# 2003 Super 12 season

The 2003 Super 12 season was the eighth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2003, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals, with the first placed team playing the fourth and the second placed team playing the third. The winner of each semi final qualified for the final, which was contested by the Blues and the Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland. The Blues won 21–17 to win their third Super 12 title, and their first since 1997, it was their first Grand Final appearance since 1998.

## Table

Key to colours :
* Top four teams advance to playoffs.
| | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts |
| 1 | Blues | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 393 | 185 | +208 | 9 | 49 |
| 2 | Crusaders | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 360 | 263 | +97 | 8 | 40 |
| 3 | Hurricanes | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 324 | 277 | +47 | 7 | 35 |
| 4 | Brumbies | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 358 | 313 | +45 | 7 | 31 |
| 5 | Waratahs | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 313 | 344 | −31 | 7 | 31 |
| 6 | Bulls | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 320 | 354 | −34 | 5 | 30 |
| 7 | Highlanders | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 287 | 246 | +41 | 5 | 29 |
| 8 | Reds | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 281 | 318 | −37 | 6 | 26 |
| 9 | Stormers | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 255 | 353 | −98 | 3 | 23 |
| 10 | Chiefs | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 257 | 274 | −17 | 9 | 17 |
| 11 | Sharks | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 239 | 306 | −67 | 5 | 17 |
| 12 | Cats | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 259 | 398 | −139 | 4 | 12 |

## Results
### Round 1

* 21 February 2003 19:35
| Waikato Chiefs | 16–29 | Otago Highlanders |
| Try: Paul Miller Con: Glen Jackson Pen: Glen Jackson (3) | | Try: Aisea Tuilevu Pen: Willie Walker (8) |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 12,000
* 21 February 2003 19:40
| NSW Waratahs | 18–31 | Auckland Blues |
| Try: Morgan Turinui Duncan McRae Con: Matt Burke (1/2) Pen: Matt Burke (3) | | Try: Rupeni Caucaunibuca (2) Joe Rokocoko David Gibson Con: Orene Ai'i (1/4) Pen: Orene Ai'i (3) |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 27,247
* 21 February 2003 17:05
| Golden Cats | 26–34 | Northern Bulls |
| Try: Gcobani Bobo Friedrich Lombard Con: André Pretorius (2/2) Pen: André Pretorius (4) | | Try: Joost van der Westhuizen Con: Louis Koen (1/1) Pen: Louis Koen (6) Drop: Louis Koen (3) |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 9,937
* 21 February 2003 19:10
| Stormers | 40–18 | Coastal Sharks |
| Con: Chris Rossouw (3/5) Pen: Chris Rossouw (3) | | Pen: Butch James |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 44,533
* 22 February 2003 19:35
| Canterbury Crusaders | 37–21 | Wellington Hurricanes |
| Try: Dan Carter (2) Caleb Ralph Marika Vunibaka Aaron Mauger Con: Leon MacDonald (3/5) Pen: Leon MacDonald (2) | | Try: Ma'a Nonu Joe Ward Con: Riki Flutey (1/2) Pen: Riki Flutey (3) |
* Jade Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 30,000
* 22 February 2003 18:40
| Queensland Reds | 19–22 | ACT Brumbies |
| Try: Chris Latham Con: Julian Huxley (1/1) Pen: Julian Huxley (4) | | Try: Joe Roff Con: Stirling Mortlock (1/1) Pen: Stirling Mortlock (5) |
* Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 18,000

### Round 2

* 28 February 2003 19:35
| Canterbury Crusaders | 34–6 | Queensland Reds |
| | | Pen: Elton Flatley(2) |
* Jade Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 23,000 Referee: Mark Lawrence
* 1 March 2003 14:35
| Otago Highlanders | 41–17 | Stormers |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 18,000
* 1 March 2003 17:35
| Wellington Hurricanes | 34–46 | Northern Bulls |
* McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 10,000
* 1 March 2003 19:35
| Waikato Chiefs | 27–30 | Auckland Blues |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 10,000
* 1 March 2003 17:05
| Coastal Sharks | 25–17 | ACT Brumbies |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 32,000
* 1 March 2003 19:10
| Golden Cats | 36–48 | NSW Waratahs |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 22,000

### Round 3

* 7 March 2003 18:00
| Otago Highlanders | 29–22 | Northern Bulls |
* Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill Attendance: 14,500
* 7 March 2003 20:00
| Wellington Hurricanes | 33–18 | Stormers |
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 25,600
* 7 March 2003 19:10
| Golden Cats | 34–32 | ACT Brumbies |
* Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 25,237
* 8 March 2003 17:35
| Waikato Chiefs | 43–27 | Queensland Reds |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 11,000
* 8 March 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 39–5 | Canterbury Crusaders |
* North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Attendance: 23,000
* 8 March 2003 17:05
| Coastal Sharks | 36–49 | NSW Waratahs |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 28,750

### Round 4

* 14 March 2003 19:35
| Canterbury Crusaders | 36–29 | Waikato Chiefs |
* Jade Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Steve Walsh
* 14 March 2003 19:40
| ACT Brumbies | 37–22 | Stormers |
* Canberra Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 18,886
* 14 March 2003 19:10
| Coastal Sharks | 20–35 | Wellington Hurricanes |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 32,000
* 15 March 2003 19:40
| NSW Waratahs | 26–16 | Northern Bulls |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 28,587
* 15 March 2003 17:05
| Golden Cats | 33–21 | Otago Highlanders |
* Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

### Round 5

* 21 March 2003 19:00
| Auckland Blues | 62–20 | Queensland Reds |
* Okara Park, Whangārei Attendance: 15,000
* 21 March 2003 20:00
| NSW Waratahs | 29–39 | Stormers |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 26,947
* 21 March 2003 19:10
| Coastal Sharks | 19–23 | Otago Highlanders |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 26,550
* 22 March 2003 19:40
| ACT Brumbies | 64–26 | Northern Bulls |
* Canberra Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 20,240
* 22 March 2003 17:05
| Golden Cats | 21–28 | Wellington Hurricanes |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 15,000

### Round 6

* 28 March 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 41–15 | ACT Brumbies |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 25,000
* 29 March 2003 20:10
| NSW Waratahs | 23–35 | Queensland Reds |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 35,612
* 29 March 2003 17:00
| Otago Highlanders | 16–17 | Canterbury Crusaders |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 29,376
* 29 March 2003 19:05
| Wellington Hurricanes | 24–14 | Waikato Chiefs |
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 29,700
* 29 March 2003 17:05
| Golden Cats | 23–29 | Coastal Sharks |
* Ellis Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 48,000

### Round 7

* 4 April 2003 19:35
| Otago Highlanders | 22–11 | Auckland Blues |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 20,500
* 4 April 2003 20:00
| Queensland Reds | 23–26 | Wellington Hurricanes |
* Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 22,450
* 5 April 2003 19:40
| NSW Waratahs | 34–31 | Canterbury Crusaders |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 32,960
* 5 April 2003 15:00
| Northern Bulls | 24–27 | Stormers |
* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 50,000
* 6 April 2003 16:30
| ACT Brumbies | 55–31 | Waikato Chiefs |
* Canberra Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 18,154

### Round 8

* 11 April 2003 19:35
| Wellington Hurricanes | 42–26 | NSW Waratahs |
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 30,400
* 12 April 2003 17:30
| Waikato Chiefs | 25–31 | Coastal Sharks |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 9,000
* 12 April 2003 19:35
| Canterbury Crusaders | 65–34 | Golden Cats |
* Jade Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 25,600
* 12 April 2003 15:00
| Northern Bulls | 28–56 | Auckland Blues |
* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 21,097
* 12 April 2003 17:05
| Stormers | 20–41 | Queensland Reds |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 31,666

