Super Rugby Power Rankings: The Kings bandwagon is gaining steam
A change has come at the top of Scotty Stevenson’s power rankings after the Crusaders dethroned the Hurricanes in a New Zealand conference classic.
1. Crusaders (up 1)
I am a man of my word. Last week I suggested the Crusaders were “the only team you would actually back right now to have the defensive wherewithal to work out the Hurricanes attack”, and did they ever do that on Saturday night? That was a win for substance over style, and they deserve to be top of this week’s power rankings after keeping the hottest attacking team in the competition tryless over 80 minutes of bare-knuckle brawling footy. If you’re looking for heroes in the Crusaders, give the management team a plug. They have done an amazing job in terms of empowering the youngsters in that team and that enthusiasm has rejuvenated the veterans. Scott Barrett will be a big loss, but the emergence of Quinten Strange is a massive positive.
2. Hurricanes (down 1)
The Hurricanes forwards may have been out-muscled on Saturday night but it is hard to see a team that proud not bouncing back, and bouncing back fast. After a month of pounding ten types of hell out of teams, they fell short of their own lofty standards against the Crusaders. The lineout (offensively and defensively) was well down on expectation and the scrum got tooled up. Worryingly for the Hurricanes, their two losses this season have both come against renowned breakdown ballbusters, the Chiefs and the Crusaders. Expect them to tear the Cheetahs to shreds this week, after tearing each other to pieces on the training field. They’ll find their running game again, too. Being restricted to just 300 metres on Saturday will not sit well.
https://twitter.com/Hurricanesrugby/status/863666472584794112
3. Lions (N/C)
I don’t blame the Lions for what they served up against the Brumbies. That is a team that can drain the life out of anything. You have to hand it to the Lions’ defence in Canberra. They were under the hammer from a team that just kept the ball for the entire match, and they still kept their line clean. Kwagga Smith, the sevens specialist, was the star of the show. His 81 metres was a team-high in the game.
4. Chiefs (up 1)
It’s rare that a team leaps up a place on a bye-week but that’s just the way it is this round. There is nothing the Chiefs would have enjoyed more than sitting back and watching the other sides in the playoff hunt bash the living bejesus out of each other. You get the feeling that the round 11 win over the Reds may well have sparked something with Hamilton’s finest. They will be full noise in Suva this weekend, knowing that they prevailed against the Crusaders at the same venue last year.
https://twitter.com/MalakaiFekitoa/status/863462466700939264
5. Highlanders (down 1)
You can give grit points and not much more to the Landers this week after mud-wrestling their way to another last-gasp victory, this time over the Bulls. There are two ways to look at this result: either this is the most determined team in history, or they are fast using up all nine of their lives. They will see themselves as the former, but what toll this emotional rollercoaster of a tour has taken will be revealed this weekend against the Force.
6. Blues (up 1)
A third straight win for the Blues, who have mastered the art of making the easy look hard. Take nothing away from their attack, which was good for a half century on the weekend. On the face of the stats, their defence is also firing. They have missed the fewest tackles per game of any side, won the most rucks, and conceded the fewest penalties. They’ve achieved all of this by keeping the ball for longer than any other side. That makes the final scoreline a little bit baffling. Up 45-18 after 53 minutes, their fade at the close and their concession of late tries is a worry.
https://twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams/status/864141717330694144
7. Kings (up 1)
When I said last week they were capable of beating the Sharks, I didn’t expect them to actually beat the Sharks. The Kings are still last in their conference, but with five games to go are still a chance to claim the African wildcard spot in the playoffs. That would be the most extraordinary result in Super Rugby history. I’m officially on the bandwagon.
8. Sharks (down 1)
Forget everything I said last week. The Sharks tried to defeat the Kings from depth. They are still not good enough to win games like that.
9. Stormers (up 1)
The break could not have come soon enough for the Stormers after their horror tour to New Zealand. Fortunately for them, their bye-week saw their closest rivals both beaten by kiwi sides. The Stormers will be better for being home and though they face a Blues team growing in confidence, if they can starve the visitors of ball, they can all but put the conference to bed.
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10. Jaguares (down 1)
The Jaguares tried to beat up on the Force which is a rookie move. The way to beat the Force is to run around them, not through them. The Jags were outrun, out-passed and out-thought by the desperate Force who limited the home side to just three clean breaks. The insistence on confrontation in the Jags’ undoing.
11. Waratahs (N/C)
With the Rebels, Highlanders, Chiefs, Jaguares and Force still to come, the Waratahs are fast running out of ways to snatch the conference from the Brumbies. Like the Stormers, the weekend off would have been the best thing for the Tahs, who have spent the entire season giving the ball to the opposition. Hopefully they spent the week removing the toes that have grown where their fingers used to be.
12. Cheetahs (up 1)
At least they’re trying to entertain us. Mostly it’s the old pie-in-the-face trick but who doesn’t like that old gag?
13. Brumbies (down 1)
Give the Brumbies some credit for minimising the damage against one of the best offences in the competition last weekend. But this team boasts the fewest running metres per game, the fewest offloads, the second fewest defender beats, and the third fewest clean breaks. They can’t win an opposition lineout, and haven’t made a scrum steal. Those are not minor issues.
https://twitter.com/BrumbiesRugby/status/863906230766415872
14. Force (up 3)
I’m going to give the Force some due credit here. Winning in Argentina is not easy. Especially when you are a team that averages 18 points per game. The Force’s biggest problem is they play like the Brumbies.
15. Bulls (down 1)
None of the current Bulls players were born the last time it rained at Loftus. Could be forgiven for wondering what was going on.
16. Sunwolves (down 1)
I missed the Moondogs this week. They shouldn’t be allowed bye weeks.
17. Reds (down 1)
Took 81 minutes to beat the most limited team in the competition.
18. Rebels (N/C)
Can’t buy a win. I feel for this team. The loss to the Reds was the cruellest cut of all.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
1 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
17 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
17 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
2 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
17 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
17 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
17 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
17 Go to commentsI hadn’t watched much Canes this season but sat through a replay of that Chiefs game with no distractions. That pack is beastly. I really like the look of Iose. He loves the tough stuff. The first Quins clip may be the best I have even seen for a TH driving his opposite into oblivion. i need to take your word for the contribution of Walker, but Collier there with a straight back pushing up from under was a lovely thing to see. Have you fallen in love with Baxter also, Nick? I think Stuart Barnes may have written his column about him recently, naked. He positively frothed.
14 Go to commentsSmart guy. I wish he was running the RFU or something!
2 Go to commentsWhy Barrett, when Leinster already have at least 4 top centres.?
15 Go to commentsGood write up, Brett. Rebels are an interesting one for sure. 88 points scored in the last two games, but against two teams that are unlikely to be in the top 4 at seasons end. However the other side of the coin, against the Hurricanes, the team to beat atm, they conceded 54 points, and add in another 53 points to the then high flying Reds, and things don’t look so good. The acid tests will be against the Blues and the Chiefs. I do hope they do contest the finals this year, if only to confound those working on their demise. Les Kiss has made a big difference to the Qld. Reds, and they could so easily have now been sitting unbeaten at the top of the table. But they have now lost some games in a most disappointing fashion, and now step up against the Highlanders this weekend seriously depleted, four absolute key players down, two to suspension, two injured. Of the other Australian sides, the Brumbies look unlikely to fold to anyone any time soon, while the Waratahs and Force both disappoint. But still and all, winning games against the NZ sides is very welcome, and one would hope for more to come. Who will come out on top ? A North Island side for sure should contest the final, but I would hope an Australian side might just get there this year. Brumbies most likely, Qld. Reds could be formidable with a full team back on the field.
12 Go to commentsThe stat that illustrates some progress compared to recent years is that Aussie sides have won 5 of 12 games against Kiwi sides. The Tahs have lost 2 tight games against Kiwi sides, while the Reds and Tahs have contrasting experiences in games against Kiwi sides decided by that farcical thing called golden point.
12 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes pack has stepped up in a huge way this year. Their improvement at scrum time has been a big contributor to their success. Aumua looks like he is playing with a lot of confidence and put in a really good display at both set piece and in general play on Saturday. Him and Numia are putting in a good case for higher honours, A dominate combination with Lomax will help their case. And their loose forward depth is class. Iose has benefited from regular game time and Lakai has shown his versatility and promise. Thanks Nick. Hope all is well.
14 Go to commentsSamoa have enough former internationals who want to flick a switch for a country most have probably hardly set foot in. If you’re that passionate about Samoa, go live and play rugby there to qualify instead of just waltzing into the side and kicking a player actually from Samoa out of the squad. All these ex internationals hasn’t really made them that much more competitive because most look like they're going through the motions.
2 Go to commentsKini Naholo at 14 brings to memory Waisake.
1 Go to comments