With another season approaching and expansion just around the corner, I thought I would take a look back at Super Rugby’s history.
Looking through the archives, what didn’t surprise me was the sheer dominance of the Kiwi teams, which are light years ahead in the amount of titles and teams to win titles when compared south African and Australian teams (the Crusaders alone have one as many titles as Australia and South Africa combined).
Where the surprise did kick in was how poorly South Africa have performed.
As an Australian and Waratah supporter I have heard plenty of criticism of the Australian teams and conference – some justified some not. Going through the numbers there are some telling stats since Super Rugby’s inception in 1996
Super Rugby titles by country (since 1996)
New Zealand – 12
Australia – 4
South Africa – 3
Teams that have Won Super Rugby titles
New Zealand – Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs
Australia – Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs
South Africa – Bulls
Grand final appearances
New Zealand – 20
Australia – 10
South Africa – 7
Most wooden spoons
South Africa – 13
Australia – 4
New Zealand – 2
Most successive defeats
Lions – 15 (2010-2011)
Worst losing percentages
Southern Kings (RSA) – 76.47 per cent
Melbourne Rebels (Aus) – 75 per cent
Lions (RSA) – 73.53 per cent
Cats (RSA) – 71.84 per cent
Cheetahs (RSA) – 66.15 per cent
South African teams have not enjoyed the success of their New Zealand counterparts and, despite perceptions about the Australian conference, they have held their own (at least the foundation teams).
With expansion on the horizon and the guaranteed inclusion of a sixth south African team it may be more prudent to consolidate the teams they already have to ensure more success at Super level and push for a new conference entirely made up of new teams from Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Argentina or even the Pacific islands.
Before I am mauled in the comments section keep in mind this is purely based on super rugby alone and has no connection with the international teams.
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
should have taken this bet
peeeko
Roar Guru
we are talking about adding an extra team where the telling stat is the bottom teams performance not the top teams
peeeko
Roar Guru
stats can def be cherry picked, those stats are distorted by SA not spreading their talent as much as the others over the 20 years. they generally have had 2 good sides and 2/3 poor ones
2ztala
Guest
Yeah I'd like to see those stats. SA have had specific social and political issues which have affected them as a nation. SA teams from the past were always strong because they identified with the area. If you didn't belong you didn't play there. Super rugby changed their culture and I'd say had an affect on their rugby performance. Also SA have had to accept the black players as part of the team. Every SA I met believed most of these earlier appointments were token jobs. Now, black players are accepted so watch the SA they're getting their mojo back. I always thought Aussie were strong in the earlier days because they only had three teams and they played such good rugby. Aussie are not so much of a threat lately in spite of the Waratahs being the champs.
richard
Guest
That makes sense.But I always got the impression they don't rate super rugby in the NH ( SH basketball and all that).
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
You're all wrong. Its the african home games that bring in all the tv money because they can sell these prime time rugby rights to the EU market for some serious dosh. S.A is a profit benefiting from location and suffering heavily because of their (almost) worthless rand (compared to AUD)
redbull
Guest
I thought you guys were just Large?
redbull
Guest
So you are confident enough to bet but only confident enough to put a bottle of JW on it?
kipper_mckinnon
Guest
True Harry, unfortunately for my team (the force), even their "local" derbies require a 4 hour plane ride!!!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Hi harry, yes I hope we will get "Dulin in Dublin" and Parra-Lopez at 9-10 but wait and see, psa should give the team later today. Re your Liverpool experience, mate its football banter. Am a massive football fans and no doubts the sport has attracted many bad elements through the years (more so than rugby in Europe) but its completely different to being arrogant on a forum! Sure the euros football supporters aren't exactly friendly with other supporters hence the segregation we have but that's not arrogance or chest beating. I have been to many football games when I was there and having a go (chants, banners etc) at the opponents supporters was just part of the culture and folklore (wrongly probably). Chest thumping and saying how great you are on a forum is imo completely different (maybe a cultural mix up perhaps? the SH doesn't have the same football culture we have in the north). enjoy the live blog stuff mate and try not to misspell french names, nothing worth than an English speaking guy doing that !!!! :)
Rollaway7
Roar Guru
Some soccer fans are the worst, someone once told me about a "chelsea smile" pjm needs a hug... obviously not from a dirty saffa
Akari
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your sensible points, AvZ. However, pjm and others are having a ball and will have the last say regardless. It is hilarious nevertheless.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I am with you on this one, Fin. Thankfully, SANZAR exists and we are able to see the best in SH rugby play against each other. BB is right that a month spent in ANZ by SA S15 franchises is always tough if not the toughest anywhere. Travel is a factor and there seems to be a high injury rate as well; not forgetting that S15 teams are not as well resourced as national teams on EOYTs. In fact, ANZ teams factor in a win against teams like the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers when they are on sabbaticals in ANZ but can only hope to beat are grateful when facing these teams in SA and come away with a point or two. They, of course, all expect to romp home against the Cheetahs and Lions in ANZ and are in total shock when this is not the case.
Zero Gain
Guest
The a Warratahs are the current title holders, what else matters?
Zero Gain
Guest
Most of us think Warner is a goose, shall I search for SA examples?
Zero Gain
Guest
Oh boy, that takes the cake, an "ours is bigger than yours" argument.
Zero Gain
Guest
Yeah, but SA refs are by far the worst.
Zero Gain
Guest
As much as I love SA rugby, he is right. The travel is just far too much, it's soul destroying. A conference system would be much better with the top three teams fighting it out in the finals. The semi-final and final travel demands are just plain silly.
lassitude
Guest
Correct. The Cru's lack of titles over the last 5 years is not acceptable at all.
lassitude
Guest
Under S14 there was usually only a week difference in away from home for SA teams v NZ teams. Quite often an away game in Oz one way was also added. The differential in away from home wasn't that much. And home town bias in refs ? You think that only happens in Australasia ? And it's not just SA refs either. Often NZ teams go traveling to try and get some momentum after faltering at home - different mental attitude.