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Why the Chiefs are ‘the favourites’ to win Super Rugby Pacific
Commentator Elliott Smith believes the Chiefs are “the favourites to take the crown” in Super Rugby Pacific this year following their perfect start to the season.
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The Chiefs shocked the rugby world with a dominant 31-10 win over the Crusaders in round one, and the ladder-leaders haven’t looked back since.
Led by star playmakers Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie, as well as the high-flying Shaun Stevenson, the Hamilton-based side have been sensational this season.
After beating the Highlanders in early March, the Chiefs went on to beat the Blues and Hurricanes – completing their early-season dominance over New Zealand opposition.
The Chiefs are currently first on the ladder, having won all eight of their matches with a points-differential of +150.
That’s dominance.
Ahead of their crunch clash with title holders the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday, Newstalk ZB lead rugby commentator Elliott Smith has heaped praise on the Chiefs.
“Absolutely. They just seem to go out every week and get the job done,” Smith told Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.
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“Regardless of who they’re playing and the opposition they’ve got, they just go out and do a very, very professional job.
“We saw that a couple of nights ago against the Drua… the Chiefs were just masterful. In wet conditions as well, I thought they were very, very good.
“They’re wrapping what is likely to be top seed on the ladder.
“The Crusaders will come to Hamilton to this week, they’ll be underdogs. The Chiefs, (if) they win that game, I’ve said they’re already favourites for the title but if they win the game this weekend… I’d be a very, very long way back for any team to reel them in for that home advantage.
“Hard to see the Chiefs being knocked off the top spot if they get past the Crusaders this weekend.”
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But the Chiefs’ biggest test yet awaits them in round 10.
While their round one win over the Crusaders was by no means a fluke – they’ve proven that this season, they’re a very good team – not many teams beat the title holders twice in one season.
The Crusaders are a champion team for a reason, although they’ve failed to live up to their high standards throughout this year’s campaign.
Following their slow start to the season, Scott Robertson’s team appeared to turn a corner against the Brumbies – but they haven’t been convincing since.
While they were able to rally from a 12-point half time deficit to win at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, the Crusaders are “making very hard work of games at the moment.”
“They’re making very hard work of games at the moment,” Smith added.
“They gave the Rebels a 12 point advantage at half-time and managed to find their way back in the second half.
“It feels like week-to-week, we’re waiting for this Crusaders team to really hit their stride that we have seen in previous years. They haven’t really given us any sense that they’ve been able to do that this year.
“You look at that Crusaders team and you go, ‘Well they’ve got a few players to come back, maybe they’ll do it against the Chiefs in Hamilton.’
“But it feels like we’re waiting and waiting and waiting for them to hit their stride.
“It feels like there’s a waiting game for them to hit their stride… Perhaps they make a statement against the Chiefs this week.
“If they can get the likes of Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder back over the next few weeks, then they’ll be able to push this Chiefs side who are far away the favourites to take the crown this year.”
The highly anticipated New Zealand derby between the Chiefs and Crusaders will kick-off at 7.05pm NZST on Saturday at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments