About the Competition

Super Rugby commenced in 1996, with  Australia, New Zealand and South Africa forming SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) to administer an annual provincial 12 team competition and Tri-Nations Test Series between the three countries. Impetus for forming a Tri Nations alliance started in Australia and New Zealand, following the establishment of Super League and the huge player salaries on offer. Worried that Rugby Union players would be tempted to switch codes and that Rugby Union would suffer as a consequence, the unions of the three countries signed a multi million-dollar deal with Rupert Mordoch's News Corporation. This gave News Corp exclusive television rights to the competition for ten years.

The emphasis in Super 14 is on strong, attacking rugby with bonus points given to any team scoring four tries or more in a game.   

The Crusaders are the most successful Super 14 team, having won seven times throughout the 12 year competition. 

The ACT Brumbies played in four Super Rugby Finals (1997, 2000, 2001 & 2004), winning the title in 2001 and 2004. The NSW Waratahs have made the decider twice in 2005 and 2008, but were beaten by the Crusaders on both occasions