2020 Super Rugby AU season
The 2020 Super Rugby AU season (branded as Vodafone Super Rugby AU for sponsorship reasons) was a professional club rugby union tournament organised by Rugby Australia. Sponsored by communications company Vodafone, the tournament replaced the Australian component of the incomplete 2020 Super Rugby season that was shut down in March of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured the four teams from the 2020 Australian conference, with the addition of former Super Rugby franchise the Western Force.[1]
2020 Super Rugby AU season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Countries | Australia | ||
Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout6 | ||
Champions | Brumbies | ||
Matches played | 22 | ||
Attendance | 65,104 (2,959 per match) | ||
Tries scored | 125 (5.68 per match) | ||
Top point scorer(s) | James O'Connor, Reds (102) | ||
Top try scorer(s) | Filipo Daugunu, Reds (6) | ||
Official website | Official site | ||
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The tournament was the inaugural season of Super Rugby AU and ran from 3 July to 19 September 2020.[1]
Law adaptions
On 12 June, Rugby Australia announced seven law trials designed to make the game more entertaining for the fans and players.[2] The trials were adapted from the 10 optional law trials available for unions and competitions given by World Rugby in May 2020.[3] The following trials will be used during the competition:
Law trials | Scenario |
---|---|
Goal line drop-out | When an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on play restarts with a goal line drop-out. |
When a kick enters the in-goal area and is forced by the defending team play restarts with a goal line drop-out | |
Mark | A kick originating in the attacking 22m area cannot be marked by the defending team within their own 22m area. The kick can however be marked within the defending team's in-goal area and play restarts with a 22m line drop-out. |
Red card change | A red carded player can be replaced after 20 minutes, unless all substitutions have been used. |
50/22 | A kick taken from within the defending team's 50m area that travels into touch within the opposition's 22m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a line-out throw to the kicking team. This does not apply following a free-kick. |
22/50 | A kick taken from within the defending team's 22m area that travels into touch within the opposition's 50m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a line-out throw to the kicking team. This does not apply following a free-kick. |
Super Time | 2 x 5min periods of extra time; in the event of a drawn game after regulation time where the first points scored wins the match for the scoring team |
Standings
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brumbies (Q) | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 189 | 147 | +42 | 30 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 28 |
2 | Reds (Q) | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 215 | 150 | +65 | 28 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 25 |
3 | Rebels (Q) | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 194 | 178 | +16 | 21 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 19 |
4 | Waratahs | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 204 | 189 | +15 | 22 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
5 | Force | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 115 | 253 | −138 | 15 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Rules for classification:
- 4 points to the winning team
- 2 points to each team if neither team scores during extra time
- 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
- 1 bonus point to any team scoring three tries or more than the opposition
Matches
Round 1
3 July 2020 19:05 |
Reds | 32–26 | Waratahs (1 BP) |
Try: Wright ![]() Daugunu ![]() McDermott ![]() Wilson ![]() Con: Hegarty ![]() Pen: O'Connor ![]() Cards: Tupou ![]() | Report | Try: Johnson-Holmes ![]() Maddocks ![]() Con: Harrison ![]() Pen: Harrison ![]() Cards: Bell ![]() |
Suncorp Stadium Attendance: 5,590[4] Referee: Nic Berry |
Round 2
10 July 2020 19:05 |
Rebels | 18–18 (a.e.t.) | Reds |
Try: Hodge ![]() Meakes ![]() Con: To'omua ![]() Pen: To'omua ![]() | Report | Try: Daugunu ![]() Mafi ![]() Con: O'Connor ![]() Pen: O'Connor ![]() |
Brookvale Oval 1 Referee: Damon Murphy |
11 July 2020 19:15 |
Waratahs | 23–14 | Force |
Try: Bell ![]() Staniforth ![]() Con: Harrison ![]() Pen: Harrison ![]() | Report | Try: Ralston ![]() Pen: Prior ![]() |
Sydney Cricket Ground Attendance: 1,793[6] Referee: Angus Gardner |
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
31 July 2020 19:05 |
(1 BP) Force | 20–25 (a.e.t.) | Rebels |
Try: Lee-Warner ![]() Ralston ![]() Con: Lance ![]() Pen: Lance ![]() Cards: Thrush ![]() | Report | Try: Uelese ![]() Philip ![]() Naisarani ![]() Con: To'omua ![]() Pen: To'omua ![]() Hodge ![]() Cards: Naisarani ![]() |
Leichhardt Oval 2 Attendance: 358[6] Referee: Angus Gardner |
Round 6
7 August 2020 19:05 |
Rebels | 30–12 | Brumbies |
Try: Hodge ![]() Wilkin ![]() Uelese ![]() Con: To'omua ![]() Pen: To'omua ![]() | Report | Try: Powell ![]() Miller ![]() Con: Kuenzle ![]() Cards: Cusack ![]() |
Liechhardt Oval 3 Attendance: Closed Event[6] Referee: Graham Cooper |
8 August 2020 19:15 |
(1 BP) Waratahs | 45–12 | Reds |
Try: Gordon ![]() Maddocks ![]() Newsome ![]() Horton ![]() Con: Harrison ![]() Donaldson ![]() Pen: Harrison ![]() | Report | Try: Hardy ![]() O'Connor ![]() Con: O'Connor ![]() Cards: Zane Nonggorr ![]() |
Sydney Cricket Ground Attendance: 1,770[6] Referee: Damon Murphy |
Round 7
14 August 2020 19:05 |
Force | 8–28 | Waratahs |
Try: Stander ![]() Pen: Prior ![]() | Report | Try: Newsome ![]() Maddocks ![]() Johnson-Holmes ![]() Con: Harrison ![]() Pen: Harrison ![]() |
Cbus Super Stadium 4 Attendance: 569[6] Referee: Nic Berry |
15 August 2020 19:15 |
(1 BP) Reds | 19–3 | Rebels |
Try: Petaia ![]() Paenga-Amosa ![]() Stewart ![]() Con: O'Connor ![]() Cards: Paenga-Amosa ![]() | Report | Pen: To'omua ![]() |
Suncorp Stadium Attendance: 6,131[6] Referee: Damon Murphy |
Round 8
21 August 2020 19:05 |
Force | 5–57 | Reds (1 BP) |
Try: Ready ![]() Cards: Longbottom ![]() | Report | Try: Daugunu ![]() McReight ![]() McDermott ![]() O'Connor ![]() Hegarty ![]() Tualima ![]() Con: O'Connor ![]() Pen: O'Connor ![]() |
Cbus Super Stadium 4 Attendance: 1,575[6] Referee: Jordan Way |
22 August 2020 19:15 |
(1 BP) Brumbies | 38–11 | Waratahs |
Try: R. Lonergan ![]() Muirhead ![]() Samu ![]() Wright ![]() Con: R. Lonergan ![]() Kuenzle ![]() | Report | Try: Dempsey ![]() Pen: Harrison ![]() |
GIO Stadium Attendance: 1,281[6] Referee: Angus Gardner |
Round 9
28 August 2020 19:05 |
(1 BP) Brumbies | 31–14 | Force |
Try: Wright ![]() Banks ![]() Miller ![]() Ikitau ![]() Muirhead ![]() Con: Kuenzle ![]() | Report | Try: Lee-Warner ![]() Lance ![]() Con: Prior ![]() |
GIO Stadium Attendance: 2,209[6] Referee: Amy Perrett |
29 August 2020 19:15 |
(1 BP) Rebels | 32–38 | Waratahs |
Try: To'omua ![]() Naisarani ![]() Koroibete ![]() Con: To'omua ![]() Pen: To'omua ![]() Cards: Philip ![]() | Report | Try: Gordon ![]() Dempsey ![]() Johnson-Holmes ![]() Walton ![]() Harrison ![]() Con: Harrison ![]() Pen: Harrison ![]() Cards: Hanigan ![]() |
Leichhardt Oval 3 Attendance: 1,758[6] Referee: Graham Cooper |
Round 10 – Super Saturday
5 September 2020 17:05 |
Rebels | 34–30 | Force (1 BP) |
