2006 Super 14 final

The Final of the 2006 Super 14 season, a rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere, took place on 27 May 2006 at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand.

[1] The Crusaders finished top of the table, following a strong season at home and only one loss, away to the Stormers in Cape Town, which ended their 17-game winning streak.

[3] 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 Waratahs to meet the Crusaders in the final.

This meant if starting half Kevin Senio was injured, Cameron McIntyre would come on and Dan Carter would move to scrum-half.

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.

Bombs and high kicks created havoc for both teams, with both back lines making unusual mistakes.

The Sky Sports commentators saw many patrons in the upper levels rushing home or to other establishments to watch coverage on television.

[4] In one of the opening exchanges, Crusaders wing Rico Gear dropped the ball from a high kick, the resulting play lead to a Hurricanes penalty.

Former All Black first five-eighth, Grant Fox, 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.

[5] 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.

[7] Former All Black captain Tana Umaga and Chris Masoe were involved in an altercation after the final in The Jolly Poacher, a bar in Christchurch.