Super Rugby
Super Rugby stats: the numbers that matter
Richard Kelly and Sam Bruce
February 4, 2015
Michael Cheika has told his side not to worry about a title defence

Super Rugby has built a proud history over the last 19 years and the 2015 edition looks like being another bumper tournament and a perfect appetizer for the Rugby World Cup.

The world's top provincial tournament has thrown up a diverse range of numbers and records throughout its history, ensuring fans, pundits and statisticians continue to reach for the almanac, or rather conduct a quick Google search such is the world nowadays.

Our #10For20 series takes a look at Super Rugby's top stats © Graham Cousens / Scrum.com
Enlarge

Join us as we look back at some of the all-time records, and attempt to find a few clues towards what season 2015 might bring, in the next edition of our #10For20 series.

Top spot key to landing trophy

Finishing on top of the ladder after the regular season isn't a pre-requisite for winning a Super Rugby title but it certainly helps. After four of the first five seasons of Super Rugby (1996-2000) saw the champions finish the regular season in second position or lower, the eventual winners have finished top in 12 of the 14 editions since.

Will anyone ever score more than four tries?

Eleven players hold the record for most tries (four) in a Super Rugby match with. Brumbies great Joe Roff set the original mark way back in 1996 when the competition was just five weeks old while former Chiefs flyer Asaeli Tikoirotuma registered the last four-try haul, against the Blues, in 2012.

Losing lineout ball not a big deal

A solid set-piece may be critical to Test rugby success but it seems you can get away with a dodgy lineout in Super Rugby. Recent title-winners the Chiefs (2012, 2013) and NSW Waratahs (2014) have fared no better than 11th when it comes to lineout success; those same three sides have ranked equal second for tackling however.

We'll salute King Kevvy in round four

The record for most tries in a match will take some beating but one all-time mark will be bettered this season when Keven Mealamu takes to the field. The veteran Blues hooker is tied with former Reds and Force lock Nathan Sharpe for the most number of Super Rugby caps (162). Mealamu is slated for a start in round four against the Lions; a huge crowd will hopefully be on hand to support Kevvy at North Harbour Stadium.

Crusaders still own points-scoring record

The Waratahs fell one point short of the Crusaders' record for most points in a season (541) as they rode a nine-match winning streak to the 2014 Super Rugby title. Michael Cheika's side played five more matches however, which highlights the quality of the Crusaders' 2005 outfit.

Two roads wins is a fair return

Think it's tough winning on the road in Super Rugby? If we're to follow the 2014 numbers, you shouldn't expect more than two away victories, on average, for your side this season. There were 33 road victories from 124 fixtures in 2014, giving away sides a success rate of just over 25 per cent. Crusaders fans shouldn't read too much into that figure however, the seven-time champions registered six away wins last season.

Ralph a record in consistency

The Crusaders used plenty of different players across the Super 12 era but one man was seemingly a lock on the team-sheet over an eight-year stretch. Winger Caleb Ralph played 104 consecutive matches for the Crusaders between 1998 and 2006. Now that's durability.

Crusaders centre Caleb Ralph is hit by Nathan Grey and Mat Rogers during the Super 12 final, Crusaders v Waratahs, Super 12 final, Lancaster Park, May 28 2005.
Caleb Ralph enjoyed a superb run with the Crusaders © Getty Images
Enlarge

Ton up, Walsh won't be putting whistle away

Say what you will about them, we wouldn't have a game without referees. There have been some very good, and reasonably ordinary, whistle-blowers throughout the 19 years of Super Rugby but one man sits at the top for games controlled. No matter which category - good or bad - you think Steve Walsh sits in, he is the all-time leader for matches refereed (108).

Strap yourselves in for the final 20

Super Rugby games have a tendency to open up over the final quarter such is the exhausting pace of the games nowadays. In 2014, 200 tries were scored inside the final 20 minutes which was 44 more than the next best quarter (40-60).

Sharks have bite, just not enough

It's been a long 19 years for rugby fans in Durban. The Sharks have made the play-offs on nine occasions but are still searching for a maiden title. Four of those nine appearances have resulted in grand final defeats, too.

Got a favourite Super Rugby stat? Let us know in the comments below, or by joining the conversation on Twitter using the hashtags #SuperRugbyStats or #10For20

© Opta Stats for ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.