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It shows the dominance of New Zealand in Super Rugby that in the past five years, four different Kiwi teams have won the title.
The only New Zealand franchise not to have lifted the Super Rugby trophy in triumph over that time is the Blues and even that team is on a slow uphill path with hopes of eventually reliving the glory days of 1996/97 and 2003.
This year’s Super Rugby competition, which kicks off with a round in South Africa, is reverting to a 15-team competition after two years of having 18 teams, which was ultimately deemed unsuccessful. Axed from
last year’s lineup are the Force, the Kings and the Cheetahs.
This year’s 15 teams are divided into three geographical conferences – five New Zealand teams; four Australian teams plus the Japanese
Sunwolves; and four South African sides with Argentina’s Jaguares.
The top team in each conference qualifies for the quarterfinals as do the next best five teams overall.
FC Bayern v Besiktas Sky Sport 1, 8.40am, Wednesday (live) Sevilla v Manchester Utd Sky Sport 2, 8am, Thursday (live) Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma Sky Sport 1, 8.40am, Thursday (live) A LEAGUE Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix Sky Sport 3, 9.45pm, Friday (live)
POLO NZ OPEN Sky Sport 1, noon, Sunday (live)
WINTER OLYMPICS Daily live coverage On Sky Sport channels and Prime