# 2018 Super Rugby season

The 2018 Super Rugby season was the 23rd season of Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition organised by SANZAAR between teams from Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. After two seasons in which 18 teams participated, the 2018 season reverted to a 15-team competition, consisting of three geographical conferences.
The South African Rugby Union announced that the Cheetahs and Southern Kings would be dropped for the 2018 season, while the Australian Rugby Union, now known as Rugby Australia, announced the exclusion of the Force. The South African franchises thereafter entered the newly renamed Pro14 competition, while the Western Force took part in the National Rugby Championship, the domestic Australia competition, while preparing to enter the new Global Rapid Rugby competition in 2019.

## Competition format

The 15 participating teams are divided into three geographical conferences: the Australian Conference (consisting of four Australian teams and the Japanese Sunwolves), the New Zealand Conference (consisting of five New Zealand teams), and the South African Conference (consisting of four South African teams and the Jaguares from Argentina).
In the group stages, there are 19 rounds of matches, with each team playing 16 matches and having two rounds of byes, resulting in a total of 120 matches. Teams play eight inter-conference matches and eight cross-conference matches; they play all the other teams in their conference twice - once at home and once away - and play once against four of the teams in each of the other two conferences.
The top team in each of the three conferences qualify for the quarterfinals, as do the next five teams with the best records across the three conferences, known as wildcards. The conference winners and best wildcard team hosted the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal winners progressed to the semifinal, and the winners of the semifinals advanced to the final.

## Standings
### Conference standings

Australian conference :
| Pos | Team | Pts |
| 1 | Waratahs | 44 |
| 2 | Rebels | 36 |
| 3 | Brumbies | 34 |
| 4 | Reds | 28 |
| 5 | Sunwolves | 14 |
New Zealand conference :
| Pos | Team | Pts |
| 1 | Crusaders | 63 |
| 2 | Hurricanes | 51 |
| 3 | Chiefs | 49 |
| 4 | Highlanders | 44 |
| 5 | Blues | 22 |
South African conference :
| Pos | Team | Pts |
| 1 | Lions | 46 |
| 2 | Jaguares | 38 |
| 3 | Sharks | 36 |
| 4 | Stormers | 29 |
| 5 | Bulls | 29 |

### Overall standings

2018 Super Rugby standings :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Crusaders (C) | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 542 | 295 | +247 | 77 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 63 | Quarter-finals (Conference leaders) |
| 2 | Lions | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 519 | 435 | +84 | 77 | 55 | 6 | 4 | 46 | Quarter-finals (Conference leaders) |
| 3 | Waratahs | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 557 | 445 | +112 | 74 | 59 | 4 | 2 | 44 | Quarter-finals (Conference leaders) |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 474 | 343 | +131 | 66 | 43 | 5 | 2 | 51 | Quarter-finals (Wildcard) |
| 5 | Chiefs | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 463 | 368 | +95 | 60 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 49 | Quarter-finals (Wildcard) |
| 6 | Highlanders | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 437 | 445 | −8 | 59 | 57 | 3 | 1 | 44 | Quarter-finals (Wildcard) |
| 7 | Jaguares | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 409 | 418 | −9 | 51 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 38 | Quarter-finals (Wildcard) |
| 8 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 437 | 442 | −5 | 49 | 57 | 2 | 4 | 36 | Quarter-finals (Wildcard) |
| 9 | Rebels | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 440 | 461 | −21 | 57 | 60 | 5 | 3 | 36 | |
| 10 | Brumbies | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 393 | 422 | −29 | 56 | 52 | 2 | 4 | 34 | |
| 11 | Stormers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 390 | 423 | −33 | 46 | 56 | 0 | 5 | 29 | |
| 12 | Bulls | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 441 | 502 | −61 | 59 | 66 | 2 | 3 | 29 | |
| 13 | Reds | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 389 | 501 | −112 | 49 | 66 | 1 | 3 | 28 | |
| 14 | Blues | 16 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 378 | 509 | −131 | 50 | 66 | 2 | 4 | 22 | |
| 15 | Sunwolves | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 404 | 664 | −260 | 48 | 99 | 0 | 2 | 14 | |

### Round-by-round

The table below shows each team's progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position in brackets:
| Team Progression – Australian Conference |
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | QF | SF | Final |
| Waratahs | — | 4 (7th) | 6 (5th) | 6 (8th) | 10 (7th) | 10 (9th) | 14 (6th) | 19 (6th) | 24 (3rd) | 24 (3rd) | 24 (3rd) | 25 (3rd) | 26 (3rd) | 31 (3rd) | 31 (3rd) | 35 (3rd) | 39 (3rd) | 44 (2nd) | 44 (3rd) | Won | Lost | — |
| Rebels | — | 5 (2nd) | 10 (2nd) | 15 (1st) | 15 (2nd) | 20 (1st) | 20 (1st) | 20 (3rd) | 21 (6th) | 21 (7th) | 21 (7th) | 21 (10th) | 25 (7th) | 25 (9th) | 30 (8th) | 34 (8th) | 35 (8th) | 35 (8th) | 36 (9th) | — | — | — |
| Brumbies | — | 4 (5th) | 4 (8th) | 4 (13th) | 8 (11th) | 8 (11th) | 9 (11th) | 14 (8th) | 14 (9th) | 15 (11th) | 15 (13th) | 15 (14th) | 16 (14th) | 16 (14th) | 20 (12th) | 25 (11th) | 29 (10th) | 30 (10th) | 34 (10th) | — | — | — |
| Reds | — | 0 (14th) | 4 (11th) | 8 (6th) | 12 (4th) | 13 (7th) | 13 (8th) | 13 (10th) | 13 (12th) | 13 (13th) | 17 (12th) | 17 (12th) | 17 (12th) | 18 (12th) | 19 (13th) | 19 (13th) | 19 (14th) | 23 (13th) | 28 (13th) | — | — | — |
| Sunwolves | — | 1 (12th) | 1 (14th) | 1 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 2 (15th) | 6 (15th) | 10 (15th) | 10 (15th) | 10 (15th) | 14 (15th) | 14 (15th) | 14 (15th) | — | — | — |
| Team Progression – New Zealand Conference |
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | QF | SF | Final |
| Crusaders | — | 5 (3rd) | 10 (3rd) | 10 (4th) | 10 (6th) | 15 (3rd) | 19 (4th) | 24 (2nd) | 24 (4th) | 29 (2nd) | 33 (1st) | 38 (1st) | 42 (1st) | 46 (1st) | 50 (1st) | 54 (1st) | 54 (1st) | 58 (1st) | 63 (1st) | Won | Won | Won |
| Hurricanes | — | 1 (9th) | 6 (4th) | 10 (3rd) | 10 (5th) | 14 (4th) | 19 (3rd) | 23 (4th) | 27 (1st) | 27 (4th) | 32 (4th) | 36 (4th) | 41 (4th) | 45 (4th) | 45 (4th) | 45 (4th) | 45 (4th) | 50 (4th) | 51 (4th) | Won | Lost | — |
| Chiefs | — | 0 (13th) | 4 (10th) | 4 (12th) | 8 (10th) | 13 (5th) | 17 (5th) | 21 (5th) | 21 (5th) | 26 (5th) | 26 (6th) | 27 (6th) | 31 (6th) | 32 (5th) | 37 (5th) | 37 (6th) | 41 (5th) | 45 (5th) | 49 (5th) | Lost | — | — |
| Highlanders | — | 4 (6th) | 4 (7th) | 9 (5th) | 13 (3rd) | 13 (6th) | 14 (7th) | 14 (7th) | 19 (7th) | 24 (6th) | 28 (5th) | 28 (5th) | 32 (5th) | 32 (6th) | 36 (6th) | 40 (5th) | 40 (6th) | 40 (6th) | 44 (6th) | Lost | — | — |
| Blues | — | 1 (10th) | 2 (13th) | 6 (9th) | 6 (12th) | 6 (13th) | 6 (14th) | 7 (14th) | 12 (14th) | 12 (14th) | 13 (14th) | 17 (13th) | 17 (13th) | 17 (13th) | 17 (14th) | 17 (14th) | 22 (13th) | 22 (14th) | 22 (14th) | — | — | — |
| Team Progression – South African Conference |
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | R19 | QF | SF | Final |
| Lions | 4 (4th) | 9 (1st) | 14 (1st) | 15 (2nd) | 19 (1st) | 19 (2nd) | 20 (2nd) | 25 (1st) | 25 (2nd) | 30 (1st) | 31 (2nd) | 31 (2nd) | 31 (2nd) | 36 (2nd) | 40 (2nd) | 40 (2nd) | 41 (2nd) | 41 (3rd) | 46 (2nd) | Won | Won | Lost |
| Jaguares | 0 (15th) | 0 (15th) | 0 (15th) | 4 (14th) | 4 (14th) | 8 (12th) | 8 (13th) | 8 (13th) | 12 (13th) | 16 (10th) | 20 (8th) | 24 (7th) | 24 (8th) | 29 (7th) | 34 (7th) | 34 (7th) | 38 (7th) | 38 (7th) | 38 (7th) | Lost | — | — |
| Sharks | 1 (5th) | 1 (11th) | 3 (12th) | 8 (7th) | 9 (9th) | 9 (10th) | 13 (10th) | 14 (9th) | 14 (10th) | 18 (9th) | 18 (11th) | 23 (8th) | 24 (10th) | 28 (8th) | 28 (9th) | 28 (9th) | 32 (9th) | 32 (9th) | 36 (8th) | Lost | — | — |
| Stormers | 4 (1st) | 5 (4th) | 5 (6th) | 5 (11th) | 9 (8th) | 13 (8th) | 13 (9th) | 13 (11th) | 13 (11th) | 14 (12th) | 18 (10th) | 22 (9th) | 23 (11th) | 24 (11th) | 25 (10th) | 25 (10th) | 25 (12th) | 29 (11th) | 29 (11th) | — | — | — |
| Bulls | 0 (6th) | 4 (8th) | 4 (9th) | 5 (10th) | 5 (13th) | 5 (14th) | 9 (12th) | 9 (12th) | 14 (8th) | 19 (8th) | 20 (9th) | 20 (11th) | 24 (9th) | 24 (10th) | 24 (11th) | 24 (12th) | 25 (11th) | 29 (12th) | 29 (12th) | — | — | — |
| Key: | win | draw | loss | bye | |

## Matches

The fixtures for the 2018 Super Rugby competition were released on 21 September 2017. The following matches were played during the regular season:
| Home \ Away | BLU | BRU | BUL | CHI | CRU | HIG | HUR | JAG | LIO | REB | RED | SHA | STO | SUN | WAR |
| Blues | — | — | — | 21–27 | 24–32 | 16–34 | 15–36 | 13–20 | — | 10–20 | 39–16 | 40–63 | — | — | — |
| Brumbies | — | — | — | — | 8–21 | — | 24–12 | 20–25 | — | 24–27 | 45–21 | 24–17 | — | 41–31 | 17–24 |
| Bulls | — | 28–38 | — | — | — | 28–29 | 21–19 | 43–34 | 35–49 | 28–10 | — | 39–33 | 33–23 | — | — |
| Chiefs | 21–19 | 24–19 | 41–28 | — | 20–34 | 27–22 | 28–24 | 19–23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39–27 |
| Crusaders | 54–17 | — | 33–14 | 45–23 | — | 45–22 | 24–13 | — | — | — | — | — | 45–28 | 33–11 | 31–29 |
| Highlanders | 41–34 | 43–17 | — | 22–45 | 25–17 | — | 30–14 | — | 39–27 | 43–37 | — | — | 33–15 | — | — |
| Hurricanes | 42–24 | — | — | 25–13 | 29–19 | 29–12 | — | — | 28–19 | — | 38–34 | 38–37 | — | 43–15 | — |
| Jaguares | — | — | 54–24 | — | 14–40 | — | 9–34 | — | 49–35 | — | 7–18 | 29–13 | 25–14 | — | 38–28 |
| Lions | 35–38 | 42–24 | 38–12 | — | 8–14 | — | — | 47–27 | — | — | — | 26–19 | 52–31 | 40–38 | — |
| Rebels | — | 33–10 | — | — | 10–55 | — | 19–50 | 22–25 | — | — | 45–19 | 46–14 | — | 40–13 | 26–31 |
| Reds | — | 18–10 | 20–14 | 12–36 | — | 15–18 | — | — | 27–22 | 37–23 | — | — | — | 48–27 | 41–52 |
| Sharks | — | — | 10–40 | 28–24 | — | 38–12 | — | 20–10 | 31–24 | — | — | — | 24–17 | 50–22 | 24–24 |
| Stormers | 37–20 | — | 29–17 | 9–15 | — | — | — | 28–20 | 23–26 | 34–18 | 25–19 | 27–16 | — | — | — |
| Sunwolves | 10–24 | 25–32 | 42–37 | 10–61 | — | — | — | — | — | 17–37 | 63–28 | — | 26–23 | — | 29–50 |
| Waratahs | 21–24 | 31–40 | — | — | — | 41–12 | — | — | 0–29 | 51–27 | 37–16 | — | 34–27 | 77–25 | — |

## Finals

| Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | | Final | Final |
| 21 July – Christchurch | 21 July – Christchurch | | | |
| Crusaders | 40 | | | |
| Crusaders | 40 | 28 July – Christchurch | 28 July – Christchurch | | |
| Sharks | 10 | 28 July – Christchurch | 28 July – Christchurch | |
| Sharks | 10 | Crusaders | 30 | |
| 20 July – Wellington | 20 July – Wellington | | Crusaders | 30 | |
| 20 July – Wellington | 20 July – Wellington | Hurricanes | 12 | |
| Hurricanes | 32 | Hurricanes | 12 | |
| Hurricanes | 32 | | | | 4 August – Christchurch | 4 August – Christchurch |
| Chiefs | 31 | | | | 4 August – Christchurch | 4 August – Christchurch |
| Chiefs | 31 | | | | Crusaders | 37 |
| 21 July – Johannesburg | 21 July – Johannesburg | | | | | Crusaders | 37 |
| 21 July – Johannesburg | 21 July – Johannesburg | | | | Lions | 18 |
| Lions | 40 | | | | Lions | 18 |
| Lions | 40 | 28 July – Johannesburg | 28 July – Johannesburg | | | |
| Jaguares | 23 | 28 July – Johannesburg | 28 July – Johannesburg | | | |
| Jaguares | 23 | Lions | 44 | | | |
| 21 July – Sydney | 21 July – Sydney | | Lions | 44 | | | |
| 21 July – Sydney | 21 July – Sydney | Waratahs | 26 | |
| Waratahs | 30 | Waratahs | 26 | |
| Highlanders | 23 | | | |

