# 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season

The 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season (branded as Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship reasons) was a professional club rugby union tournament organised by New Zealand Rugby. Announced on 11 November 2020, the tournament was the second season of Super Rugby Aotearoa, featuring the 5 New Zealand Super Rugby sides, ran from 26 February to 8 May 2021. The tournament was won by the Crusaders, who defeated the Chiefs 24–13 in the final at Orangetheory Stadium, earning them their second consecutive Super Rugby Aotearoa title, and fifth straight Super Rugby competition title.
The tournament ran parallel to Australia's 2021 Super Rugby AU season, and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman followed the conclusion of both seasons, a crossover tournament featuring each Australian team playing each New Zealand team once, followed by a final.

## Law variations

The 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season will see further law variations, furthering those brought in during the 2020 season. Goal-line drop outs will be brought in for when an attacking player is held up or knocks the ball on in goal. When a kick is forced in goal by the defending team then a goal-line drop out will also take place. These rules were used successfully in the Australian 2020 Super Rugby AU season. Extra time was also used again in 2021, again consisting of a 10-minute period, however differing from the 2021 Super Rugby AU season, the team scoring the first points of any kind in this period will win the match.
A captain's referral has also been brought in for 2021, similar to those used successfully in cricket and tennis, with New Zealand Rugby becoming the first to trial it in rugby union. Each team will be allowed one referral per match which can be used in one of three scenarios: a decision occurring in the final five minutes of a match, an offence in the build up to a try being scored or an act of foul play. All other law variations from the 2020 season will again be used in the 2021 season.

## Standings

| Table |
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Crusaders | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 237 | 165 | +72 | 30 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 28 |
| 2 | Chiefs | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 187 | 230 | −43 | 18 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 3 | Blues | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 210 | 191 | +19 | 28 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 20 |
| 4 | Highlanders | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 201 | 226 | −25 | 26 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| 5 | Hurricanes | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 200 | 223 | −23 | 24 | 28 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Points allocation |
| 4 points to the winning team 2 points to each team if neither team scores during extra time 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or fewer 1 bonus point to any team scoring at least three tries more than the opposition |

## Round-by-round

The table below shows the progression of all teams throughout the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season. Each team's tournament points on the standings log is shown for each round, with the overall log position in brackets.
| 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa team progression |
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | Final |
| Blues | 4 (1st) | 4 (3rd) | 9 (2nd) | 9 (2nd) | 10 (2nd) | 14 (2nd) | 14 (2nd) | 15 (3rd) | 15 (3rd) | 20 (3rd) | N/A |
| Chiefs | 0 (3rd) | 0 (4th) | 0 (5th) | 4 (4th) | 8 (3rd) | 8 (4th) | 12 (3rd) | 16 (2nd) | 20 (2nd) | 20 (2nd) | Lost |
| Crusaders | 4 (2nd) | 9 (1st) | 14 (1st) | 18 (1st) | 18 (1st) | 18 (1st) | 22 (1st) | 23 (1st) | 28 (1st) | 28 (1st) | Won |
| Highlanders | 0 (4th) | 5 (2nd) | 5 (3rd) | 5 (3rd) | 5 (5th) | 9 (3rd) | 10 (4th) | 14 (4th) | 14 (4th) | 14 (4th) | N/A |
| Hurricanes | 0 (5th) | 0 (5th) | 0 (4th) | 1 (5th) | 5 (4th) | 5 (5th) | 6 (5th) | 6 (5th) | 7 (5th) | 12 (5th) | N/A |
| Key: | Win | Draw | Loss | Bye | DNQ |

## Matches
### Round 1

* 26 February 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Highlanders | 13–26 | Crusaders |
| Try: Frizell 26' m C. Garden-Bachop 36' m Pen: Hunt (1/1) 43' | Report | Try: Taylor 13' c Hall 16' c Reece 48' m McAlister 73' c Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 14', 17', 74' |
* Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
* 27 February 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Hurricanes | 16–31 | Blues |
| Try: Aumua (2) 6' m, 63' m Pen: J. Barrett (2/2) 38', 40+1' | Report | Try: Papalii 4' c Clarke 49' c Perofeta 54' c R. Ioane 77' c Con: Black (4/4) 5', 50', 55', 78' Pen: Black (1/1) 76' |
* Sky Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 11,655 Referee: Paul Williams
* Bye/s: Chiefs

