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Super Rugby's quarter-final line-up is confirmed
After 18 rounds and 120 matches of the regular season, the quarter-finalists for the 2019 Super Rugby tournament have been confirmed by SANZAAR.
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After a very competitive season, the configuration of the quarter-finals was only determined after the very last match of the season when the Bulls beat the Lions to earn a bonus point win in Pretoria.
The Crusaders finished the regular season as New Zealand Conference winners for the third year in a row – and the highest ranked team in the tournament – finishing on 58 points after 11 wins.
The Jaguares won the South African Conference for the first time finishing with 11 wins and 51 points. In the Australian Conference, the Brumbies finished top with 10 wins and 48 points.
The last quarter-final host spot is taken by the Hurricanes who finished second in New Zealand Conference with 53 points.
Bulls v Lions | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 18 Highlights@LionsRugbyCo set the tone by scoring within 16 seconds, but @BlueBullsRugby hit back harder to run out emphatic 48-27 winners in Pretoria.#SuperRugby #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/wvQXWMwqNV
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 15, 2019
The four next best wildcard teams – based on total tournament points and regardless of conference – have been ranked five to eight: Bulls 41 points (South African Conference), Sharks 37 points (South African Conference), Chiefs 36 points (New Zealand Conference) and Highlanders 36 points (New Zealand Conference).
The quarter-finalists and their rankings are:
1. Crusaders – New Zealand Conference Winners
2. Jaguares – South African Conference Winners
3. Brumbies – Australian Conference Winners
4. Hurricanes
5. Bulls
6. Sharks
7. Chiefs
8. Highlanders
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Stormers v Sharks | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 18 Highlights
It was a nervy affair in Cape Town, but with Lukhanyo Am’s last ditch try @TheSharksZA kept their season alive, beating the @THESTORMERS 12-9.#SuperRugby #STOvSHA pic.twitter.com/QhXLGgqqbu— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 15, 2019
2019 Super Rugby Quarter-final Draw
QF1: Crusaders [1] versus Highlanders [8]
QF2: Hurricanes [4] versus Bulls [5]
QF3: Jaguares [2] versus Chiefs [7]
QF4: Brumbies [3] versus Sharks [6]
Quarter-final Match Schedule (all times local)
Fri, June 21: Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch Stadium Christchurch @ 19:35
Sat, June 22: Hurricanes v Bulls, Westpac Stadium, Wellington @ 19:35
Fri, June 21: Jaguares v Chiefs, Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires @ 19:05
Sat, June 22: Brumbies v Sharks, GIO Stadium, Canberra @ 20:05
Brumbies v Reds | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 18 Highlights
The @BrumbiesRugby score their sixth consecutive win for the first time since 2007, outclassing the @Reds_Rugby 40-27 in Canberra.#SuperRugby #BRUvRED pic.twitter.com/4MwPsSdpYQ— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 15, 2019
Semi-final Draw:
Pre-determined draw as follows (highest ranked team to host):
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SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
WATCH: Episode three of Rugby Explorer, the RugbyPass series hosted by Jim Hamilton, takes a trek through South Africa
Comments on RugbyPass
Jacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
5 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
5 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
3 Go to comments