### Quarter-finals

* 20 July 2018 19:35
| Hurricanes | 32–31 | Chiefs |
| Try: Julian Savea 1' TJ Perenara 33', 62' Ben Lam 69' Con: Beauden Barrett 2', 33' Jordie Barrett 70' Pen: Beauden Barrett 11', 55' Cards: Vaea Fifita 80' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Brad Weber 7' Anton Lienert-Brown 51' Damian McKenzie 79' Lachlan Boshier 80' Con: Damian McKenzie 8', 52', 79' Charlie Ngatai 80' Pen: Damian McKenzie 22' |
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 16,402 Referee: Glen Jackson
* 21 July 2018 19:35
| Crusaders | 40–10 | Sharks |
| Try: Bryn Hall 9' David Havili 12' Matt Todd 42' Braydon Ennor 67' Pete Samu 72' Con: Richie Mo'unga 43', 68', 73' Pen: Richie Mo'unga 7', 40', 57' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Kobus van Wyk 26' Con: Robert du Preez 27' Pen: Robert du Preez 48' |
* AMI Stadium, Christchurch Referee: Mike Fraser
* 21 July 2018 20:05
| Waratahs | 30–23 | Highlanders |
| Try: Bernard Foley 54', 61' Israel Folau 56' Con: Bernard Foley 54', 57', 62' Pen: Bernard Foley 4', 9', 71' Cards: Paddy Ryan 74' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Waisake Naholo 11' Rob Thompson 25' Con: Lima Sopoaga 12', 26' Pen: Lima Sopoaga 7', 19', 34' Cards: Waisake Naholo 52' to 62' |
* Allianz Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 12,067 Referee: Angus Gardner
* 21 July 2018 15:05
| Lions | 40–23 | Jaguares |
| Try: Ruan Combrinck 8' Harold Vorster 15' Malcolm Marx 27' Andries Coetzee 57' Con: Elton Jantjies 9', 16', 28', 58' Pen: Elton Jantjies 26', 44', 76' Drop: Elton Jantjies 64' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Bautista Delguy 42' Pablo Matera 48' Con: Nicolás Sánchez 43', 49' Pen: Nicolás Sánchez 4', 6', 37' |
* Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Referee: Jaco Peyper

### Semi-finals

* 28 July 2018 19:35
| Crusaders | 30–12 | Hurricanes |
| Try: Richie Mo'unga 15' George Bridge 28' David Havili 44' Braydon Ennor 69' Con: Richie Mo'unga 16', 45' Pen: Richie Mo'unga 36', 39' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Julian Savea 19' Ben Lam 80' Con: Beauden Barrett 19' |
* AMI Stadium, Christchurch Referee: Jaco Peyper
* 28 July 2018 15:05
| Lions | 44–26 | Waratahs |
| Try: Kwagga Smith 21', 63' Aphiwe Dyantyi 26' Malcolm Marx 35', 58' Courtnall Skosan 79' Con: Elton Jantjies 28', 37', 64', 80' Pen: Elton Jantjies 55', 74' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Ned Hanigan 4' Israel Folau 8' Tom Robertson 39' Jake Gordon 76' Con: Bernard Foley 6', 10', 76' Cards: Damien Fitzpatrick 57' to 67' |
* Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Referee: Glen Jackson

### Final

* 4 August 2018 19:35
| Crusaders | 37–18 | Lions |
| Try: Seta Tamanivalu 19' David Havili 34' Mitchell Drummond 62' Scott Barrett 70' Con: Richie Mo'unga 20', 36', 63', 71' Pen: Richie Mo'unga 16', 33', 43' Cards: Ryan Crotty 67' to 77' | Report Scoreboard | Try: Cyle Brink 53' Malcolm Marx 68' Con: Elton Jantjies 54' Pen: Elton Jantjies 13', 39' |
* AMI Stadium, Christchurch Referee: Angus Gardner

## Players
### Squads

The following 2018 Super Rugby squads have been named:
Blues squad :
| Forwards | Leni Apisai • Gerard Cowley-Tuioti • Lyndon Dunshea • Blake Gibson • Josh Goodhue • Sione Havili • Alex Hodgman • Akira Ioane • Jerome Kaino • Antonio Kiri Kiri • Sione Mafileo • Pauliasi Manu • Matiaha Martin • Matt Moulds • Ben Nee-Nee • Dalton Papalii • James Parsons • Jacob Pierce • Glenn Preston • Kara Pryor • Scott Scrafton • Mike Tamoaieta • Murphy Taramai • Patrick Tuipulotu • Jimmy Tupou • Ofa Tu'ungafasi • Ross Wright • Did not play: • Isaac Salmon |
| Backs | Caleb Clarke • Michael Collins • Matt Duffie • TJ Faiane • Bryn Gatland • Terrence Hepetema • Jordan Hyland • Rieko Ioane • Daniel Kirkpatrick • Orbyn Leger • Tumua Manu • George Moala • Melani Nanai • Sam Nock • Stephen Perofeta • Augustine Pulu • Jonathan Ruru • Jordan Trainor • Tamati Tua • Sonny Bill Williams • Did not play: • Otere Black • Matthew Johnson |
| Coach | Tana Umaga |
Brumbies squad :
| Forwards | Robbie Abel • Allan Alaalatoa • Ben Alexander • Richie Arnold • Rory Arnold • Sam Carter • Tom Cusack • Blake Enever • Mees Erasmus • Folau Fainga'a • Lolo Fakaosilea • Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin • Joshua Mann-Rea • Nic Mayhew • Lachlan McCaffrey • Connal McInerney • Isi Naisarani • Michael Oakman-Hunt • David Pocock • Scott Sio • Faalelei Sione • Darcy Swain • Rob Valetini • Did not play: • Ben Hyne |
| Backs | Tom Banks • James Dargaville • Kyle Godwin • Wharenui Hawera • Jordan Jackson-Hope • Tevita Kuridrani • Christian Lealiifano • Matt Lucas • Andy Muirhead • Chance Peni • Joe Powell • Andrew Smith • Henry Speight • Lausii Taliauli • James Verity-Amm • Did not play: • Mack Hansen • Ryan Lonergan |
| Coach | Dan McKellar |
Bulls squad :
| Forwards | Shaun Adendorff • Tim Agaba • Matthys Basson • Thembelani Bholi • Lood de Jager • Nick de Jager • Johan Grobbelaar • Lizo Gqoboka • Jason Jenkins • Jannes Kirsten • Hanro Liebenberg • Edgar Marutlulle • Nqoba Mxoli • Ruan Nortjé • Trevor Nyakane • Pierre Schoeman • Roelof Smit • Mornay Smith • RG Snyman • Hendré Stassen • Adriaan Strauss • Ruben van Heerden • Conraad van Vuuren • Marco van Staden • Frans van Wyk • Jaco Visagie • Did not play: • Aston Fortuin • Simphiwe Matanzima • Ruan Steenkamp |
| Backs | Marnitz Boshoff • Francois Brummer • Warrick Gelant • Boeta Hamman • Travis Ismaiel • JT Jackson • Johnny Kôtze • Jesse Kriel • Manie Libbok • Duncan Matthews • Burger Odendaal • Embrose Papier • Handré Pollard • Divan Rossouw • Dries Swanepoel • Jamba Ulengo • Ivan van Zyl • André Warner • Did not play: • Jade Stighling |
| Coach | John Mitchell |
Chiefs squad :
| Forwards | Michael Allardice • Tyler Ardron • Dominic Bird • Lachlan Boshier • Mitchell Brown • Sam Cane • Nathan Harris • Luke Jacobson • Mitchell Karpik • Sefo Kautai • Nepo Laulala • Matt Matich • Liam Messam • Atunaisa Moli • Jesse Parete • Liam Polwart • Sam Prattley • Brodie Retallick • Aidan Ross • Taleni Seu • Pita Gus Sowakula • Angus Ta'avao • Samisoni Taukei'aho • Jeff Thwaites • Karl Tu’inukuafe • Did not play: • Mitchell Graham • Kane Hames • Fin Hoeata |
| Backs | Solomon Alaimalo • Johnny Fa'auli • Tiaan Falcon • Luteru Laulala • Anton Lienert-Brown • Damian McKenzie • Marty McKenzie • Alex Nankivell • Charlie Ngatai • Declan O'Donnell • Toni Pulu • Shaun Stevenson • Baylin Sullivan • Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi • Jonathan Taumateine • Sean Wainui • Brad Weber • Did not play: • Levi Aumua • Sam McNicol • Tim Nanai-Williams • Regan Verney |
| Coach | Colin Cooper |
Crusaders squad :
| Forwards | Michael Alaalatoa • Harry Allan • Sam Anderson-Heather • Scott Barrett • Heiden Bedwell-Curtis • Ethan Blackadder • Donald Brighouse • Wyatt Crockett • Mitchell Dunshea • Owen Franks • Ben Funnell • Billy Harmon • Oliver Jager • Chris King • Andrew Makalio • Joe Moody • Tim Perry • Kieran Read • Luke Romano • Pete Samu • Tom Sanders • Sebastian Siataga • Quinten Strange • Jordan Taufua • Codie Taylor • Matt Todd • Sam Whitelock |
| Backs | Tim Bateman • George Bridge • Brett Cameron • Ryan Crotty • Israel Dagg • Mike Delany • Mitchell Drummond • Braydon Ennor • Tima Fainga'anuku • Jack Goodhue • Bryn Hall • David Havili • Mitchell Hunt • Jone Macilai-Tori • Manasa Mataele • Richie Mo'unga • Jack Stratton • Seta Tamanivalu • Did not play: • Will Jordan |
