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(1st title)
Matches played19
Attendance345,561 (18,187 per match)
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
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Crusaders 8 6 1 1 219 148 +71 27 13 3 1 30
2 Blues 8 5 1 2 176 149 +27 23 16 1 1 24
3 Hurricanes 8 5 0 3 202 213 −11 25 25 1 0 21
4 Highlanders 8 3 0 5 197 227 −30 23 34 0 2 14
5 Chiefs 8 0 0 8 155 212 −57 14 28 0 5 5
Source:
Rules for classification:
  • 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 at least three tries more 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
Highlanders28–27Chiefs (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'		ReportTry: 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
Blues30–20Hurricanes
Try: Clarke 12' c
Faiane 19' c
Papalii 50' c
Con: Black (3/3) 14', 20', 52'
Pen: Black (3/3) 55', 59', 66'		ReportTry: Coles 15' m
Lam 26' m
Booth 78' c
Con: Perenara (1/1) 78'
Pen: Garden-Bachop (1/1) 9'
Eden Park
Attendance: 36,700[12]
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 2
20 June 2020
19:05
Chiefs12–24Blues
Pen: McKenzie (4/5) 12', 21', 40'+1, 57'ReportTry: 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
Hurricanes25–39Crusaders (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'		ReportTry: 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: 17,606[14]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Round 3
27 June 2020
19:05
Blues27–24Highlanders (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'		ReportTry: 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: 23,800[12]
Referee: Paul Williams
28 June 2020
15:35
Crusaders18–13Chiefs (1 BP)
Try: Jordan (2) 33' c, 46' m
Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 34'
Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 10', 60'		ReportTry: Wainui 65' c
Con: McKenzie (1/1) 66'
Pen: McKenzie (2) 24', 70'
Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 12,000[15]
Referee: James Doleman

Round 4
4 July 2020
19:05
Highlanders20–40Crusaders (1 BP)
Try: Frizell 19' c
Punivai 25' c
Con: M. Hunt (2/2) 20', 25'
Pen: M. Hunt (2/2) 40+1', 57'		ReportTry: 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[16]
Referee: Mike Fraser
5 July 2020
15:35
(1 BP) Chiefs18–25Hurricanes
Try: Penalty try 64'
Boshier 77' m
Pen: McKenzie (2/2) 17', 42'		ReportTry: 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[17]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Round 5
11 July 2020
19:05
Crusaders26–15Blues
Try: Drummond 61' c
Jordan 75' c
Con: Mo'unga (2/2) 62', 77'
Pen: Mo'unga (4/4) 28', 31', 48', 67'		ReportTry: Telea 10' c
R. Ioane 55' m
Con: Black (1/2) 12'
Pen: Black (1/1) 46'
Orangetheory Stadium
Attendance: 18,000[18]
Referee: Paul Williams
12 July 2020
15:35
Hurricanes17–11Highlanders (1 BP)
Try: Perenara 28' c
van Wyk 36' m
Flanders 48' m
Con: Barrett (1/3) 29'		ReportTry: A. Smith 58' m
Pen: M. Hunt (2/3) 51', 80'
Sky Stadium
Attendance: 14,728[19]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Round 6
18 July 2020
19:05
Hurricanes29–27Blues (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'		ReportTry: 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: 18,517[19]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
19 July 2020
15:35
(1 BP) Chiefs31–33Highlanders
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'		ReportTry: 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[20]
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 7
25 July 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Crusaders32–34Hurricanes
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'		ReportTry: 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[21]
Referee: James Doleman
26 July 2020
15:35
Blues21–17Chiefs (1 BP)
Try: Duffie 6' c
Tuipulotu 14' c
Christie 55' c
Con: Barrett (3/3) 8', 15', 55'		ReportTry: Boshier 20' c
Alaimalo 46' c
Con: McKenzie (2/2) 21', 48'
Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 51'
Eden Park
Attendance: 28,600[12]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Round 8
1 August 2020
19:05
Chiefs19–32Crusaders (1 BP)
Try: Boshier 22' c
Con: McKenzie 23'
Pen: McKenzie (4/5) 26', 43', 50', 56'		ReportTry: 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[22]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
2 August 2020
15:35
Highlanders21–32Blues (1 BP)
Try: Dixon 20' c
Frizell 76' m
Con: Ioane (1/2) 21'
Pen: Ioane (3/3) 15', 30', 36'		ReportTry: 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[23]
Referee: Mike Fraser

Round 9
8 August 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Hurricanes31–18Chiefs
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'		ReportTry: Wainui 44' c
Karpik 65' m
Con: McKenzie (1/2) 45'
Pen: McKenzie (2/3) 25', 53'
Sky Stadium
Attendance: 20,317[19]
Referee: James Doleman
9 August 2020
15:35
Crusaders32–22Highlanders
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'		ReportTry: 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[24]
Referee: Paul Williams

Round 10
15 August 2020
19:05
Highlanders38–21Hurricanes
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'		ReportTry: Aso 5 c'
Booth 29' c
Umaga-Jensen 73' c
Con: Barrett (3/3) 6', 29', 73'
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: No spectators admitted[25]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
16 August 2020
15:35
Blues0–0Crusaders
Eden Park

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
Blues squad[26]
Forwards Aaron Carroll • Gerard Cowley-Tuioti • Kurt Eklund • Blake Gibson • Josh Goodhue • Alex Hodgman • Akira Ioane • Tony Lamborn • Ezekiel Lindenmuth • Sione Mafileo • Dalton Papalii • James Parsons • Jacob Pierce • Marcel Renata • Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa • Tom Robinson • Hoskins Sotutu • Luteru Tolai • James Tucker • Karl Tu'inukuafe • Patrick Tuipulotu • Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Backs Beauden Barrett • Otere Black • Dan Carter • Finlay Christie • Caleb Clarke • Matt Duffie • TJ Faiane • Jack Heighton • Jordan Hyland • Rieko Ioane • Joe Marchant • Emoni Narawa • Sam Nock • Jared Page • Stephen Perofeta • Harry Plummer • Jonathan Ruru • Mark Telea • Tamati Tua
Coach Leon MacDonald
Chiefs squad[27]
Forwards Naitoa Ah Kuoi • Michael Allardice • Tyler Ardron • Lachlan Boshier • Mitchell Brown • Sam Cane • Robb Cobb • Ryan Coxon • Ross Geldenhuys • Nathan Harris • Luke Jacobson • Mitchell Karpik • Nepo Laulala • Donald Maka • Laghlan McWhannell • Atu Moli • Dylan Nel • Ollie Norris • Reuben O'Neill • Simon Parker • Aidan Ross • Bradley Slater • Pita Gus Sowakula • Angus Ta'avao • Samisoni Taukei'aho • Adam Thomson • Tupou Vaa'i
Backs Solomon Alaimalo • Aaron Cruden • Tiaan Falcon • Orbyn Leger • Anton Lienert-Brown • Tumua Manu • Damian McKenzie • Sam McNicol • Lisati Milo-Harris • Kini Naholo • Etene Nanai-Seturo • Alex Nankivell • Shaun Stevenson • Bailyn Sullivan • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Kaleb Trask • Quinn Tupaea • Sean Wainui • Brad Weber
Coach Warren Gatland
Crusaders squad[28]
Forwards Michael Ala'alatoa • Harry Allan • Scott Barrett • Ethan Blackadder • George Bower • Tom Christie • Whetu Douglas • Mitchell Dunshea • Cullen Grace • Billy Harmon • Sione Havili • Oliver Jager • Andrew Makalio • Brodie McAlister • Joe Moody • Luke Romano • Ethan Roots • Tom Sanders • Quinten Strange • Codie Taylor • Isi Tu'ungafasi • Sam Whitelock
Backs George Bridge • Fergus Burke • Brett Cameron • Mitchell Drummond • Ere Enari • Braydon Ennor • Inga Finau • Leicester Fainga'anuku • Jack Goodhue • Bryn Hall • David Havili • Will Jordan • Manasa Mataele • Dallas McLeod • Richie Mo'unga • Fetuli Paea • Sevu Reece
Coach Scott Robertson
Highlanders squad[29]
Forwards Teariki Ben-Nicholas • Liam Coltman • Ethan de Groot • Josh Dickson • Ash Dixon • Tom Florence • Shannon Frizell • Dillon Hunt • Josh Iosefa-Scott • Ricky Jackson • Ayden Johnstone • Zane Kapeli • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Marino Mikaele-Tu'u • Sione Misiloi • Jesse Parete • Pari Pari Parkinson • Manaaki Selby-Rickit • Jeff Thwaites • Siate Tokolahi • Jack Whetton
Backs Michael Collins • Folau Fakatava • Connor Garden-Bachop • Bryn Gatland • Sam Gilbert • Scott Gregory • Kayne Hammington • Mitchell Hunt • Josh Ioane • Vilimoni Koroi • Kirisi Kuridrani • Josh McKay • Nehe Milner-Skudder • Tevita Nabura • Jona Nareki • Ngane Punivai • Aaron Smith • Rob Thompson • Sio Tomkinson • Thomas Umaga-Jensen• Teihorangi Walden
Coach Aaron Mauger
Hurricanes squad[30]
Forwards Fraser Armstrong • Asafo Aumua • James Blackwell • Dane Coles • Gareth Evans • Alex Fidow • Vaea Fifita • Devan Flanders • Du'Plessis Kirifi • Kane Le'aupepe • Tyrel Lomax • Tevita Mafileo • Ben May • Liam Mitchell • Xavier Numia • Reed Prinsep • Pouri Rakete-Stones • Ricky Riccitelli • Ardie Savea • Scott Scrafton • Murphy Taramai • Isaia Walker-Leawere
Backs Vince Aso • Jordie Barrett • Jamie Booth • Jackson Garden-Bachop • Wes Goosen • Simon Hickey • Ben Lam • Ngani Laumape • Jonah Lowe • TJ Perenara • Billy Proctor • Salesi Rayasi • Julian Savea • Fletcher Smith • Jonathan Taumateine • Chase Tiatia • Danny Toala • Peter Umaga-Jensen • Kobus van Wyk
Coach Jason Holland

