2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa season

The 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa season (branded as Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship reasons) was a domestic club rugby union tournament organised by New Zealand Rugby. It was a 10-week, round robin tournament played between the five New Zealand-based teams of Super Rugby.[1] The competition supplanted the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa season
CountriesNew Zealand
Tournament format(s)Round-robin tournament
ChampionsCrusaders
Matches played19
Tries scored112 (5.89 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Richie Mo'unga, Crusaders (99)
Top try scorer(s)Will Jordan, Crusaders (6)
Official websiteOfficial site
(Next) 2021 →

Announced on 6 May,[2] the competition ran from 13 June to 14 August, making it the first professional rugby union competition to occur since the beginning of the pandemic.[3] On 8 June, with most non-travel restrictions relating to the pandemic having been lifted in New Zealand (Alert Level 1), it was announced that the matches would be played with spectators admitted, making it among the first professional sporting events not played behind closed doors since the beginning of the pandemic's global spread.[4]

Due to the reinstatement of restrictions nationally on 11 August after new cases of community transmission,[5] one match in the final round was played behind closed doors, and the other was cancelled due to Alert Level 3 in Auckland and declared a 0-0 draw — resulting in the Crusaders clinching the tournament championship.[6][7]

With New Zealand border restrictions and managed isolation requirements not easing despite the country back in level 1 alert level as of October 11, 2020, Super Rugby Aotearoa and Australia will return in 2021, and Super Rugby Aotearoa will by sponsored by Sky New Zealand. [8] There will be an increase of Sunday afternoon fixtures, which proved popular in 2020.[8]

Law adaptions

On 2 June, New Zealand Rugby announced that it would implement two optional law trials being offered by World Rugby,[9] including a golden point format for extra time, and that players who receive a red card can be substituted after 20 minutes. It was also stated that referees would be stricter in applying laws for breakdowns to increase the pace of play.[10]

Standings
Table
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Crusaders8611219148+7127133130
2 Blues8512176149+2723161124
3 Hurricanes8503202213-1125251021
4 Highlanders8305197227-3023340214
5 Chiefs8008155212-571428055
Points allocation

Key: P = matches played, W = Win, D = Draw, L = Loss, PF = Points for, PA = Points Against, PD = Points Difference, TF = Tries For, TA = Tries Against, TB = Tries Bonus, LB = Loss Bonus, Pts = Competition Points

  • 4 competition points to the winning team
  • 0 competition point to the losing team
  • 2 competition points to each team for a draw
  • 1 competition point as the Try Bonus, to the team that scores three more tries than their opponents
  • 1 competition point as the Loss Bonus, to the team that loses by fewer than 8 points

Matches

Round 1
13 June 2020
19:05
Highlanders 28–27 Chiefs (1 BP)
Try: A. Dixon 16' m
Tomkinson 22' c
Mikaele-Tu'u 39' c
Con: M. Hunt (2/3) 23', 40+1'
Pen: M. Hunt (2/2) 3', 60'
Drop: Gatland (1/1) 79'
 Report Try: Wainui 27' c
A. Lienert-Brown 72' m
Con: McKenzie (1/2) 29'
Pen: McKenzie (4/4) 9', 14', 32', 47'
Drop: McKenzie (1/1) 78'
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 18,218[11]
Referee: Paul Williams
14 June 2020
15:35
Blues 30–20 Hurricanes
Try: Clarke 12' c
Faiane 19' c
Papalii 50' c
Con: Black (3/3) 14', 20', 52'
Pen: Black (3/3) 55', 59', 66'
 Report Try: Coles 15' m
Lam 26' m
Booth 78' c
Con: Perenara (1/1) 78'
Pen: Garden-Bachop (1/1) 9'
Eden Park
Attendance: 43,000[12]
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 2
20 June 2020
19:05
Chiefs 12–24 Blues
Pen: McKenzie (4/5) 12', 21', 40'+1, 57'
 Report Try: Sotutu 15' c
Telea 72' m
Con: Black (1/1) 15'
Pen: Black (2/3) 37', 53'
Barrett (1/1) 69'
Drop: Barrett (1/1) 64'
FMG Stadium Waikato
Attendance: 23,874[13]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
21 June 2020
15:35
Hurricanes 25–39 Crusaders (1 BP)
Try: Aumua 63' c
Con: Garden-Bachop (1/1) 64'
Pen: Garden-Bachop (5/5) 7', 18', 28', 36', 45'
Drop: Garden-Bachop (1/1) 31'
 Report Try: Reece 1' c
Ennor 14' m
Goodhue 31' c
Mo'unga 69' c
D. Havili 75' c
Con: Mo'unga (4/5) 3', 32', 70', 76'
Pen: Mo'unga (2/3) 50', 58'
Sky Stadium
Attendance: 20,349[14]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Round 3
27 June 2020
19:05
Blues 27–24 Highlanders (1 BP)
Try: Clarke 6' c
Papalii (2) 23' c, 58' m
R. Ioane 28' m
Con: Black (2/4) 8', 24'
Pen: Black (1/1) 15'
 Report Try: A. Dixon 11' c
M. Hunt 44' c
Frizell 53' c
Con: M. Hunt (3/3) 12', 46', 55'
Pen: M. Hunt (1/2) 21'
Eden Park
Attendance: 27,000[15]
Referee: Paul Williams
28 June 2020
15:35
Crusaders 18–13 Chiefs (1 BP)
Try: Jordan (2) 33' c, 46' m
Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 34'
Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 10', 60'
 Report Try: Wainui 65' c
Con: McKenzie (1/1) 66'
Pen: McKenzie (2) 24', 70'
Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 12,000[16]
Referee: James Doleman

Round 4
4 July 2020
19:05
Highlanders 20–40 Crusaders (1 BP)
Try: Frizell 19' c
Punivai 25' c
Con: M. Hunt (2/2) 20', 25'
Pen: M. Hunt (2/2) 40+1', 57'
 Report Try: Jordan (2) 15' m, 80' c
Christie (2) 50' c, 77' c
Reece 60' m
Con: Mo'unga (3/5) 51', 78', 80+2'
Pen: Mo'unga (3/4) 10', 31', 35'
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 19,875[17]
Referee: Mike Fraser
5 July 2020
15:35
(1 BP) Chiefs 18–25 Hurricanes
Try: Penalty try 64'
Boshier 77' m
Pen: McKenzie (2/2) 17', 42'
 Report Try: van Wyk (2) 4' c, 60' m
Kirifi 38' c
Con: Barrett (2/3) 5', 39'
Pen: Barrett (2/2) 35', 40'
FMG Stadium Waikato
Attendance: 15,031[18]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Round 5
11 July 2020
19:05
Crusaders 26–15 Blues
Try: Drummond 61' c
Jordan 75' c
Con: Mo'unga (2/2) 62', 77'
Pen: Mo'unga (4/4) 28', 31', 48', 67'
 Report Try: Telea 10' c
R. Ioane 55' m
Con: Black (1/2) 12'
Pen: Black (1/1) 46'
Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 18,000[19]
Referee: Paul Williams
12 July 2020
15:35
Hurricanes 17–11 Highlanders (1 BP)
Try: Perenara 28' c
van Wyk 36' m
Flanders 48' m
Con: Barrett (1/3) 29'
 Report Try: A. Smith 58' m
Pen: M. Hunt (2/3) 51', 80'
Sky Stadium
Attendance: 16,119[20]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Round 6
18 July 2020
19:05
Hurricanes 29–27 Blues (1 BP)
Try: Laumape 4' c
Prinsep 34' m
Coles 44' c
Aumua 76' c
Con: Barrett (3/4) 5', 45', 77'
Pen: Barrett (1/2) 40+3'
 Report Try: Barrett 10' c
Papalii 29' m
Ioane 57' c
Eklund 63' m
Con: Black (1/2) 11'
Barrett (1/2) 59'
Pen: Black (1/1) 2'
Sky Stadium
Attendance: 20,018[21]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
19 July 2020
15:35
(1 BP) Chiefs 31–33 Highlanders
Try: Boshier 5' c
A. Lienert-Brown 11' c
Slater (2) 21' c, 42' c
Con: McKenzie (4/4) 6', 12', 22', 43'
Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 15'
 Report Try: Mikaele-Tu'u 30' c
M. Hunt 47' m
A. Smith 56' c
Nareki 75' c
Tomkinson 80+2' c
Con: M. Hunt (4/5) 31', 57', 76', 80+3'
FMG Stadium Waikato
Attendance: 10,713[22]
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 7
25 July 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Crusaders 32–34 Hurricanes
Try: Mo'unga 17' c
Bridge 31' c
Strange 68' c
Reece 76' m
Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 18', 33', 69'
Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 12', 47'
 Report Try: Goosen (2) 23' c, 35' m
Umaga-Jensen 62' c
Con: Barrett (2/3) 24', 63'
Pen: Barrett (5/5) 9', 30', 40+2', 59', 75'
Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 15,000[23]
Referee: James Doleman
26 July 2020
15:35
Blues 21–17 Chiefs (1 BP)
Try: Duffie 6' c
Tuipulotu 14' c
Christie 55' c
Con: Barrett (3/3) 8', 15', 55'
 Report Try: Boshier 20' c
Alaimalo 46' c
Con: McKenzie (2/2) 21', 48'
Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 51'
Eden Park
Attendance: 33,000[24]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Round 8
1 August 2020
19:05
Chiefs 19–32 Crusaders (1 BP)
Try: Boshier 22' c
Con: McKenzie 23'
Pen: McKenzie (4/5) 26', 43', 50', 56'
 Report Try: Sanders 7' m
Jordan 14' c
Taylor 40+1' m
Reece 61' c
Fainga'anuku 67' m
Con: Mo'unga (2/5) 15', 61'
Pen: Mo'unga (1/2) 52'
FMG Stadium Waikato
Attendance: 15,082[25]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
2 August 2020
15:35
Highlanders 21–32 Blues (1 BP)
Try: Dixon 20' c
Frizell 76' m
Con: Ioane (1/2) 21'
Pen: Ioane (3/3) 15', 30', 36'
 Report Try: Ioane 7' m
Christie (2) 10' c, 43' m
Faiane 31' m
Tu'ungafasi 40' c
Con: Barrett (2/5) 12', 40+1'
Pen: Barrett (1/1) 56'
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 20,000[26]
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 9
8 August 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Hurricanes 31–18 Chiefs
Try: Umaga-Jensen (2) 7' c, 27' m
Coles 50' m
van Wyk 57' c
Proctor 73' c
Con: Barrett (3/5) 8', 58', 74'
 Report Try: Wainui 44' c
Karpik 65' m
Con: McKenzie (1/2) 45'
Pen: McKenzie (2/3) 25', 53'
Sky Stadium
Attendance: 21,489[27]
Referee: James Doleman
9 August 2020
15:35
Crusaders 32–22 Highlanders
Try: Mo'unga 13' c
Bridge (2) 61' c, 64' m
Ennor 75' c
Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 14', 63', 76'
Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 29', 40+1'
 Report Try: Frizell 2' c
Nareki 24' c
Collins 54' m
Con: Ioane (2/3) 3', 26'
Pen: Ioane (1/2) 22'
Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 17,500[28]
Referee: Paul Williams

Round 10
15 August 2020
19:05
Highlanders 38–21 Hurricanes
Try: Punivai 10' c
A. Dixon 33' c
Collins 46' c
Penalty try 56'
M. Hunt 61' c
Con: Ioane (3/3) 11', 34', 47'
M. Hunt (1/1) 62'
Pen: Ioane (1/1) 44'
 Report Try: Aso 5 c'
Booth 29' c
Umaga-Jensen 73' c
Con: Barrett (3/3) 6', 29', 73'
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: No spectators admitted[29]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
16 August 2020
15:35
Blues 0–0 Crusaders

On 14 August, due to restrictions being reintroduced nationwide after new cases of community transmission (with Alert Level 3 in effect in Auckland and thus prohibiting all events, and all other regions under Alert Level 2),[5] the penultimate match between the Highlanders and Hurricanes was played behind closed doors, and the final match between the Blues and Crusaders was cancelled and declared a draw (with both teams awarded two points on the final standings).[6][7]

Players

Squads

See also

References
  1. "Super Rugby Aotearoa draw and 'experimental' rules". Otago Daily Times. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. "Covid 19 coronavirus: New Zealand Rugby confirm details for 'Super Rugby Aotearoa' at alert level 2". NZ Herald. 7 May 2020. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  3. "Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa ready to kick off in June". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  4. "NZ lifts restrictions, crowds free to attend Super Rugby". ESPN.com. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  5. Cheng, Amelia Wade and Derek (11 August 2020). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland in lockdown, rest of country in level 2 - Four cases of community transmission". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  6. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues-Crusaders game in Auckland is officially cancelled". Stuff. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  7. "Blues v Crusaders Match Cancelled - Sanzar". super.rugby. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  8. Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa draw announced
  9. "World Rugby creates access to optional domestic law trials to further reduce COVID-19 risk". World Rugby. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  10. "Golden point, red card replacements introduced in Super Rugby Aotearoa". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  11. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/big-crowd-boost-local-businesses
  12. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300034796/super-rugby-aotearoa-dan-carter-and-tana-umaga-get-rousing-reception-as-blues-water-boys
  13. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/121884143/super-rugby-aotearoa-blues-make-history-with-win-over-chiefs-in-hamilton
  14. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/121927103/super-rugby-aotearoa-average-crowds-more-than-double-as-blues-eye-another-bonanza
  15. https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/blues-edge-highlanders-in-eden-park-nail-biter/
  16. https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/121969705/bedraggled-fans-support-crusaders-until-the-end-in-first-home-game-postcoronairus
  17. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300049421/super-rugby-aotearoa-crusaders-run-over-the-top-of-brave-highlanders
  18. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122041506/super-rugby-aotearoa-hurricanes-end-chiefs-season-despite-red-card
  19. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12347348
  20. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122108429/super-rugby-aotearoa-hurricanes-go-back-to-back-to-see-off-brave-highlanders
  21. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122176755/super-rugby-theyre-the-kicks-every-kicker-wants-how-jordie-barrett-iced-hurricanes-victory
  22. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122164304/super-rugby-aotearoa-highlanders-secure-stunning-comeback-win-over-chiefs
  23. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300065914/super-rugby-hurricanes-snap-crusaders-record-run-in-christchurch-thriller
  24. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300066265/super-rugby-aotearoa-beauden-barretts-blues-dig-deep-to-repel-chiefs-challenge
  25. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122286275/super-rugby-aotearoa-chiefs-luckless-run-continues-in-defeat-to-crusaders
  26. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300072107/super-rugby-aotearoa-blues-power-to-win-over-highlanders-to-stay-in-title-fight
  27. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/122388462/super-rugby-aotearoa-hurricanes-kick-clear-for-fifth-straight-win-chiefs-woeful-season-over
  28. https://www.allblacks.com/news/crusaders-crowned-investec-super-rugby-aotearoa-champions/
  29. https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/blues-v-crusaders-match-cancelled/
  30. @SuperRugbyNZ (6 June 2020). "How good is the @BluesRugbyTeam looking for #SuperRugbyAotearoa Eyes" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  31. @SuperRugbyNZ (7 June 2020). "Collision symbol Introducing your @ChiefsRugby squad for Investec #SuperRugbyAotearoa" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  32. @SuperRugbyNZ (9 June 2020). "Fire Good squad this one. Here is your @crusadersrugbyteam for Investec #SuperRugbyAotearoa!" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  33. "TEAM PREVIEW: The Highlanders". Super Rugby NZ. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  34. "TEAM PREVIEW: The Hurricanes" (Press release). Super Rugby NZ. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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