2012 Super Rugby final

Men's rugby union club competition August 2020 December 2015 2012 Super Rugby Final 2012 Super Rugby season Chiefs NZL rugby union 30px 37 Sharks SAF rugby union 30px 6 4 August 2012 Waikato Stadium Hamilton Steve Walsh (New Zealand) 2011 2013 The 2012 Super Rugby final was played between the South African Sharks and the New Zealand Chiefs Super Rugby teams on 4 August 2012. It was the 17th final in the Southern Hemisphere's premier transnational club rugby competition's history and the second under the newly expanded 15-team format. The Chiefs had qualified second highest during the regular season, while the Sharks qualified as the sixth, and lowest, team. The Chiefs went straight to the semi-final, where they beat fellow New Zealand team the Crusaders. The Sharks travelled to Brisbane and beat the Queensland Reds in the qualifying final and then the Stormers back in South Africa in the semi-final. As the Chiefs had qualified higher than the Sharks the final was played at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. In part due to the level of travel the Sharks had to make during the finals series (travelling from South Africa to Australia, back to South Africa and then on to New Zealand in just three weeks) they entered the grand final as the underdogs. They started the stronger, however, and scored first points through a penalty. The Chiefs struck back, scoring a converted try and two penalties to lead 13–3 at half-time. They extended the lead in the second half, outscoring the Sharks with three more converted tries and a penalty to just the one penalty for the visitors. The Chiefs won the game with a final score of 37–6. It was the Chiefs' first victory in the competition from their second final, and their first Grand Final appearance since 2009. For the Sharks, it was their fourth final defeat, and their first Grand Final appearance since 2007. Road to the final Final StandingsPosTeamWDLPDTBLBPts 1 Stormers y 14 0 2 +96 0 2 66 2 Chiefs y 12 0 4 +86 5 3 64 3 Reds y 11 0 5 +12 4 2 58 4 Crusaders y 11 0 5 +142 5 4 61 5 Bulls y 10 0 6 +103 6 5 59 6 Sharks y 10 0 6 +88 7 4 59 7 Brumbies y 10 0 6 +73 5 5 58 8 Hurricanes y 10 0 6 +60 8 1 57 9 Highlanders y 9 0 7 −26 2 4 50 10 Cheetahs y 5 0 11 −67 3 7 38 11 Waratahs y 4 0 12 −61 3 8 35 12 Blues y 4 0 12 −71 2 6 32 13 Rebels y 4 0 12 −158 3 5 32 14 Force y 3 0 13 −134 2 5 27 15 Lions y 3 0 13 −143 2 3 25 2012 Super Rugby season The 2012 Super Rugby competition involved fifteen teams, five each from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/about-super-rugby/ About Super rugby SANZAR 2 August 2012 2012 marked the 17th season of the competition,Super teams prepare for mid-season interruption Jim Morton Stuff.co.nz http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/6438205/Super-teams-prepare-for-mid-season-interruption 17 February 2012 6 August 2012 and the second in the expanded 15 team format (12 teams competed between 1996 and 2005, before increasing to 14 between 2006 and 2010). The competition began on 24 February with the regular season consisting of 120 matches over twenty one weeks. Each team played teams from their own country twice (home and a way) and four teams from each of the other two countries once (two at home and two away). The top six teams after the regular season would advance to the finals. Unlike previous years, there was a three-week break between Week 15 and Week 19 to allow the three countries to play international rugby against Northern Hemisphere teams. The Stormers finished top of the South African conference and topped the overall standings, with just two losses (to the Crusaders and Sharks). The Chiefs won the New Zealand conference and finished second overall, losing four games in total (including the last two of the regular season to drop below the Stormers). As the two top finishers both teams advanced straight into home semi-finals. The Reds beat the Waratahs in their final game of the regular season to finished top of the Australian conference after the Brumbies lost to the Blues earlier in the round. Despite finishing on the lowest points overall of the six finalists they qualified third as the top Australian team. The Crusaders, Bulls and Sharks filled the remaining three places as the next top finishers during the regular season. The Crusaders hosted the Bulls in Christchurch in the first qualifying final, while the Sharks traveled to Brisbane to play the Reds. The Crusaders eased passed the Bulls in the first qualifier, with All Black five eight Dan Carter scoring 23 points in their 28–13 victory.The Crusaders cruise past the Bulls 28-13 in Christchurch to advance to Super Rugby semi-finals Fox Sport 21 July 2012 6 August 2012 https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/crusaders-take-on-the-blues-in-christchurch-in-first-super-rugby-qualifying-final/story-e6frf4qu-1226431601984 In Brisbane the Sharks upset the Reds in the second qualifier, leading 20–3 after 30 minutes and out defending the opposition to win with a final score of 30–17.Queensland Reds lose 30-17 in Super Rugby qualifying final to brilliant defensive effort from Sharks Laine Clark Fox Sports https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/reds-take-on-sharks-at-suncorp-stadium-in-super-rugby-qualifying-final/story-e6frf4qu-1226431629085 21 July 2012 6 August 2012 Australian Associated Press The two semi-finals were local derbies, with the Sharks playing the Stormers in Cape Town and the Crusaders playing the Chiefs in Hamilton. Both games were much closer than the qualifiers. The Chiefs held out the Crusaders to win 20–17,Chiefs edge Crusaders in semifinal nailbiter Evan Pegden 27 July 2012 http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7366140/Chiefs-edge-Crusaders-in-semifinal-nailbiter Fairfax NZ News 6 August 2012 while the Sharks had to withstand a late surge from the Stormers to win 26–19.Sharks beat Stormers in Super Rugby semi-final, play Chiefs in final in Hamilton 29 July 2012 Fox Sport https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/sharks-beat-stormers-in-super-rugby-semi-final-play-chiefs-in-final-in-hamilton/story-e6frf4qu-1226437729873 6 August 2012 Australian Associated Press 21 July 2012 4 Crusaders y 28 5 Bulls y 13 21 July 2012 3 Reds y 17 6 Sharks y 30 27 July 2012 2 Chiefs y 20 4 Crusaders y 17 28 July 2012 1 Stormers y 19 6 Sharks y 26 4 August 2012 Chiefs y 37 Sharks y 6 Build-up The Sharks entered the final as underdogs. Ladbrokes gave 2/1 odds to the Sharks compared to 4/9 for the Chiefs, while the TAB paid $3.10 for a Sharks win compared to $1.13 for a Chiefs win.The New Zealand Herald Hamilton gears up for Super Rugby final James Ihaka 3 August 2012 6 August 2012 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10824196Bookies don't fancy Sharks Sport 24 30 July 2012 6 August 2012 http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Bookies-dont-fancy-Sharks-20120730 The Sharks had to travel from South Africa to Australia, back to South Africa and then on to New Zealand during the final series. Former Springbok and current Brumbies coach Jake White believed this would make the task much harder for the Sharks.Sharks face one trip too many: White 3 August 2012 Adrian Warren The Canberra Times https://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/sharks-face-one-trip-too-many-white-20120802-23i6c.html 6 August 2012 Prior to the final the two teams played each other fifteen times, with the Chiefs winning 8 of the encounters to the Sharks 7. During the regular season they met in Week 9 and the Chiefs won 18–12 in Durban. The Chiefs have only made the final once before, in 2009 when the Bulls beat them 61–17 in Pretoria (a record margin in Super Rugby finals). The Sharks had previously made three Super Rugby finals, losing all three to the Blues in 1996, the Brumbies in 2001 and the Bulls in 2007.Are the stats in the Chiefs favour? Tracey Nelson 3 August 2012 The New Zealand Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10824378 6 August 2012 The title has only been won by the visiting team four times (Crusaders in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and the Bulls in 2007) and only one of those occasions has been when traveling to a foreign country (when the Crusaders beat the Brumbies in Canberra in 2000). The Sharks team broke up the flight to New Zealand by spending most of the week in Sydney before heading to Hamilton.The Sharks dock in Sydney before battling the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final Jamie Pandaram The Daily Telegraph 30 July 2012 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/the-sharks-dock-in-sydney-before-battling-the-chiefs-in-the-super-rugby-final/story-fn8ti7yn-1226437996152 6 August 2012 Sharks centre Tim Whitehead was not available after he broke his hand in the semi-final, although previously injured utility backs Patrick Lambie and Paul Jordaan have both just recovered and played in the final. The Chiefs squad was the same that beat the Crusaders after in doubt captain Craig Clark recovered in time from a leg injury.Rugby: Why the Chiefs should beat the Sharks Patrick McKendry 3 August 2012 6 August 2012 The New Zealand Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10824410 Rugby journalist Spiro Zavos predicted that a key match-up would be between the two international centres, Sonny Bill Williams from the Chiefs and JP Pietersen from the Sharks.Awesome Super Rugby final sees Chiefs vs Sharks, SBW vs Pietersen Spiro Zavos 30 July 2012 6 August 2012 The Roar http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/07/30/awesome-super-rugby-final-sees-chiefs-v-sharks-sbw-v-pietersen/ Steve Walsh, the referee of the Sharks vs Stormers game, was named to officiate the final. Walsh, a former New Zealand referee before joining the Australian conference in 2010, was controlling his second Super Rugby Final after refereeing the Bulls vs Sharks game in 2007.Steve Walsh finds redemption in Super Rugby final 2 August 2012 6 August 2012 ONE Sport http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/steve-walsh-finds-redemption-in-super-final-5004063 His assistants were Craig Joubert, the referee of the Chiefs vs Crusaders semi-final, and Keith Brown, with Garratt Williamson the video referee.Walsh to referee Super Rugby Final 6 August 2012 30 July 2012 Planet Rugby http://www.planet-rugby.co.za/story/0,25883,3551_7949870,00.html https://archive.today/20130421214245/http://www.planet-rugby.co.za/story/0,25883,3551_7949870,00.html dead 21 April 2013 The 25,100 tickets for the final sold out three days before the game. Season members and sponsors purchased 8000 while the public bought the remaining tickets two hours after they went on sale.Chiefs, Sharks Super Rugby final sold out Duncan Johnstone 1 August 2012 6 August 2012 http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7391752/Chiefs-Sharks-Super-Rugby-final-sold-out Fairfax NZ Big screens were erected for fans in Hamilton at Garden Place and on Hood Street. Match Summary The Chiefs won the game 37–6, scoring four tries to none, to claim their first Super Rugby title. The Sharks dominated the match early, scoring first points when Frédéric Michalak kicked a penalty after six minutes. The Chiefs worked their way back into the game, scoring the first try in the 19th minute. Andrew Horrell claimed an Aaron Cruden chip kick and after a Sonny Bill Williams break the ball was moved wide for Tim Nanai-Williams to score in the corner.The Sydney Morning Herald Chiefs hammer Sharks in Super Rugby final 4 August 2012 4 August 2012 Evan Pegden https://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-match-report/chiefs-hammer-sharks-in-super-rugby-final-20120804-23mi5.html#ixzz22ZszZIQc Cruden converted the try and then kicked two more penalties after Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis infringed to have the Chiefs leading 13–3 at half time.Sonny Bill Williams bows out of rugby with a Super Rugby title as Chiefs defeat the Sharks 37-6 Daniel Gilhooly Fox Sports 4 August 2012 https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/sonny-bill-williams-bows-out-of-rugby-with-a-super-rugby-title-as-chiefs-defeat-the-sharks-37-6/story-e6frf4qu-1226442912859 4 August 2012 The Chiefs scored their second try early in the second half. After Michalak's clearing kick got charged down in goal number eight Kane Thompson drove over from the resulting five-metre scrum. The conversion from Cruden made the score 20–3 in favour of the Chiefs. Michalak kicked a second penalty with 30 minutes remaining to bring the Sharks within fourteen points, before Lelia Masaga claimed a mis-directed Sharks pass, resulting from a big Williams tackle,https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/sonny-bill-williams-finishes-sting-in-new-zealand-rugby-with-super-15-victory-for-chiefs-over-sharks/news-story/45eb2117b9025c60a01ea4ede9447293 The Daily Telegraph Sonny Bill Williams finishes sting in New Zealand rugby with Super 15 victory for Chiefs over Sharks 5 August 2012 and outran the defence to score the Chiefs third try.Chiefs hammer Sharks to claim title SA Rugby 4 August 2012 6 June 2016 http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1515611&leagueid=1041 https://web.archive.org/web/20160607175423/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1515611&leagueid=1041 dead 7 June 2016 The conversion gave the Chiefs a 27–6 lead going into the final quarter of the game. Cruden kicked one more penalty before Williams scored the fourth and final try in the last few minutes to give the Chiefs a convincing victory. Details 4 August 2012 Chiefs 37–6 Sharks Tim Nanai-Williams 19' Kane Thompson 46' Lelia Masaga 61' Sonny Bill Williams 77' Aaron Cruden 20', 47', 62', 78' (4/4) Aaron Cruden 25', 34', 72' (3/5) Frédéric Michalak 6', 52' (2/2) Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 25,100 Steve Walsh (Australia) _shoulder_stripes_black_stripes _yellowblackhorizontal _shoulder_stripes_black_stripes _yellow_stripes _yellowtop F02121 090908 F02121 090908 090908 Chiefs _whitetop FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 090908 090908 Sharks FB 15Robbie RobinsonRW 14Tim Nanai-WilliamsOC 13Andrew HorrellIC 12Sonny Bill WilliamsLW 11Asaeli TikoirotumaFH 10Aaron CrudenSH 9 Tawera Kerr-BarlowN8 8 Kane ThompsonBF 7 Tanerau LatimerOF 6 Liam MessamRL 5 Brodie RetallickLL 4 Craig Clarke (c)TP 3 Ben TameifunaHK 2 Mahonri SchwalgerLP 1 Sona TaumaloloSubstitutes:HK 16Hika ElliotTP 17Ben AfeakiRL 18Michael FitzgeraldOF 19Sam CaneHB 20Brendon LeonardFB 21Jackson WillisonRW 22Lelia MasagaCoach:NZL Dave Rennie FB 15Patrick LambieRW 14Louis LudikOC 13JP PietersenIC 12Paul JordaanLW 11Lwazi MvovoFH 10Frédéric MichalakSH 9 Charl McLeodN8 8 Ryan KankowskiOF 7 Marcell CoetzeeBF 6 Keegan Daniel (c)RL 5 Anton BreslerLL 4 Willem AlbertsTP 3 Jannie du PlessisHK 2 Bismarck du PlessisLP 1 Tendai MtawariraSubstitutions:HK 16Craig BurdenTP 17Wiehahn HerbstLL 18Steven SykesOF 19Jacques BotesN8 20Jean DeyselOC 21Meyer BosmanFH 22Riaan ViljoenCoach:RSA John Plumtree Man of the Match: Liam Messam (Chiefs) Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Keith Brown (New Zealand) Television match official: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand) References 33em Super Rugby Final 2011 Super Rugby Final 2013 Super Rugby Final 2012 Final 2012 Category:2012 in South African rugby union Category:2012 in New Zealand rugby union Category:Chiefs (Super Rugby) matches Category:Sharks (rugby union) matches Category:Sport in Hamilton, New Zealand Category:Organised events in Hamilton, New Zealand Category:2010s in Hamilton, New Zealand 2012