### Round 2

* 5 March 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Chiefs | 23–39 | Highlanders (1 BP) |
| Try: Jacobson 21' c McKenzie 29' c Con: McKenzie (2/2) 22', 30' Pen: McKenzie (3/3) 2', 15', 66' | Report | Try: Nareki (3) 33' m, 57' c, 69' c Fakatava 50' c Frizell 53' c Con: J. Ioane (4/5) 51', 54', 58', 71' Pen: J. Ioane (2/2) 10', 26' |
* FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Attendance: 700 Referee: Paul Williams
* 7 March 2021 16:35 (GMT +13)
| (1 BP) Crusaders | 33–16 | Hurricanes |
| Try: Taylor (2) 22' c, 47' c Mo'unga 25' c Blackadder 30' c S. Barrett 39' m Con: Mo'unga (4/5) 23', 26', 31', 47' | Report | Try: Riccitelli 56' m P. Umaga-Jensen 78' m Pen: J. Barrett (2/2) 5', 14' |
* Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
* Bye/s: Blues

### Round 3

* 13 March 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| (1 BP) Crusaders | 39–17 | Chiefs |
| Try: L. Fainga'anuku 16' m Penalty try 43' Jordan 55' c Douglas 63' c Dunshea 69' c Con: Mo'unga (2/3) 56', 64' Burke (1/1) 70' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 27', 32' | Report | Try: McKenzie 2' c Nanai-Seturo 73' c Con: McKenzie (2/2) 4', 74' Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 9' |
* Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Referee: James Doleman
* 14 March 2021 15:35 (GMT +13)
| (1 BP) Blues | 39–17 | Highlanders |
| Try: Black 10' c Clarke 17' c Narawa 43' m Eklund 50' c A. Ioane 64' c Con: Black (4/5) 11', 19', 52', 65' Pen: Black (2/2) 28', 60' | Report | Try: A. Dixon 54' c Fakatava 71' c Con: J. Ioane (2/2) 55', 73' Pen: J. Ioane (1/1) 4' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 11,070 Referee: Mike Fraser
* Bye/s: Hurricanes

### Round 4

* 20 March 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| (1 BP) Hurricanes | 29–35 | Chiefs |
| Try: Campbell 11' c Riccitelli 16' m Rayasi (2) 22' c, 37' c Con: J. Barrett (3/4) 12', 24', 38' Pen: J. Barrett (1/1) 74' | Report | Try: Trask 13' c Tiatia 57' c Weber 58' c Ah Kuoi 66' c Jacobson 75' c Con: McKenzie (5/5) 14', 57', 59', 68', 76' |
* Sky Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 9,193 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
* 21 March 2021 15:35 (GMT +13)
| Blues | 27–43 | Crusaders |
| Try: Gibson 20' m Eklund (2) 48' c, 66' m Sotutu 72' c Con: Black (1/3) 49' Plummer (1/1) 73' Pen: Black (1/1) 8' | Report | Try: Goodhue 11' c Taylor 32' c Mo'unga 69' c Reece 78' c Con: Mo'unga (4/4) 11', 33', 71', 79' Pen: Mo'unga (5/5) 27', 43', 52', 56', 60' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 20,710 Referee: Paul Williams
* Bye/s: Highlanders

### Round 5

* 26 March 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Highlanders | 19–30 | Hurricanes |
| Try: B. Evans 34' c C. Garden-Bachop 62' m T. Umaga-Jensen 77' c Con: J. Ioane (2/3) 35', 78' | Report | Try: J. Barrett (3) 9' c, 39' c, 44' c Con: J. Barrett (3/3) 10', 40', 44' Pen: J. Barrett (3/3) 6', 54', 80+1' |
* Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Attendance: 13,665 Referee: Brendon Pickerill
* 27 March 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Chiefs | 15–12 | Blues (1 BP) |
| Try: Taukei'aho 58' m McKenzie 80' c Con: McKenzie (1/2) 80+1' Pen: McKenzie (1/1) 46' | Report | Try: A. Ioane 24' c Robinson 62' m Con: Black (1/2) 25' |
* FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Attendance: 12,997 Referee: James Doleman
* Bye/s: Crusaders

### Round 6

* 2 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Crusaders | 12–33 | Highlanders |
| Try: Taylor 40+3' c D. Havili 69' m Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 40+4' | Report | Try: Harmon 24' c Collins 58' c C. Garden-Bachop 74' c Con: Hunt (3/3) 26', 59', 75' Pen: Hunt (4/4) 12', 19', 34', 52' |
* Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 13,677 Referee: Mike Fraser
* 3 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +13)
| Blues | 27–17 | Hurricanes |
| Try: Penalty try 31' Faiane 50' c Tele'a 65' c Con: Black (2/2) 52', 67' Pen: Black (2/2) 39', 80+1' | Report | Try: Prinsep 76' m Pen: J. Barrett (4/4) 27', 37', 40+2', 46' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 11,930 Referee: Brendon Pickerill
* Bye/s: Chiefs

### Round 7

* 10 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| (1 BP) Highlanders | 23–26 (a.e.t.) | Chiefs |
| Try: Lentjes 10' m Smith 42' m J. Ioane 70' c Con: J. Ioane (1/1) 71' Pen: Hunt (1/1) 55' J. Ioane (1/1) 77' | Report | Try: Nanai-Seturo 5' c Ta'avao 61' c Con: McKenzie (2/2) 7', 62' Pen: McKenzie (4/5) 40+1', 46', 57', 86' |
* Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Attendance: 14,487 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
* 11 April 2021 15:35 (GMT +12)
| (1 BP) Hurricanes | 27–30 (a.e.t.) | Crusaders |
| Try: Laumape 27' c J. Savea 31' c Goosen 43' c Con: J. Barrett (3/3) 29', 32', 45' Pen: J. Barrett (2/3) 9', 61' | Report | Try: Bridge (2) 11' c, 24' c Reece 61' m Con: Mo'unga (2/3) 11', 25' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 30', 57' Drop: D. Havili 82' |
* Sky Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 13,670 Referee: Paul Williams
* Bye/s: Blues

### Round 8

* 16 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| Highlanders | 35–29 | Blues (1 BP) |
| Try: Himeno 15' c J. Ioane 25' m N. Punivai 40+2' c Nareki 58' m Collins 75' m Con: J. Ioane (2/4) 17', 40+3' Pen: J. Ioane (1/1) 12' Hunt (1/1) 68' | Report | Try: Ruru 6' c R. Ioane 33' c Laulala 70' c Sotutu 80' m Con: Black (3/4) 7', 34', 71' Pen: Black (1/1) 38' |
* Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Attendance: 13,379 Referee: Brendon Pickerill
* 17 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| Chiefs | 26–25 | Crusaders (1 BP) |
| Try: L. Boshier 47' c Lowe 61' c Con: McKenzie (2/2) 48', 62' Pen: McKenzie (4/4) 13', 22', 26', 78' | Report | Try: L. Fainga'anuku 5' c Jordan 30' c Taylor 53' m Con: Mo'unga (2/3) 7', 32' Pen: Mo'unga (2/2) 28', 65' |
* FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Attendance: 18,500 Referee: Mike Fraser
* Bye/s: Hurricanes

### Round 9

* 23 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| Chiefs | 26–24 | Hurricanes (1 BP) |
| Try: Sowakula 31' c Gatland 48' c Con: McKenzie (2/2) 32', 49' Pen: McKenzie (4/5) 15', 44', 59', 80+4' | Report | Try: Blackwell 1' c B. Proctor 53' c Aumua 68' c Con: J. Barrett (3/3) 2', 54', 69' Pen: J. Barrett (1/1) 40+1' |
* FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Attendance: 14,582 Referee: Paul Williams
* 25 April 2021 15:35 (GMT +12)
| (1 BP) Crusaders | 29–6 | Blues |
| Try: Jordan (2) 5' c, 72' c Reece 27' m Taylor 59' c Con: Mo'unga (3/4) 7', 60', 74' Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 44' | Report | Pen: Black (2/2) 42', 46' |
* Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 17,400 Referee: James Doleman
* Bye/s: Highlanders

### Round 10

* 30 April 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| (1 BP) Hurricanes | 41–22 | Highlanders |
| Try: Flanders 8' c Coles 38' m Laumape 41' c Kirifi 53' c Iose 71' m Rayasi 78' c Con: J. Barrett (4/6) 9', 43', 54', 79' Pen: J. Barrett (1/1) 40+3' | Report | Try: Dickson 18' c Nareki 28' c A. Dixon 58' m Con: Gilbert (1/1) 19' Hunt (1/2) 30' Pen: Hunt (1/1) 5' |
* Sky Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 12,678 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
* 1 May 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| (1 BP) Blues | 39–19 | Chiefs |
| Try: Eklund 18' c Choat 26' c Z. Sullivan 53' m Sotutu 74' c A. Lam (2) 78' m, 80+3' m Con: Black (3/6) 19', 26', 75' Pen: Black (1/1) 65' | Report | Try: Stevenson 61' c Con: Gatland (1/1) 63' Pen: Gatland (4/4) 4', 22', 40+2, 49' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 17,940 Referee: Mike Fraser
* Bye/s: Crusaders

### Final

* 8 May 2021 19:05 (GMT +12)
| Crusaders | 24–13 | Chiefs |
| Try: Reece 7' c Jordan 16' m Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 8' Pen: Mo'unga (3/3) 37', 69', 76' Drop: Mo'unga 64' | Report Summary | Try: McKenzie 20' c Con: McKenzie (1/1) 22' Pen: McKenzie (2/5) 15', 59' |
* Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 17,100 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Crusaders: :
| FB | 15 | Will Jordan | | |
| RW | 14 | Sevu Reece | 58' to 68' | |
| OC | 13 | Leicester Fainga'anuku | | 63' |
| IC | 12 | David Havili | | |
| LW | 11 | George Bridge | | |
| FH | 10 | Richie Mo'unga | | |
| SH | 9 | Mitchell Drummond | | 53' |
| N8 | 8 | Cullen Grace | | 72' |
| OF | 7 | Tom Sanders | | 56' |
| BF | 6 | Ethan Blackadder | | |
| RL | 5 | Sam Whitelock | | |
| LL | 4 | Scott Barrett (c) | | |
| TP | 3 | Michael Alaalatoa | | 63' |
| HK | 2 | Codie Taylor | 53' to 63' | | | 76' |
| LP | 1 | George Bower | | 65' |
| Substitutes: |||
| HK | 16 | Brodie McAlister | | 56' | 63' | 76' |
| PR | 17 | Tamaiti Williams | | 65' |
| PR | 18 | Oliver Jager | | 63' |
| LK | 19 | Mitchell Dunshea | | 72' |
| LF | 20 | Whetu Douglas | | | 63' |
| SH | 21 | Bryn Hall | | 53' |
| CE | 22 | Dallas McLeod | | |
| OB | 23 | Braydon Ennor | | 63' |
| Coach: |||
| Scott Robertson ||||
Chiefs: :
| FB | 15 | Damian McKenzie | |
| RW | 14 | Jonah Lowe | |
| OC | 13 | Anton Lienert-Brown | |
| IC | 12 | Alex Nankivell | 66' |
| LW | 11 | Etene Nanai-Seturo | |
| FH | 10 | Bryn Gatland | 45' |
| SH | 9 | Brad Weber (c) | 14' | 26' | 69' |
| N8 | 8 | Luke Jacobson | |
| OF | 7 | Lachlan Boshier | 67' |
| BF | 6 | Pita Gus Sowakula | |
| RL | 5 | Mitchell Brown | 41' |
| LL | 4 | Tupou Vaa'i | |
| TP | 3 | Angus Ta'avao | 63' |
| HK | 2 | Samisoni Taukei'aho | 63' |
| LP | 1 | Aidan Ross | 54' |
| Substitutes: |||
| HK | 16 | Bradley Slater | 63' |
| PR | 17 | Ollie Norris | 54' |
| PR | 18 | Sione Mafileo | 63' |
| LK | 19 | Naitoa Ah Kuoi | 41' |
| LF | 20 | Zane Kapeli | 67' |
| SH | 21 | Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi | 14' | 26' | 69' |
| CE | 22 | Rameka Poihipi | 66' |
| OB | 23 | Chase Tiatia | 45' |
| Coach: |||
| Clayton McMillan ||||
* Man of the Match:
* Richie Mo'unga
* Assistant Referees:
* James Doleman
* Paul Williams
* Television match official:
* Brendon Pickerill