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Super Rugby quarter-finals confirmed
By Online Editors
After 19 Rounds and 120 matches of the regular season, the quarter-finalists for the 2018 Super Rugby tournament have been confirmed.
The four quarter-final hosts are the three conference winners - ranked 1 to 3 based on total tournament points - and the next best team based on total competition points regardless of conference.
The four next best teams based on total competition points - ranked 5 to 8 - will travel for their respective quarter-final matches.
The Crusaders finished the regular season as New Zealand conference winners and the highest ranked team in the tournament thanks to 14 wins, while in the South African conference the winner was determined when the Lions beat the Bulls on Saturday.
In the Australian conference, the Waratahs finished top despite a last week loss to the Brumbies. The last quarter-final host was also determined on the last weekend of action when the Hurricanes, despite a loss to the Chiefs, finished as the best wildcard team to be ranked fourth at the end of the regular season.
The four wildcards earning quarter-final spots after finishing ranked 5 to 8 are the Chiefs, Highlanders, Jaguares (who make their Super Rugby finals debut) and Sharks who all won in the last week of the tournament to cement their places.
SUPER RUGBY QUARTER-FINALISTS
1. Crusaders - New Zealand Conference Winners
2. Lions - South African Conference Winners
3. Waratahs - Australian Conference Winners
4. Hurricanes
5. Chiefs
6. Highlanders
7. Jaguares
8. Sharks
2018 QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
QF1: Crusaders [1] versus Sharks [8]
QF2: Hurricanes [4] versus Chiefs [5]
QF3: Lions [2] versus Jaguares [7]
QF4: Waratahs [3] versus Highlanders [6]
SCHEDULE (Times local)
Fri July 20: Hurricanes v Chiefs, Westpac Stadium, Wellington @ 7:35pm
Sat July 21: Crusaders v Sharks, AMI Stadium, Christchurch @ 7:35pm
Sat July 21: Waratahs v Highlanders, Allianz Stadium, Sydney @ 8:05pm
Sat July 21 Lions v Jaguares, Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg @ 3:05pm
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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