2008 Super 14 season

2008 Super 14
Countries	Australia  South Africa  New Zealand
Tournament format(s)	Round-robin and knockout
Champions	Crusaders (7th title)
Matches played	91
Tries scored	519 (5.7 per match)
Top point scorer(s)	Stephen Donald (150) (Chiefs)
Top try scorer(s)	Lelia Masaga (8) (Chiefs)
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The 2008 Super 14 season started in February 2008 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 31 May, when the Crusaders won their seventh Super Rugby title with a 20–12 victory over the Waratahs in front of the Crusaders' home fans at AMI Stadium. The 2008 season was the third of the expansion, which led to the name change to the Super 14. The schedule, which covered 3½ months, featured a total of 94 matches, with each team playing one full round robin against the 13 other teams, two semi-finals and a final. Every team received one bye over the 14 rounds.

Introduction of Experimental law variations[]

The 2008 competition is currently the highest level competition to trial any of the International Rugby Board's (IRB) Experimental law variations (ELVs). The laws had been trialled in various competitions in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. The highest level competition the laws had previously been introduced to was the 2007 Australian Rugby Championship. The introduction of the laws for the 2008 season was approved by the competition's governing body, SANZAR, at a meeting on 4 December 2007.^[1]

SANZAR decided not to adopt all the ELVs, and decided to adopt the following:

• The corner posts are moved so that they are outside the junction of the touchline and goal-line. A player will also not be in touch if they are touching the corner post unless they are also touching either the touchline, or ground over the touchline.
• A ball can be thrown backwards on a quick throw-in rather than having to be thrown straight.
• The offside line will now occur immediately once a tackle is made.
• At the breakdown the Scrum-half (half-back) cannot be touched unless they are touching the ball.
• During a scrum, with the exception of forwards in the scrum, and each team's scrum-half, the offside line will now be 5 metres behind the hindmost foot of a scrum.
• With the exception of offside, not entering the breakdown through the gate, and foul-play, the punishment will be a free kick.^[2]

Table[]

Key to colours

Top four teams advance to playoffs.

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Crusaders	13	11	0	2	369	176	+193	8	52
2	Waratahs	13	9	1	3	255	186	+69	5	43
3	Sharks	13	9	1	3	271	209	+62	4	42
4	Hurricanes	13	8	1	4	310	204	+106	7	41
5	Stormers	13	8	1	4	269	211	+58	7	41
6	Blues	13	8	0	5	354	267	+87	8	40
7	Chiefs	13	7	0	6	348	349	−1	6	34
8	Force	13	7	0	6	247	278	−31	4	32
9	Brumbies	13	6	0	7	277	317	−40	6	30
10	Bulls	13	6	0	7	324	347	−23	4	28
11	Highlanders	13	3	0	10	257	338	−81	7	19
12	Reds	13	3	1	9	258	323	−65	4	18
13	Cheetahs	13	1	0	12	255	428	−173	9	13
14	Lions	13	2	1	10	206	367	−161	2	12

Results[]

Round 1[]

	15 February 2008	Crusaders	34 – 3	Brumbies	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Mose Tuiali'i (2), Brad Thorn, Daniel Carter, Con: Dan Carter (4)Pen: Dan Carter (2)		Pen: Julian Huxley	Attendance: 16,254 Referee: Mark Lawrence

	15 February 2008	Reds	22 – 16	Highlanders	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:05	Tries: John Roe (2), Clinton Schifcofske Con: Clinton Schifcofske (2) Pen: Clinton Schifcofske		Tries: Adam Thomson Con: Mike Delany Pen: Paul Williams (2), Daniel Bowden	Attendance: 19,183 Referee: Marius Jonker

	15 February 2008	Sharks	17 – 10	Western Force	ABSA Stadium, Durban
	19:10	Tries: Jacques Botes, Stefan Terblanche Con: Ruan Pienaar (2) Pen: François Steyn		Tries: Luke Holmes Con: Matt Giteau Pen: Cameron Shepherd	Attendance: 30,043 Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	16 February 2008	Blues	32 – 14	Chiefs	Eden Park, Auckland
	19:35	Tries: Danny Lee, Troy Flavell, Joe Rokocoko, Ben Atiga Con: Nick Evans (3) Pen: Nick Evans (2)		Tries: Mils Muliaina Pen: Stephen Donald (3)	Attendance: 23,480 Referee:

	16 February 2008	Waratahs	20 – 3	Hurricanes	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	19:40	Tries: Lachlan Turner (2), Rocky Elsom Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Kurtley Beale		Pen: Jimmy Gopperth	Attendance: 27,011 Referee: Craig Joubert

	16 February 2008	Stormers	9 – 16	Bulls	Newlands, Cape Town
	17:00	Pen: Peter Grant (3)		Tries: Bryan Habana Con: Derick Hougaard Pen: Derick Hougaard (3)	Attendance: 47,896 Referee:

	16 February 2008	Cheetahs	22 – 23	Lions	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
	19:05	Tries: Eddie Fredericks, Duane Vermeulen, Barend Pieterse Con: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2) Pen: Jacques-Louis Potgieter		Tries: Franco van der Merwe, Doppies la Grange Con: Louis Strydom, Earl Rose Pen: Louis Strydom (2), Earl Rose	Attendance: 17,231 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Round 2[]