| Coach | Scott Robertson |
Highlanders squad :
| Forwards | Alex Ainley • Liam Coltman • Josh Dickson • Ash Dixon • Elliot Dixon • Tom Franklin • Shannon Frizell • Jackson Hemopo • Dillon Hunt • James Lentjes • Daniel Lienert-Brown • Tyrel Lomax • Marino Mikaele-Tu’u • Guy Millar • Pari Pari Parkinson • Greg Pleasants-Tate • Dan Pryor • Aki Seiuli • Liam Squire • Siate Tokolahi • Kalolo Tuiloma • Luke Whitelock |
| Backs | Richard Buckman • Matt Faddes • Kayne Hammington • Josh Ioane • Tevita Li • Josh McKay • Tevita Nabura • Waisake Naholo • Josh Renton • Aaron Smith • Ben Smith • Fletcher Smith • Lima Sopoaga • Rob Thompson • Sio Tomkinson • Thomas Umaga-Jensen • Teihorangi Walden |
| Coach | Aaron Mauger |
Hurricanes squad :
| Forwards | Fraser Armstrong • Asafo Aumua • Murray Douglas • Gareth Evans • Chris Eves • Michael Fatialofa • Alex Fidow • Vaea Fifita • Sam Henwood • Sam Lousi • Ben May • James O'Reilly • Reed Prinsep • Marcel Renata • Ricky Riccitelli • Ardie Savea • Brad Shields • Toby Smith • Blade Thomson • Jeffery Toomaga-Allen • Nathan Vella • Isaia Walker-Leawere • Did not play: • James Blackwell • Dane Coles |
| Backs | Vince Aso • Beauden Barrett • Jordie Barrett • Jamie Booth • Finlay Christie • Jackson Garden-Bachop • Wes Goosen • Richard Judd • Ben Lam • Ngani Laumape • Jonah Lowe • Nehe Milner-Skudder • TJ Perenara • Matt Proctor • Julian Savea • Peter Umaga-Jensen • Ihaia West • Did not play: • TJ Va'a |
| Coach | Chris Boyd |
Jaguares squad :
| Forwards | Matías Alemanno • Felipe Arregui • Agustín Creevy • Javier Díaz • Diego Fortuny • Santiago García Botta • Marcos Kremer • Tomás Lavanini • Juan Manuel Leguizamón • Tomás Lezana • Pablo Matera • Santiago Medrano • Julián Montoya • Javier Ortega Desio • Guido Petti • Leonardo Senatore • Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro • Juan Pablo Zeiss • Did not play: • Franco Brarda • Rodrigo Bruni • Nicolás Leiva • Benjamín Macome • Santiago Montagner • Enrique Pieretto |
| Backs | Gonzalo Bertranou • Emiliano Boffelli • Sebastián Cancelliere • Jerónimo de la Fuente • Bautista Delguy • Joaquín Díaz Bonilla • Bautista Ezcurra • Felipe Ezcurra • Santiago González Iglesias • Juan Martín Hernández • Martín Landajo • Juan Cruz Mallia • Matías Moroni • Ramiro Moyano • Matías Orlando • Nicolás Sánchez • Joaquín Tuculet • Did not play: • Santiago Álvarez • Tomás Cubelli |
| Coach | Mario Ledesma |
Lions squad :
| Forwards | Jacobie Adriaanse • Cyle Brink • Robbie Coetzee • Hacjivah Dayimani • Ruan Dreyer • Lourens Erasmus • Andries Ferreira • Corné Fourie • Johannes Jonker • Robert Kruger • Malcolm Marx • Len Massyn • Franco Mostert • Marvin Orie • Marnus Schoeman • Sti Sithole • Dylan Smith • Kwagga Smith • Jacques van Rooyen • Warren Whiteley • Did not play: • Willie Engelbrecht • Rhyno Herbst • Jaco Kriel |
| Backs | Andries Coetzee • Ruan Combrinck • Ross Cronjé • Ashlon Davids • Aphiwe Dyantyi • Nic Groom • Rohan Janse van Rensburg • Marco Jansen van Vuren • Elton Jantjies • Sylvian Mahuza • Lionel Mapoe • Howard Mnisi • Shaun Reynolds • Courtnall Skosan • Dillon Smit • Madosh Tambwe • Harold Vorster • Did not play: • Christiaan Meyer |
| Coach | Swys de Bruin |
Rebels squad :
| Forwards | Jermaine Ainsley • Nathan Charles • Adam Coleman • Angus Cottrell • Ben Daley • Pone Fa'amausili • Colby Fainga'a • Tetera Faulkner • Richard Hardwick • Ross Haylett-Petty • Sam Jeffries • Amanaki Mafi • Sama Malolo • Geoff Parling • Matt Philip • Anaru Rangi • Fereti Sa'aga • Sam Talakai • Lopeti Timani • Jordan Uelese • Mahe Vailanu • Did not play: • Rob Leota • Tom Moloney • Laurie Weeks |
| Backs | Tayler Adams • Jack Debreczeni • Tom English • Will Genia • Harrison Goddard • Dane Haylett-Petty • Reece Hodge • Marika Koroibete • Jack Maddocks • Bill Meakes • Sefa Naivalu • Michael Ruru • Semisi Tupou • Did not play: • David Horwitz • Henry Hutchison • Jack McGregor • Sione Tuipulotu |
| Coach | David Wessels |
Reds squad :
| Forwards | Angus Blyth • Kane Douglas • Sef Fa'agase • Scott Higginbotham • Harry Hockings • Harry Hoopert • Adam Korczyk • Alex Mafi • Brandon Paenga-Amosa • Andrew Ready • Izack Rodda • Angus Scott-Young • James Slipper • George Smith • JP Smith • Ruan Smith • Caleb Timu • Lukhan Tui • Taniela Tupou • Liam Wright • Did not play: • Michael Gunn • Reece Hewat • Markus Vanzati |
| Backs | Filipo Daugunu • Chris Feauai-Sautia • Samu Kerevi • Jono Lance • Ben Lucas • Tate McDermott • Eto Nabuli • Jayden Ngamanu • Duncan Paia'aua • Izaia Perese • Jordan Petaia • Moses Sorovi • Hamish Stewart • Teti Tela • Aidan Toua • James Tuttle • Did not play: • Quade Cooper • Karmichael Hunt • Lachlan Maranta |
| Coach | Brad Thorn |
Sharks squad :
| Forwards | Hyron Andrews • Ruan Botha • Keegan Daniel • Dan du Preez • Jean-Luc du Preez • Thomas du Toit • Ross Geldenhuys • Gideon Koegelenberg • Stephan Lewies • Mzamo Majola • Franco Marais • John-Hubert Meyer • Tendai Mtawarira • Tera Mtembu • Tyler Paul • Chiliboy Ralepelle • Juan Schoeman • Akker van der Merwe • Philip van der Walt • Jacques Vermeulen • Wian Vosloo • Did not play: • Jean Droste • Khutha Mchunu • Coenie Oosthuizen • Kerron van Vuuren |
| Backs | Lukhanyo Am • Garth April • Curwin Bosch • Robert du Preez • André Esterhuizen • Marius Louw • Makazole Mapimpi • Lwazi Mvovo • S'busiso Nkosi • Louis Schreuder • Kobus van Wyk • Grant Williams • Cameron Wright • Did not play: • Tristan Blewett • Michael Claassens • Johan Deysel • Rhyno Smith • Jeremy Ward • Courtney Winnaar • Leolin Zas |
| Coach | Robert du Preez |
Stormers squad :
| Forwards | Juarno Augustus • Nizaam Carr • Jaco Coetzee • Jan de Klerk • Johan du Toit • Pieter-Steph du Toit • Neethling Fouché • JC Janse van Rensburg • Steven Kitshoff • Siya Kolisi • Wilco Louw • Frans Malherbe • Bongi Mbonambi • Salmaan Moerat • Dean Muir • Sikhumbuzo Notshe • Scarra Ntubeni • Carlü Sadie • Ramone Samuels • JD Schickerling • Kobus van Dyk • Chris van Zyl • Cobus Wiese • Did not play: • Stephan de Wit • Eben Etzebeth • Caylib Oosthuizen • Alistair Vermaak • Eduard Zandberg |
| Backs | Craig Barry • Damian de Allende • Paul de Wet • Jean-Luc du Plessis • Dewaldt Duvenage • JJ Engelbrecht • Herschel Jantjies • Dillyn Leyds • SP Marais • Justin Phillips • Raymond Rhule • Seabelo Senatla • Joshua Stander • Jano Vermaak • EW Viljoen • George Whitehead • Damian Willemse • Did not play: • Daniël du Plessis • Dan Kriel • Sergeal Petersen |
| Coach | Robbie Fleck |
Sunwolves squad :
| Forwards | Asaeli Ai Valu • Takuma Asahara • Jaba Bregvadze • Willie Britz • Grant Hattingh • Uwe Helu • Kazuki Himeno • Shota Horie • Keita Inagaki • Shintaro Ishihara • Nika Khatiashvili • Koo Ji-won • Lappies Labuschagné • Fetuani Lautaimi • Michael Leitch • Shinya Makabe • Craig Millar • James Moore • Yusuke Niwai • Shunsuke Nunomaki • Ed Quirk • Atsushi Sakate • Yoshitaka Tokunaga • Wimpie van der Walt • Hencus van Wyk • Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco • Alex Woonton • Sam Wykes • Did not play: • Takeshi Hino • Masakatsu Nishikawa |
| Backs | Jason Emery • Yoshikazu Fujita • Kenki Fukuoka • Kai Ishii • Timothy Lafaele • Lomano Lemeki • Michael Little • Semisi Masirewa • Rikiya Matsuda • Kotaro Matsushima • Yutaka Nagare • Ryoto Nakamura • Ryuji Noguchi • Hayden Parker • Robbie Robinson • Hosea Saumaki • Kaito Shigeno • Yu Tamura • Fumiaki Tanaka • Harumichi Tatekawa • Sione Teaupa • Will Tupou • Keisuke Uchida • Gerhard van den Heever • Akihito Yamada • Did not play: • Daishi Murata |
| Coach | Tony Brown • Jamie Joseph |
Waratahs squad :
| Forwards | Damien Fitzpatrick • Ned Hanigan • Jed Holloway • Michael Hooper • Harry Johnson-Holmes • Sekope Kepu • Tolu Latu • Ryan McCauley • Will Miller • Nick Palmer • Hugh Roach • Tom Robertson • Paddy Ryan • Rob Simmons • Tom Staniforth • Kalivati Tawake • Shambeckler Vui • Michael Wells • Brad Wilkin • Did not play: • Jack Dempsey • Maclean Jones • Kelly Meafua • Matt Sandell • JP Sauni • Lachlan Swinton • Cody Walker |
| Backs | Kurtley Beale • Cameron Clark • Lalakai Foketi • Israel Folau • Bernard Foley • Jake Gordon • Bryce Hegarty • Andrew Kellaway • Taqele Naiyaravoro • Alex Newsome • Nick Phipps • Curtis Rona • Mitch Short • Michael Snowden • Did not play: • Nick Duffy • Mack Mason • Irae Simone |
| Coach | Daryl Gibson |

### Top scorers

The top ten try and point scorers during the 2018 Super Rugby season are:
| Top ten try scorers |
| No | Player | Team | Tries |
| 1 | Ben Lam | Hurricanes | 16 |
| 2 | George Bridge | Crusaders | 15 |
| 2 | Taqele Naiyaravoro | Waratahs | 15 |
| 4 | Malcolm Marx | Lions | 12 |
| 5 | Israel Folau | Waratahs | 11 |
| 6 | Emiliano Boffelli | Jaguares | 10 |
| 6 | Bautista Delguy | Jaguares | 10 |
| 6 | Rieko Ioane | Blues | 10 |
| 6 | Waisake Naholo | Highlanders | 10 |
| 10 | Tom Banks | Brumbies | 9 |
| 10 | Ngani Laumape | Hurricanes | 9 |
| 10 | Jack Maddocks | Rebels | 9 |
| Top ten points scorers |
| No | Player | Team | Points |
| 1 | Bernard Foley | Waratahs | 223 |
| 2 | Robert du Preez | Sharks | 215 |
| 3 | Damian McKenzie | Chiefs | 177 |
| 4 | Elton Jantjies | Lions | 173 |
| 5 | Nicolás Sánchez | Jaguares | 161 |
| 6 | Lima Sopoaga | Highlanders | 158 |
| 7 | Richie Mo'unga | Crusaders | 150 |
| 8 | Handré Pollard | Bulls | 144 |
| 9 | Hayden Parker | Sunwolves | 136 |
| 10 | Beauden Barrett | Hurricanes | 122 |

## Referees

The following refereeing panel was appointed by SANZAAR for the 2018 Super Rugby season:
2018 Super Rugby referees :
| Argentina | Federico Anselmi |
| Australia | Nic Berry • Angus Gardner • Will Houston |
| Japan | Shuhei Kubo |
| New Zealand | Nick Briant • Mike Fraser • Glen Jackson • Jamie Nutbrown • Ben O'Keeffe • Brendon Pickerill • Paul Williams |
| South Africa | AJ Jacobs • Jaco Peyper • Rasta Rasivhenge • Egon Seconds • Marius van der Westhuizen |

## Attendances

| Team | Main Stadium | Capacity | Total Attendance | Average Attendance | % Capacity |
| Blues | Eden Park | 50,000 | 77,200 | 9,650 | 19% |
| Chiefs | Waikato Stadium | 25,800 | | | |
| Hurricanes | Westpac Stadium | 34,500 | 136,911 | 15,212 | 46% |
| Crusaders | Rugby League Park | 18,000 | | | |
| Highlanders | Forsyth Barr Stadium | 30,728 | | | |
| Reds | Suncorp Stadium | 52,500 | 96,810 | 12,101 | 23% |
| Brumbies | Canberra Stadium | 25,011 | 67,128 | 8,391 | 33% |
| Waratahs | Sydney Football Stadium | 44,000 | 121,603 | 13,511 | 32% |
| Melbourne Rebels | AAMI Park | 29,500 | 78,566 | 9,820 | 33% |
| Sharks | ABSA Stadium | 52,000 | | | |
| Bulls | Loftus Versfeld | 51,792 | | | |
| Lions | Ellis Park | 62,567 | | | |
| Stormers | Newlands Stadium | 51,900 | | | |
| Jaguares | José Amalfitani Stadium | 49,640 | | | |
| Sunwolves | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium | 27,188 | 80,608 | 10,076 | 35% |