Super Rugby Countdown Day 10: Top 10 most losses in a regular season

February 14, 2023
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Ultimate Rugby

Between 2010 and 2019, there was a curse looming in Super Rugby that saw teams lose as much as 14 matches out of 16.

We take a look at the top 10 most losses in a regular season.

Sunwolves 2019 (14/16)

The 24th Super Rugby season wasn't a good one for Sunwolves as they only won two matches out of 16.

The Japanese team finished unsurprisingly last on the Super Rugby table that season with just only 12 points.

Lions 2010 (13/13)

A period of dark times, the 2010 season was the peak of a nightmare for the Lions.

Between 2008 and 2010 the South African team plummeted to new depths and it all culminated in 2010 when they lost all their games in the Super 14 competition.

John Mitchel was brought in as coach and he had some success with the team, winning the Currie Cup in 2011.

Sunwolves 2016 (13/15)

With minimal star power in their squad, the Sunwolves took in blow after blow during the 2016 season.

They finished the season with a tied-most lowest points on the table, sharing the title with South African team the Southern Kings and Australia's Western Force.

Kings 2016 (13/15)

Their second appearance in the competition, Southern Kings begain the 2016 with a 8-43 loss against the Sharks.

That started the domino effect as following matches ended with embarrassing defeats.

Western Force 2016 (13/15)

A surprising addition to the list, the Force had a victory drought in 2016.

They ended a seven-match losing run in Super Rugby by beating Japan’s Sunwolves 22-40 in May of that year, marking their first of only two victories that season.

Rebels 2017 (13/15)

After recording only 2 wins in 2017, Rebels' coach, Tony McGahan, had fallen on his sword and their best Australian talent, Sean McMahon, jumped ship to Japan.

The side only registered their first win two months into the season.

Their come-from-behind 19-17 victory against the Australian conference-leading Brumbies showed some fighting spirit.

Sunwolves 2017 (13/15)

No strangers to the list, Sunwolves were becoming close friends with defeat, having it visit them more times than not.

This time in 2017, they again won only two matches in 15, with then head coach Filo Tiatia's second season with the side not proving a good one.

Rebels 2011 (13/16)

The 2011 season saw the arrival of Rebels to the competition as Australia's fifth team after entry by the Southern Kings from South Africa was denied.

Unfortunately the side only recorded three wins that season, with their first coming against Brumbies.

Blues 2015 (13/16)

The only season that was gloomy for the Blues was in 2015, with over a dozen losses.

Force 2012 (13/16)

Aussie 'fetcher' David Pocock was announced as Force's captain that season, but the 'world's best opensider' wasn't enough to break the losing curse.

His appointment was meant to inspire his team to adopt a similar work ethic, which they needed as then rank underdogs in the competition.