Super 10 (Southern Hemisphere competition)
Encyclopedia
The Super 10 was a rugby union
tournament featuring ten teams from Australia
, New Zealand
, South Africa
, Tonga
and Western Samoa
, which ran for three years from 1993 to 1995. It was the predecessor of Super 12 and Super 14, now known as Super Rugby.
, CANZ Series and Super Six tournaments which had been organized by the Australian and New Zealand rugby unions during the 1980s and early 1990s. With South Africa being readmitted into international sport due to the dismantling of apartheid (both The Wallabies and the All Blacks
toured South Africa during 1992), there was an opportunity to launch an expanded competition also featuring South Africa's top provincial teams. The South African Broadcasting Corporation
's Top Sport channel committed to a three year sponsorship of the competition, allowing it to be launched.
The official declaration of professionalism in rugby union in August 1995 led to a reworking of the competition. SANZAR
, a partnership between the South African Rugby Union
, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union
was formed, and in association with Rupert Murdoch
's News Limited
, they created the Super 12. This fully professional competition featured teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa only, with one more team from each country being admitted, and was launched in 1996.
The ten teams were split into two pools to minimize the logistical problems caused by the travel required and the timezone differences between the participating countries. Each team played the other four teams in their pool once, with four competition points being awarded for a win, two for a draw, and one for a loss by seven points or less. Bonus points for scoring four or more tries were not introduced until the formation of the Super 12.
The top team in each pool met in a final to decide the championship.
, along with Auckland, Otago and North Harbour
. South Africa were represented by Currie Cup champions the Natal Sharks
, along with Transvaal and Northern Transvaal
. Western Samoa
were the representatives from the Pacific Tri-Series.
Transvaal defeated Auckland 20–17 at the final at Ellis Park
in Johannesburg
.
, Otago and North Harbour
. South Africa were represented by Currie Cup champions Transvaal, along with the Natal Sharks
and Eastern Province
. Western Samoa
were once again the representatives from the Pacific Tri-Series.
Queensland were ranked top of Pool A on points difference, and defeated Natal 21–10 at the final at Kings Park
in Durban
.
. South Africa were represented by Currie Cup champions Transvaal, along with Western Province and the Free State
. Tonga
were the representatives from the Pacific Tri-Series.
Queensland defeated Transvaal 30–16 at the final at Ellis Park
in Johannesburg
.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
tournament featuring ten teams from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
and Western Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, which ran for three years from 1993 to 1995. It was the predecessor of Super 12 and Super 14, now known as Super Rugby.
History
The Super 10 replaced the South Pacific ChampionshipSouth Pacific Championship
The South Pacific Championship was a rugby union competition that was introduced in 1986, and contested through to 1991 when it was renamed the Super Six...
, CANZ Series and Super Six tournaments which had been organized by the Australian and New Zealand rugby unions during the 1980s and early 1990s. With South Africa being readmitted into international sport due to the dismantling of apartheid (both The Wallabies and the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
toured South Africa during 1992), there was an opportunity to launch an expanded competition also featuring South Africa's top provincial teams. The South African Broadcasting Corporation
South African Broadcasting Corporation
The South African Broadcasting Corporation is the state-owned broadcaster in South Africa and provides 18 radio stations as well as 3 television broadcasts to the general public.-Early years:Radio broadcasting began in South Africa in 1923...
's Top Sport channel committed to a three year sponsorship of the competition, allowing it to be launched.
The official declaration of professionalism in rugby union in August 1995 led to a reworking of the competition. SANZAR
SANZAR
SANZAR is the body which operates Super Rugby and Tri Nations competitions in rugby union. It is a joint venture of the South African Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union, formed in 1996.Created shortly after rugby's move to professionalism in 1995, SANZAR's two...
, a partnership between the South African Rugby Union
South African Rugby Union
The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board...
, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union
Australian Rugby Union
The Australian Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Australia. It was founded in 1949 and is a member of the International Rugby Board the sport's governing body. It consists of eight member unions, representing each state and territory...
was formed, and in association with Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's News Limited
News Limited
News Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The publicly listed company's interests span newspaper and magazine publishing, Internet, Pay TV, National Rugby League, market research, DVD and film distribution, and film and television production trading assets.News Limited...
, they created the Super 12. This fully professional competition featured teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa only, with one more team from each country being admitted, and was launched in 1996.
Past winners
Winners by year:| Year | Final | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Score | Runner-up | ||
| 1993 |  Transvaal |
20 – 17 |  Auckland |
|
| 1994 |  Queensland Queensland Reds The Queensland Reds represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996 they were a representative team selected on merit from the rugby union club competitions in Queensland... |
21 – 10 | Natal |
|
| 1995 | Queensland Queensland Reds The Queensland Reds represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996 they were a representative team selected on merit from the rugby union club competitions in Queensland... |
30 – 16 | Transvaal |
|
Organization
The ten teams for the competition were arranged as follows:- Two Australian teams (New South WalesNew South Wales Rugby UnionThe New South Wales Rugby Union is the organisation responsible for the sport of rugby union in most of the state of New South Wales, Australia...
and QueenslandQueensland Rugby UnionThe Queensland Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in Queensland. It is a member and founding union of the Australian Rugby Union.-See also:*Queensland Reds*Australian Rugby Union*The Wallabies*Rugby union in Queensland...
). - Four New Zealand teams (the top four teams from the previous year's National Provincial ChampionshipNational Provincial ChampionshipThe National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
). - Three South African teams (the top three teams from the previous year's Currie CupCurrie CupThe Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
). - The winner of the previous year's Pacific Tri-NationsPacific Tri-NationsThe Pacific Tri-Nations is the traditional rugby union series between Tonga, Fiji and Samoa. It was established in 1982 with the Samoan team, then known as Western Samoa, winning the tournament...
between FijiFiji national rugby union teamThe Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
, TongaTonga national rugby union teamThe Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
and Western SamoaSamoa national rugby union teamThe Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
.
The ten teams were split into two pools to minimize the logistical problems caused by the travel required and the timezone differences between the participating countries. Each team played the other four teams in their pool once, with four competition points being awarded for a win, two for a draw, and one for a loss by seven points or less. Bonus points for scoring four or more tries were not introduced until the formation of the Super 12.
The top team in each pool met in a final to decide the championship.
1993 Super 10
For the inaugural competition, New Zealand were represented by NPC champions WaikatoWaikato Rugby Union
The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
, along with Auckland, Otago and North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
. South Africa were represented by Currie Cup champions the Natal Sharks
Natal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
, along with Transvaal and Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
. Western Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
were the representatives from the Pacific Tri-Series.
| Pool A | |||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bonus points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Natal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Western Samoa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Queensland | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Otago | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pool B | |||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bonus points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transvaal | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| New South Wales | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Northern Transvaal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| North Harbour | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Waikato | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Transvaal defeated Auckland 20–17 at the final at Ellis Park
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.
1994 Super 10
In 1994, New Zealand were represented by NPC champions Auckland, along with WaikatoWaikato Rugby Union
The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...
, Otago and North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
. South Africa were represented by Currie Cup champions Transvaal, along with the Natal Sharks
Natal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
and Eastern Province
Mighty Elephants
The Eastern Province Kings are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournaments and are governed by the Eastern Province Rugby Union...
. Western Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
were once again the representatives from the Pacific Tri-Series.
| Pool A | |||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bonus points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| North Harbour | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| Otago | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Transvaal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Eastern Province | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pool B | |||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bonus points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natal | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| New South Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Western Samoa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Auckland | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Waikato | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Queensland were ranked top of Pool A on points difference, and defeated Natal 21–10 at the final at Kings Park
Kings Park Stadium
Kings Park , is a stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct in Durban, South Africa, which was originally built in 1891 and extensively renovated in the 1990s...
in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
.
1995 Super 10
In 1995, New Zealand were represented by NPC champions Auckland, along with Canterbury, Otago and North HarbourNorth Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
. South Africa were represented by Currie Cup champions Transvaal, along with Western Province and the Free State
Free State Cheetahs
The Free State Cheetahs , currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park in...
. Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
were the representatives from the Pacific Tri-Series.
| Pool A | |||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bonus points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transvaal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Western Province | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Otago | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| North Harbour | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Pool B | |||||
| Team | Won | Lost | Drawn | Bonus points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Free State | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Auckland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Canterbury | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Tonga | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Queensland defeated Transvaal 30–16 at the final at Ellis Park
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.