Try: Pincus ![]() Hodge ![]() D. Haylett-Petty ![]() Eloff ![]() Con: To'omua ![]() Pen: To'omua ![]() Cards: Pincus ![]() | Report | Try: Taefu ![]() Ready ![]() Stander ![]() Con: Prior ![]() Pen: Prior ![]() Cards: Ralston ![]() Lee-Warner ![]() |
McDonald Jones Stadium 5 Attendance: 817[6] Referee: Angus Gardner |
Qualifying final
Final
19 September 2020 19:15 |
Brumbies | 28–23 | Reds |
Try: Fainga'a ![]() Muirhead ![]() Banks ![]() Con: Lolesio ![]() Pen: Lolesio ![]() Drop: Lolesio ![]() | Report Summary | Try: Wilson ![]() Blyth ![]() Con: O'Connor ![]() Pen: O'Connor ![]() Cards: Daugunu ![]() |
GIO Stadium Attendance: 6,000[6] Referee: Angus Gardner |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Brumbies
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Reds
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Man of the Match:
Assistant Referees:
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Squads
Forwards | Allan Alaalatoa • Jahrome Brown • Tom Cusack • Murray Douglas • Folau Fainga'a • Nick Frost • Ben Hyne • Harry Lloyd • Lachlan Lonergan • Lachlan McCaffrey • Connal McInerney • Will Miller • Cadeyrn Neville • Tom Ross • Pete Samu • Scott Sio • James Slipper • Darcy Swain • Rob Valetini • Shambeckler Vui |
Backs | Tom Banks • Issak Fines • Mack Hansen • Len Ikitau • Solomone Kata • Bayley Kuenzle • Tevita Kuridrani • Noah Lolesio • Ryan Lonergan • Andy Muirhead • Reesjan Pasitoa • Guy Porter • Joe Powell • Toni Pulu • Irae Simone • Nic White • Tom Wright |
Coach | Dan McKellar |
Forwards | Charlie Abel • Jermaine Ainsley • Angus Cottrell • Cabous Eloff • Mees Erasmus • Pone Fa'amausili • Matt Gibbon • Esei Ha'angana • Richard Hardwick • Ross Haylett-Petty • Trevor Hosea • Josh Kemeny • Boyd Killingworth • Gideon Koegelenberg • Rob Leota • Efi Ma'afu • Declan Moore • Isi Naisarani • Cameron Orr • Matt Philip • Anaru Rangi • Jeral Skelton • Michael Stolberg • Jordan Uelese • Michael Wells • Brad Wilkin |
Backs | Lachie Anderson • Andrew Deegan • Tom English • Dane Haylett-Petty • Reece Hodge • Lewis Holland • Andrew Kellaway • Marika Koroibete • Frank Lomani • Ryan Louwrens • Campbell Magnay • Bill Meakes • Tom Pincus • Theo Strang • Matt To'omua • Semisi Tupou • James Tuttle |
Coach | David Wessels |
Forwards | Angus Blyth • Sean Farrell • David Feao • Jethro Felemi • Feao Fotuaika • Harry Hoopert • Tom Kibble • Alex Mafi • Fraser McReight • Josh Nasser • Zane Nonggorr • Brandon Paenga-Amosa • Lukhan Salakaia-Loto • Angus Scott-Young • JP Smith • Ruan Smith • Ryan Smith • Jack Straker • Tuaina Taii Tualima • Taniela Tupou • Seru Uru • Harry Wilson • Michael Wood • Liam Wright • Dane Zander |
Backs | Jock Campbell • Filipo Daugunu • Chris Feauai-Sautia • Josh Flook • Carter Gordon • Jack Hardy • Bryce Hegarty • Scott Malolua • Tate McDermott • James O'Connor • Hunter Paisami • Jordan Petaia • Henry Speight • Moses Sorovi • Hamish Stewart |
Coach | Brad Thorn |
Forwards | Robbie Abel • Angus Bell • Darcy Breen • Joe Cotton • Jack Dempsey • Max Douglas • Tetera Faulkner • Charlie Gamble • Ned Hanigan • Will Harris • Jed Holloway • Michael Hooper • Tom Horton • Harry Johnson-Holmes • Ryan McCauley • Dave Porecki • Tom Robertson • Rob Simmons • Hugh Sinclair • Tom Staniforth • Lachlan Swinton • Pat Tafa • Chris Talakai • Tiaan Tauakipulu • Carlo Tizzano • Andrew Tuala • Jeremy Williams |
Backs | Cam Clark • Ben Donaldson • Lalakai Foketi • Jake Gordon • Will Harrison • Karmichael Hunt • Jack Maddocks • Nick Malouf • Michael McDonald • Tepai Moeroa • Mark Nawaqanitawase • Alex Newsome • James Ramm • Triston Reilly • Henry Robertson • Mitch Short • Jack Walsh • Joey Walton |
Coach | Rob Penney |
