2006 Super 14 Final
Encyclopedia
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| Home Team | Crusaders |
| Away Team | Hurricanes Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise) The Hurricanes are a New Zealand professional Rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in the Super Rugby competition... |
| Date | May 27, 2006 |
| Stadium | Jade Stadium, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of... |
| TV in New Zealand | |
| Network Television network A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small... |
SKY Sports |
The Final of the 2006 Super 14 season, a rugby union
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...
competition in the Southern Hemisphere, took place on May 27, 2006 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, 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...
. The match was won by the Crusaders 19 points to 12 over the visiting Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
-based side, the Hurricanes. The match featured low lying sea fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
which prevented many in the crowd, as well as the television cameras and commentators, from seeing the action. The match had one try, to Crusaders' centre, Casey Laulala
Casey Laulala
Casey Laulala is a New Zealand rugby union player.He attended Woodhouse Grove School in the sixth form on a scholarship.-Career:...
which was scored in the second half. The match has been nicknamed the "Gorillas in the Mist", after the film of the same name
Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey
Gorillas in the Mist is a 1988 American drama film directed by Michael Apted and starring Sigourney Weaver as naturalist Dian Fossey. It tells the true-life story of her work in Rwanda with Mountain Gorillas and was nominated for five Academy Awards....
.
Road to the Final
| Pos | Name | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | BP | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crusaders | 13 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 412 | 210 | 202 | 5 | 51 |
| 2 | Hurricanes | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 328 | 226 | 102 | 7 | 47 |
| 3 | Waratahs New South Wales Waratahs The New South Wales Waratahs are an Australian rugby union football team, representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super 15 Super Rugby competition... |
13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 362 | 192 | 170 | 9 | 45 |
| 4 | Bulls | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 355 | 290 | 65 | 7 | 38 |
| 5 | Sharks | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 361 | 297 | 64 | 10 | 38 |
| 6 | Brumbies | 13 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 326 | 269 | 57 | 4 | 38 |
| 7 | Chiefs | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 325 | 298 | 27 | 6 | 36 |
| 8 | Blues | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 290 | 344 | |||
| 5 | 29 | |||||||||
| 9 | Highlanders | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 228 | 276 | |||
| 3 | 27 | |||||||||
| 10 | Cheetahs Central Cheetahs The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs, is a South African rugby union team that entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006. The franchise area encompasses the Free State and Northern Cape. In terms of Currie Cup unions, the Cheetahs draw from Free State... |
13 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 272 | 367 | |||
| 7 | 27 | |||||||||
| 11 | Stormers | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 263 | 334 | |||
| 5 | 23 | |||||||||
| 12 | Reds 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... |
13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 240 | 320 | |||
| 6 | 22 | |||||||||
| 13 | Cats | 13 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 220 | 405 | |||
| 5 | 15 | |||||||||
| 14 | Force Western Force Western Force is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super Rugby competition. They first competed in the 2006 season and finished with the wooden spoon in that year, however their performances greatly improved in 2007. In 2008 they finished in 8th... |
13 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 223 | 373 | |||
| 4 | 12 |
The Crusaders finished top of the table, following a strong season at home and only one loss, away to the Stormers in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, which ended their 17 game winning streak, and drawing a game in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
against soon-to-be wooden spooners
Wooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
, the Western Force.
The Hurricanes made the final after back-to-back wins over the Waratahs in round 14, in Sydney, and then the first semi-final, played in Wellington. The Hurricanes finished second on the table, losing only three matches, in the round robin, to the Cheetahs, the Crusaders and the Brumbies. The home semi-final was the first time the Hurricanes franchise hosted a playoffs match.
Pre-game
The game was expected to be centred around the defence of both sides. The Hurricanes entered the final with an average points-against of 15 against New Zealand sides, the Crusaders were slightly better, with 14. The weather was not building up to be a huge factor, with clouds and rain forecast. The Crusaders had finished the 2006 season at the top of the ladder, and defeated the Bulls to claim the home-final as they were the highest ranked side. The Hurricanes finished the season in second position, and defeated the New South Wales WaratahsNew South Wales Waratahs
The New South Wales Waratahs are an Australian rugby union football team, representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super 15 Super Rugby competition...
to meet the Crusaders in the final.
The Crusaders went into the match with no reserve scrum-half after Andrew Ellis went off injured against the Bulls the week before. This meant if starting half Kevin Senio
Kevin Senio
Kevin Senio is a New Zealand rugby union professional who currently plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne. Senio is also a former All Black, making his debut after coming on for Piri Weepu against Australia in New Zealand's 34–24 win in the final match of the 2005 Tri Nations Series and is currently a...
was injured, Cameron McIntyre would come on and Daniel Carter
Daniel Carter (rugby player)
Daniel William "Dan" Carter is a New Zealand rugby union player.He is currently the highest points scorer in test match rugby and is regarded as one of rugby's greatest ever fly-halves.-Early life:...
would move in to scrum-half.
Conditions
Jade Stadium
Lancaster Park, formerly Jade Stadium and currently known as AMI Stadium through sponsorship rights, is a sports stadium situated in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand....
, an unusual thick fog floated over the stadium. The players and officials were asked whether they wanted to persist with the game, with both parties agreeing that the match should go on, although some speculated it might be pushed over to Sunday. As the sides ran out onto the field the players almost disappeared into the mist. The commentary box could not make out anything on the opposite side of the field from where they were. This forced a commentary split, with the sideline commentator taking up the duties when the play was on the opposite side to the commentary box. Some of the television footage was relatively clear with many camera angles and positions different from a normal game broadcast, though many thought they could have done better with more cameras repositioned to the far side of the field.
The poor visibility prevented much free-flowing play, as players struggled to see one another. Bombs and high kicks created havoc for both teams, with both back lines making unusual mistakes. There were many examples of the ball suddenly appearing below the hanging mist, making it difficult to field many kicks. Overall the crowd at Jade Stadium had a poor view of the match, with most of the south stand turning around to watch the match on the stadium's big-screen. The Sky Sports commentators saw many patrons in the upper levels rushing home or to other establishments to watch coverage on television. Officials admitted that the match would have been postponed if the fog had been any thicker.
Match
First half
In one of the opening exchanges, Crusaders wing Rico GearRico Gear
Rico Levi Gear is a New Zealand rugby union international player. He is a specialist right wing but can also cover midfield positions. He currently plays for Kintetsu Liners in the Top League....
dropped the ball from a high kick, the resulting play lead to a Hurricanes penalty. David Holwell
David Holwell
David Holwell is a rugby union fly half who played for Wellington and Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup, ITM Cup and NPC, and for the Hurricanes and Blues in Super Rugby...
missed the penalty attempt, it being taken from 30m out and near the touchline. The Hurricanes scored first through a long range Piri Weepu
Piri Weepu
Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level, Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004...
penalty goal in the 12th minute. Daniel Carter had an opportunity to level the scores with a penalty kick, but missed as well. Carter did two penalties, leaving the half time score 6–3 in favour of the home side. Weepu went down several times in the first half and was momentarily knocked out.
Second half
Holwell tied the match up four minutes after the interval, but Carter put the Crusaders back in front with a penalty two minutes later. Holwell was then substituted for Jimmy GopperthJimmy Gopperth
James 'Jimmy' Gopperth is a rugby union player who plays for Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. His position is first five-eighth and he played previously for the Hurricanes and Blues in the Super 14 and the Junior All Blacks...
, in what may have been Holwell's final first-class match. Gopperth kicked the Hurricanes' third penalty, once again evening up the scores. The Crusaders struck back though, with a try to Casey Laulala
Casey Laulala
Casey Laulala is a New Zealand rugby union player.He attended Woodhouse Grove School in the sixth form on a scholarship.-Career:...
near the right hand upright. Carter converted, put the Crusaders out to a 16–9 lead. Carter then extended the lead out to 19–9 on the 69 minute mark, before Gopperth scored a penalty with ten minutes remaining. The match ended with the Hurricanes attempting to run it out from their own 22, needing a converted try. Reuben Thorne
Reuben Thorne
Reuben David Thorne is a New Zealand rugby union player, and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks.-Super 12:...
forced a turnover though, and hooker Corey Flynn
Corey Flynn
Corey Flynn is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays in the position of hooker. He was educated at Southland Boys' High School.-Provincial:He played provincial for Southland until he moved to Canterbury in 2003....
kicked the ball into touch for the Crusaders' sixth Super rugby title, and first Super 14 title.
Criticism
Many after the match criticized the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and the Canterbury Rugby Football UnionCanterbury Rugby Football Union
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
(CRFU) for allowing the match to be played in such poor conditions. Former All Black first five-eighth, Grant Fox
Grant Fox
Grant James Fox is a former rugby union player from New Zealand. He was born in New Plymouth. He attended Auckland Grammar school....
, defended the decision, citing that the fog came in around 6:30 p.m., around one hour before kick-off, making it a logistical nightmare to attempt to postpone it.
The decision to allow Weepu to continue playing (after being knocked out) also drew criticism from medical experts, including former All Blacks' doctor, John Mayhew. "Get the player off. Assume that his day is over and go on from there. Whether it's a test match or Super 14 final or a rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
game", Mayhew told NZPA. Hurricanes doctor, Ian Murphy said on Tuesday May 30 that he was unaware that Weepu was knocked out. "By the time I got to Piri out on the field he was conscious and I could not fault him in terms of his responses to my concussion-related questions" said Murphy. Weepu revealed after the match that he was suffering from amnesia, and could recall very little about the final.
Post-match "handbag incident"
Former All Black captain Tana UmagaTana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
and Chris Masoe
Chris Masoe
Chris Masoe is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and currently plays for Castres Olympique.-Super 14:...
were involved in an altercation after the final in the The Jolly Poacher, a bar in Christchurch. Masoe tripped over a male patron's feet whilst walking in the bar. Umaga then intervened, by taking Masoe aside and began hitting him with a nearby women's handbag. The mobile phone inside the bag was broken in the process.
After the incident, Masoe was fined NZ$
New Zealand dollar
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
3000 by the NZRU and it was reported that he punched another patron at the bar. All Black coach, Graham Henry
Graham Henry
Graham Henry is a New Zealand Rugby Union coach, and former head coach of the country's national team, the All Blacks. He played rugby union for Canterbury and cricket for Otago in the Plunket Shield. Henry was heavily criticized following the All Blacks quarterfinal exit at the 2007 Rugby World...
said that he believes that the All Black players may have been discussing Umaga's technique. Umaga received no fine from the NZRU, but replaced the broken phone. The handbag that was used by Umaga was placed on the TradeMe
TradeMe
Trade Me is the largest Internet-auction website operating in New Zealand. Managed by Trade Me Ltd the site was founded in 1999 by New Zealand entrepreneurSam Morgan who sold it to Fairfax in 2006 for NZ$700 million...
auction website after the event, and at the close of bidding was sold for NZ$22,800.
The incident was later parodied by the Australian television network, Seven
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
, in the build up for the 2006 Tri Nations Series
2006 Tri Nations Series
-Week 2:-Week 3:-Week 4:* All Blacks retain Bledisloe Cup-Week 5:-Week 6:-Week 7:-Week 8:-Week 9:-External links:* * *...
, in a television commercial. The commercial featured the All Blacks performing the haka
Haka
Haka is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Māori people of New Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment...
, with digitally enhanced handbags over their shoulders. New Zealand officials later complained about the ad, saying that it was insensitive to Umaga.
Commentators
The following is one exchange:- Commentator Grant Nisbett:"Toeava kicks off"
- Colour Commentator Murray Mexted:"Not 10, is it?"
- Nisbett:"I don't know" — This type of commentating was typical during the night.
- "That one could've landed in the main street of New Brighton for all we know, Nisbo"- Tony Johnston
The following is one exchange:
- "Not trying to steal your thunder, Nisbo, I just don't know whether you'll be able to see that from where you are." — Sideline Commentator Tony Johnston.
- "I haven't got a clue, Tony, you're dead right. I cannot see the other side of the field." — Grant Nisbett
Captains
- "The conditions were unbelievable to play in", — Crusaders captain, Richie McCawRichie McCawRichard Hugh "Richie" McCaw is a New Zealand rugby union player, and is the current test captain. He plays in the openside flanker position for the New Zealand, Crusaders and Canterbury rugby teams...
- "I don't know what the crowd saw because it was tough out here. We tried to keep it simple. We knew we had to keep it tighter. There were a few mistakes with the slippery ball. It wasn't pretty but getting there was great. We kept our composure. We were really hungry on defence, we forced the turnovers and played it down their end of the paddock and that was the key we were able to convert pressure into points."- McCaw
- "We're pretty disappointed with the result but we're very pleased with the way we went this year. Both teams defended well and it was pretty hard to crack but that try really cost us at the end. It was very difficult, you could hardly see the ball but I think both teams played pretty well considering the conditions." — Hurricanes captain, Rodney So'oialoRodney So'oialoRodney So'oialo is a New Zealand rugby union player currently playing in Japan for the Honda Heat. Previously, he had been a stalwart for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition, making 101 appearances for the franchise. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009...
On the fog
- "Possibly 10 to 15 percent of the people around us left and we're obviously pretty disappointed, and I've heard a fair bit of talkbackTalk radioTalk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
[radio] this morning with some very grumpy people." — Crusaders fan - "But not all the fans missed out. It turns out the lower down in the stands and closer to the touchline you were, the better." — Peter Lewis
- "We actually ironically had a fairly good view, apart from the far third of the field, and then we could actually have a quick squiz at the TV." — Hurricanes fan
- "But at the end of the day, there was no safety issues for players. The stadium was happy there were no safety issues for spectators." — CRFU CEO, Hamish Riach.
- "It wasn't really the spectacle rugby fans had hoped or paid for — thick fog instead of football. Visibility was poor from all parts of the stadium, and for once it wasn't a factor of how much you'd paid for your seat, the action equally obscured for corporate high flyers and those in the cheap seats. Some turned and watched the stadium's giant screens, but that was only partially helpful. Others simply gave up altogether and went home or to nearby pubs to watch it on TV or listen to the radio" — Peter Lewis
Match details
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