as the relegated region from 2007, will play in a series against the national teams of Argentina, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Delta County, Colorado.

    There will be a similar test match in following years, with the Spears subject to possible relegation starting at the end of the 2008 season. Big Delta, Alaska. After the 2007 season, the lowest-finishing South African team in that year's Super 14 table, other than the Spears, will play a promotion/relegation test match against the team that was relegated in 2006. Delta, Wisconsin. The Spears are also guaranteed a place in the 2008 Super 14. Delta, Utah. In 2007, the Southern Spears, based in Port Elizabeth, will replace the lowest-finishing South African team in the 2006 table. Delta, Pennsylvania.

    For more details regarding the areas from which each Super 14 team draws its players, see Super 14 franchise areas. Delta, Ohio. In 2006, the competing teams will be:. Delta, Missouri. The fallout from the controversy surrounding the addition of the fifth South African side resulted in the creation of a competitive series involving Argentina, the Pacific Islands and at least one South African side, slated to begin in 2006. Delta, Louisiana. South Africa will establish a promotion/relegation system to determine the five sides that will compete in the Super 14 each year. Delta, Iowa.

    The Spears will replace one of the five existing South Africa sides for 2007 and 2008. Delta, Colorado. However, a sixth South African team, the Southern Spears, will be formed in the Southern and Eastern Cape region. United States

      . Finally, the five teams for 2006 were confirmed to be the country's existing four teams, plus the Central Cheetahs, which will draw its players from the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. Delta State, Nigeria. The addition of the new South African team led to considerable controversy, including government involvement. Nigeria
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        It has been confirmed that the new Australian team in the competition will be based in Perth and is to be called the Western Force. Delta—South Richmond, a federal electoral district, 2003-present. However, Argentina and the Pacific Islands remain shut out of the competition proper under this proposal (but see the following paragraphs for more information). Surrey—White Rock—North Delta a federal electoral district, 1976-1987. The proposal also included the possibility of splitting the updated Super 14 into two seven-team divisions, but it was decided to keep the competition in its traditional single-table format. Richmond—South Delta a federal electoral district, 1976 - 1987. Under the new deal, Australia and South Africa each got one extra team in the competition, and a third round of fixtures will be added to the Tri Nations Series. Newton—North Delta a federal electoral district, 2003-present.

        SANZAR remains free to negotiate separate deals for other markets, such as France, Japan and the Americas. Delta—Richmond East a federal electoral district, 2003-present. It covers international fixtures as well as the Super 14. Burnaby—Richmond—Delta a federal electoral district, 1970-1976. [2]. Delta (electoral district) a federal electoral district, 2003-present. The contract is worth USD 323 million over five years, which is a 16% annual increase compared to the previous deal. Delta (provincial electoral district).

        That December, SANZAR announced that a new TV deal had been signed, with News Corporation winning the rights for the UK, Australia and New Zealand and Supersport winning rights for South Africa. Electoral districts in the area of Delta, British Columbia

          . In September 2004, SANZAR began negotiations for a new television deal to take effect in 2006. Delta, British Columbia. However, until 2006, the competition remained as it began. Canada
            . Argentina was also pushing for inclusion in the Super 12. Deltas are the second lowest caste in Aldous Huxley's dystopic satire Brave New World.

            There was also discussion of including a team from the South Pacific Island nations, such as Fiji; or a combined Pacific Islanders team from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. An Italian pen company. In recent years (2001 onwards), Australia had pushed unsuccessfully for the inclusion of a fourth Australian team (this has been now confirmed as Western Australia), and South Africa for another team from its country (two extra teams were added, for a total of six, but only five will compete in any given year). Visa Delta. Therefore by setting up the Super 12, the Unions had a product that was in demand from viewers, enabling them to sell a 10 year contract for exclusive television rights to News Corp for USD 555 million [1], giving them both coverage and financial support. Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. Another reason is that with the establishment of the Super League, the Rugby Unions were concerned that they would lose players, who were switching codes to follow the high salaries. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

            A key part of the business model for the Foxtel pay TV network in Australia was to attract subscribers by offering an exclusive product (such as rugby union) which could not be seen on free-to-air broadcast television. Anthony Hall, particularly the Delta Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania. One significant reason for the development of the Super 12 competition was the introduction, in Australia especially but also in other nations, of pay (or subscription) television. The Fraternity of Delta Psi, also known as St. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa formed SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) to administer an annual 12-team provincial competition and Tri-Nations Test Series between the three countries. Air Force personnel stationed at Ramstein Airbase in Germany consisting of mainly National Guard and Reserve people. It was born out of the success of 1995 Rugby Union World Cup, pitting regional teams of the then three strongest rugby nations against each other. Temporarily activated squadron of U.S.

            The first Super 12 series was held in 1996, although it has its origins in the Super 10, Super 6 and South Pacific championships. See Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. The Australian teams also play each other for the National Ricoh Championship (or State of the Union), the winner of which is awarded the Bob Templeton trophy. The oldest continually active Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. The two winners then play the final at the home ground of the top surviving seed. The German psychedelic trance project The Delta. The top four teams at the end of the round-robin phase then play semifinals, with the first placed team hosting the fourth placed team and the second placed team hosting the third placed team. The American actress Delta Burke.

            A bonus point is also earned by a team that loses a game by seven points (a converted try) or less. The Australian actress, singer and songwriter Delta Goodrem. Teams also receive a bonus point for scoring four tries, regardless of the final result. Penelope Delta, a Greek writer/poet. A team receives four points for a win, two for a draw, and none for a loss. Delta Air Lines, an airline company. Games are held over 14 weekends with each team receiving one bye. DEscription Language for TAxonomy.