Forwards | Ollie Atkins • Johan Bardoul • Ollie Callan • Pekahou Cowan • Tevin Ferris • Ben Grant • Dom Hardman • Victor Harris • Chris Heiberg • Greg Holmes • Feleti Kaitu'u • Kane Koteka • Fergus Lee-Warner • Kieran Longbottom • Jackson Pugh • Andrew Ready • Tom Sheminant • Brynard Stander • Henry Stowers • Heath Tessmann • Jeremy Thrush • Angus Wagner |
Backs | Jake Abel • AJ Alatimu • Marcel Brache • Pama Fou • Nick Frisby • Kyle Godwin • Nick Jooste • Richard Kahui • Brad Lacey • Jono Lance • Jordan Luke • Grason Makara • Jack McGregor • Rory O'Sullivan • Jonah Placid • Ian Prior • Byron Ralston • Jake Strachan • Henry Taefu |
Coach | Tim Sampson |
Notes
- ^1 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved this home fixture from AAMI Park to Brookvale Oval, New South Wales, in order to respect the regulations imposed by the Queensland Government.[16]
- ^2 Due to tight border restrictions, the Western Force moved their rounds 4 & 5 home matches from HBF Park to Leichhardt Oval, New South Wales.[17]
- ^3 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved their rounds 6 & 9 home fixtures from AAMI Park to Leichhardt Oval, New South Wales.[17][18]
- ^4 Due to tight border restrictions, the Western Force moved their rounds 7 & 8 home matches from HBF Park to Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland.[19]
- ^5 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved their round 10 home fixture from AAMI Park to McDonald Jones Stadium, New South Wales.[20]
- ^6 Total attendance and average attendance figures include a match without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and a round 2 match in which an attendance figure was not reported.
References
- "Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- "Super Rugby AU to introduce a host of law trials". Rugby Australia. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- "World Rugby creates access to optional domestic law trials to further reduce COVID-19 risk". World Rugby. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-reds-vs-waratahs-news-score-live-updates-teams-blog-how-to-watch-start-time/news-story/1082464781%5B%5D
- "Super Rugby AU: Brumbies d Rebels". AU Stadiums. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- "Super Rugby Results & Crowds". AU Stadiums. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- "Queensland Reds remain unbeaten with 31-24 win over Force".
- "| Latest Rugby News | QLD Reds Rugby".
- Doran, Christy (20 September 2020). "Slick Lolesio leads Brumbies to historic Super Rugby AU title over injury-hit Queensland Reds". Archived from the original on 20 September 2020.
- "Plus500 Brumbies Finalise 2020 Super Rugby Squad" (Press release). Brumbies. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- "Melbourne Rebels unveil full 2020 playing squad" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
- "St. George Queensland Reds confirm 2020 squad" (Press release). Queensland Reds. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- "NSW Waratahs Squad". NSW Waratahs. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
- "NSW Waratahs add more names to their Elite Development Squad" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- "Community colours". Western Force. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020.
- "Super Rugby Returns to Brookvale Oval". Melbourne Rebels. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- "Rugby returns to Leichhardt Oval as Fox ratings plateau". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- "Rebels Confirm Waratahs Blockbuster for Leichhardt Oval". Melbourne Rebels. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
- "Western Force fixture update". Western Force. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- "'Super Saturday' to complete Super Rugby AU regular season". Rugby.com.au. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.