Super Rugby Pacific takes: Tele'a world's best, Ratima must start
Round six of Super Rugby Pacific saw the Crusaders register their first win of the season over the Chiefs on Friday night to avoid going 0-6.
The Rebels shocked the Waratahs, the Brumbies trumped the Reds, while the Hurricanes laid down a marker with a dominant display against the Highlanders.
Here are five takes from the last round from a New Zealand perspective.
It’s just a matter of how many All Blacks for the Hurricanes
The scary part about the Hurricanes demolition of the Highlanders was how many points they left out there.
A number of try scoring opportunities went begging and they still put up 47 points. Once again the Canes dominated up front, highlighting the strength of their front row.
All Black prop Ethan de Groot was popped by Asafo Aumua early on, spilling the ball for a scrum, which subsequently led to a Hurricanes’ scrum penalty (against De Groot). That was the first sign the Highlanders were going to be in for a rough night.
Xavier Numia bagged the first try and Aumua had one later on. Peter Lakai and Braydon Iose once again shone, with Iose’s powerful carry fuelling front foot ball all night.
The question now becomes ‘how many’ Hurricanes will be picked in the All Blacks after a 6-0 start to the season. Jordie Barrett, Cam Roigard (if fit later this year), Tyrel Lomax are certainties.
Numia, Iose, Lakai, fullback Ruben Love, winger Kini Naholo are all genuine bolter candidates. TJ Perenara and Brett Cameron are recall options.
There are plenty of options for Scott Robertson who wear the swirl.
Mark Tele’a is the world’s best wing
The Blues’ winger bagged a hat-trick, a rather simple one against Moana Pasifika, but Tele’a’s remarkable rise over the last year has crept up on the world and it’s time to recognise his place at the top of the global pecking order.
It was only last year that the 27-year-old became a regular in the Test side, at an age where All Black wingers are usually hitting their expiry date. Tele’a scooped the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award in the process.
After winning the Bledisloe Cup in Melbourne, which featured a deadly move on Marika Koroibete one-on-one on a try assist for Rieko Ioane, Tele’a said he didn’t yet feel settled in the All Blacks environment. He has continued to maintain his high level of play for well over a year now.
The shifty finisher has proven to be one of the most difficult players in world rugby to bring down, routinely beating five or more defenders against the best defences. He has 29 in six games for the Blues this season. He’s like a modern day Joe Rokocoko, built with more size.
The Springboks had never conceded a try in a World Cup final until Tele’a danced his way through three or four before finding an offload for Beauden Barrett.
Tele’a is in the same league of elite wingers as Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe and France’s Damian Penaud and there is an argument to be made he is number one based on attacking production and the strength of his game in multiple areas.
Losing Roigard stings for the All Blacks
Cam Roigard was on fire in the first half against the Highlanders, sniping around the rucks and preying on tired defenders. He was instrumental in Lakai’s try, combining with forwards in that channel to spark the break. A pinpoint 50-22 was an expert piece of skill.
In terms of the Hurricanes’ title aspirations, TJ Perenara looks in fine touch on return from injury and can definitely help fill the void. In terms of the All Blacks, Roigard was on track to be one of the top two options for Scott Robertson which complicates matters.
Blues halfback Finlay Christie has been floated as the top contender however he has not been reliable so far in his international career.
In his role off the bench for the All Blacks in 2023 he had execution issues. He got pinched by Kwagga Smith for a late try at Mt Smart, he was charged down during a key moment in the final.
His form is perhaps best described as shaky and certainly hasn’t been convincing. He is a contender but certainly by no means the favourite.
Noah Hotham showed for the Crusaders on Friday night that youth is not a reason to overlook selection. He produced a match-winning performance with two try assists and offered a spark that Willi Heinz has not.
Cortez Ratima and Folau Fakatava have been on form this year and produce more zip than Christie, offering more with ball-in-hand.
Aaron Smith was 23 when he made his All Blacks debut in 2012. The All Blacks should be looking again for an explosive halfback who will peak in 2027.
Crusaders rush D finally has some bite
The Crusaders’ defence was instrumental in their win over the Chiefs, finally bringing some heat to force the Chiefs backward and pressure young first five Josh Jacomb.
Early in the first half the Crusaders set the tone. Dallas McLeod trapped Etene Nanai-Seturo a long way behind the gain line as the Chiefs tried to go wide early. McLeod and Aumua continued that impetus to rush hard and catch the Chiefs using too much depth.
The Chiefs were going backwards frequently and forced to wave the white flag with kicks. The defence wasn’t perfect, Emoni Narawa scored after the Chiefs found a way past the outside rush, but it did enough.
Cullen Grace scored a try after a turnover forced by Sevu Reece jamming in on the opposite side. Johnny McNicholl profited with a killer intercept of Josh Ioane for his second try.
A number of young Crusaders players stood up, hooker George Bell whose throwing has been atrocious, lock Jamie Hannah in a rare start and halfback Noah Hotham who ignited play with urgency, quick taps and fast decisions around the ruck.
Ratima must start for the Chiefs
The Chiefs issues without McKenzie are well-known, but the team certainly looked better in the second half with Cortez Ratima on the park.
They were down 27-12 when he came on the field in the 5oth minute, and won the last half hour 14-10.
The first attacking set with the reserve halfback on was unprofitable, with the Chiefs getting close before being repelled. Ratima found himself under pressure from the Crusaders’ counter-ruck.
But on their next attacking launch it took two phases to score with Ratima involved providing quick ball after Quinn Tupaea’s crash run on first phase. From there, he grew into the game, dancing around defenders at the ruck and sniping at half-gaps, before scoring the next try himself backing up inside.
There is minimal difference between Xavier Roe (98.8 per cent) and Ratima’s (98.4 per cent) pass accuracy, but the latter poses more of a threat with ball-in-hand.
His five tries in six appearances, from just three starts, show his dynamic running game which features instinctual support play on the inside.
With Roigard’s injury, it is imperative that Ratima takes the starting job at the Chiefs permanently in order to push for selection for the England series. Of the two No 9s, he has a real shot.
Comments on RugbyPass
Great role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
59 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
59 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
59 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
59 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
59 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
59 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
59 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
59 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
59 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
59 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
59 Go to comments