### Round 9

* 18 April 2003 19:35
| Canterbury Crusaders | 23–18 | Coastal Sharks |
* Jade Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 23,000
* 18 April 2003 19:40
| ACT Brumbies | 41–15 | NSW Waratahs |
* Canberra Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 25,122
* 19 April 2003 17:30
| Waikato Chiefs | 40–9 | Golden Cats |
* Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Attendance: 7,000
* 19 April 2003 19:35
| Wellington Hurricanes | 37–15 | Otago Highlanders |
* Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth Attendance: 15,647
* 19 April 2003 15:00
| Stormers | 8–36 | Auckland Blues |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 30,568
* 19 April 2003 17:05
| Northern Bulls | 39–19 | Queensland Reds |
* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 15,628

### Round 10

* 25 April 2003 19:35
| Otago Highlanders | 45–19 | ACT Brumbies |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 14,300
* 26 April 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 25–16 | Coastal Sharks |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 25,000
* 26 April 2003 19:40
| Queensland Reds | 41–13 | Golden Cats |
* Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 14,000
* 26 April 2003 15:00
| Northern Bulls | 32–31 | Canterbury Crusaders |
* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 24,107
* 26 April 2003 17:05
| Stormers | 24–23 | Waikato Chiefs |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 21,529

### Round 11

* 2 May 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 33–9 | Golden Cats |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 14,000
* 2 May 2003 19:10
| Northern Bulls | 29–26 | Waikato Chiefs |
* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 26,544
* 3 May 2003 17:30
| Otago Highlanders | 23–27 | NSW Waratahs |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 15,200
* 3 May 2003 19:35
| Wellington Hurricanes | 27–35 | ACT Brumbies |
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 34,500
* 3 May 2003 19:40
| Queensland Reds | 22–13 | Coastal Sharks |
* Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 16,577
* 3 May 2003 15:00
| Stormers | 13–51 | Canterbury Crusaders |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 27,516

### Round 12

* 9 May 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 29–17 | Wellington Hurricanes |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 45,000
* 9 May 2003 19:40
| ACT Brumbies | 21–28 | Canterbury Crusaders |
* Canberra Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 25,279
* 10 May 2003 17:35
| Queensland Reds | 28–23 | Otago Highlanders |
* Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 21,100
* 10 May 2003 19:40
| NSW Waratahs | 25–14 | Waikato Chiefs |
* Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 31,775
* 10 May 2003 15:00
| Coastal Sharks | 16–24 | Northern Bulls |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 35,000
* 10 May 2003 17:05
| Stormers | 27–21 | Golden Cats |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 22,746

## Finals
### Semi finals

* 16 May 2003 19:35
| Canterbury Crusaders | 39–16 | Wellington Hurricanes |
* Jade Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 33,500
* 17 May 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 42–21 | ACT Brumbies |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 42,000

### Grand final

* 24 May 2003 19:35
| Auckland Blues | 21–17 | Canterbury Crusaders |
| Try: Braid Howlett Con: Spencer (1/2) Pen: Spencer (3) | | Try: Hammett (2) Ralph Con: Carter (0/1) Mehrtens (1/2) |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 45,000
| Blues | Crusaders |

## Attendances

| Team | Main stadium | Capacity | Total attendance | Average attendance | % Capacity |
| Blues | Eden Park | 50,000 | 236,000 | 29,500 | 66% |
| Chiefs | Waikato Stadium | 25,800 | 49,000 | 9,800 | 37% |
| Hurricanes | Westpac Stadium | 34,500 | 145,847 | 24,307 | 77% |
| Crusaders | Jade Stadium | 36,500 | 150,100 | 25,016 | 68% |
| Highlanders | Carisbrook | 29,000 | 111,876 | 18,646 | 68% |
| Reds | Ballymore Stadium | 18,000 | 92,127 | 18,425 | 100% |
| Brumbies | Canberra Stadium | 25,011 | 107,681 | 21,536 | 86% |
| Waratahs | Sydney Football Stadium | 44,000 | 183,128 | 30,521 | 69% |
| Sharks | Kings Park Stadium | 52,000 | 154,300 | 30,860 | 59% |
| Bulls | Loftus Versfeld | 51,762 | 137,376 | 27,475 | 53% |
| Cats | Ellis Park | 62,567 | 150,174 | 25,029 | 46% |
| Stormers | Newlands Stadium | 51,900 | 178,558 | 29,759 | 57% |