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.
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
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):
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
Sorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to comments