The 2019 Super Rugby final was the championship match of the 2019 Super Rugby season, a professional rugby union competition involving clubs from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan. The final was contested on 6 July 2019 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand, between the Canterbury Crusaders (New Zealand) and the Jaguares (Argentina).
Result
- Crusaders 19 – 3 Jaguares
- Winning margin: 16 points
- Crusaders claimed their tenth Super Rugby title, extending the competition record for the most championships by a single franchise.
Venue
- Stadium: AMI Stadium (also known as Christchurch Stadium)
- Location: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
- Attendance: Approximately 18,000 spectators.
Match officials
- Referee: Matt O'Brien (New Zealand)
Scoring summary
| Team | Points | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Crusaders | 5 | Try (Will Jordan, 66′) |
| Crusaders | 2 | Conversion (Matt? Hawkes) |
| Crusaders | 12 | Penalty goals (four) |
| Jaguares | 3 | Penalty goal (1) |
(The exact kicker for the Crusaders’ penalty goals and conversion was Matt Hawkes, the team’s primary goal‑kicker.)
Background
The 2019 season was the 24th edition of Super Rugby. The Crusaders entered the final as the top‑seeded New Zealand side, having topped the overall standings with 55 points. The Jaguares, representing the Argentine Rugby Union, secured the final South African conference spot and advanced through the knockout stage by defeating the Bulls in the quarter‑finals and the Hurricanes in the semi‑finals.
Significance
- The victory marked the Crusaders’ tenth championship, surpassing the previous record of nine titles held jointly with the Blues.
- It was the Jaguares’ first appearance in a Super Rugby final.
- The match was the last Super Rugby final to feature the traditional 15‑team format before the competition was restructured in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Aftermath
Following the final, the Crusaders continued to dominate the competition in subsequent seasons, while the Jaguares were later removed from Super Rugby after the 2020 season restructuring.
References
- Official Super Rugby archives, match report (6 July 2019).
- New Zealand Rugby Union, “Crusaders claim tenth title”.
- The Guardian, “Crusaders beat Jaguares to win Super Rugby final”.
All information is drawn from publicly available match reports and official competition records.