2016 Super Rugby season

The 2016 Super Rugby season was the 21st season of Super Rugby and the first season featuring an expanded 18-team format. It was also the first season that teams outside Australia, New Zealand and South Africa featured, with the Jaguares from Argentina and the Sunwolves from Japan taking part. This season also saw the return of the Kings, who competed just once before, in the 2013 Super Rugby season.[1] The round-robin games took place every weekend from 26 February to 16 July 2016 (with a break for international matches during June), followed by the finals series at the end of July and culminating in the final on 6 August.

2016 Super Rugby season
Japan vs. Wales
CountriesArgentina (1 team)
Australia (5 teams)
Japan (1 team)
New Zealand (5 teams)
South Africa (6 teams)
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout
ChampionsHurricanes (1st title)
Matches played142
Tries scored910 (6.41 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Beauden Barrett (223)
Top try scorer(s)Israel Folau (11)
Official websiteOfficial site
← 2015 (Previous) (Next) 2017 →

The Hurricanes won their first championship after repeating their efforts of 2015 by finishing first in the regular season and hosting the final at Westpac Stadium, but this time they won, beating the Lions 20–3. Unlike 2015, where the Hurricanes looked likely to finish the regular season first with a number of rounds to go, they were sitting in seventh going into the final week of the regular season and while guaranteed a play-off spot, they required a number of upset results to elevate them to first. In particular the Lions losing to the Jaguares and scoring no match points after sending an under-strength side to Argentina, thereby losing their chance to host the final.

Competition format

The 18 teams were grouped geographically in two regional groups, each consisting of two conferences: the Australasian Group, with five teams in the Australian Conference and five teams in the New Zealand Conference and the South African Group, with six South African teams, one Argentinean team and one Japanese team split into a four-team Africa 1 Conference and a four-team Africa 2 Conference.[2]

In the group stages, there were 17 rounds of matches, where each team played 15 matches and had two rounds of byes for a total of 135 matches.

Teams played six intra-conference matches; in the four-team African Conferences, each team played the other three teams in their conference at home and away, while in the five-team Australasian Conferences, each team played two teams home and away and once against the other two teams (one at home and one away). The other nine matches were a single round of matches against each team in the other conference in their group, as well as against each team from one of the conferences in the other group. For 2016, the teams in Africa 1 played the teams in the Australian Conference, while the teams in Africa 2 played the teams in the New Zealand Conference.

The top team in each of the four conferences automatically qualified to the Quarter Finals. The next top three teams in the Australasian Group and the next top team in the South African group also qualified to the Quarter Finals as wildcards. The conference winners were seeded #1 to #4 for the Quarter Finals, in order of log points gained during the group stages, while the wildcards were seeded as #5 to #8 in order of log points gained during the group stages.

In the Quarter Finals, the conference winners hosted the first round of the finals, with the highest-seeded conference winner hosting the fourth-seeded wildcard entry, the second-seeded conference winner hosting the third-seeded wildcard entry, the third-seeded conference winner hosting the second-seeded wildcard entry and the fourth-seeded conference winner hosting the top-seed wildcard entry.

The Quarter Final winners progressed to the Semi-Finals, where the highest seed to reach the Semi-Finals hosted the lowest seed and the second-seeded semi-finalist hosted the third-seeded team.

The winners of the Semi-Finals progressed to the Final, at the venue of the highest-seeded team.

Standings

The final standings for the 2016 Super Rugby season are:[3][4]

2016 Super Rugby standings
Australasian Group
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1New Zealand Hurricanes151104458314+14461377253
2Australia Brumbies151005425326+9956403043
3New Zealand Highlanders151104422273+14950284452
4New Zealand Chiefs151104491341+15068396151
5New Zealand Crusaders151104487317+17065405150
6Australia Waratahs15807413317+9655374440
7New Zealand Blues15816374380−645472339
8Australia Rebels15708365486−12146652131
9Australia Reds153111290458−16833570317
10Australia Force152013260441−18125600513
South African Group
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1South Africa Lions151104535349+18671427152
2South Africa Stormers151014440274+16649285451
3South Africa Sharks15915360269+9140302343
4South Africa Bulls15915399339+6047374042
5Argentina Jaguares154011376427−5144511522
6South Africa Cheetahs154011377425−4847481421
7South Africa Southern Kings152013282684−4023495109
8Japan Sunwolves151113293627−3343388039
Legend and competition rules
Legend:
Conference leaders, qualify to finals. P = Games played, W = Games won, D = Games drawn, L = Games lost, PF = Points for, PA = Points against, PD = Points difference, TF = Tries for, TA = Tries against, TB = Try bonus points, LB = Losing bonus points, Pts = Log points
Wildcard teams, qualify to finals.
Competition rules:
Qualification:

The top eight teams qualified to the finals, with their final positions in the overall log determining their seedings in the quarter-finals. The conference winners were seeded #1 to #4 for the quarter-finals, in order of log points gained during the group stages, while the wildcards were seeded as #5 to #8 in order of log points gained during the group stages. In the quarter-finals, the conference winners hosted the first round of the finals, with the highest-seeded conference winner hosting the fourth-seeded wildcard entry, the second-seeded conference winner hosting the third-seeded wildcard entry, the third-seeded conference winner hosting the second-seeded wildcard entry and the fourth-seeded conference winner hosting the top-seed wildcard entry. The Quarter Final winners progressed to the semi-finals, where the highest seed to reach the semi-finals hosted the lowest seed and the second-seeded semi-finalist hosted the third-seeded team. The winner of the semi-finals progressed to the Final, at the venue of the highest-seeded team.

 Points breakdown:
* 4 points for a win
* 2 points for a draw
* 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
* 1 bonus point for scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match

 Classification:
Teams standings are calculated as follows:[5]
* Conference Leaders (i.e. conference leaders will always be ranked at the top)
* Log points
* Number of games won
* Overall points difference
* Number of tries scored
* Overall try difference

Matches
Main article: List of 2016 Super Rugby matches

The fixtures for the 2016 Super Rugby competition were released on 28 September 2015:[6] The following matches were played during the regular season:

Team Progression – Australasian Group
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 QF SF Final
Hurricanes 0
(10th)		 1
(9th)		 5
(9th)		 10
(6th)		 15
(4th)		 15
(6th)		 20
(5th)		 25
(4th)		 26
(4th)		 31
(4th)		 31
(5th)		 36
(5th)		 36
(5th)		 40
(4th)		 44
(4th)		 48
(5th)		 53
(1st)		 Won Won Won
Brumbies 5
(1st)		 9
(1st)		 13
(1st)		 13
(2nd)		 17
(2nd)		 17
(2nd)		 17
(2nd)		 21
(2nd)		 21
(6th)		 21
(6th)		 25
(2nd)		 29
(6th)		 29
(6th)		 34
(2nd)		 39
(2nd)		 39
(2nd)		 43
(2nd)		 Lost N/A N/A
Highlanders 1
(6th)		 5
(6th)		 9
(3rd)		 13
(3rd)		 18
(3rd)		 22
(3rd)		 23
(3rd)		 23
(5th)		 24
(5th)		 28
(5th)		 32
(4th)		 37
(4th)		 37
(4th)		 38
(5th)		 43
(5th)		 48
(4th)		 52
(3rd)		 Won Lost N/A
Chiefs 4
(2nd)		 5
(5th)		 10
(2nd)		 14
(1st)		 19
(1st)		 24
(1st)		 29
(1st)		 29
(1st)		 33
(1st)		 37
(1st)		 37
(3rd)		 37
(3rd)		 42
(1st)		 42
(3rd)		 46
(1st)		 51
(1st)		 51
(4th)		 Won Lost N/A
Crusaders 1
(7th)		 5
(2nd)		 5
(5th)		 10
(5th)		 14
(5th)		 18
(4th)		 22
(4th)		 27
(3rd)		 32
(3rd)		 32
(3rd)		 37
(1st)		 37
(1st)		 41
(3rd)		 45
(1st)		 45
(3rd)		 50
(3rd)		 50
(5th)		 Lost N/A N/A
Waratahs 5
(3rd)		 5
(4th)		 5
(6th)		 6
(8th)		 10
(7th)		 11
(7th)		 11
(8th)		 12
(8th)		 17
(7th)		 21
(7th)		 25
(6th)		 30
(2nd)		 30
(2nd)		 34
(6th)		 39
(6th)		 39
(6th)		 40
(6th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Blues 4
(5th)		 4
(7th)		 5
(8th)		 7
(7th)		 7
(8th)		 11
(8th)		 12
(7th)		 16
(7th)		 16
(8th)		 20
(8th)		 25
(7th)		 25
(7th)		 29
(7th)		 30
(7th)		 30
(7th)		 35
(7th)		 39
(7th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Rebels 4
(4th)		 4
(8th)		 8
(4th)		 13
(4th)		 13
(6th)		 17
(5th)		 17
(6th)		 17
(6th)		 22
(2nd)		 23
(2nd)		 23
(8th)		 23
(8th)		 23
(8th)		 27
(8th)		 27
(8th)		 27
(8th)		 31
(8th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Reds 0
(9th)		 0
(10th)		 1
(10th)		 3
(10th)		 4
(10th)		 4
(10th)		 8
(9th)		 8
(9th)		 8
(9th)		 12
(9th)		 12
(9th)		 12
(9th)		 16
(9th)		 16
(9th)		 16
(9th)		 16
(9th)		 17
(9th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Force 1
(8th)		 5
(3rd)		 5
(7th)		 5
(9th)		 5
(9th)		 5
(9th)		 6
(10th)		 6
(10th)		 6
(10th)		 6
(10th)		 10
(10th)		 10
(10th)		 11
(10th)		 12
(10th)		 13
(10th)		 13
(10th)		 13
(10th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Team Progression – South African Group
Team R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 QF SF Final
Lions 5
(3rd)		 9
(3rd)		 9
(3rd)		 13
(3rd)		 13
(3rd)		 14
(3rd)		 18
(2nd)		 22
(2nd)		 27
(2nd)		 27
(2nd)		 27
(2nd)		 32
(1st)		 37
(1st)		 42
(1st)		 47
(1st)		 52
(1st)		 52
(1st)		 Won Won Lost
Stormers 5
(2nd)		 9
(2nd)		 10
(2nd)		 14
(2nd)		 18
(1st)		 18
(1st)		 23
(1st)		 24
(1st)		 28
(1st)		 29
(1st)		 29
(1st)		 31
(2nd)		 32
(4th)		 36
(2nd)		 41
(2nd)		 46
(2nd)		 51
(2nd)		 Lost N/A N/A
Sharks 5
(1st)		 9
(1st)		 13
(1st)		 15
(1st)		 16
(2nd)		 16
(2nd)		 16
(4th)		 17
(4th)		 21
(4th)		 22
(4th)		 26
(4th)		 30
(3rd)		 35
(3rd)		 35
(3rd)		 35
(3rd)		 39
(3rd)		 43
(3rd)		 Lost N/A N/A
Bulls 0
(7th)		 4
(5th)		 4
(6th)		 6
(4th)		 10
(4th)		 14
(4th)		 19
(3rd)		 23
(3rd)		 23
(3rd)		 28
(3rd)		 28
(3rd)		 28
(4th)		 32
(2nd)		 32
(4th)		 32
(4th)		 37
(4th)		 42
(4th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Jaguares 4
(4th)		 5
(4th)		 5
(4th)		 6
(5th)		 7
(5th)		 7
(5th)		 7
(5th)		 7
(6th)		 7
(6th)		 12
(6th)		 12
(6th)		 13
(6th)		 13
(6th)		 14
(6th)		 18
(6th)		 18
(6th)		 22
(5th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Cheetahs 1
(5th)		 1
(6th)		 5
(5th)		 5
(6th)		 6
(6th)		 7
(6th)		 7
(6th)		 12
(5th)		 12
(5th)		 12
(5th)		 12
(5th)		 16
(5th)		 16
(5th)		 17
(5th)		 21
(5th)		 21
(5th)		 21
(6th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Kings 0
(8th)		 0
(8th)		 0
(8th)		 0
(8th)		 0
(8th)		 4
(7th)		 4
(7th)		 4
(7th)		 4
(8th)		 4
(8th)		 4
(8th)		 4
(8th)		 4
(8th)		 9
(7th)		 9
(7th)		 9
(7th)		 9
(7th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Sunwolves 0
(6th)		 0
(7th)		 1
(7th)		 1
(7th)		 2
(7th)		 3
(8th)		 3
(8th)		 3
(8th)		 7
(7th)		 7
(7th)		 7
(7th)		 9
(7th)		 9
(7th)		 9
(8th)		 9
(8th)		 9
(8th)		 9
(8th)		 N/A N/A N/A
Key: win draw loss bye

Finals

The four conference winners advanced to the Quarter Finals, where they had home advantage against four wildcard teams, which consisted of the third to fifth-ranked teams in the Australasian Group and the third-ranked team in the South African Group.

The final seedings of these teams were:[3][7]

Conference leaders
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1New Zealand Hurricanes151104458314+14461377253
2South Africa Lions151104535349+18671427152
3South Africa Stormers151014440274+16649285451
4Australia Brumbies151005425326+9956403043
Wildcard teams
5New Zealand Highlanders151104422273+14950284452
6New Zealand Chiefs151104491341+15068396151
7New Zealand Crusaders151104487317+17065405150
8South Africa Sharks15915360269+9140302343

The play-off fixtures were as follows:

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
23 July – Wellington
 
 
Hurricanes41
 
30 July – Wellington
 
Sharks0
 
Hurricanes25
 
23 July – Cape Town
 
Chiefs9
 
Stormers21
 
6 August – Wellington
 
Chiefs60
 
Hurricanes20
 
23 July – Johannesburg
 
Lions3
 
Lions42
 
30 July – Johannesburg
 
Crusaders25
 
Lions42
 
22 July – Canberra
 
Highlanders30
 
Brumbies9
 
 
Highlanders15
 

Quarter-finals
22 July 2016 Brumbies 9–15 Highlanders Canberra Stadium, Bruce, Australia  
18:00 Pen: Christian Lealiifano rugby goalposts icon 11', 18', 52' (3/5)
Cards: Matt To'omua yellow card 37' to 47'		 Report[8]
Scoreboard[9]		 Try: Waisake Naholo rugby ball 37'
Liam Squire rugby ball 57'
Con: Lima Sopoaga rugby goalposts icon 38' (1/2)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga rugby goalposts icon 5' (1/3)		 Attendance: 8,559[10]
Referee: Angus Gardner
23 July 2016 Hurricanes 41–0 Sharks Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand  
19:35 Try: Loni Uhila rugby ball 17'
James Marshall rugby ball 21'
Jason Woodward rugby ball 47'
Vaea Fifita rugby ball 50'
TJ Perenara rugby ball 59'
Brad Shields rugby ball 80'
Con: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 48', 51', 60' (3/5)
Jason Woodward rugby goalposts icon 81' (1/1)
Pen: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 14' (1/1)		 Report[11]
Scoreboard[12]		 Attendance: 17,685[13]
Referee: Glen Jackson
23 July 2016 Lions 42–25 Crusaders Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  
16:30 Try: Courtnall Skosan rugby ball 2'
Rohan Janse van Rensburg rugby ball 7'
Malcolm Marx rugby ball 40'
Ruan Combrinck rugby ball 69'
Ross Cronjé rugby ball 74'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 8', 40', 70', 75' (4/5)
Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 15', 62' (2/3)
Drop: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 54' (1/1)		 Report[14]
Scoreboard[15]		 Try: Ryan Crotty rugby ball 33'
Mitchell Drummond rugby ball 63'
Ben Volavola rugby ball 80'
Con: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 34', 63' (2/3)
Pen: Richie Mo'unga rugby goalposts icon 20', 47' (2/2)
Cards: Luke Romano yellow card 6' to 16'		 Referee: Craig Joubert
23 July 2016 Stormers 21–60 Chiefs Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa  
19:00 Try: Vincent Koch rugby ball 11', 39'
Nizaam Carr rugby ball 72'
Con: Robert du Preez rugby goalposts icon 12', 40' (2/2)
Brandon Thomson rugby goalposts icon 73' (1/1)		 Report[16]
Scoreboard[17]		 Try: Sam McNicol rugby ball 14'
Brad Weber rugby ball 17'
Tom Sanders rugby ball 24'
James Lowe rugby ball 34'
Damian McKenzie rugby ball 46'
Hika Elliot rugby ball 75'
Tevita Koloamatangi rugby ball 79'
Tawera Kerr-Barlow rugby ball 81'
Con: Damian McKenzie rugby goalposts icon 15', 18', 25', 35', 76', 80', 82' (7/8)
Pen: Damian McKenzie rugby goalposts icon 4', 29' (2/2)		 Attendance: 28,972[18]
Referee: Jaco Peyper