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". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  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. "Big crowd boost for local businesses". 15 June 2020.
  12. Annual report 2020
  13. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues make history with win over Chiefs in Hamilton". 20 June 2020.
  14. Annual report
  15. "Bedraggled fans support Crusaders until the end in first home game post-coronairus". 28 June 2020.
  16. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Crusaders run over the top of brave Highlanders". 4 July 2020.
  17. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Hurricanes end Chiefs' season despite red card". 5 July 2020.
  18. "Unbeatable: Crusaders comeback breaks Blues".
  19. Annual report 2021
  20. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Highlanders secure stunning comeback win over Chiefs". 19 July 2020.
  21. "Super Rugby: Hurricanes snap Crusaders' record run in Christchurch thriller". 25 July 2020.
  22. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Chiefs' luckless run continues in defeat to Crusaders". August 2020.
  23. "Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues power to win over Highlanders to stay in title fight". 2 August 2020.
  24. "Crusaders crowned Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa champions".
  25. "Blues v Crusaders Match Cancelled".
  26. @SuperRugbyNZ (6 June 2020). "How good is the @BluesRugbyTeam looking for #SuperRugbyAotearoa Eyes" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. @SuperRugbyNZ (7 June 2020). "Collision symbol Introducing your @ChiefsRugby squad for Investec #SuperRugbyAotearoa" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  28. @SuperRugbyNZ (9 June 2020). "Fire Good squad this one. Here is your @crusadersrugbyteam for Investec #SuperRugbyAotearoa!" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 June 2020 – via Twitter.
  29. "TEAM PREVIEW: The Highlanders". Super Rugby NZ. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  30. "TEAM PREVIEW: The Hurricanes" (Press release). Super Rugby NZ. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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