1998 Super 12 season

1998 Super 12
Countries	Australia; South Africa ; New Zealand
Tournament format(s)	Round-robin and knockout
Champions	Canterbury Crusaders (1st title)
Matches played	69
Top point scorer(s)	Andrew Mehrtens (206) ; (Canterbury Crusaders)
Top try scorer(s)	Joeli Vidiri (10); (Auckland Blues)
← 1997 (Previous)	(Next) 1999 →

The 1998 Super 12 season was the third season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1998, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff 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 Canterbury Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland. The Canterbury Crusaders won 20 – 13 to win their first Super 12 title.

Teams

The 1998 Super 12 competition consisted of 12 teams, they were:
The Blues (New Zealand)
The Brumbies (Australia)
The Bulls (South Africa)
The Cats (South Africa)
The Chiefs (New Zealand)
The Crusaders (New Zealand)
The Highlanders (New Zealand)
The Hurricanes (New Zealand)
The Reds (Australia)
The Sharks (South Africa)
The Stormers (South Africa)
The Waratahs (Australia)

Table

Key to colours
	Top four teams advance to playoffs.

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Blues	11	9	0	2	388	296	+92	7	43
2	Crusaders	11	8	0	3	340	260	+80	9	41
3	Sharks	11	7	0	4	329	263	+66	8	36
4	Highlanders	11	7	0	4	343	279	+64	6	34
5	Reds	11	6	1	4	273	229	+44	5	31
6	Waratahs	11	6	1	4	306	276	+30	4	30
7	Chiefs	11	6	0	5	279	291	−12	5	29
8	Hurricanes	11	5	0	6	313	342	−29	6	26
9	Stormers	11	3	0	8	248	364	−166	6	18
10	Brumbies	11	3	0	8	228	308	−80	5	17
11	Bulls	11	3	0	8	249	306	−57	4	16
12	Cats	11	2	0	9	266	346	−80	7	15

Results

Round 1

	27 February 1998	Otago Highlanders	26 – 19	Queensland Reds	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Simon Culhane Pen: Simon Culhane (7)		Try: David Wilson, Tim Horan (2) Con: John Eales (2)	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

	27 February 1998	Western Stormers	31 – 45	Wellington Hurricanes	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Bob Skinstad, Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery (2) Con: Percy Montgomery (4) Pen: Percy Montgomery		Try: Alex Telea (2), Christian Cullen, Filo Tiatia, Stephen Bachop Con: Jon Preston (4) Pen: Jon Preston (4)	Attendance: 28,656 Referee: Wayne Erickson

	28 February 1998	Waikato Chiefs	25 – 23	Canterbury Crusaders	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
		Try: Scott McLeod, Walter Little Pen: Leon MacDonald (5)		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, James Kerr, Justin Marshall, Mark Mayerhofler Pen: Andrew Mehrtens	Referee: Steve Walsh

	28 February 1998	Coastal Sharks	24 – 8	Auckland Blues	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: Henry Honiball, Hentie Martens, Jeremy Thomson Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball		Try: Joeli Vidiri Pen: Carlos Spencer	Referee: Peter Marshall

	28 February 1998	Northern Transvaal	32 – 39	Golden Cats	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: André Snyman, Casper Steyn (2), Conrad Breytenbach Con: Casper Steyn, Franco Smith (2) Pen: Franco Smith (2)		Try: Andre Venter, Jan-Harm van Wyk, Jannie van der Walt (3) Con: MJ Smith (4) Pen: MJ Smith (2)

	1 March 1998	Waratahs	32 – 7	ACT Brumbies	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Chris Witaker (2), Jason Jones-Hughes, John Welborn Con: Matt Burke (3) Pen: Matt Burke (2)		Try: Stephen Larkham Con: David Knox

Round 2

	6 March 1998	ACT Brumbies	34 – 26	Otago Highlanders	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Sam Cordinhley, Stephen Larkham (2), Stirling Mortlock, Troy Jacques Con: David Knox (3) Drop: Rod Kafer		Try: Matt Carrington, Pita Alatini Con: Simon Culhane (2) Pen: Simon Culhane (4)	Referee: Tappe Henning

	6 March 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	33 – 12	Waratahs	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Angus Gardiner, Justin Marshall, Tabai Matson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Pen: Matt Burke (4)	Referee: Ian Rogers

	6 March 1998	Northern Transvaal	19 – 37	Wellington Hurricanes	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Casper Steyn, Jannie Brooks, Nicky van der Walt Con: Franco Smith (2)		Try: Finau Maka, George Leaupepe, Mark Allen Con: Jon Preston (4) Pen: Jon Preston (3)	Referee: Peter Marshall

	7 March 1998	Golden Cats	37 – 38	Auckland Blues	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Edrich Lubbe, Hennie Le Roux, Jannie van der Walt (2), MJ Smith Con: Hennie Le Roux (2), MJ Smith Pen: Hennie Le Roux, MJ Smith		Try: Penalty try, Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri, Michael Jones, Olo Brown Con: Adrian Cashmore (2) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

	7 March 1998	Coastal Sharks	32 – 17	Western Stormers	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: Penalty try, Gary Teichmann (2), Warren Brosnihan Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball (2)		Try: Dick Muir, Toks van der Linde Con: Louis Koen (2) Drop: Louis Koen	Referee: Andre Watson

	7 March 1998	Queensland Reds	25 – 28	Waikato Chiefs	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Damien Smith, Elton Flatley, Tim Horan Con: Elton Flatley (2) Pen: Elton Flatley (2)		Try: Bruce Reihana, Matt Cooper, Roger Randle Con: Leon MacDonald, Matt Cooper Pen: Ian Foster, Matt Cooper	Referee: Johan Meuwesen

Round 3

	13 March 1998	Waratahs	25 – 10	Golden Cats	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Graeme Bond, Nathan Grey, Phil Kearns Con: Manny Edmonds (2) Pen: Manny Edmonds (2)		Try: Victor Matfield Con: Hennie Le Roux Pen: Hennie Le Roux Drop: Bryan Habana	Referee: Paul Honiss

	13 March 1998	Waikato Chiefs	19 – 22	Wellington Hurricanes	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		Try: Mark Robinson, Roger Randle Pen: Ian Foster, Leon MacDonald (2)		Try: Alex Telea (2), George Leaupepe, Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston	Referee: Glenn Wahlstrom

	14 March 1998	Queensland Reds	35 – 9	Canterbury Crusaders	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Damien Smith, Jason Little, John Eales, Shane Drahm, Tim Horan Con: John Eales (5)		Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3)	Referee: Tappe Henning

	14 March 1998	Auckland Blues	41 – 22	Otago Highlanders	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Jonah Lomu, Lee Stensness, Mark Carter, Paul Mitchell, Robin Brooke Con: Adrian Cashmore, Hayden Taylor Pen: Adrian Cashmore (4)		Try: Brendan Laney Con: Tony Brown Pen: Simon Culhane (4), Tony Brown	Referee: Steve R. Walsh

	14 March 1998	Western Stormers	35 – 18	Northern Transvaal	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Joggie Viljoen, Johan van Wyk, Percy Montgomery, Pieter Rossouw Con: Louis Koen (3) Pen: Louis Koen (3)		Try: Grant Esterhuizen (2) Con: Franco Smith Pen: Franco Smith (2)	Attendance: 25,671 Referee: Ian Rogers

	14 March 1998	ACT Brumbies	23 – 41	Coastal Sharks	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Adam Magro, Sam Cordingley, Stephen Larkham Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (2)		Try: Andre Joubert, Gary Teichmann, Kevin Putt, Mornay Visser, Stefan Terblanche, Stephen Brink Con: Henry Honiball (4) Pen: Henry Honiball	Referee: Steve Walsh

Round 4

	20 March 1998	Otago Highlanders	41 – 35	Coastal Sharks	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Isitolo Maka (2), John Leslie, Pailate Fili, Tony Brown Con: Tony Brown (5) Pen: Tony Brown (2)		Try: Andre Joubert (2), Gary Teichmann (2), Walter Minnaar Con: Andre Joubert (2) Pen: Andre Joubert (2), Henry Honiball	Referee: Andrew Cole

	21 March 1998	Northern Transvaal	34 – 19	Waratahs	Johann van Riebeeck Stadium, Witbank
		Try: Henry Kemp, Marius Goosen, Franco Smith Con: Franco Smith (2) Pen: Franco Smith (5)		Try: Michael Brial Con: Manny Edmonds Pen: Manny Edmonds (4)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

	21 March 1998	ACT Brumbies	37 – 3	Golden Cats	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Marco Caputo, Mitch Hardy, Sam Cordingley, Stephen Larkham Con: David Knox (4) Pen: David Knox (3)		Pen: MJ Smith	Referee: Colin Hawke

	21 March 1998	Auckland Blues	25 – 23	Waikato Chiefs	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Joeli Vidiri Con: Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore (6)		Try: Glen Marsh, Roger Randle Con: Matt Cooper (2) Pen: Matt Cooper (3)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	22 March 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	33 – 41	Queensland Reds	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Christian Cullen, George Leaupepe, Jason O'Halloran, Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (3)		Try: Jason Little, Shane Drahm (2), Tim Horan, Toutai Kefu Con: John Eales (5) Pen: John Eales (2)	Referee: Carl Spannenberg

Round 5

	27 March 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	24 – 31	Auckland Blues	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Daryl Gibson, Tabai Matson Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Try: Caleb Ralph, Jonah Lomu, Michael Jones, Royce Willis Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen: Adrian Cashmore	Referee: Steve Walsh

	28 March 1998	Western Stormers	35 – 33	Waratahs	Boland Stadium, Wellington, South Africa
		Try: Andrew Aitken, Bob Skinstad (2), Breyton Paulse, James Small Con: Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery Pen: Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery		Try: Jason Jones-Hughes, Michael Brial, Semi Taupeaffe Con: Manny Edmonds (3) Pen: Manny Edmonds (4)	Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Steve R. Walsh

	28 March 1998	Northern Transvaal	24 – 7	ACT Brumbies	Bosman Stadium, Brakpan
		Try: Adriaan Richter, Dan van Zyl, Marius Goosen (2) Con: Franco Smith (2)		Try: Patricio Noriega Con: David Knox	Referee: Paul Honiss

	28 March 1998	Otago Highlanders	57 – 27	Golden Cats	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
		Try: Isitolo Maka (2), Jeff Wilson (2), John Leslie (2), John Kronfeld, Pita Alatini Con: Tony Brown (4) Pen: Tony Brown (3)		Try: AJ Venter, Chris Badenhorst, Hannes Strydom, Helgard Müller Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer	Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	29 March 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	23 – 39	Coastal Sharks	Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
		Try: Alama Ieremia, Filo Tiatia, Jason O'Halloran Con: Jarrod Cunningham Pen: Christian Cullen		Try: Lawrence Payne, Pieter Muller (2), Stefan Terblanche (3) Con: Henry Honiball (2), Ollie Le Roux Pen: Henry Honiball	Referee: Scott Young

Round 6

	3 April 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	30 – 15	Golden Cats	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
		Try: Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga Con: David Holwell Pen: David Holwell (3)		Try: Andre Venter, Wybrand Els Con: MJ Smith Pen: MJ Smith

	3 April 1998	Western Stormers	34 – 3	ACT Brumbies	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Bob Skinstad, Louis Koen, Percy Montgomery, Robbie Fleck (2) Con: Louis Koen (3) Pen: Louis Koen		Pen: David Knox	Attendance: 35,000 Referee: Colin Hawke

	4 April 1998	Otago Highlanders	29 – 11	Waikato Chiefs	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Jeff Wilson, Jeremy Stanley, John Leslie, Lio Falaniko Con: Simon Culhane (3) Pen: Simon Culhane		Try: Scott McLeod Pen: Matt Cooper (2)	Referee: Paul Honiss

	4 April 1998	Queensland Reds	33 – 18	Auckland Blues	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Ben Tune, Shane Drahm, Tim Horan Con: John Eales (3) Pen: John Eales (4)		Try: Caleb Ralph, Lee Stensness Con: Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)	Referee: Andre Watson

	5 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	31 – 20	Northern Transvaal	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Daryl Gibson, Daryl Lilley (2), Norm Berryman Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Drop: Andrew Mehrtens		Try: Jannie Brooks, Joost van der Westhuizen, Franco Smith Con: Braam van Straaten Pen: Braam van Straaten	Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	5 April 1998	Waratahs	51 – 18	Coastal Sharks	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Matthew Dowling, Michael Brial, Semi Taupeaffe (3), Tiaan Strauss, Willie Ofahengaue Con: Manny Edmonds (4), Matthew Dowling Pen: Manny Edmonds (2)		Try: Gary Teichmann, Ollie Le Roux Con: Andre Joubert Pen: Andre Joubert (2)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

Round 7

	11 April 1998	Waikato Chiefs	37 – 25	Northern Transvaal	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		Try: Glen Marsh, Justin Collins, Mark Cooksley, Todd Miller, Troy Flavell Con: Ian Foster (2), Matt Cooper Pen: Ian Foster (2)		Try: Danie van Schalkwyk, Derrick Grobbelaar, Joost van der Westhuizen Con: Franco Smith (2) Pen: Franco Smith (2)	Referee: Andrew Cole

	11 April 1998	Queensland Reds	19 – 14	Western Stormers	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Damien Smith Con: Shane Drahm Pen: John Eales (2), Shane Drahm (2)		Try: Bob Skinstad, Robbie Fleck Con: Louis Koen (2)	Referee: Colin Hawke

	11 April 1998	Coastal Sharks	30 – 18	Golden Cats	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: John Slade, Pieter Muller, Stefan Terblanche Con: Henry Honiball (3) Pen: Henry Honiball (3)		Try: Andre Venter (2) Con: Jannie de Beer Pen: Jannie de Beer, Jannie van der Walt	Referee: Tappe Henning

	11 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	38 – 26	ACT Brumbies	Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru
		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Daryl Lilley, Mark Mayerhofler, Norm Berryman, Scott Robertson Con: Andrew Mehrtens (5) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens		Try: Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock, Troy Coker Con: David Knox Pen: David Knox (3)	Referee: Andre Watson

	13 April 1998	Auckland Blues	47 – 25	Waratahs	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Adrian Cashmore, Andrew Blowers, Carlos Spencer, Joeli Vidiri, Lee Stensness, Ofisa Tonu'u, Xavier Rush Con: Adrian Cashmore (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)		Try: Manny Edmonds, Matt Burke, Willie Ofahengaue Con: Manny Edmonds (2) Pen: Manny Edmonds (2)	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Round 8

	17 April 1998	Auckland Blues	34 – 24	Northern Transvaal	Growers Stadium, Pukekohe
		Try: Adrian Cashmore (2), Jonah Lomu, Royce Willis Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)		Try: Casper Steyn, Marius Goosen Con: Braam van Straaten Pen: Braam van Straaten (4)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

	18 April 1998	Golden Cats	35 – 36	Waikato Chiefs	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
		Try: Jannie van der Walt, Werner Swanepoel Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer (7)		Try: Errol Brain, Glen Marsh, Nick Moore, Walter Little (2) Con: Ian Foster (4) Pen: Ian Foster	Referee: Stuart Dickinson

	18 April 1998	Queensland Reds	17 – 17	Waratahs	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Daniel Herbert Pen: John Eales (4)		Try: Matt Burke Pen: Manny Edmonds (4)	Referee: Peter Marshall

	18 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	37 – 25	Western Stormers	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Kevin Nepia, Tabai Matson, Tony Marsh Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (6)		Try: Andrew Aitken, Jopie Adlam, Robbie Fleck Con: Louis Koen (2) Pen: Louis Koen (2)	Referee: Scott Young

	19 April 1998	Otago Highlanders	29 – 8	Wellington Hurricanes	Carisbrook, Dunedin
		Try: Byron Kelleher, Lio Falaniko Con: Tony Brown (2) Pen: Tony Brown (4) Drop: Brendan Laney		Try: Christian Cullen Pen: David Holwell	Referee: Paul Honiss

Round 9

	24 April 1998	ACT Brumbies	29 – 32	Wellington Hurricanes	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Joe Roff (2), Owen Finegan (2) Con: David Knox (3) Pen: David Knox		Try: Christian Cullen, Martin Leslie Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (6)	Referee: Ian Rogers

	24 April 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	40 – 24	Otago Highlanders	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Mayerhofler, Scott Robertson, Tabai Matson Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Drop: Andrew Mehrtens (3)		Try: Isitolo Maka, Pita Alatini, Taine Randell Con: Tony Brown (3) Pen: Tony Brown	Attendance: 32,000 Referee: Steve R Walsh

	25 April 1998	Coastal Sharks	52 – 18	Waikato Chiefs	Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
		Try: Boeta Wessels, Stefan Terblanche (4), Stephen Brink, Walter Minnaar Con: Boeta Wessels, Henry Honiball (6) Pen: Henry Honiball		Try: Blair Larsen, Glen Osborne Con: Walter Little Pen: Matt Cooper (2)	Referee: Andrew Cole

	25 April 1998	Queensland Reds	28 – 15	Northern Transvaal	Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
		Try: Ben Tune (2), Damien Smith Con: John Eales (2) Pen: John Eales (3)		Try: Braam van Straaten, Casper Steyn Con: Braam van Straaten Pen: Braam van Straaten

	26 April 1998	Auckland Blues	74 – 28	Western Stormers	Eden Park, Auckland
		Try: Caleb Ralph, Carlos Spencer, Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri (2), Mark Carter (3), Paul Mitchell, Xavier Rush (2) Con: Adrian Cashmore (7), Carlos Spencer Pen: Adrian Cashmore		Try: Andrew Aitken, Charl Marais, Joggie Viljoen, Jopie Adlam Con: Louis Koen (4)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

Round 10

	1 May 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	17 – 39	Canterbury Crusaders	McLean Park, Napier
		Try: Alex Telea, Martin Leslie Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Mayerhofler, Norm Berryman, Todd Blackadder Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (5)	Referee: Steve R. Walsh

	1 May 1998	Waratahs	23 – 22	Otago Highlanders	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: Matt Burke, Michael Brial Con: Manny Edmonds, Matt Burke Pen: Manny Edmonds (3)		Try: Jeff Wilson Con: Simon Culhane Pen: Simon Culhane (4) Drop: Simon Culhane	Referee: Carl Spannenberg

	2 May 1998	Northern Transvaal	12 – 8	Coastal Sharks	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Pen: Braam van Straaten (4)		Try: Steve Atherton Pen: Andre Joubert

	2 May 1998	ACT Brumbies	24 – 27	Auckland Blues	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock Pen: Stephen Larkham (3)		Try: Penalty Try, Joeli Vidiri, Paul Mitchell Con: Carlos Spencer (3) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (2)	Referee: Andre Watson

	2 May 1998	Waikato Chiefs	26 – 7	Western Stormers	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
		Try: Scott McLeod (2) Con: Ian Foster (2) Pen: Ian Foster (4)		Try: Penalty Try Con: Louis Koen	Referee: Peter Marshall

	3 May 1998	Golden Cats	16 – 20	Queensland Reds	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: AJ Venter Con: Jannie de Beer Pen: Jannie de Beer (2), Werner Swanepoel		Try: Ben Tune, John Eales, Shane Drahm Con: John Eales Pen: John Eales	Referee: Steve Walsh

Round 11

	8 May 1998	Waikato Chiefs	35 – 15	ACT Brumbies	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
		Try: Bruce Reihana (2), Roger Randle (2) Con: Ian Foster (2), Matt Cooper Pen: Ian Foster (3)		Try: Josh Birch, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock	Referee: Tappe Henning

	9 May 1998	Golden Cats	25 – 34	Canterbury Crusaders	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
		Try: Chris Badenhorst, Joe Esterhuysen, Naka Drotske Con: Jannie de Beer (2) Pen: Jannie de Beer (2)		Try: Aaron Gibson, Daryl Gibson, Mark Mayerhofler, Norm Berryman Con: Andrew Mehrtens Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)	Attendance: 24,212 Referee: Peter Marshall

	9 May 1998	Western Stormers	15 – 36	Otago Highlanders	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
		Try: Chester Williams (2) Con: Louis Koen Pen: Louis Koen		Try: Jeff Wilson (3), Jeremy Stanley (3) Con: Tony Brown (3)	Attendance: 19,512 Referee: Scott Young

	9 May 1998	Waratahs	36 – 32	Wellington Hurricanes	Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
		Try: John Welborn, Matt Burke, Semi Taupeaffe, Willie Ofahengaue Con: Matt Burke (2) Pen: Matt Burke (4)		Try: Christian Cullen, Mepi Faoagali Con: Jon Preston (2) Pen: Jon Preston (6)	Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

	10 May 1998	Coastal Sharks	30 – 20	Queensland Reds	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: Andre Joubert, Henry Honiball (2), Ollie Le Roux Con: Henry Honiball (2) Pen: Andre Joubert, Henry Honiball		Try: Jason Little Pen: John Eales (5)	Referee: Paddy O'Brien

Round 12

	16 May 1998	Golden Cats	41 – 7	Western Stormers	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
		Try: Chris Badenhorst, Jannie van der Walt (3), Werner Swanepoel (2) Con: Jannie de Beer (4) Pen: Jannie de Beer		Try: Percy Montgomery Con: Louis Koen	Referee: Andre Watson

	16 May 1998	Coastal Sharks	20 – 32	Canterbury Crusaders	ABSA Stadium, Durban
		Try: Andre Joubert, Gary Teichmann, Ollie Le Roux Con: Andre Joubert Pen: Henry Honiball		Try: Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Hammett, Norm Berryman (2) Con: Andrew Mehrtens (3) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2)	Referee: Peter Marshall

	16 May 1998	ACT Brumbies	23 – 16	Queensland Reds	Canberra Stadium, Canberra
		Try: Ipolito Fenukitau, Stirling Mortlock Con: Stephen Larkham (2) Pen: Stephen Larkham (3)		Try: Shane Drahm Con: Shane Drahm Pen: Shane Drahm (3)	Referee: Wayne Erickson

	16 May 1998	Wellington Hurricanes	34 – 45	Auckland Blues	Athletic Park, Wellington
		Try: Alex Telea, Jason O'Halloran (3), Tana Umaga Con: Jon Preston (3) Pen: Jon Preston		Try: Eroni Clarke, Joeli Vidiri (2), Jonah Lomu (2), Xavier Rush Con: Adrian Cashmore (6) Pen: Adrian Cashmore	Referee: Colin Hawke

	16 May 1998	Northern Transvaal	26 – 31	Otago Highlanders	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
		Try: Braam van Straaten, McNeill Hendricks Con: Braam van Straaten (2) Pen: Braam van Straaten (4)		Try: Brendan Laney, Jeff Wilson (2), Pita Alatini Con: Tony Brown Pen: Tony Brown (3)	Referee: Scott Young

	15 May 1998	Waikato Chiefs	21 – 33	Waratahs	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
		Try: Matt Cooper, Roger Randle Con: Matt Cooper Pen: Matt Cooper (3)		Try: John Welborn, Matthew Dowling (2) Con: Matt Burke (3) Pen: Matt Burke (4)	Referee: Johan Meuwesen

Finals

Semi finals

	22 May 1998	Auckland Blues	37 – 31	Otago Highlanders	Eden Park, Auckland
		Tries: Adrian Cashmore (2), Joeli Vidiri, Lee Stensness Con: Adrian Cashmore (4) Pen: Adrian Cashmore (3)		Tries: Jeff Wilson, Taine Randell, Isitolo Maka Cons: Simon Culhane, Tony Brown Pens: Simon Culhane (3), Tony Brown	Referee: Colin Hawke

	23 May 1998	Canterbury Crusaders	36 – 32	Coastal Sharks	Lancaster Park, Christchurch
		Tries: Norm Berryman (2), Daryl Lilley, Daryl Gibson Cons: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pens: Andrew Mehrtens (4)		Tries: Ollie le Roux (2), Shaun Payne, Stefan Terblanche, Kevin Putt Cons: André Joubert (2) Pens: André Joubert	Attendance: 34,000 Referee: Peter Marshall

Grand final

30 May 1998

Auckland Blues	13 – 20	Canterbury Crusaders
Tries: James Christian Con: Adrian Cashmore Pen: Adrian Cashmore Drop: Adrian Cashmore		Tries: James Kerr, Norm Maxwell Con: Andrew Mehrtens (2) Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (2)

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee:

Paddy O'Brien

Leading try-scorers

Top 3 try scorers
Pos	Name	Tries	Team
1	Jeff Wilson	10	Otago Highlanders
1	Joeli Vidiri	10	Auckland Blues
1	Stefan Terblanche	10	Coastal Sharks

Leading point-scorers

Top 3 points scorers
Pos	Name	Tries	Team
1	Andrew Mehrtens	206	Canterbury Crusaders
2	Adrian Cashmore	180	Auckland Blues
3	Jon Preston	112	Wellington Hurricanes