            There are 91 regular season games in total. A tropical storm that formed in November 2005. The Super 14 is a round-robin competition with each team playing every other team once, with six or seven home games and six or seven away games. In education, the DELTA (always in capitals) is an advanced diploma in English language teaching (ELT). The naming rights for the competition are different in the three countries:. In neuroscience the slowest range of brainwaves. . A family of rockets, see Delta rockets.

            From 1996 through 2005, the competition was known as Super 12; the name change came about after two teams were added for the 2006 season. A car, see Lancia Delta. The Super 14 is a rugby union championship competed for by teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. A computer game made by Thalamus Ltd, see Delta (computer game). Penalties: 43 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders, 1999. A computer, see Delta (computer). Conversions: 39 – Stirling Mortlock, Brumbies, 2000. A Greek dairy producer and manufacturer, See Delta Holdings S.A.

            Tries: 14 – Joe Roff, Brumbies, 1997, Rico Gear, Crusaders, 2005. A Canadian hotel chain, Delta Hotels. Points: 206 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders, 1998. 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta or 1st SFOD-Delta, or "Delta Force" - a US counterterrorist unit. Penalties: 195 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders. The Netherlands' "Delta" project to significantly reduce the risk of flooding in Holland. Conversions: 148 – Matt Burke, Waratahs. A type of connection in three phase electrical wiring.

            Tries: 57 – Joe Roff, Brumbies. (Alpha represents a male). Points: 926 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders. A female in police CB code. First Super 12 penalty: Cameron, Wellington v Auckland, Palmerston North, 1996. The letter D in the NATO phonetic alphabet, except in airports. First Super 12 conversion: Cameron, Wellington v Auckland, Palmerston North, 1996. In information technology, delta compression is a process that produces a file recording only the changes (or diff) between versions.

            First Super 12 try: Alama Ieremia, Auckland v Wellington, Palmerston North, 1996. See Bayer designation. Fewest wins in a season: 0 – Bulls, 2002 regular season. In astronomy, the fourth brightest (usually) star in a constellation. Most wins in a season: 11 – Crusaders, 2002 regular season. See baryon. Fewest tries in a season: 15 – Auckland, 1999, 2000. In particle physics, the delta particle is a short lived resonance of the proton.

            Most tries in a season: 56 – Auckland, 1996/7, 1998. The Kronecker delta, δij. Most tries in a match: 14 – Crusaders v Waratahs, 2002. The Dirac delta function, often used in Electronics and Digital Signal Processing. Most consecutive losses: 11 – Bulls, 2002. In mathematical finance delta, δ, is one of "The Greeks"; delta measures the sensitivity of the value of a derivative to changes in the price of its underlying instrument. Most consecutive wins: 15 – Crusaders, 2002/03. ΔT or dT = temperature change.

            Highest score away: 60 – Blues v Hurricanes (7), 2002. Δ, symbol in math, to express a change or difference in values, e.g. Highest winning margin: 77 – Crusaders v Waratahs (96-19), 2002. See river delta, also Mississippi delta, California Delta region, Nile Delta. Lowest score: 0 – Bulls v Brumbies (15), 1999; Cats v Brumbies (64), 2000. A triangular area of alluvial deposit at the mouth of a river, roughly in shape of Δ. Highest score: 96 – Crusaders v Waratahs (19), 2002. See delta (letter).

            South Africa 0 (2). Δ or δ, a letter of the Greek alphabet. Australia 2 (4). New Zealand 8 (4). Waratahs 0 (1).

            Highlanders 0 (1). Sharks 0 (2). ACT Brumbies 2 (3). Blues 3 (1).

            Crusaders 5 (2). 2005 Crusaders 35-25 Waratahs. 2004 ACT Brumbies 47-38 Crusaders. 2003 Blues 21-17 Crusaders.

            2002 Crusaders 31-13 ACT Brumbies. 2001 ACT Brumbies 36-6 Sharks. 2000 Crusaders 20-19 ACT Brumbies. 1999 Crusaders 24-19 Highlanders.

            1998 Crusaders 20-13 Blues. 1997 Blues 23-7 ACT Brumbies. 1996 Blues 45-21 Sharks. Stormers - Cape Town (plus northern Western Cape).

            Sharks - Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). Central Cheetahs - Bloemfontein (Free State Province plus Northern Cape). Cats - Johannesburg (plus Mpumalanga and North West). Bulls - Pretoria (plus East Rand and Limpopo Province).

            South Africa

              . Hurricanes - southern North Island, including Wellington. Highlanders - southern South Island, including Dunedin. Crusaders - north and central South Island, including Christchurch.

              Chiefs - central North Island, plus South Auckland. Blues - Northland Peninsula and most of metropolitan Auckland. New Zealand

                . Western Force, the new Perth Team for Super 14.

                Queensland Reds. New South Wales Waratahs. Brumbies - Australian Capital Territory (plus southern New South Wales). Australia

                  .

                  In South Africa, telecommunications company Vodacom has naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Vodacom Super 14. In Australia, the Tooheys brewery has naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Tooheys New Super 14, named after its Tooheys New brand. Previously Ubix and then Telecom New Zealand (TNZ). In New Zealand, sporting goods retailer Rebel Sport has naming rights and the competition is referred to as the Rebel Sport Super 14.