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| 1997 Super 12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries |  Australia South Africa New Zealand | ||
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin andknockout | ||
| Champions | Auckland Blues (2nd title) | ||
| Matches played | 69 | ||
| Top point scorer(s) | Gavin Lawless (170) (Sharks) | ||
| Top try scorer(s) | Joe Roff (16) (ACT Brumbies) | ||
| |||
The1997 Super 12 season was the second season of theSuper 12, contested byrugby union teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from 28 February to 31 May 1997, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the play-off semi-finals, with the first-placed team playing the fourth and the second-placed team playing the third. The winner of each semi-final qualified for the final, which was contested by the Auckland Blues and the ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, Auckland. The Blues won 23–7 to win their second Super 12 title.
While the three Australian and five New Zealand teams remained the same as the1996 season, the South African teams made changes.Transvaal, after the changes of the political landscape of South Africa, became known as the Gauteng Lions, whileWestern Province, after not making the top four of the 1996 Currie Cup, were replaced byFree State ofBloemfontein.
| Top four teams advance to playoffs |
| Pos. | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland Blues | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 435 | 283 | 152 | 8 | 50 |
| 2 | ACT Brumbies | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 406 | 291 | 115 | 9 | 41 |
| 3 | Wellington Hurricanes | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 416 | 314 | 102 | 10 | 34 |
| 4 | Sharks | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 321 | 350 | −29 | 6 | 30 |
| 5 | Gauteng Lions | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 302 | 346 | −44 | 6 | 28 |
| 6 | Canterbury Crusaders | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 272 | 235 | 37 | 4 | 26 |
| 7 | Free State | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 301 | 327 | −26 | 5 | 25 |
| 8 | Northern Transvaal | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 264 | 342 | −78 | 4 | 22 |
| 9 | NSW Waratahs | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 255 | 296 | −41 | 4 | 20 |
| 10 | Queensland Reds | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 263 | 318 | −55 | 4 | 20 |
| 11 | Waikato Chiefs | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 272 | 295 | −23 | 3 | 19 |
| 12 | Otago Highlanders | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 299 | 409 | −110 | 5 | 17 |
Points breakdown:
The playoffs follow a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 system with the highest placed team at home
| 28 February 1997 | Wellington Hurricanes | 18–23 | Waikato Chiefs | The Showgrounds,Palmerston North | ||
| Try:Jarrod Cunningham Tana Umaga Con:Jon Preston Pen:Jon Preston (2) | Scoreboard[1] | Try:Eric Rush Glen Osborne Walter Little Con:Matthew Cooper Pen:Matthew Cooper (2) | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 1 March 1997 | Queensland Reds | 19–24 | ACT Brumbies | Ballymore Stadium,Brisbane | ||
| Try:Tim Horan (2) Barry Lea Con:John Eales (2) | Scoreboard[2] | Try:Adam Magro Pat Howard Stephen Larkham Con:David Knox (3) Pen:David Knox | Attendance: 15,100 Referee:Peter Marshall (Australia) |
| 1 March 1997 | Northern Transvaal | 40–40 | Auckland Blues | Loftus Versfeld,Pretoria | ||
| Try:Adriaan Richter (3) Henry Tromp Con:Theo Van Rensburg (4) Pen:Theo Van Rensburg (4) | Scoreboard[3] | Try:Brian Lima (2) Carlos Spencer (2) Adrian Cashmore Con:Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen:Adrian Cashmore (3) | Attendance: 20,000 Referee:André Watson (South Africa) |
| 2 March 1997 | Free State | 20–24 | Gauteng Lions | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | ||
| Try:André Venter Stephen Brink Con:MJ Smith Pen:MJ Smith | Scoreboard[4] | Try:Gavin Johnson Hannes Strydom Con:Gavin Johnson Pen:Gavin Johnson Johan Roux (3) |
| 7 March 1997 | Free State | 15–24 | Auckland Blues | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | ||
| Pen:Jannie de Beer | Scoreboard[5] | Try:Joeli Vidiri Ofisa Tonu'u Con:Adrian Cashmore Pen:Adrian Cashmore (4) | Referee:Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
| 7 March 1997 | Canterbury Crusaders | 19–17 | Wellington Hurricanes | Lancaster Park,Christchurch | ||
| Try:James Kerr Con:Daryl Lilley Pen:Daryl Lilley (4) | Scoreboard[6] | Try:Alama Ieremia Jon Preston Con:Jon Preston (2) Pen:Jon Preston | Referee:Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
| 8 March 1997 | NSW Waratahs | 26–33 | Waikato Chiefs | Sydney Football Stadium,Sydney | ||
| Try:Matt Burke Richard Harry Con:Matt Burke (2) Pen:Matt Burke (4) | Scoreboard[7] | Try:Eric Rush (2) Errol Brain Con:Matthew Cooper (3) Pen:Matthew Cooper (4) | Referee:Andrew Cole (Australia) |
| 8 March 1997 | Sharks | 75–43 | Otago Highlanders | Kings Park Stadium,Durban | ||
| Try:Gavin Lawless (4) Jozuzi Joubert (2) Henry Honiball Jeremy Thomson John Allan Con:Gavin Lawless (9) Pen:Gavin Lawless (4) | Scoreboard[8] | Try:Jeff Wilson Kees Meeuws Lio Falaniko Manassa Bari Romi Ropati Tony Brown Con:Tony Brown (5) Pen:Tony Brown | Referee:André Watson (South Africa) |
| 8 March 1997 | Northern Transvaal | 14–3 | Queensland Reds | Loftus Versfeld,Pretoria | ||
| Try:Joost Van der Westhuizen (2) Con:Theo Van Rensburg (2) | Scoreboard[9] | Pen:John Eales | Attendance: 15,000 Referee:Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
| 9 March 1997 | Gauteng Lions | 44–36 | ACT Brumbies | Ellis Park,Johannesburg | ||
| Try:Hennie le Roux Ian McDonald Japie Mulder Joe Gillingham Johan Roux Con:Gavin Johnson (5) Pen:Gavin Johnson (3) | Scoreboard[10] | Try:Stephen Larkham (2) George Gregan Joe Roff Pat Howard Con:David Knox (4) Pen:David Knox | Attendance: 12,000 |
| 14 March 1997 | Gauteng Lions | 47–29 | Otago Highlanders | Ellis Park,Johannesburg | ||
| Try:Andre Vos Gavin Johnson (2) Jannie van der Walt Kobus Wiese Con:Gavin Johnson (5) Pen:Gavin Johnson (4) | Try:Jeff Wilson Manassa Bari Romi Ropati Taine Randell Con:Tony Brown (3) Pen:Tony Brown | Referee:Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
| 14 March 1997 | NSW Waratahs | 25–8 | Canterbury Crusaders | Sydney Football Stadium,Sydney | ||
| Try:Daniel Manu (2) Pen:Matt Burke (5) | Try:Daryl Lilley Pen:Daryl Lilley | Attendance: 22,000 |
| 15 March 1997 | Free State | 35–24 | Queensland Reds | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | ||
| Try:Charl van Rensburg Jan-Harm van Wyk Werner Swanepoel Con:Jannie de Beer Pen:Jannie de Beer (5) Drop:Jannie de Beer | Try:Dan Crowley Jason Little Shane Drahm Con:John Eales (3) Drop:Shane Drahm | Referee:Carl Spannenberg (South Africa) |
| 15 March 1997 | Waikato Chiefs | 16–26 | Auckland Blues | North Harbour Stadium,Albany | ||
| Try:Scott McLeod Con:Bruce Reihana Pen:Bruce Reihana (2) Matt Cooper | Try:Joeli Vidiri Zinzan Brooke Penalty try Con:Carlos Spencer Pen:Carlos Spencer (2) Drop:Carlos Spencer | Attendance: 25,000 Referee:Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
| 16 March 1997 | Sharks | 35–26 | ACT Brumbies | ABSA Stadium,Durban | ||
| Try:Joos Joubert (3) Walter Minnaar Con:Gavin Lawless (3) Pen:Gavin Lawless (3) | Try:Joe Roff John Langford Marco Caputo Stephen Larkham Con:Joe Roff (3) | Referee:Johann Meuwesen (South Africa) |
| 16 March 1997 | Wellington Hurricanes | 64–32 | Northern Transvaal | Yarrow Stadium,New Plymouth | ||
| Try:Finau Maka Mark Allen Martin Leslie (2) Norm Hewitt Tana Umaga (3) Con:Jarrod Cunningham Jon Preston (5) Pen:Jon Preston (4) | Try: Penalty try FA Meiring Johan Otto Schutte Bekker Con:Theo van Rensburg (3) Pen:Theo van Rensburg (2) | Referee:Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
| 22 March 1997 | Otago Highlanders | 27–7 | Northern Transvaal | Carisbrook,Dunedin | ||
| Try:Jeff Wilson Pailate Fili Con:Simon Culhane Pen:Simon Culhane (5) | Try:Ruben Kruger Con:Dirkie Nortje | Referee:Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
| 22 March 1997 | Gauteng Lions | 36–27 | NSW Waratahs | Ellis Park,Johannesburg | ||
| Try:Gavin Johnson Johan Roux Kobus Wiese Con:Gavin Johnson (3) Pen:Gavin Johnson (5) | Try:Alistair Murdoch Fili Finau Stuart Pinkerton Con:Matt Burke (3) Pen:Matt Burke (2) | Attendance: 22,636 Referee:André Watson (South Africa) |
| 22 March 1997 | Waikato Chiefs | 31–16 | Queensland Reds | Waikato Stadium,Hamilton | ||
| Try:Bruce Reihana Dion Matthews Matt Cooper Con:Matt Cooper (2) Pen:Matt Cooper (4) | Try:Ben Tune Con:John Eales Pen:John Eales (3) | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 22 March 1997 | ACT Brumbies | 49–29 | Canterbury Crusaders | Canberra Stadium,Canberra | ||
| Try:George Gregan Ipolito Fenukitau (3) John Langford Mitch Hardy Con:David Knox (2) Pen:David Knox (4) Drop:David Knox | Try:James Kerr Paula Bale Scott Robertson Tabai Matson (2) Con:Leon MacDonald (2) |
| 22 March 1997 | Free State | 45–40 | Sharks | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | ||
| Try:Chris Badenhorst Jaco Coetzee Wybrand Els Con:Jannie de Beer (2) MJ Smith Pen:Hendrik Jordaan Kruger MJ Smith (7) | Try:Dirkie Strydom Gary Teichmann John Allan Ollie Le Roux Wayne Fyvie Con:Gavin Lawless (3) Pen:Gavin Lawless (3) | Referee: Andy Turner |
| 28 March 1997 | ACT Brumbies | 38–19 | Northern Transvaal | Canberra Stadium,Canberra | ||
| Try:Joe Roff (3) Mitch Hardy Troy Coker Con:David Knox (2) Pen:David Knox (3) | Try:Jacques Olivier Jannie Brooks Kosie Jansen van Vuuren Con:Theo van Rensburg | Attendance: 12,032 Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
| 29 March 1997 | Canterbury Crusaders | 24–15 | Waikato Chiefs | Fraser Park,Timaru | ||
| Try:Daryl Gibson Kevin Nepia Con:Andrew Mehrtens Pen:Andrew Mehrtens (3) Drop:Andrew Mehrtens | Try:Paul Mitchell Rhys Duggan Con:Matt Cooper Pen:Matt Cooper | Attendance: 8,500 Referee:Glen Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
| 29 March 1997 | Gauteng Lions | 35–37 | Wellington Hurricanes | Ellis Park,Johannesburg | ||
| Try:Dawie du Toit Japie Mulder Joe Gillingham Piet Krause Con:Gavin Johnson (3) Pen:Gavin Johnson (3) | Try:Christian Cullen (2) Jason O'Halloran Con:Jon Preston (2) Pen:Jon Preston (6) | Attendance: 20,000 Referee:Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
| 29 March 1997 | Sharks | 28–23 | NSW Waratahs | ABSA Stadium,Durban | ||
| Try:Kevin Putt Con:Gavin Lawless Pen:Gavin Lawless (7) | Try:David Campese Richard Tombs Con:Matt Burke (2) Pen:Matt Burke (3) | Attendance: 39,300 Referee:Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
| 30 March 1997 | Otago Highlanders | 18–49 | Free State | Rugby Park Stadium,Invercargill | ||
| Pen:Simon Culhane (6) | Try:Chris Badenhorst (2) Naka Drotské (2) Os du Randt Rassie Erasmus Wybrand Els Con:Jannie de Beer (7) | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 31 March 1997 | Auckland Blues | 49–26 | Queensland Reds | Eden Park,Auckland | ||
| Try:Andrew Blowers (2) Brian Lima (2) Carlos Spencer Joeli Vidiri Con:Adrian Cashmore (4) Carlos Spencer Pen:Adrian Cashmore (3) | Try:Jason Little Matthew Pini Con:John Eales (2) Pen:John Eales (4) | Attendance: 33,000 Referee:Paddy O'Brien (South Africa) |
| 4 April 1997 | Sharks | 29–24 | Wellington Hurricanes | ABSA Stadium,Durban | ||
| Try: Penalty try Geoff Appleford Con:Gavin Lawless (2) Pen:Gavin Lawless (5) | Try:Norm Hewitt Stephen Bachop Tana Umaga Con:Jon Preston (3) Pen:Jon Preston | Attendance: 40,303 Referee:André Watson (South Africa) |
| 4 April 1997 | ACT Brumbies | 50–23 | Free State | Canberra Stadium,Canberra | ||
| Try:Brett Robinson James Holbeck Joe Roff (2) Mitch Hardy Stephen Larkham Con:David Knox (4) Pen:David Knox (4) | Try: Penalty try Naka Drotské Stephen Brink Con:Jannie de Beer Pen:Jannie de Beer (2) | Attendance: 14,196 Referee:Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
| 4 April 1997 | Auckland Blues | 29–28 | Canterbury Crusaders | Growers Stadium,Pukekohe | ||
| Try:Joeli Vidiri Robin Brooke Con:Adrian Cashmore (2) Pen:Adrian Cashmore (5) | Try:Daryl Gibson Daryl Lilley Kevin Nepia Con:Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen:Andrew Mehrtens (3) | Referee:Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
| 5 April 1997 | Queensland Reds | 37–24 | Otago Highlanders | Ballymore Stadium,Brisbane | ||
| Try:Ben Tune Elton Flatley Jason Little Matt Cockbain Con:John Eales (4) Pen:John Eales (3) | Try: Penalty try Jeff Wilson Matt Carrington Con:Simon Culhane (3) Pen:Simon Culhane | Attendance: 15,000 Referee:Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
| 6 April 1997 | NSW Waratahs | 43–29 | Northern Transvaal | Sydney Football Stadium,Sydney | ||
| Try:Fili Finau Graeme Bond Matt Burke (3) Con:Matt Burke (3) Pen:Matt Burke (4) | Try:André Snyman (2) Graeme Bouwer Henry Tromp Kosie Alberts Con:Graeme Bouwer Kosie Alberts | Attendance: 26,245 Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
| 11 April 1997 | Waikato Chiefs | 15–33 | Sharks | North Harbour Stadium,Albany | ||
| Try:Glen Osborne Glenn Taylor Con:Blair Feeney Pen:Blair Feeney | Try:Adrian Garvey (2) Cabous van der Westhuisen Con:Gavin Lawless (3) Pen:Gavin Lawless (4) | Referee:Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
| 12 April 1997 | Queensland Reds | 29–47 | Wellington Hurricanes | Ballymore Stadium,Brisbane | ||
| Try:Tim Horan Willie Carne Con:John Eales (2) Pen:John Eales (5) | Try:Alex Telea (2) Jason O'Halloran Jon Preston Stephen Bachop Tana Umaga Con:Jon Preston (4) Pen:Jon Preston (3) | Attendance: 15,196 Referee:Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
| 12 April 1997 | Gauteng Lions | 16–16 | Northern Transvaal | Ellis Park,Johannesburg | ||
| Try:Hennie le Roux Con:Johan Roux Pen:Gavin Johnson Johan Roux (2) | Try:Graeme Bouwer Jacques Olivier Pen:Casper Steyn Graeme Bouwer | Attendance: 34,370 Referee:Johann Meuwesen (South Africa) |
| 12 April 1997 | Otago Highlanders | 37–29 | Canterbury Crusaders | Carisbrook,Dunedin | ||
| Try:Anton Oliver Manassa Bari (2) Con:Tony Brown (2) Pen:Tony Brown (5) Drop:Tony Brown | Try:Daryl Lilley Leon MacDonald Con:Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen:Andrew Mehrtens (5) | Referee:Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
| 12 April 1997 | NSW Waratahs | 36–11 | Free State | Sydney Football Stadium,Sydney | ||
| Try:Alistair Murdoch David Campese Michael Brial Richard Tombs Sam Payne Con:Matt Burke (4) Pen:Matt Burke | Try:Stephen Brink Pen:MJ Smith (2) | Attendance: 22,016 Referee:Mick Keogh (Australia) |
| 12 April 1997 | Auckland Blues | 41–29 | ACT Brumbies | Growers Stadium,Pukekohe | ||
| Try:Adrian Cashmore Brian Lima Eroni Clarke (2) Lee Stensness Leo Lafaiali'i Con:Adrian Cashmore (3) Carlos Spencer Pen:Adrian Cashmore | Try:James Holbeck Joe Roff Stephen Larkham Troy Coker Con:David Knox Joe Roff Stephen Larkham Pen:David Knox | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 18 April 1997 | Otago Highlanders | 9–15 | ACT Brumbies | Rugby Park Stadium,Invercargill | ||
| Pen:Tony Brown (3) | Try:George Gregan Owen Finegan Con:David Knox Pen:David Knox | Referee:Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
| 19 April 1997 | Auckland Blues | 63–22 | Gauteng Lions | Eden Park,Auckland | ||
| Try:Carlos Spencer Dylan Mika Jeremy Stanley Joeli Vidiri Michael Jones Ofisa Tonu'u (2) Leo Lafaiali'i Zinzan Brooke (2) Con:Carlos Spencer (5) Pen:Carlos Spencer | Try:Japie Mulder Johan Roux Warren Brosnihan Con:Johan Roux (2) Pen:Johan Roux | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 19 April 1997 | Northern Transvaal | 34–27 | Waikato Chiefs | Loftus Versfeld,Pretoria | ||
| Try:Graeme Bouwer Jacques Olivier (2) Nicky van der Walt Con:Casper Steyn (4) Pen:Casper Steyn (2) | Try:Dean Anglesey Glen Osborne Con:Matt Cooper Pen:Matt Cooper (5) | Referee:Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
| 19 April 1997 | Canterbury Crusaders | 26–26 | Sharks | Jade Stadium,Christchurch | ||
| Try: Penalty try Mark Mayerhofler Con:Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen:Andrew Mehrtens (4) | Try:Henry Honiball Mark Andrews Pieter Muller Wikus van Heerden Con:Henry Honiball (3) | Referee:Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
| 19 April 1997 | NSW Waratahs | 16–26 | Queensland Reds | Sydney Football Stadium,Sydney | ||
| Try: Penalty try Con:Matt Burke Pen:Matt Burke (3) | Try:Ben Tune Damien Smith Mark Connors Con:John Eales Pen:John Eales (3) | Attendance: 15,196 Referee:Wayne Erickson (New Zealand) |
| 20 April 1997 | Wellington Hurricanes | 59–30 | Free State | Athletic Park,Wellington | ||
| Try: Penalty try Christian Cullen (3) Jason O'Halloran Mark Cooksley Martin Leslie Tana Umaga Con:Jarrod Cunningham Jon Preston (4) Pen:Jon Preston (3) | Try:Charl van Rensburg Os du Randt Stephen Brink Con:Jannie de Beer (3) Pen:Jannie de Beer (3) | Attendance: 25,000 Referee:Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
| 25 April 1997 | Canterbury Crusaders | 23–0 | Gauteng Lions | Jade Stadium,Christchurch | ||
| Try:Afato So'oalo Andrew Mehrtens Todd Blackadder Con:Andrew Mehrtens Pen:Andrew Mehrtens (2) | Referee:Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
| 26 April 1997 | ACT Brumbies | 56–9 | NSW Waratahs | Canberra Stadium,Canberra | ||
| Try:David Knox George Gregan Joe Roff (3) Mitch Hardy (2) Patricio Noriega Con:David Knox (5) Pen:David Knox (2) | Pen:Matt Burke (3) | Attendance: 18,753 Referee: Andrew Cole (New Zealand) |
| 26 April 1997 | Wellington Hurricanes | 60–34 | Otago Highlanders | Athletic Park,Wellington | ||
| Try:Alex Telea (2) Christian Cullen Filo Tiatia Jason O'Halloran (2) Tana Umaga (3) Con:Christian Cullen (6) Pen:Christian Cullen | Try:Ace Tiatia Brett McCormack Josh Kronfeld Kupu Vanisi Matt Carrington Con:Tony Brown (3) Pen:Tony Brown | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 26 April 1997 | Free State | 27–13 | Waikato Chiefs | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | ||
| Try:Hendrik Jordaan Kruger Jan-Harm van Wyk Rassie Erasmus Wybrand Els Con:MJ Smith (2) Pen:MJ Smith | Try:Michael Collins Con:Matt Cooper Pen:Matt Cooper (2) | Referee:Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
| 27 April 1997 | Auckland Blues | 39–17 | Sharks | Eden Park,Auckland | ||
| Try: Penalty try Carlos Spencer Joeli Vidiri Ofisa Tonu'u Sean Fitzpatrick Con:Carlos Spencer (4) Pen:Carlos Spencer (2) | Try:John Slade Kevin Putt Con:Gavin Lawless (2) Pen:Gavin Lawless | Referee:Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
| 2 May 1997 | Wellington Hurricanes | 19–3 | NSW Waratahs | McLean Park,Napier | ||
| Try:Christian Cullen Jason O'Halloran Martin Leslie Con:Christian Cullen (2) | Pen:Matt Burke | Referee:Glenn Wahlstrom (New Zealand) |
| 3 May 1997 | Northern Transvaal | 23–22 | Canterbury Crusaders | Loftus Versfeld,Pretoria | ||
| Try:Boeta Wessels Johan Schutte Con:Casper Steyn (2) Pen:Casper Steyn (3) | Try:Afato So'oalo (2) Steve Surridge Con:Daryl Lilley (2) Pen:Andrew Mehrtens | Referee:Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
| 3 May 1997 | Otago Highlanders | 28–45 | Auckland Blues | Carisbrook,Dunedin | ||
| Try:Anton Oliver Josh Kronfeld Romi Ropati Taine Randall Con:TOny Brown Pen:Brendan Laney Tony Brown | Try:Jeremy Stanley (2) Joeli Vidiri Lee Stensness Ofisa Tonu'u Robin Brooke (2) Con:Adrian Cashmore Carlos Spencer (4) | Attendance: 11,500 Referee:Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
| 3 May 1997 | Queensland Reds | 40–3 | Sharks | Ballymore Stadium,Brisbane | ||
| Try: Penalty try Ben Tune David Wilson Glen Panoho Jason Little John Eales Con:John Eales (5) | Pen:Gavin Lawless | Attendance: 14,826 Referee:Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
| 3 May 1997 | Waikato Chiefs | 47–9 | Gauteng Lions | Waikato Stadium,Hamilton | ||
| Try:Caleb Ralph (2) Deon Muir Scott McLeod Con:Matt Cooper (5) Pen:Matt Cooper (4) | Pen:Gavin Johnson (3) | Referee:Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
| 9 May 1997 | Otago Highlanders | 16–27 | NSW Waratahs | Carisbrook,Dunedin | ||
| Try:Lio Falaniko Con:Simon Culhane Pen:Simon Culhane (3) | Try:Alistair Murdoch Jason Madz Michael Brial Con:Matt Burke (3) Pen:Matt Burke (2) | Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 9 May 1997 | ACT Brumbies | 48–34 | Waikato Chiefs | Canberra Stadium,Canberra | ||
| Try:George Gregan Joe Roff (2) Mitch Hardy Owen Finegan Stephen Larkham Troy Coker Con:David Knox (5) Pen:David Knox | Try:Aaron Hopa Eric Rush (3) Con:Ian Foster (4) Pen:Matt Cooper (2) | Attendance: 13,742 Referee:Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
| 10 May 1997 | Free State | 11–16 | Canterbury Crusaders | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | ||
| Try:Werner Swanepoel Pen:MJ Smith (2) | Try:Daryl Lilley Con:Daryl Lilley Pen:Daryl Lilley (3) | Referee:Ian Rogers (South Africa) |
| 10 May 1997 | Queensland Reds | 40–27 | Gauteng Lions | Ballymore Stadium,Brisbane | ||
| Try:Damien Smith Daniel Herbert Jason Little Scott Webster Tim Horan Con:John Eales (3) Pen:John Eales (3) | Try:Chris Rossouw (2) Jopie Adlam Warren Brosnihan Con:Dawie du Toit Edrich Lubbe Pen:Edrich Lubbe | Attendance: 13,846 Referee:Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
| 10 May 1997 | Auckland Blues | 45–42 | Wellington Hurricanes | Eden Park,Auckland | ||
| Try:Carlos Spencer Craig Dowd Joeli Vidiri Michael Jones Zinzan Brooke Con:Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen:Adrian Cashmore Carlos Spencer (2) | Try:Finau Maka Jarrod Cunningham Bull Allen Tana Umaga (2) Con:Jon Preston (4) Pen:Jon Preston (3) | Referee:Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
| 11 May 1997 | Sharks | 27–27 | Northern Transvaal | ABSA Stadium,Durban | ||
| Try:Adrian Garvey Gavin Lawless (2) John Allan Con:Gavin Lawless (2) Pen:Gavin Lawless | Try:André Snyman Boeta Wessels Johan Schutte Con:Casper Steyn (3) Pen:Casper Steyn (2) | Attendance: 36,270 Referee:André Watson (South Africa) |
| 16 May 1997 | Waikato Chiefs | 18–34 | Otago Highlanders | Owen Delany Park,Taupō | ||
| Try:Caleb Ralph Glenn Taylor Con:Blair Feeney Pen:Ian Foster (2) | Try:Doug Howlett (3) Con:Simon Culhane (2) Pen:Simon Culhane (4) Tony Brown | Attendance: 10,000[11] Referee:Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
| 16 May 1997 | Northern Transvaal | 23–35 | Free State | Loftus Versfeld,Pretoria | ||
| Try:Kobus Engelbrecht Matthys Bekker Nicky van der Walt Con:Casper Steyn Pen:Casper Steyn (2) | Try:Andre Venter Brendan Venter Chris Badenhorst (2) Helgard Müller Con:Jannie de Beer (5) | Attendance: 35,000 Referee:Johann Meuwesen (South Africa) |
| 17 May 1997 | NSW Waratahs | 20–34 | Auckland Blues | Sydney Football Stadium,Sydney | ||
| Try:Alistair Murdoch (2) Con:Matt Burke (2) Pen:Matt Burke (2) | Try:Brian Lima (2) Dylan Mika Zinzan Brooke Con:Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen:Adrian Cashmore (2) | Attendance: 30,793 Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
| 17 May 1997 | Canterbury Crusaders | 48–3 | Queensland Reds | Jade Stadium,Christchurch | ||
| Try:Daryl Gibson Justin Marshall Mark Hammett Mark Mayerhofler (2) Scott Robertson Con:Andrew Mehrtens (2) Daryl Lilley Pen:Andrew Mehrtens (3) Drop:Andrew Mehrtens | Pen:John Eales | Referee:Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
| 17 May 1997 | Gauteng Lions | 42–8 | Sharks | Ellis Park,Johannesburg | ||
| Try:Dawie du Toit (2) Jannie van der Walt Joe Gillingham Jopie Adlam Con:Edrich Lubbe (4) Pen:Edrich Lubbe (3) | Try:Cabous van der Westhuizen Pen:Gavin Lawless | Attendance: 36,260 Referee:Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
| 18 May 1997 | Wellington Hurricanes | 29–35 | ACT Brumbies | Athletic Park,Wellington | ||
| Try:Christian Cullen (2) Filo Tiatia Con:Jon Preston Pen:Jon Preston (4) | Try:George Gregan Joe Roff Mitch Hardy (2) Troy Coker Con:David Knox (2) Pen:David Knox (2) | Attendance: 30,400 Referee:Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
| 24 May 1997 |
| Auckland Blues | 55–36 | Sharks |
| Try:Adrian Cashmore Carlos Spencer Eroni Clarke Joeli Vidiri Mark Carter Zinzan Brooke Con:Adrian Cashmore (6) Pen:Adrian Cashmore | Try:Errol Stewart Henry Honiball Joos Joubert Lawrence Payne Con:Henry Honiball (3) |
| Eden Park,Auckland Referee:Wayne Erickson (Australia) |
| 24 May 1997 |
| ACT Brumbies | 33–20 | Wellington Hurricanes |
| Try:George Gregan James Holbeck Joe Roff Mitch Hardy Con:David Knox Pen:David Knox (2) | Try:Christian Cullen (2) Con:Jon Preston (2) Pen:Jon Preston (2) |
| Canberra Stadium,Canberra Attendance: 23,731 Referee:André Watson (South Africa) |
| 31 May 1997 |
| Auckland Blues | 23–7 | ACT Brumbies |
| Try:Dowd Jones Con:Cashmore (2) Pen:Cashmore (3) | Try:Roff Con:Roff |
| Eden Park,Auckland Referee:Tappe Henning (South Africa) |
| Teams |
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| Super 12 seasons | |||||
| Super 14 seasons | |||||
| Super Rugby seasons | |||||
| Super Rugby Pacific seasons | |||||
| Super Rugby finals | |||||
| Player transfers | |||||
| Regionalised competitions | |||||