Semi-finals
30 July 2016 Hurricanes 25–9 Chiefs Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand  
19:35 Try: Willis Halaholo rugby ball 7'
Beauden Barrett rugby ball 35'
Victor Vito rugby ball 48'
Con: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 36', 49' (2/3)
Pen: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 33', 56' (2/2)
Cards: Cory Jane yellow card 63' to 73'		 Report[19]
Scoreboard[20]		 Pen: Damian McKenzie rugby goalposts icon 11', 40', 52' (3/4) Attendance: 24,623[21]
Referee: Angus Gardner
30 July 2016 Lions 42–30 Highlanders Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa  
15:00 Try: Elton Jantjies rugby ball 12'
Rohan Janse van Rensburg rugby ball 24'
Courtnall Skosan rugby ball 46'
Jaco Kriel rugby ball 55'
Lourens Erasmus rugby ball 73'
Con: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 13', 25', 56', 74' (4/5)
Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 21', 45', 52' (3/3)		 Report[22]
Scoreboard[23]		 Try: Matt Faddes rugby ball 48'
Lima Sopoaga rugby ball 66'
Waisake Naholo rugby ball 75'
Joe Wheeler rugby ball 82'
Con: Lima Sopoaga rugby goalposts icon 76', 82' (2/4)
Pen: Lima Sopoaga rugby goalposts icon 19', 40' (2/3)		 Referee: Jaco Peyper

Final
Main article: 2016 Super Rugby Final
6 August 2016 Hurricanes 20–3 Lions Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand  
19:35 Try: Cory Jane rugby ball 22'
Beauden Barrett rugby ball 69'
Con: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 23', 70' (2/2)
Pen: Beauden Barrett rugby goalposts icon 12', 52' (2/2)		 Report
Scoreboard[24]		 Pen: Elton Jantjies rugby goalposts icon 26' (1/3) Attendance: 34,014[25]
Referee: Glen Jackson

Players

Squads

The following squads were named for the 2016 Super Rugby season:

Blues squad
Forwards Josh Bekhuis • Gerard Cowley-Tuioti • Joe Edwards • Charlie Faumuina • Blake Gibson • Akira Ioane • Jerome Kaino • Tanerau Latimer • Steve Luatua • Quentin MacDonald • Sione Mafileo • Hoani Matenga • Nic Mayhew • Matt Moulds • James Parsons • Sam Prattley • Kara Pryor • Jack Ram • Scott Scrafton • Patrick Tuipulotu • Ofa Tu'ungafasi • Namatahi Waa
Backs Matt Duffie • Piers Francis • Billy Guyton • Bryn Hall • Rieko Ioane • Tevita Li • Matt McGahan • George Moala • Melani Nanai • Sam Nock • Rene Ranger • Male Sa'u • Matt Vaega • Lolagi Visinia • Ihaia West • Did not play: • Afa Fa'atau • TJ Faiane • Ben Lam • Michael Little • Jordan Trainor
Coach Tana Umaga
Brumbies squad
Forwards Robbie Abel • Allan Alaalatoa • Ben Alexander • Rory Arnold • Jarrad Butler • Sam Carter • Blake Enever • Scott Fardy • Ben Hyne • Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin • Joshua Mann-Rea • Stephen Moore • David Pocock • Scott Sio • Jordan Smiler • Ruan Smith • Tom Staniforth • Ita Vaea • Michael Wells • Did not play: • Albert Anae
Backs Nigel Ah Wong • Robbie Coleman • Tomás Cubelli • James Dargaville • Michael Dowsett • Jordan Jackson-Hope • Tevita Kuridrani • Christian Lealiifano • Joe Powell • Andrew Smith • Henry Speight • Lausii Taliauli • Joe Tomane • Matt To'omua • Aidan Toua • Did not play: • Nick Jooste
Coach Stephen Larkham
Bulls squad
Forwards Arno Botha • Renaldo Bothma • Nick de Jager • Lizo Gqoboka • Grant Hattingh • Nico Janse van Rensburg • Jason Jenkins • Jannes Kirsten • Werner Kruger • Lappies Labuschagné • Hanro Liebenberg • Bandise Maku • Nqoba Mxoli • Trevor Nyakane • Marvin Orie • Pierre Schoeman • Roelof Smit • RG Snyman • Deon Stegmann • Adriaan Strauss • Marcel van der Merwe • Hencus van Wyk • Jaco Visagie • Did not play: • Dean Greyling • Irné Herbst • Freddy Ngoza • Jacques Potgieter • Callie Visagie
Backs Bjorn Basson • Francois Brummer • Warrick Gelant • Travis Ismaiel • Dan Kriel • Jesse Kriel • SP Marais • Burger Odendaal • Rudy Paige • Tian Schoeman • Jan Serfontein • Dries Swanepoel • Jamba Ulengo • Ivan van Zyl • Piet van Zyl • Did not play: • Kefentse Mahlo • Duncan Matthews • Luther Obi • Handré Pollard • Joshua Stander
Coach Nollis Marais
Cheetahs squad
Forwards Willie Britz • Uzair Cassiem • Aranos Coetzee • Luan de Bruin • Lood de Jager • Jacques du Toit • Joseph Dweba • Elandré Huggett • Reniel Hugo • Niell Jordaan • Armandt Koster • Hilton Lobberts • Charles Marais • Danie Mienie • Oupa Mohojé • Ox Nché • Boom Prinsloo • Paul Schoeman • Francois Uys • Maks van Dyk • Torsten van Jaarsveld • Henco Venter • Carl Wegner • Did not play: • Justin Basson • Tienie Burger • Steven Meiring • Teunis Nieuwoudt • Gerhard Olivier • Neil Rautenbach • Boela Serfontein • BG Uys • Dennis Visser
Backs Rayno Benjamin • Clayton Blommetjies • Sias Ebersohn • Joubert Engelbrecht • Nico Lee • Niel Marais • Tian Meyer • Sergeal Petersen • Raymond Rhule • William Small-Smith • Michael van der Spuy • Francois Venter • Shaun Venter • George Whitehead • Fred Zeilinga • Did not play: • Maphutha Dolo • Reinhardt Erwee • Tertius Kruger • Gerrie Labuschagné • Zee Mkhabela • JP Smith • Ruan van Rensburg • Coenie van Wyk
Coach Franco Smith
Chiefs squad
Forwards Michael Allardice • Johan Bardoul • Dominic Bird • Lachlan Boshier • Mitchell Brown • Sam Cane • Hika Elliot • Siegfried Fisiihoi • Mitchell Graham • Kane Hames • Nathan Harris • Sam Henwood • Tevita Koloamatangi • Michael Leitch • Pauliasi Manu • Rhys Marshall • Liam Messam • Atunaisa Moli • Brodie Retallick • Tom Sanders • Taleni Seu • Siate Tokolahi • James Tucker • Maama Vaipulu • Hiroshi Yamashita • Did not play: • Mitchell Karpik • Nepo Laulala
Backs Aaron Cruden • Stephen Donald • Glen Fisiiahi • Kayne Hammington • Andrew Horrell • Tawera Kerr-Barlow • Anton Lienert-Brown • James Lowe • Damian McKenzie • Sam McNicol • Charlie Ngatai • Toni Pulu • Shaun Stevenson • Seta Tamanivalu • Latu Vaeno • Sam Vaka • Brad Weber • Did not play: • Augustine Pulu • Chase Tiatia • Sonny Bill Williams
Coach Dave Rennie
Crusaders squad
Forwards Michael Ala'alatoa • Scott Barrett • Tim Boys • Wyatt Crockett • Owen Franks • Ben Funnell • Alex Hodgman • Joe Moody • Reed Prinsep • Kieran Read • Ged Robinson • Luke Romano • Pete Samu • Jordan Taufua • Codie Taylor • Matt Todd • Jimmy Tupou • Sam Whitelock • Did not play: • Jed Brown • Mitchell Dunshea • Tim Perry
Backs Ryan Crotty • Israel Dagg • Mitchell Drummond • Andy Ellis • Kieron Fonotia • Leon Fukofuka • David Havili • Mitchell Hunt • Jone Macilai-Tori • Marty McKenzie • Johnny McNicholl • Richie Mo'unga • Nemani Nadolo • Ben Volavola • Sean Wainui • Did not play: • Sione Fifita • Robbie Fruean • Jack Goodhue
Coach Todd Blackadder
Force squad