	22 February 2008	Hurricanes	23 – 18	Reds	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Tries: Tane Tu’ipulotu, Ma'a Nonu Con: Jimmy Gopperth (2) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (3)		Tries: Van Humphries, John Roe Con: Clinton Schifcofske Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (2)	Attendance: 15,682 Referee: Mark Lawrence

	22 February 2008	Cheetahs	15 – 16	Western Force	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
	18:00	Tries: Hennie Daniller, Heinrich Brüssow Con: Jacques-Louis Potgieter Pen: Conrad Barnard		Tries: Matt Giteau Con: Matt Giteau Pen: Matt Giteau (3)	Attendance: 14,632 Referee: Chris Pollock

	22 February 2008	Bulls	19 – 54	Crusaders	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	20:05	Tries: JP Nel Con: Morné Steyn Pen: Derick Hougaard (4)		Tries: Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Richie McCaw, Kade Poki, Nasi Manu, Dan Carter, Leon MacDonald Con: Dan Carter (5) Pen: Dan Carter (3)	Attendance: 39,341 Referee:

	23 February 2008	Chiefs	20 – 17	Waratahs	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Tries: Liam Messam, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui Con: Stephen Donald Pen: Stephen Donald		Tries: Ben Jacobs, Sam Harris, Lote Tuqiri Con: Kurtley Beale Pen:	Attendance: 10,273 Referee: Marius Jonker

	23 February 2008	Brumbies	22 – 20	Highlanders	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Anthony Fainga'a, Stephen Hoiles, Penalty try Con: Julian Huxley (2) Pen: Julian Huxley		Tries: Fetu'u Vainikolo, Chris King Con: James Wilson (2) Pen: James Wilson (2)	Attendance: 14,284 Referee: Craig Joubert

	23 February 2008	Sharks	12 – 10	Stormers	ABSA Stadium, Durban
	17:00	Pen: (3), Ruan Pienaar		Tries: Ricky Januarie Con: Peter Grant Pen: Peter Grant	Attendance: 29,289 Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	23 February 2008	Lions	10 – 55	Blues	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
	19:05	Tries: Jaco van Schalkwyk Con: Pen:		Tries: Kurtis Haiu (2), Nick Evans, Jerome Kaino, Isa Nacewa, Nick Williams, Rudi Wulf Con: Nick Evans (7) Pen: Nick Evans (2)	Attendance: 11,107 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

Round 3[]

	29 February 2008	Hurricanes	39 – 19	Chiefs	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Tries: Ma'a Nonu, Alby Mathewson, Shannon Paku, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jimmy Gopperth Con: Jimmy Gopperth (3) Drop: Tane Tu'ipulotu		Tries: Liam Messam, Stephen Donald, Tanerau Latimer Con: Stephen Donald (2)	Attendance: 16,913 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	29 February 2008	Lions	16 – 18	Western Force	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
	18:30	Tries: Jaco van Schalkwyk Con: Louis Strydom Pen: Louis Strydom (3)		Tries: Cameron Shepherd, Con: Matt Giteau Pen: Matt Giteau, Cameron Shepherd	Attendance: 6,051 Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	29 February 2008	Stormers	0 – 22	Crusaders	Newlands, Cape Town
	20:35			Tries: Andy Ellis, Sean Maitland Pen: Dan Carter (4)	Attendance: 43,724 Referee:

	1 March 2008	Highlanders	12 – 15	Waratahs	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	19:25	Tries: Fetu'u Vainikolo, Adam Thomson Con: James Wilson Pen:		Tries: Ben Jacobs, Wycliff Palu Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Kurtley Beale	Attendance: 10,203 Referee:

	1 March 2008	Brumbies	43 – 11	Reds	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Mark Chisholm (2), Mark Gerrard, Ben Alexander, Peter Playford, Stephen Hoiles Con: Mark Gerrard (5) Pen: Mark Gerrard		Tries: John Roe, Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (2)	Attendance: 15,244 Referee:

	1 March 2008	Cheetahs	26 – 50	Blues	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
	17:00	Tries: , JW Jonker, Heinrich Brüssow, Kabamba Floors Con: Conrad Barnard (2), Meyer Bosman		Tries: Joe Rokocoko (3), Isaia Toeava (2), Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake Con: Nick Evans (6) Pen: Nick Evans	Attendance: 22,984 Referee:

	1 March 2008	Bulls	15 – 29	Sharks	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	19:05	Pen: Morné Steyn (4) Drop: Morné Steyn		Tries: Odwa Ndungane, Frederic Michalak, Keegan Daniel, Jacques Botes Con: Rory Kockott (3) Pen: Rory Kockott	Attendance: 44,978 Referee: Mark Lawrence

Round 4[]

	7 March 2008	Highlanders	6 – 10	Hurricanes	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	19:35	Pen: James Wilson (2)		Tries: Jerry Collins Con: Jimmy Gopperth (1) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (1)	Attendance: 8,603 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	7 March 2008	Waratahs	24 – 17	Brumbies	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	19:40	Tries: Tom Carter, Dean Mumm, Lote Tuqiri Con: Kurtley Beale (3) Pen: Kurtley Beale		Tries: Peter Playford, Julian Salvi Con: Mark Gerrard (2) Pen: Mark Gerrard	Attendance: 32,371 Referee: James Leckie

	7 March 2008	Bulls	31 – 17	Lions	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	19:05	Tries: Akona Ndungane (2) Pen: Derick Hougaard (6) Drop: Derick Hougaard		Tries: Dusty Noble, Jano Vermaak, Rayno Benjamin Con: Jano Vermaak	Attendance: 27,461 Referee:

	8 March 2008	Chiefs	22 – 20	Cheetahs	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Tries: Brendon Leonard, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Callum Bruce Con: Stephen Donald (2) Pen: Stephen Donald		Tries: Eddie Fredericks, Jongi Nokwe Con: Conrad Barnard (2) Pen: Conrad Barnard (2)	Attendance: 10,686 Referee:

	8 March 2008	Reds	16 – 34	Stormers	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:05	Tries: Chris Latham, Leroy Houston Drop: Berrick Barnes (2)		Tries: Peter Grant, Luke Watson, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie Con: Peter Grant (4) Pen: Peter Grant (2)	Attendance: 17,830 Referee: Chris Pollock

	8 March 2008	Sharks	22 – 17	Blues	ABSA Stadium, Durban
	19:10	Tries: Keegan Daniel (2), Johann Muller Con: Rory Kockott (2) Pen: Rory Kockott		Tries: Nick Evans, Taniela Moa Con: Nick Evans (2) Pen: Nick Evans	Attendance: 34,073 Referee:

	9 March 2008	Western Force	24 – 29	Crusaders	Subiaco Oval, Perth
	17:00	Tries: David Pocock, Ryan Cross, Richard Brown, Con: Matt Giteau (2)		Tries: Daniel Carter (3), Greg Sommerville, Ali Williams, Andy Ellis, Casey Laulala Con: Daniel Carter (7)	Attendance: 27,011 Referee:

Round 5[]

	14 March 2008	Chiefs	26 – 35	Stormers	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Tries: Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga Con: Stephen Donald (2) Pen: Stephen Donald (4)		Tries: Peter Grant, , Conrad Jantjes, Penalty try Con: Peter Grant (3) Pen: Peter Grant (3)	Attendance: 10,002 Referee:

	14 March 2008	Brumbies	15 – 33	Hurricanes	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Julian Salvi, Tyrone Smith Con: Mark Gerrard Pen: Mark Gerrard		Tries: Chris Masoe (2), Shannon Paku, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore Con: Jimmy Gopperth (3), Willie Ripia	Attendance: 14,308 Referee:

	15 March 2008	Blues	17 – 27	Western Force	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	17:30	Tries: Tony Woodcock, Anthony Tuitavake Con: Nick Evans, Ben Atiga Pen: Ben Atiga		Tries: Cameron Shepherd, Richard Brown, Con: Matt Giteau (3) Pen: Matt Giteau (2)	Attendance: 13,213 Referee: Craig Joubert

	15 March 2008	Crusaders	55 – 7	Cheetahs	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Scott Hamilton (3), Casey Laulala (2), Sean Maitland, Dan Carter, Leon MacDonald, Ti'i Paulo, Caleb Ralph Con: Dan Carter (5) Pen:		Tries: Jongi Nokwe Con: Conrad Barnard	Attendance: 15,070 Referee:

	15 March 2008	Reds	40 – 8	Bulls	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:05	Tries: Chris Latham, Peter Hynes, Clinton Schifcofske, Morgan Turinui, John Roe Con: Clinton Schifcofske (3) Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (3)		Tries: Fourie du Preez Pen: Derick Hougaard	Attendance: 14,411 Referee:

	15 March 2008	Lions	8 – 16	Sharks	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
	17:00	Tries: Pen: Jaco van Schalkwyk		Tries: BJ Botha Con: Rory Kockott Pen: Rory Kockott (3)	Attendance: 22331 Referee: Mark Lawrence

Round 6[]

	21 March 2008	Crusaders	34 – 7	Waratahs	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Casey Laulala, Mose Tuiali'i, Wyatt Crockett, Scott Hamilton Con: Daniel Carter (4) Pen: Daniel Carter (2)		Tries: Wycliff Palu Con: Kurtley Beale	Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Craig Joubert

	21 March 2008	Brumbies	29 – 23	Cheetahs	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Mark Chisholm, Peter Playford, Tyrone Smith, Mitchell Chapman Con: Mark Gerrard (3) Pen: Mark Gerrard		Tries: Jongi Nokwe, Tewis de Bruyn Con: Conrad Barnard, Jacques-Louis Potgieter Pen: Conrad Barnard (2), Jacques-Louis Potgieter	Attendance: 14,076 Referee: Steve Walsh

	22 March 2008	Highlanders	28 – 36	Western Force	Queenstown Events Centre Oval, Queenstown
	14:30	Tries: Paul Williams, Aaron Bancroft, Fetu'u Vainikolo Con: Daniel Bowden (2) Pen: Daniel Bowden (3)		Tries: , Richard Brown, Ryan Cross Con: Matt Giteau (3) Pen: Matt Giteau (3), Cameron Shepherd (2)	Attendance: 7,500 Referee: Mark Lawrence

	22 March 2008	Blues	17 – 14	Stormers	Eden Park, Auckland
	17:30	Tries: Danny Lee Pen: Ben Atiga (4)		Tries: Conrad Jantjes Pen: Peter Grant (3)	Attendance: 18,511 Referee:

	22 March 2008	Chiefs	43 – 27	Bulls	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	19:35	Tries: Brendon Leonard (2), Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam Con: Stephen Donald (5) Pen: Stephen Donald		Tries: Wynand Olivier, Deon Stegmann, Akona Ndungane Con: Derick Hougaard (3) Pen: Derick Hougaard Drop: Derick Hougaard	Attendance: 6,400 Referee: James Leckie

	22 March 2008	Lions	24 – 24	Reds	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
	17:00	Tries: Joe van Niekerk, Rayno Benjamin Con: Jano Vermaak Pen: Jano Vermaak (3) Drop: Jano Vermaak		Tries: Peter Hynes, Rodney Blake, Chris Latham Con: Clinton Schifcofske (3) Pen: Clinton Schifcofske	Attendance: 5,221 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

Round 7[]

	28 March 2008	Hurricanes	13 – 20	Crusaders	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Tries: Andrew Hore Con: Jimmy Gopperth Pen: Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu		Tries: Corey Flynn , Ali Williams Con: Daniel Carter (2) Pen: Daniel Carter (2)	Attendance: 31,744 Referee: Steve Walsh

	28 March 2008	Waratahs	23 – 19	Cheetahs	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	19:40	Tries: Lachlan Turner, Rocky Elsom Con: Kurtley Beale (2) Pen: Kurtley Beale (3)		Tries: . Jongi Nokwe, Con: Meyer Bosman (2)	Attendance: 20,179 Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	28 March 2008	Western Force	16 – 32	Stormers	Subiaco Oval, Perth
	20:00	Tries: Drew Mitchell, Ryan Cross Pen: Matt Giteau (2)		Tries: Tonderai Chavhanga (2), Jean de Villiers, JD Moller Con: Peter Grant (3) Pen: Peter Grant (2)	Attendance: 24,225 Referee:

	29 March 2008	Chiefs	39 – 24	Highlanders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	17:30	Tries: Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Lelia Masaga (2), Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina Con: Stephen Donald (3) Pen: Stephen Donald		Tries: Fetu'u Vainikolo, Hoani MacDonald (2), Mike Delany Con: Daniel Bowden (2)	Attendance: 11,495 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	29 March 2008	Blues	23 – 21	Bulls	Eden Park, Auckland
	19:35	Tries: Troy Flavell, Keven Mealamu Con: Nick Evans (2) Pen: Nick Evans (2) Drop: Nick Evans		Tries: Wikus van Heerden (2), Con: Derick Hougaard (3)	Attendance: 22,562 Referee: James Leckie

	29 March 2008	Sharks	22 – 10	Reds	ABSA Stadium, Durban
	17:00	Tries: Odwa Ndungane, Stefan Terblanche, Bismarck du Plessis Con: Ruan Pienaar, Rory Kockott Drop: Stefan Terblanche		Tries: David Croft Con: Clinton Schifcofske Pen: Clinton Schifcofske	Attendance: 41,339 Referee: Chris Pollock

Round 8[]

	4 April 2008	Highlanders	29 – 20	Lions	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	19:35	Tries: Paul Williams, Johnny Leota (2), Aaron Bancroft Con: James Wilson (3) Pen: James Wilson		Tries: Willem Alberts, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Walter Venter Con: Jaco van Schalkwyk Pen: Jaco van Schalkwyk	Attendance: 5,600 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	4 April 2008	Brumbies	28 – 42	Chiefs	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Tyrone Smith, Josh Holmes (2), Peter Playford Con: Stirling Mortlock (4)		Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Callum Bruce, Stephen Donald (2), Viliame Waqaseduadua, Jamie Nutbrown Con: Stephen Donald (5), Callum Bruce	Attendance: 14,122 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

	4 April 2008	Western Force	15 – 14	Bulls	Subiaco Oval, Perth
	19:45	Tries: Matt Giteau, Ryan Cross Con: Cameron Shepherd Pen: Cameron Shepherd		Tries: Bryan Habana (2) Con: Derick Hougaard (2)	Attendance: 21,161 Referee: Steve Walsh

	5 April 2008	Hurricanes	13 – 13	Sharks	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Tries: Andrew Hore Con: Jimmy Gopperth Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (2)		Tries: Penalty try Con: Francois Steyn Pen: Francois Steyn, Ruan Pienaar	Attendance: 13,483 Referee:

	5 April 2008	Waratahs	37 – 16	Blues	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	19:40	Tries: Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Wycliff Palu, Lote Tuqiri, Dean Mumm Con: Kurtley Beale (3) Pen: Kurtley Beale (2)		Tries: Troy Flavell, Benson Stanley Pen: Nick Evans (2)	Attendance: 26,986 Referee: Marius Jonker

	5 April 2008	Cheetahs	29 – 14	Reds	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
	17:00	Tries: Rory Duncan, Meyer Bosman, , JW Jonker Con: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (3) Drop: Jacques-Louis Potgieter		Tries: Charlie Fetoai, Brando Va'aulu Con: Clinton Schifcofske (2)	Attendance: 13,000 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

Round 9[]

	11 April 2008	Highlanders	17 – 19	Sharks	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	19:35	Tries: Fetu'u Vainikolo, Clint Newland Con: James Wilson (2) Pen: James Wilson		Tries: Jacques Botes, Ryan Kankowski Pen: Ruan Pienaar (2), Francois Steyn	Referee:

	12 April 2008	Crusaders	31 – 6	Lions	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	17:30	Tries: Sean Maitland, Ti'i Paulo, Caleb Ralph, Andy Ellis Con: Hamish Gard (2) Pen: Hamish Gard (2)		Pen: (2)	Referee:

	12 April 2008	Blues	11 – 16	Brumbies	Eden Park, Auckland
	19:35	Tries: Rudi Wulf Pen: Nick Evans (2)		Tries: Christian Lealiifano Con: Stirling Mortlock Pen: Stirling Mortlock (2), Mark Gerrard	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

	12 April 2008	Western Force	12 – 17	Waratahs	Subiaco Oval, Perth
	19:05	Pen: Matt Giteau, Cameron Shepherd (3)		Tries: Rob Horne, Lachlan Turner Con: Kurtley Beale (2) Pen: Kurtley Beale	Attendance: 22,287 Referee:

	12 April 2008	Stormers	34 – 22	Cheetahs	Newlands, Cape Town
	15:00	Tries: Ricky Januarie, Andries Bekker, Conrad Jantjes, Sireli Naqelevuki (2) Con: Peter Grant (3) Pen: Peter Grant		Tries: , Conrad Barnard, Richardt Strauss Con: Conrad Barnard (2) Pen: Jacques-Louis Potgieter	Attendance: 45,000 (approx.) Referee: Mark Lawrence

	12 April 2008	Bulls	22 – 50	Hurricanes	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	17:05	Tries: Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Jaco Engels Con: Derick Hougaard, Morné Steyn Pen: Derick Hougaard		Tries: Ma'a Nonu (2), Chris Masoe, Conrad Smith, Hika Elliot, Shannon Paku, Cory Jane Con: Jimmy Gopperth (5), Piri Weepu Pen: Jimmy Gopperth	Referee: James Leckie

Round 10[]

	18 April 2008	Chiefs	18 – 5	Crusaders	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Con: Stephen Donald Pen: Stephen Donald (2)		Tries: Andy Ellis	Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Craig Joubert

	18 April 2008	Reds	29 – 12	Western Force	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:40	Tries: Leroy Houston, Morgan Turinui, Andrew Walker Con: Clinton Schifcofske Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (3), Berrick Barnes		Pen: Cameron Shepherd (4)	Attendance: 18,084 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	19 April 2008	Waratahs	26 – 3	Lions	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	17:30	Tries: Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Adam Freier Con: Kurtley Beale (3)		Pen: Jano Vermaak	Attendance: 20,016 Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	19 April 2008	Brumbies	27 – 21	Sharks	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Adam Ashley-Cooper (2), Julian Salvi Con: Mark Gerrard (3) Pen: Mark Gerrard (2)		Tries: Ryan Kankowski, Francois Steyn Con: Rory Kockott Pen: Rory Kockott, Ruan Pienaar Drop: Francois Steyn	Attendance: 13,874 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	19 April 2008	Bulls	47 – 17	Highlanders	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	15:00	Tries: Zane Kirchner (2), Akona Ndungane (2), JP Nel, Pedrie Wannenburg, Con: Morné Steyn (4) Pen: Morné Steyn (3)		Tries: Chris King, Tom Donnelly Con: James Wilson (2) Pen: James Wilson	Attendance: 12,988 Referee:

	19 April 2008	Stormers	20 – 12	Hurricanes	Newlands, Cape Town
	17:05	Tries: Andries Bekker, Schalk Brits Con: Peter Grant (2) Pen: Peter Grant (2)		Tries: Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith Con: Jimmy Gopperth	Attendance: 43,984 Referee: James Leckie

Round 11[]

	25 April 2008	Crusaders	26 – 22	Blues	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Corey Flynn (2), Richie McCaw, Ti’i Paulo Con: Stephen Brett (3)			Referee:

	25 April 2008	Brumbies	28 – 21	Lions	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
	19:40	Tries: Stirling Mortlock, Mark Gerrard, Christian Lealiifano Con: Stirling Mortlock, Mark Gerrard Pen: Stirling Mortlock (2), Mark Gerrard		Tries: Cobus Grobbelaar, Earl Rose (2) Con: Earl Rose (3)	Attendance: 14,078 Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	26 April 2008	Chiefs	32 – 20	Reds	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	19:35	Tries: Lelia Masaga (2), Stephen Donald, Sione Lauaki Con: Stephen Donald (3) Pen: Stephen Donald (2)		Tries: Morgan Turinui (2), Digby Ioane Con: Clinton Schifcofske Drop: Berrick Barnes	Referee: Craig Joubert

	26 April 2008	Waratahs	25 – 10	Sharks	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	19:40	Tries: Wycliff Palu (2), Sam Norton-Knight, Tom Carter Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Lote Tuqiri		Tries: Odwa Ndungane Con: Rory Kockott Pen: Francois Steyn	Attendance: 26,402 Referee: Steve Walsh

	26 April 2008	Cheetahs	10 – 38	Hurricanes	GWK Park, Kimberley
	15:00	Tries: Jongi Nokwe Con: Conrad Barnard Pen: Conrad Barnard		Tries: Jason Eaton, Rodney So'oialo, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Cory Jane, Scott Waldrom Con: Piri Weepu (3), Willie Ripia	Referee:

	26 April 2008	Stormers	26 – 16	Highlanders	Newlands, Cape Town
	17:05	Tries: Tiaan Liebenberg, Schalk Brits Con: Peter Grant (2), Pen: Tony Brown (3), Peter Grant		Tries: Fetu'u Vainikolo Con: Blair Stewart Pen: Mike Delany (3)	Attendance: 41,000 (approx.) Referee: James Leckie

Round 12[]

	2 May 2008	Crusaders	18 – 10	Sharks	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Greg Somerville, Wyatt Crockett Con: Stephen Brett Pen: Stephen Brett (2)		Tries: Ryan Kankowski Con: Rory Kockott Pen: Rory Kockott	Attendance: 16,000 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	2 May 2008	Reds	22 – 35	Blues	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:35	Tries: David Croft, Van Humphries, Peter Hynes Con: Clinton Schifcofske (2) Pen: Clinton Schifcofske		Tries: Jerome Kaino, Isa Nacewa, Kurtis Haiu, Taniela Moa Con: Nick Evans (3) Pen: Nick Evans (2)	Attendance: 15,732 Referee: Marius Jonker

	2 May 2008	Cheetahs	28 – 31	Highlanders	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
	19:10	Tries: JW Jonker, , Hendro Scholtz, Rory Duncan Con: Conrad Barnard (2), Meyer Bosman (2)		Tries: Aaron Bancroft (2), Adam Thomson Con: Mike Delany (2) Pen: Mike Delany (4)	Attendance: 13,491 Referee:

	3 May 2008	Hurricanes	38 – 12	Lions	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Tries: Zac Guildford, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu (2), Scott Waldrom Con: Willie Ripia, Jimmy Gopperth Pen: Willie Ripia (3)		Tries: Willie Wepener, Jannie Boshoff Con: Earl Rose	Attendance: 13,986[3] Referee:

	3 May 2008	Western Force	22 – 21	Chiefs	Subiaco Oval, Perth
	19:05	Tries: Matt Hodgson, Drew Mitchell, James Stannard Con: Matt Giteau (2) Pen: Matt Giteau		Tries: Lelia Masaga, Stephen Donald Con: Stephen Donald Pen: Stephen Donald (2) Drop: Callum Bruce	Attendance: 21,549 Referee: Marius Jonker

	3 May 2008	Bulls	16 – 13	Waratahs	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	15:00	Tries: Con: Morné Steyn Pen: Morné Steyn Drop: Morné Steyn, Derick Hougaard		Tries: Rob Horne Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Kurtley Beale Drop: Kurtley Beale	Attendance: 12,410 Referee:

	3 May 2008	Stormers	20 – 10	Brumbies	Newlands, Cape Town
	17:05	Tries: Jean de Villiers, Penalty try Con: Peter Grant (2) Pen: Peter Grant (2)		Tries: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Kimlin	Attendance: 44,539 Referee: Steve Walsh

Round 13[]

	9 May 2008	Hurricanes	21 – 10	Western Force	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	19:35	Tries: Andrew Hore, Hosea Gear Con: Piri Weepu Pen: Piri Weepu (3)		Tries: Cameron Shepherd Con: Matt Giteau Pen: Matt Giteau	Attendance: 16,899 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

	9 May 2008	Bulls	28 – 17	Brumbies	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
	19:10	Tries: JP Nel, Wikus van Heerden, Wynand Olivier Con: Morné Steyn (2) Pen: Morné Steyn (3)		Tries: Alister Campbell, Peter Kimlin Con: Stirling Mortlock (2) Pen: Stirling Mortlock	Attendance: 19,544 Referee: Steve Walsh

	10 May 2008	Highlanders	15 – 40	Blues	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	19:35	Tries: Aaron Bancroft, Adam Thomson Con: Mike Delany Pen: Mike Delany		Tries: Nick Evans (2), Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, David Smith Con: Nick Evans (2), Ben Atiga Pen: Nick Evans (3)	Attendance: 8,500 Referee: Chris Pollock

	10 May 2008	Reds	21 – 27	Crusaders	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:40	Tries: James Horwill, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper Con: Clinton Schifcofske (3)		Tries: Kieran Read , Kade Poki, Ali Williams, Daniel Carter Con: Daniel Carter (6) Pen: Stephen Brett	Attendance: 21,768 Referee: Mark Lawrence

	10 May 2008	Sharks	33 – 14	Cheetahs	ABSA Stadium, Durban
	15:00	Tries: Jacques Botes (3), Odwa Ndungane (2) Con: Rory Kockott (4)		Tries: , Meyer Bosman Con: Conrad Barnard,	Attendance: 24,850 Referee:

	10 May 2008	Lions	33 – 27	Chiefs	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
	17:05	Tries: , Willem Alberts, Cobus Grobbelaar Con: Earl Rose (3) Pen: Earl Rose (4)		Tries: Aled de Malmanche, Lelia Masaga, Mils Muliaina Con: Stephen Donald (3) Pen: Stephen Donald (2)	Attendance: 4,500 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	10 May 2008	Stormers	13 – 13	Waratahs	Newlands, Cape Town
	19:10	Tries: Sireli Naqelevuki, Wylie Human Pen: Tony Brown		Tries: Lote Tuqiri Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Kurtley Beale (2)	Attendance: 45,712 Referee:

Round 14[]

	16 May 2008	Blues	19 – 17	Hurricanes	Eden Park, Auckland
	19:35	Tries: Anthony Boric Con: Nick Evans Pen: Nick Evans (4)		Tries: Hosea Gear (2) Con: Piri Weepu (2) Pen: Piri Weepu	Attendance: 37,352 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	16 May 2008	Western Force	29 – 22	Brumbies	Subiaco Oval, Perth
	19:05	Tries: James O'Connor, Josh Tatupu, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young Con: Matt Giteau (3) Pen: Matt Giteau		Tries: Francis Fainifo (2), Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper Con: Stirling Mortlock	Attendance: 21,350 Referee:

	17 May 2008	Crusaders	14 – 26	Highlanders	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Corey Flynn (4) Pen: Dan Carter (6)		Tries: Paul Williams, Toby Morland, Adam Thomson Con: Mike Delany Pen: Mike Delany (3)	Referee:

	17 May 2008	Reds	11 – 18	Waratahs	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
	19:40	Tries: Peter Hynes Pen: Clinton Schifcofske (2)		Tries: Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Kurtley Beale (2)	Attendance: 27,688 Referee:

	17 May 2008	Lions	13 – 22	Stormers	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
	15:00	Tries: Earl Rose, Jannie Boshoff Pen: Earl Rose		Tries: Jean de Villiers, Sireli Naqelevuki, Robbie Diack Con: Peter Grant (2) Pen: Peter Grant	Referee: Marius Jonker

	17 May 2008	Cheetahs	20 – 60	Bulls	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
	17:05	Tries: JW Jonker, Jongi Nokwe Con: Tewis de Bruyn Pen: Tewis de Bruyn		Tries: Akona Ndungane (2), Pierre Spies, Bryan Habana (2), Morné Steyn, Zane Kirchner Con: Morné Steyn (7) Pen: Morné Steyn	Referee:

	17 May 2008	Sharks	47 – 25	Chiefs	ABSA Stadium, Durban
	19:10	Tries: Ruan Pienaar, Adrian Jacobs, Bismarck du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Ryan Kankowski (2), Odwa Ndungane Con: Rory Kockott (6)		Tries: Faifili Levave, Mils Muliaina, Viliame Waqaseduadua Con: Stephen Donald (2) Pen: Stephen Donald	Referee: Stuart Dickinson

Finals[]

Semi finals[]

	24 May 2008	Crusaders	33 – 22	Hurricanes	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Leon MacDonald (2), Kieran Read Con: Daniel Carter (3) Pen: Daniel Carter (4)		Tries: Zac Guildford, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata Con: Jimmy Gopperth, Jerry Collins Pen: Piri Weepu	Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	24 May 2008	Waratahs	28 – 13	Sharks	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
	20:00	Tries: Lote Tuqiri, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess Con: Kurtley Beale Pen: Kurtley Beale Drop: Kurtley Beale		Tries: Craig Burden Con: Rory Kockott Pen: Ruan Pienaar Drop: Ruan Pienaar	Attendance: 37,378 Referee: Bryce Lawrence

Grand final[]

The final of the 2008 Super 14 season took place on 31 May 2008 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. The match was hosted by the Crusaders who defeated the New South Wales Waratahs by 20 points to 12.

The match[]

First half

The Crusaders scored the first points of the game when fly-half Dan Carter kicked a penalty in the fourth minute, giving the Crusaders a 3–0 lead.^[4] The Waratahs scored their first points of the match when Kurtley Beale kicked the ball across field, and Waratah's winger Lachlan Turner caught the ball to score a try.^[5] The attempted conversion by Beale was unsuccessful, leaving the Waratahs with a 5-3 lead.

The next score occurred in the 25th minute when Waratahs flanker Phil Waugh intercepted a pass from Dan Carter. Waugh passed to Turner who chipped the ball and then collected to score his second try. Beale's conversion was successful and the Waratahs extended their lead to 12–3.^[5] Carter kicked a penalty in the 32nd minute to reduce the Waratahs lead to 12–6.^[6] The final score before half time came in the 38th minute when Crusaders No. 8 Mose Tuiali'i scored in the right hand corner.^[5] Carter's conversion was unsuccessful, and the half ended with the Waratahs leading by 12 points to 11.^[6]

Second half

In the 46th minute the Crusaders took the lead again by 14 points to 12 via a Dan Carter penalty.^[4] The Crusaders looked to have scored their second try in the 56th minute when prop Wyatt Crockett landed on a loose ball in the Waratahs in-goal area, but play was taken back 60 metres after touch judge reported that Crusaders lock Brad Thorn had thrown a punch. The try was disallowed and the Crusaders penalised. Thorn was given a yellow card and sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.^[5]

Despite having an extra man for the next ten minutes, the Waratahs were unable to score,^[4] and were further hampered by the loss of Kurtley Beale to injury. In the 70th minute Carter kicked a drop-goal to take the Crusaders lead to 17–12, and four minutes later kicked a penalty to further extend the lead to 20–12. With only minutes remaining Crusaders winger Scott Hamilton dropped the ball only metres from the Waratahs try-line. The score remained at 20-12, and the Crusaders won their seventh Super rugby title.^[5]

Match details[]

	31 May 2008	Crusaders	20 – 12	Waratahs	AMI Stadium, Christchurch
	19:35	Tries: Tuiali'i Pen: Carter (4) Drop: Carter	(Report)	Tries: Turner (2) Con: Beale	Attendance: 26,000 Referee: Mark Lawrence

Crusaders: FB 15 Leon MacDonald RW 14 Kade Poki CT 13 Casey Laulala SF 12 Tim Bateman LW 11 Scott Hamilton FF 10 Dan Carter HB 9 Andy Ellis N8 8 Mose Tuiali'i OF 7 Richie McCaw BF 6 Kieran Read RL 5 Ali Williams LL 4 Brad Thorn TP 3 Greg Somerville HK 2 Ti’i Paulo LP 1 Wyatt Crockett Substitutes: HK 16 Steve Fualau LP 17 Ben Franks RL 18 Reuben Thorne N8 19 Nasi Manu HB 20 Kahn Fotuali'i FF 21 Stephen Brett RW 22 Sean Maitland Coach: Robbie Deans

Waratahs: FB 15 Sam Norton-Knight RW 14 Lachlan Turner CT 13 Rob Horne SF 12 Tom Carter LW 11 Lote Tuqiri FF 10 Kurtley Beale HB 9 Luke Burgess N8 8 Wycliff Palu OF 7 Phil Waugh BF 6 Rocky Elsom RL 5 Dean Mumm LL 4 Dan Vickerman TP 3 Al Baxter HK 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau LP 1 Benn Robinson Substitutions: HK 16 Adam Freier LP 17 Matt Dunning RL 18 Will Caldwell N8 19 Beau Robinson HB 20 Brett Sheehan FF 21 Matthew Carraro FB 22 Timana Tahu Coach: Ewen McKenzie

Touch judges: Craig Joubert Television match official:

Player statistics[]

Leading try scorers[]

Top 3 try scorers (Stats)
Pos	Name	Tries	Pld	Team
1	Lelia Masaga	8	11	Chiefs
2	Ma'a Nonu	7	11	Hurricanes
3	Fetu'u Vainikolo	6	10	Highlanders
	Stephen Donald	6	11	Chiefs
5	Jacques Botes	6	14	Sharks
	Odwa Ndungane	6	13	Sharks
7	Ryan Kankowski	5	14	Sharks
	John Roe	5	9	Reds
	Peter Hynes	5	13	Reds
	Andy Ellis	5	8	Crusaders
	Akona Ndungane	5	8	Bulls
	Jongi Nokwe	5	10	Cheetahs
	Wycliff Palu	5	10	Waratahs
	Andrew Hore	5	11	Hurricanes
	Dan Carter	5	11	Crusaders

Leading point scorers[]

Top 3 overall point scorers (Stats)
Pos	Name	Points	Pld	Team
1	Stephen Donald	143 (6T, 28C, 19P)	12	Chiefs
2	Nick Evans	136 (4T, 22C, 23P)	11	Blues
3	Dan Carter	112 (5T, 24C, 13P)	8	Crusaders

Attendances[]

Team	Main Stadium	Capacity	Total Attendance	Average Attendance	% Capacity
Blues	Eden Park	50,000
Chiefs	Waikato Stadium	25,800
Hurricanes	Westpac Stadium	34,500
Crusaders	Jade Stadium	36,500
Highlanders	Carisbrook	29,000
Reds	Suncorp Stadium	52,500
Brumbies	Canberra Stadium	25,011
Western Force	Subiaco Oval	43,500
Waratahs	Sydney Football Stadium	44,000
Sharks	ABSA Stadium	52,000
Bulls	Loftus Versfeld	51,762
Lions	Ellis Park	62,567
Cheetahs	Free State Stadium	46,000
Stormers	Newlands Stadium	51,900

References[]

External links[]

• "2008 Super 14 Fixtures". super14.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2007.
• "New Laws Explained". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2008.