Super Rugby Power Rankings: Pre-Season Edition
Here we go. The Super Rugby Season is about to begin and that means it is time to grapple with the impossible question of who ranks where and why, before a tackle is even made, or a try scored. Never an easy task, so we have gone about this pre-season power ranking with all the scientific integrity of a tobacco lobbyist in front of a congressional hearing. Let the games begin…
18. The Sunwolves
Rd 1: v The Lions
We wholeheartedly agree with FOX Sports Australia commentator Sean Maloney – this team would have been much better if it had been called the Moondogs. They will travel 80,000 kilometres this season, have been lumped with the tougher South African conference, and play home games in two countries. Seriously good chance of selling a tonne of merchandise though, so there is that.
17. The Kings
Rd 1: v The Sharks
The Kings are as far from South African rugby royalty as you could hope to get, quite frankly. However, I have a soft spot for the Eastern Province, and especially the old Boet Erasmus Stadium, where I once had my nuts bitten in a college game. That incident isn’t the reason I have a soft spot for the Eastern Province; it was just the only interesting thing I could think to say about the Kings.
16. The Reds
Rd 1: v The Waratahs
The Reds have looked about as organised as a opportunity shop this pre-season. They start the season against the Waratahs, who have outscored their northern neighbours 120-18 over the last four games. On the plus side, the Reds do have an official mascot dog called Red. I don’t know if that is relevant here.
15. The Cheetahs
Rd 1: v The Jaguares
Bloemfontein is amazing, and not in a good way. It’s like New Zealand’s most boring city Hamilton, but with seven extra shades of beige. Apart from that, the Cheetahs leaked more points (33 per game) last season than any other team. They are entertaining in a ‘Jackson Pollock designed our attack plan’ kind of way, but you can’t go anywhere in this competition without some rock solid defence.
14. The Force
Rd 1: v The Rebels
The Force have Peter Grant at first five. The Force will spend a lot of time chasing kicks and defending. The Force scored a miserly 15.3 points per game last season, which was the worst average in the competition. The Force has not awoken.
13. The Crusaders
Rd 1: v The Chiefs
How can you get dusted 74-7 in a pre-season game? I don’t know what is going on down there, but if Todd Blackadder wasn’t already grey, he’d be going grey. In fact, he’d be going bald and developing locked-in syndrome and designing game plans by blinking. Still, this is only week one, and I doubt the ‘Saders will remain this far down the rankings.
12. The Lions
Rd 1: v The Sunwolves
I like the Lions. I don’t know why. They are a guilty pleasure, like a Garth Brooks album or a cheese and tomato sauce sandwich. The Lions lost to the Bulls in their final pre-season hit out, which pains me greatly, but they have the Sunwolves first up so the time for redemption is nigh.
11. The Sharks
Rd 1: v The Kings
The Sharks gave the world Andre Joubert which should never be forgotten. However, they currently operate more as an online player clearing house for European clubs to plunder than anything approaching championship contenders. They should dust up the Kings, though, even without Patrick Lambie.
10. The Jaguares
Rd 1: v The Cheetahs
The Jaguares have had so much smoke blown up their butts, they are in danger of developing bowel cancer. There are plenty of pundits convinced that in their first year of Super Rugby the Jaguares are a playoff chance, but I’m not sure. They start in Bloemfontein, which may well be enough for them to decide to pull the pin and go back to their French clubs.
9. The Rebels
Rd 1: v The Force
The Rebels are the hardest problem to solve since Maria. There is talent there, certainly, but there is zero consistency. They’ll be pumped up after dusting Samoa A by 80 points in their last pre-season hit out, and by the fact they have a 7-3 career record against the Force, but they’re still the Rebels so the question is, will they ever be any good?
8. The Bulls
Rd 1: v The Stormers
One does not simply replace Handre Pollard.
7. The Chiefs
Rd 1: v The Crusaders
The Chiefs recruited very well in the off-season and then broke three of their best recruits in pre-season training, which is not a very good start. On the bright side, the return of Aaron Cruden is enough to get make any Chiefs fan weep with excitement. This is a team that can hurt any other team in the competition, but we haven’t seen them bring the pain yet.
6. The Highlanders
Rd 1: v The Blues
The Highlanders have lost Richard ‘The Barracuda’ Buckman, which could mean the entire season should be cancelled.
5. The Blues
Rd 1: v The Highlanders
The Blues are blinking in the brilliant sunshine that clarity produces after emerging from three harrowing years of Sir John Kirwin’s coaching. They have been impressive in the pre-season in terms of points scored, but there have been plenty of mistakes as well. Still, give them their dues: they look a different side.
4. The Stormers
Rd 1: v The Bulls
The Stormers have Schalk Burger, which is more than any other team can say. Burger would survive Armageddon. They also have a new coach in Robbie Fleck, who will be far less conservative than Alistair Coetzee. That can only be good for a team that was once known as the white wall of Capetown. It’ll be hard for them to get over the loss of Jean de Villiers and Duane Vermuelen, but they may make a surprise run.
3. The Waratahs
Rd 1: v The Reds
Champions two years ago, the Waratahs enjoyed a serious resurgence under Michael Cheika. Like most Australian teams, they spend a lot of time with their shirts off, which tends to make fuller figured men feel self-conscious. And I don’t like that.
2. The Brumbies
Rd 1: v The Hurricanes
No one ever has anything nice to say about Canberra. I’ve never been to Canberra, so I can’t change that now. I have, however, seen the Brumbies play rugby and the Brumbies can play rugby.
1. The Hurricanes
Rd 1: v The Brumbies
No Ma’a Nonu, no Conrad Smith and no Jeremy Thrush. Those are some prize beasts to be replacing. That said, it seems the Canes have been planning their pre-season run to perfection, and a 70-point thrashing of the Crusaders over the weekend is a serious confidence boost. They have to be favourites to redeem last year’s grand final loss.
Comments on RugbyPass
Article intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
2 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
2 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.
18 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. 🥴
18 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!
18 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!
18 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.
18 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
18 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 comments