Forwards Jermaine Ainsley • Chris Alcock • Nathan Charles • Adam Coleman • Angus Cottrell • Pekahou Cowan • Tetera Faulkner • Richard Hardwick • Ross Haylett-Petty • Chris Heiberg • Matt Hodgson • Kane Koteka • Steve Mafi • Ben McCalman • Guy Millar • Matt Philip • Anaru Rangi • Harry Scoble • Brynard Stander • Heath Tessmann • Francois van Wyk • Rory Walton • Did not play: • Ollie Hoskins • Tom Sexton
Backs Marcel Brache • Luke Burton • Kyle Godwin • Peter Grant • Dane Haylett-Petty • Jono Lance • Ryan Louwrens • Semisi Masirewa • Alby Mathewson • Ammon Matuauto • Luke Morahan • Albert Nikoro • Ian Prior • Junior Rasolea • Ben Tapuai • Did not play: • Brad Lacey
Coach Michael Foley • David Wessels
Highlanders squad
Forwards Alex Ainley • Shane Christie • Liam Coltman • Ash Dixon • Elliot Dixon • Brendon Edmonds • Gareth Evans • Tom Franklin • Ross Geldenhuys • Siua Halanukonuka • Josh Hohneck • James Lentjes • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Craig Millar • Greg Pleasants-Tate • Dan Pryor • Mark Reddish • Aki Seiuli • Liam Squire • Joe Wheeler • Luke Whitelock • Did not play: • Jackson Hemopo
Backs Marty Banks • Jamie Booth • Jason Emery • Matt Faddes • Malakai Fekitoa • Waisake Naholo • Patrick Osborne • Hayden Parker • Josh Renton • Aaron Smith • Ben Smith • Fletcher Smith • Lima Sopoaga • Fumiaki Tanaka • Rob Thompson • Te Aihe Toma • Ryan Tongia • Teihorangi Walden • Jack Wilson • Did not play: • Richard Buckman • Sio Tomkinson
Coach Jamie Joseph
Hurricanes squad
Forwards Mark Abbott • Leni Apisai • Dane Coles • Geoffrey Cridge • Chris Eves • Michael Fatialofa • Vaea Fifita • Callum Gibbins • Reggie Goodes • Mike Kainga • Tony Lamborn • Motu Matu'u • Ben May • Ricky Riccitelli • Ardie Savea • Brad Shields • Blade Thomson • Jeffery Toomaga-Allen • Loni Uhila • Victor Vito • Did not play: • James Blackwell • James Broadhurst • Iopu Iopu-Aso • Christian Lloyd • Hugh Renton • Hisa Sasagi
Backs Vince Aso • Beauden Barrett • Otere Black • Jamison Gibson-Park • Wes Goosen • Willis Halaholo • Cory Jane • Ngani Laumape • James Marshall • Nehe Milner-Skudder • TJ Perenara • Matt Proctor • Julian Savea • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Jason Woodward • Did not play: • Pita Ahki • TJ Va'a
Coach Chris Boyd
Jaguares squad
Forwards Matías Alemanno • Felipe Arregui • Rodrigo Báez • Facundo Bosch • Agustín Creevy • Santiago García Botta • Facundo Gigena • Juan Cruz Guillemaín • Ramiro Herrera • Facundo Isa • Marcos Kremer • Ignacio Larrague • Tomás Lavanini • Juan Manuel Leguizamón • Tomás Lezana • Pablo Matera • Julián Montoya • Lucas Noguera Paz • Javier Ortega Desio • Guido Petti • Enrique Pieretto • Leonardo Senatore • Roberto Tejerizo • Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro • Did not play: • Cristian Bartoloni
Backs Gonzalo Bertranou • Emiliano Boffelli • Santiago Cordero • Jerónimo de la Fuente • Felipe Ezcurra • Lucas González Amorosino • Santiago González Iglesias • Juan Martín Hernández • Martín Landajo • Manuel Montero • Matías Moroni • Ramiro Moyano • Matías Orlando • Joaquín Paz • Nicolás Sánchez • Joaquín Tuculet • Segundo Tuculet • Did not play: • Gabriel Ascárate
Coach Raúl Pérez
Southern Kings squad
Forwards Justin Ackerman • Jacobie Adriaanse • Louis Albertse • JC Astle • Martin Bezuidenhout • Thembelani Bholi • Tom Botha • Chris Cloete • Aidon Davis • Jacques Engelbrecht • Martin Ferreira • Schalk Ferreira • Liam Hendricks • Cornell Hess • JP Jonck • Sintu Manjezi • Edgar Marutlulle • Andisa Ntsila • Schalk Oelofse • Sti Sithole • Steven Sykes • CJ Velleman • Stefan Willemse • Did not play: • Philip du Preez • Tazz Fuzani • Tyler Paul • Junior Pokomela • Vukile Sofisa
Backs Lukhanyo Am • JP du Plessis • Leighton Eksteen • Louis Fouché • Shane Gates • Siyanda Grey • James Hall • Dewald Human • Malcolm Jaer • Ntando Kebe • Kevin Luiters • Wandile Mjekevu • Charles Radebe • Jaco van Tonder • Jurgen Visser • Luzuko Vulindlu • Jeremy Ward • Stefan Watermeyer • Elgar Watts • Did not play: • Theuns Kotzé
Coach Deon Davids
Lions squad
Forwards Ruan Ackermann • Fabian Booysen • Cyle Brink • Robbie Coetzee • Stephan de Wit • Ruan Dreyer • Lourens Erasmus • Andries Ferreira • Corné Fourie • Jaco Kriel • Robert Kruger • Ruaan Lerm • Malcolm Marx • Franco Mostert • Martin Muller • Julian Redelinghuys • Ramone Samuels • Pieter Scholtz • Dylan Smith • Warwick Tecklenburg • Clinton Theron • Akker van der Merwe • Jacques van Rooyen • Warren Whiteley • Did not play: • MB Lusaseni
Backs JW Bell • Marnitz Boshoff • Andries Coetzee • Ruan Combrinck • Ross Cronjé • Ashlon Davids • Faf de Klerk • Stokkies Hanekom • Rohan Janse van Rensburg • Elton Jantjies • Sylvian Mahuza • Lionel Mapoe • Koch Marx • Howard Mnisi • Jacques Nel • Courtnall Skosan • Dillon Smit • Jaco van der Walt • Anthony Volmink • Harold Vorster • Did not play: • Sampie Mastriet
Coach Johan Ackermann
Rebels squad
Forwards Cruze Ah-Nau • Steve Cummins • Colby Fainga'a • Scott Fuglistaller • Jamie Hagan • James Hanson • Sam Jeffries • Luke Jones • Patrick Leafa • Rob Leota • Sean McMahon • Tim Metcher • Tom Moloney • Jordy Reid • Culum Retallick • Siliva Siliva • Toby Smith • Adam Thomson • Lopeti Timani • Laurie Weeks • Did not play: • Ryan Cocker • Harley Fox
Backs Paul Asquith • Cam Crawford • Jack Debreczeni • Tamati Ellison • Tom English • Mike Harris • Daniel Hawkins • Reece Hodge • Mitch Inman • Kotaro Matsushima • Ben Meehan • Sefa Naivalu • Jonah Placid • Dom Shipperley • Michael Snowden • Nic Stirzaker • Sione Tuipulotu • Did not play: • Jack Maddocks
Coach Tony McGahan
Reds squad
Forwards Curtis Browning • Ben Daley • Kane Douglas • Sef Fa'agase • Saia Fainga'a • Liam Gill • Michael Gunn • Greg Holmes • Leroy Houston • Matt Mafi • Ben Matwijow • Cadeyrn Neville • Pettowa Paraka • Andrew Ready • Jake Schatz • Waita Setu • Rob Simmons • James Slipper • Sam Talakai • Taniela Tupou • Hendrik Tui • Lukhan Tui • Did not play: • Lolo Fakaosilea • Adam Korczyk • Caleb Timu
Backs Tom Banks • Anthony Fainga'a • Chris Feauai-Sautia • Nick Frisby • Scott Gale • Alex Gibbon • Ayumu Goromaru • Sam Greene • Karmichael Hunt • Samu Kerevi • Chris Kuridrani • Junior Laloifi • Campbell Magnay • Jake McIntyre • Eto Nabuli • Duncan Paia'aua • Henry Taefu • Jack Tuttle • James Tuttle • Did not play: • Izaia Perese • Jamie-Jerry Taulagi
Coaches Richard Graham • Matt O'Connor • Nick Stiles
Sharks squad
Forwards Lourens Adriaanse • Hyron Andrews • Ruan Botha • Dale Chadwick • Marcell Coetzee • Kyle Cooper • Keegan Daniel • Jean Deysel • Dan du Preez • Jean-Luc du Preez • Thomas du Toit • Stephan Lewies • Franco Marais • David McDuling • Tendai Mtawarira • Tera Mtembu • Giant Mtyanda • Coenie Oosthuizen • Etienne Oosthuizen • Chiliboy Ralepelle • Juan Schoeman • Philip van der Walt • Did not play: • Renaldo Bothma • Gerhard Engelbrecht • Francois Kleinhans • Khaya Majola • Jacques Potgieter • Tjiuee Uanivi
Backs Garth April • Curwin Bosch • Michael Claassens • André Esterhuizen • Paul Jordaan • Patrick Lambie • Willie le Roux • Lwazi Mvovo • Odwa Ndungane • Joe Pietersen • JP Pietersen • Cobus Reinach • S'bura Sithole • Rhyno Smith • Stefan Ungerer • Heimar Williams • Did not play: • Johan Deysel • Marius Louw • Wandile Mjekevu • Inny Radebe
Coach Gary Gold
Stormers squad
Forwards Schalk Burger • Nizaam Carr • Jan de Klerk • Pieter-Steph du Toit • Rynhardt Elstadt • Eben Etzebeth • JC Janse van Rensburg • Oli Kebble • Jean Kleyn • Vincent Koch • Siya Kolisi • Wilco Louw • Frans Malherbe • Bongi Mbonambi • Sikhumbuzo Notshe • Scarra Ntubeni • JD Schickerling • JP Smith • Kobus van Dyk • Chris van Zyl • Alistair Vermaak • Mike Willemse • Did not play: • David Ribbans • Jurie van Vuuren • Jacques Vermeulen
Backs Kurt Coleman • Damian de Allende • Juan de Jongh • Daniël du Plessis • Jean-Luc du Plessis • Robert du Preez • Nic Groom • Huw Jones • Cheslin Kolbe • Johnny Kôtze • Dillyn Leyds • Godlen Masimla • Louis Schreuder • Jaco Taute • Brandon Thomson • Kobus van Wyk • Scott van Breda • Jano Vermaak • Leolin Zas • Did not play: • Ryno Eksteen • Cornal Hendricks • Justin Phillips • Seabelo Senatla • EW Viljoen
Coach Robbie Fleck
Sunwolves squad
Forwards Taiyo Ando • Takuma Asahara • Tim Bond • Andrew Durutalo • Shota Horie • Yoshiya Hosoda • Keita Inagaki • Shinnosuke Kakinaga • Shokei Kin • Takeshi Kizu • Koo Ji-won • Naohiro Kotaki • Fa'atiga Lemalu • Tomás Leonardi • Shinya Makabe • Masataka Mikami • Liaki Moli • Futoshi Mori • Hitoshi Ono • Ed Quirk • Koki Yamamoto • Did not play: • Ryuhei Arita • Shohei Hirano • Tsuyoshi Murata • Kazuhiko Usami
Backs Derek Carpenter • Atsushi Hiwasa • Daisuke Inoue • Kentaro Kodama • Viliami Lolohea • Mifiposeti Paea • Tusi Pisi • Yasutaka Sasakura • Kaito Shigeno • John Stewart • Yu Tamura • Harumichi Tatekawa • Riaan Viljoen • Akihito Yamada • Ryohei Yamanaka • Hajime Yamashita • Yuki Yatomi
Coach Mark Hammett
Waratahs squad
Forwards Jack Dempsey • Dave Dennis • Ned Hanigan • James Hilterbrand • Jed Holloway • Michael Hooper • Tolu Latu • Sam Lousi • Dean Mumm • Wycliff Palu • Tatafu Polota-Nau • Hugh Roach • Tom Robertson • Benn Robinson • Paddy Ryan • Will Skelton • Angus Ta'avao • Jeremy Tilse • Did not play: • Ryan McCauley • Cameron Orr • Matt Sandell • Senio Toleafoa • Brad Wilkin
Backs Kurtley Beale • Matthew Carraro • Israel Folau • Bernard Foley • Zac Guildford • Bryce Hegarty • Rob Horne • David Horwitz • Andrew Kellaway • Matt Lucas • Taqele Naiyaravoro • Nick Phipps • Reece Robinson • Jim Stewart • Did not play: • Henry Clunies-Ross • Andrew Deegan • Jake Gordon • Harry Jones
Coach Daryl Gibson

Player statistics

The top ten points scorers during the 2016 Super Rugby season are:[26]

Top Ten points scorers
No Player Team T C P DG Pts
1Beauden BarrettHurricanes950251223
2Damian McKenzieChiefs1043210199
3Elton JantjiesLions344272190
4Lima SopoagaHighlanders534292186
5Richie Mo'ungaCrusaders541240179
6Christian LealiifanoBrumbies341220163
7Nicolás Sánchez Jaguares224271142
8Ihaia WestBlues419240130
9Jean-Luc du PlessisStormers226220128
10Jack DebreczeniRebels225200120
Bernard FoleyWaratahs135150120

Referees

The following refereeing panel was appointed by SANZAAR for the 2016 Super Rugby season:

2016 Super Rugby referees
Argentina Federico Anselmi
Australia Nic Berry • Angus Gardner • Rohan Hoffmann • Will Houston • Andrew Lees
Japan Shuhei Kubo
New Zealand Nick Briant • Mike Fraser • Glen Jackson • Jamie Nutbrown • Ben O'Keeffe • Brendon Pickerill • Chris Pollock • Paul Williams
South Africa Stuart Berry • Quinton Immelman • Craig Joubert • Jaco Peyper • Rasta Rasivhenge • Marius van der Westhuizen • Jaco van Heerden

Attendances
TeamMain StadiumCapacityTotal AttendanceAverage Attendance % Capacity
New Zealand BluesEden Park50,000125,46515,68333%
New Zealand ChiefsWaikato Stadium25,800
New Zealand HurricanesWestpac Stadium34,500180,49018,04955%
New Zealand CrusadersRugby League Park18,000
New Zealand HighlandersForsyth Barr Stadium30,728
Australia RedsSuncorp Stadium52,500132,84316,60531%
Australia BrumbiesCanberra Stadium25,011109,21712,13548%
Australia WaratahsSydney Football Stadium44,000162,58020,32246%
Australia Melbourne RebelsAAMI Park29,50073,55710,50835%
Australia Forcenib Stadium20,500
South Africa SharksABSA Stadium52,000
South Africa BullsLoftus Versfeld51,792
South Africa LionsEllis Park62,567
South Africa Southern KingsNelson Mandela Bay Stadium48,00049,6586,20712%
South Africa CheetahsFree State Stadium46,000
South Africa StormersNewlands Stadium51,900
Argentina JaguaresJosé Amalfitani Stadium49,64089,85712,83625%
Japan SunwolvesPrince Chichibu Memorial Stadium27,188111,75813,96937%

References
  1. "Japan given the nod for Super Rugby". SANZAAR. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  2. "Outline of the Super Rugby competition structure" (PDF). All Blacks. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  3. "SA Rugby Log – 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  4. "Super Rugby - Official SANZAR Site". SANZAR. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  5. "Team with "Most Wins" will finish higher in Super Rugby". SANZAR. 12 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  6. "Draw released for new era of Super Rugby" (Press release). SANZAAR. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  7. "Super Rugby – Official SANZAAR Site". SANZAAR. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  8. "QF1: Brumbies 9 Highlanders 15". SANZAAR. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Brumbies 9–15 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  10. @BrumbiesRugby (23 July 2016). "Thanks to the Official Crowd of 8559 who braved the conditions at GIO Stadium tonight! #BRUvHIG" (Tweet). Retrieved 23 July 2016 – via Twitter.
  11. "QF2: Hurricanes 41 Sharks 0". SANZAAR. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 41–0 Cell C Sharks". South African Rugby Union. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  13. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. "QF3: Lions 45 Crusaders 25". SANZAAR. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  15. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Emirates Lions 42–25 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  16. "QF4: Stormers 21 Chiefs 60". SANZAAR. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  17. "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Stormers 21–60 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  18. "Stormers crash out as Chiefs soar".
  19. "SF1: Hurricanes 25 Chiefs 9". SANZAAR. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  20. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 25–9 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  21. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. "SF2: Lions 42 Highlanders 30". SANZAAR. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  23. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Emirates Lions 42–30 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  24. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Hurricanes 20–3 Emirates Lions". South African Rugby Union. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  25. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. "SA Rugby Top Scorers – 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
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