Super Rugby Power Rankings: The rediscovered genius of Aaron Smith
The Highlanders beat the Stormers by a record margin and the Crusaders are 9-0 but they still can’t crack the top spot of Scotty Stevenson’s Super Rugby Power Rankings.
1. HURRICANES (N/C)
Despite the fact that Dane Coles has been out with a knee – oh, we meant head! – issue for a month, the form of his replacement Ricky Riccitelli, who has one of the most phonetically pleasing names in Super Rugby, shows just how much forward depth the Hurricanes have at their disposal. It’s hard to imagine the week off has done this team any harm and now they face a Stormers side that has been slapped like a red-headed step child for two straight weeks. There were audible groans from Stormers fans at full time last week, when they realised they still had one more kiwi team to face on this tour.
https://twitter.com/Hurricanesrugby/status/859545082764050433
2. CRUSADERS (N/C)
They’re 9-0 and they still can’t make number one. They should be, and in any other season they probably would be, but recent history tells us to keep our powder dry when it comes to the Crusaders. The suspension of Sam Whitelock for dropping some Richard Loe elbow justice last weekend against the Cheetahs is probably a blessing for the big skipper. He would have wanted to play every game and this at least forces him to take a break. It’s not as if they are struggling with second-rowers. The Crusaders bench has been clutch all year, and that won’t change this week.
3. LIONS (N/C)
It’s the same top three this week and the Lions keep their place because they keep winning. It wasn’t pretty against the Force, but not many games involving the Force are. They still scored three tries to none and threw the ball around like puns at a dad joke convention, and the back three of Skosan, Coetzee, and Mahuza were outstanding again. When Elton Jantjies, the Carlos Spencer of South Africa, is given freedom to be himself, he is one of the best players to watch. On recent form, the Rebels don’t stand a chance this week.
4. HIGHLANDERS (up 1)
Here they come! An unnamed Rugby Pass colleague demanded I put the Highlanders top this week, but I will not be coerced like that. The Highlanders had no Luke Whitelock, no Elliot Dixon and still no Lima Sopoaga, and yet managed to absolutely annihilate the Stormers last Friday night, setting a record high score and record winning margin. Much of the credit must go to Aaron Smith who has literally pulled his game out of the toilet and orchestrated everything the Highlanders did. I would give love to Marty Banks too but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
https://twitter.com/SuperRugbyNZ/status/858868696856403968
5. CHIEFS (down 1)
The word from inside the Chiefs camp is that they are playing like a bag of spanners lately. Yet they are 8-1 for the season and remain the only team this year to hand the Hurricanes a loss. Can’t wait to see the Chiefs when they are back in business. It’s patently clear that their first up tackling is still not what it needs to be, and without guys getting pushed back over the gainline, their supply of turnover ball is lacking. If, and when, they sort that, it’ll be the D-Mac and Lowe Show once more.
6. BLUES (up 3)
This massive jump up the Rankings is more to do with the lack of any other legitimate option to fill this spot, rather than the Blues’ newfound success. Yes, it was a win for the Blues last weekend, against a gritty Brumbies side, but in all honesty, bonus points should have been handed out to any fans who got through the entire 80 minutes. I think it is safe to say most other kiwi teams (three out of the four, anyway) would have crushed the Brumbies. That the Blues had to scrape their way to victory is an illustration of where they are at spiritually. Maybe that was the win they needed.
https://twitter.com/SuperRugbyNZ/status/858628243808591872
7. SHARKS (N/C)
Jean-Luc du Preez is my new favourite loose forward, which is tough on his twin brother Daniel, but I am not Mr or Mrs du Preez so I can play favourites if I want to. An 8-point win over the Jags keeps the Sharks in contact with the Lions in their conference, which is what it’s all about. They can throw the ball around when they want to, the Sharks… they just don’t seem to want to. Which is why they will not catch the Lions this year and probably will never climb higher than this on the rankings.
8. KINGS (up 4)
Oh yes I did. I know exactly what’s happened here. As soon as the Kings were forced to play in those unforgiving and incredibly revealing grey shirts, they immediately got fitter to try to look good in them. It is one of the greatest fashion-focussed team turnarounds in history.
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9. STORMERS (down 4)
Deer in the headlights would be the best way to describe the Stormers on this New Zealand tour. They have leaked 114 points in two games, look bereft of any variation on attack and even their back three look to have left their counter-attack back in South Africa. The Stormers changed their game plan after last year’s quarterfinal hammering at the hands of the Chiefs, only to lose their nerve the moment they faced another New Zealand team. There is no way they beat the Hurricanes this weekend.
10. WARATAHS (up 4)
Pushed to the end by the Reds, the Waratahs showed some genuine commitment over the weekend in what passes for the biggest Australian derby. They were the better team in terms of closing out the game, but they were outplayed in so many facets of the match that it seems a little unfair they won. That said, winning games isn’t always about playing the most rugby, which is good for the Tahs, because they certainly don’t do that.
11. JAGUARES (down 3)
My high hopes for this bunch are heading south. The Sharks match last week was a chance to turn things around for the Jags, but it was not to be. Not many teams can say they were outrun by the Sharks. Also, they need to find a way to turn chances into points. When Joaquin Tuculet is responsible for a third of your running metres, you have an issue.
12. BULLS (down 1)
The Bulls had a bye this week, which is the only reason they slip down the rankings. Actually, that’s not true. They return to Loftus this weekend to face the 9-0 Crusaders. Good luck. It would take a special performance from them to get the W over a team that fears none. Coach Marais wants the Bulls to play expansive rugby (and they should have been rewarded for that against the Chiefs a few weeks ago) but I suspect they will go back to high kicks and mauls against the Crusaders.
https://twitter.com/BlueBullsRugby/status/858584019474186241
13. BRUMBIES (down 3)
Yuck.
14. REDS (down 1)
There was a lot to admire about the Reds last weekend. They ran the ball, created some good tries (if they found a way to get Karmichael Hunt into every move, they would probably start winning more) and didn’t miss many tackles. But they still lost. Against the Tahs. Which is horrible.
15. CHEETAHS (up 1)
Scored their customary 20 points against the Crusaders and conceded their customary 40. Just another day in Bloemfontein.
16. SUNWOLVES (up 2)
A bonus point loss against the Chiefs in Hamilton! Praise the Lord the moondogs won some serious respect last week in Cowtown. That they saved their best performance of their New Zealand tour until the last game shows how committed they are to improving.
17. FORCE (N/C)
Jedi mind screwing the opposition into playing ugly rugby is not a game plan.
18. REBELS (down 3)
The Rebs hit rock bottom against the Kings. They cannot play worse than that. At least, we hope so.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments