Super Rugby Power Rankings Week 5: Hail to the Chiefs
New Zealand teams claim the gold, silver, bronze, and fourth place medals in Scotty Stevenson’s latest Super Rugby power rankings.
1. Chiefs
Rd 5: 53-10 v Force
Last week: 4 (up 3)
For most of the first half against the Force, the Chiefs chased the ball like it owed them money, but when they finally settled into their work they looked like a team in full control of its destiny. This is a Chiefs team missing seven front-line forwards and yet they did not miss a beat. Everyone is talking about Damian McKenzie and Charlie Ngatai – and so they should be – but Aaron Cruden deserves much more love. He is surely the frontrunner for the All Blacks’ test first five spot. Why is nobody talking about Aaron Cruden?
2. Highlanders
Rd 5: 27-3 v Rebels
Last week: 2 (N/C)
You have to love a team that can grind you down like a sociopathic boss, and the Highlanders are just such a team. The Rebels threw everything they had at the defending champions, including the most horrible pitch in Super Rugby history, and still the Highlanders kept their line clean.
There will be some concern in the side that they could make just one clean break, and concern too that Liam Squire carried for twice as many metres than the rest of his forward pack combined.
3. Hurricanes
Rd 5: 42-20 v Kings
Last week: 1 (down 2)
It’s not often a team claims a bonus point victory and still gets widely crapped upon, but that seems to be the state of affairs for the Canes this week after they took 80 minutes to get five points against the Kings in what everybody (except the Kings. Actually, probably even the Kings) had pre-ordained as a cake walk in the cake tin. It’s a little unfair on the Hurricanes, who ran for a season-high 740 metres in the match. They allowed the Kings fewer points than the Chiefs or the Crusaders.
4. Crusaders
Rd 5: 17-14 v Sharks
(Last week: 5 (up 1)
The Crusaders threw 215 passes this weekend – that’s 73 passes for each of their three tries. They threw most of them inside their own half, and hardly bothered paying a visit to the Sharks 22, which may explain why they scored just 17 points. The Crusaders should not feel bad about their measly points haul against the Sharks. The Sharks are a nightmare. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome, then the Crusaders are barking mad. I love that about the Crusaders.
5. Brumbies
Rd 5: 25-18 v Cheetahs
Last week: 3 (down 2)
It’s been a tough road trip for the Brumbies. No sooner had they left Australia than their club began to implode, then they suffered their first loss of the season against the Stormers, and this week just scraped through against the Cheetahs. In fairness to the Brumbies, playing the Cheetahs is not easy. It requires you to forget everything you know about how the game should be played. It also must be said that a lesser side would have succumbed to the Cheetahs’ harebrained game plan.
6. Lions
Rd 5: BYE
Last week: 7 (up 1)
The Lions managed to have the week off and still look like the best team in South Africa. Yes, you all know I love the Lions, but I didn’t realise how much until they weren’t playing. I watched the Sharks, Kings, Stormers, Bulls, and Cheetahs and the five of them combined could not fill the gap. The Lions are the best thing to come out of South Africa since the Peppermint Crisp milk tart.
7. Stormers
Rd 5: 13-8 v Jaguares
Last week: 6 (down 1)
The Stormers are a tough watch. This game was a tough watch. We should all forget this game ever happened.
8. Bulls
Rd 5: 30-27 v Sunwolves
Last week: 10 (up 2)
I don’t know what to think of the Bulls this week. On the one hand, they got the win against the Sunwolves, which is all well and good, and they did it in their own customary way (nothing too flash). On the other hand you would think that a team with this kind of adherence to structure might be much more comfortable against a team that treats structure like Gerry Brownlee treats airport security. I can’t figure the Bulls out. I really can’t.
9. Waratahs
Rd 5: 15-13 v Reds
Last week: 11 (up 2)
At last! The Blues of Australian rugby are finally back in the winner’s circle, though they did it tough against a Reds side that had been no match for them back in round one. The Waratahs will enjoy the fact that they now have two wins (both against the Reds) but the alchemy is still missing. Had the Reds been anything other than comically inept at converting opportunities into points, the Waratahs could well have slumped to 1-3 this week.
10. Sharks
Rd 5: 14-17 v Crusaders
Last week: 9 (down 1)
We have been trying to tell you that the Sharks should not be winning games.
11. Blues
Rd 5: BYE
Last week: 12 (up 1)
The Blues spent their bye week entertaining Alfie Allen, who plays a man called Reek on Game of Thrones, who in turn is famous for being gelded. None of that has anything to do with form. The Blues will be better for a bye and have the Jags at home this week.
12. Rebels
Rd 5: 3-27 v Highlanders
Last week: 8 (down 4)
I took a punt on the Rebels in last week’s KFC Power Rankings, in much the same way that I once took a punt on a dish from a Szechuan restaurant in Beijing only to find out afterwards that I had just eaten a plate of slit calf throat and a bowl of steamed bullfrog.
13. Jaguares
Rd 5: 8-13 v Stormers
Last week: 13 (N/C)
I’ve finally figured it out. The Jaguares played with freedom and expression against the Cheetahs, who play with freedom and expression. Then they played like one-dimensional bulldozers against the Sharks, who play like one-dimensional bulldozers. Then they played with freedom and expression against the Chiefs, who play with freedom and expression. Then they played like one-dimensional bulldozers against the Stormers… I see a pattern forming here. The Jaguares don’t know who they are.
14. Reds
Rd 5: 13-15 v Waratahs
Last week: 14 (N/C)
Sigh. The Reds must be wondering what they have to do to win a game. They couldn’t have done much more against the Waratahs, apart from not giving them 25 turnovers, and missing 16 tackles. Actually, that’s probably why the Reds can’t win a game.
15. Sunwolves
Rd 5: 27-30 v Bulls
Last week: 17 (up 2)
You know those crazy Japanese game shows in which contestants have to do things like sing karaoke songs while electrodes are attached to their bodies by women dressed in weird sailor/schoolgirl outfits, while being attacked by robots who have been programmed to tickle their scrotums with feather dusters? Yeah. That’s the Sunwolves.
16. Cheetahs
Rd 5: 18-25 v Brumbies
Last week: 15 (down 1)
Another week, another predictably unpredictable performance from the Cheetahs. The line out was excellent, the scrum was a mess. The running game was on, the finishing was off. The rule for the Cheetahs from now on is give the ball to Sergeal Petersen.
17. Force
Rd 5: 10 -53 v Chiefs
Last week: 16 (down 1)
Matt Hodgson is an absolute champion. The Force all need to be like Matt Hodgson.
18. Kings
Rd 5: 20-42 v Hurricanes
Last week: 18 (N/C)
If Edgard Malutlulle is not your new favourite player then you are doing it wrong. The hooker made more metres than anyone else in the Kings side, which is almost impossible. The Kings won’t win this year unless they can close the door on defence. They missed 34 tackles. That is a terrible stat.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments