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We have all read, heard, and talked about this New Zealand Super Rugby crisis. So far, however, it is largely a one-sided conversation from a certain side of the Tasman.
It is understandable when you watch the seven-time champions, the Crusaders, bumbling around with New Zealand’s other franchises and losing 3-4 of their games.
Or is it?
Yet funny enough, New Zealand still make up the majority of the Super Rugby middle ground on the ladder. This could be a prime position as the top has already started to drop. The middle section now has an advantage to climb the ladder.
The Blues have a high tries-per-game ratio along with the Hurricanes, who also have a high strike rate. That gives them the advantage with their current standing. Also, both teams have had a South African tour.
The Highlanders are up in the top of ladder as far as line breaks and defender beating ability, but are behind their brothers in arms as far as tries scored. The Highlanders, with massive backline fire power capability, are a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.
Fired up Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, and Malakai Fekitoa are motivating the team. Let’s face it, it has had a limited supply of All Blacks compared to the rest of their counterparts, but with a few key elements in the right place, it may be all that’s required to swing the team right around.
Blues rugby is a work in progress and it’s building up some serious steam.
They’re focused and motivated with George Moala, Kirwan, and Henry on the job.
They have workers like Luke Braid, the Saili brothers, and Steven Luatua’s ball carrying ability and line-out success helping to progress the team. This combined with returned Kaino, world cup winning legend, and Nonu who has yet to prove himself in a Super Rugby environment, will lead up to a win.
However, JK is not the type of leader who will tolerate poor skill or lazy players; Henry even less so.
If Nonu displays his All Black capability, he will become another tactical strength in the Blues arsenal.
The team has set a good tackle success rate of 87.9 per cent. They’re mobile and carrier hungry with some exceptional metres gained stats of 2013. All this is building a solid foundation for some very exciting rugby.
The Hurricanes are the dark horse. Their stats are some of, if not, the best in the business of tries scored, metres, clean breaks, and defenders beaten.
No real surprise looking at the team especially with the back line. Leading the way with points is Beauden Barrett who is one of the highest point scorers in the competition. Also, with rockets like Julian Savea, Alapati Leiua and their skill and technique of busting through defences, they have the potential to change the game.
Let’s not forget warriors like TJ Perenara.
Ben Frank has ruthless defence. Blade Thomson’s work ethic, combined with high work rates of Jeremy Thrush, lead to the Canes ruck success rate of 96 per cent. They know their business when it comes to the dirty and gritty!
Faifili Levave and Jack Lam do a great job at the mopping up and cleaning out. Their scrum has been one of their weaknesses and their inability to get into a game before it’s too late has been the monkey on their back.
I rank them very highly because of their ability to secure tries. I expect them to rise to new heights and Conrad Smith will lead the charge. This team is one to keep an eye on.
We shall see how the current champs, the Chiefs, fare in their tour. I expect them to drop down the ladder, but recover quickly at home. Losing to the Force was a big step in the wrong direction.
A stumble at this stage can be absorbed with many rounds to play out. However, their inability to cross the line is a concern. Unlike the teams listed above, it may come back to haunt them.
So keep a watch out over the next few rounds as the New Zealand teams start to roll into your neck of the woods. The weakest conference could shock the competition!
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.