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!
Rambo
Guest
I love Watermelon.
Rambo
Guest
Take what easy?
WEST
Roar Guru
They have an all Black forward pack. So they are doing very well in the scrums. As far as anything else goes they stink. Pretty much right across the board. Only Dagg who has an average count for carries. He is still miles behind the rest of the comp. In shape and form. You are not the only one asking. McCaw and Carter out to injury. Blackadders coaching ability, who knows. They play in Johannesburg against the Lions so it isn't going to get any easier for them. And they really need some points.
WEST
Roar Guru
I don't know. But can I ask you a question. Why is it when people stand close enough to you, they can hear the ocean? I’d like to leave you with one thought…but I’m not sure you have anywhere to put it! Take it easy Rambo.
Rambo
Guest
WEST, why does it say 'GURU' under your picture?
RedandBlackAttack
Guest
Are you sure that wasn't a Reds game you were watching ... I have been watching them cheat for years and the ref's seem to be onto them this year - but good on them - rugby is a game of what you can get away with - everyone on the paddock knows this including the officials - lets not get all TV Supporter Only about it and start squealing.
Rambo
Guest
A question please. Why are the Crusaders under performing the last few seasons? On paper the Crusaders have a very good forward pack, and I would expect them to deliver better results, maybe not as good as the Robbie Deans era, but they are definitely not playing to their potential.
Rambo
Guest
Pride before the fall. True champions remain humble.
Rambo
Guest
I laughed in the Crusaders v Stormers game this season when the tmo was brought in for suspected foul play, only to find the Crusaders were cheating by holding Schalk Burger in the ruck. The Saders got rightfully punished. It's plain for all to see, why do you think the refs are on a mandate to look out for it? I am just surprised it has taken so long.
WEST
Roar Guru
You must have gotten up on the wrong side of the cage this morning. But thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view. Oh, Rambo. heres a tip. Don't let your mind wander, it's too small to be let out on its own.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
I can see you dont like losing over and over and over and over to the better team and get a bit sulky.
WEST
Roar Guru
FINALS FORMAT The Super Rugby finals is an expanded format that will feature six teams rather than previous four-team format used in Super 14. The six teams will comprise the Conference winners and the next three teams (referred to as "Wildcard" Teams) with the highest total number of points, regardless of the Conference they are from. With each Conference winner qualifying Australia, South Africa and New Zealand will each be guaranteed at least one team participating in the finals. Week Round Match Home Team Away Team 1 Qualifier A Rank 4 Rank 5 1 Qualifier B Rank 3 Rank 6 2 Semi-final C Rank 2 Winner of match A or B with highest play-off ranking 2 Semi-final D Rank 1 Other winner from match A or B 3 Final E Winner of match C or D with highest play-off ranking Other winner from match C or D At a glance. 125 matches will be played during the Regular Season 40 Regular Season matches will be played in each country There will be 20 Regular Season 'local derbies' in each country 50% of all Regular Season matches will be 'local derbies' Each team will play 12 of its 16 Regular Season games within its own country - with only four matches overseas During the 2013 Regular season the British and Irish Lions tour Australia, resulting in a week earlier start to the competition for the Australian Conference, as well as specific NZ/SA only rounds. go to SANZAR.com for more. Agree about Super 12.
Rambo
Guest
The main reason the NZ teams look weaker is the kiwi cheating (obstruction beyond the ruck, holding players, etc) is being noted by refs this season. The is a tactic employed mainly by the Crusaders (and All Blacks), so does this mean the ABs will be found out too? I have been seeing this cheating for years now, and am glad to see something is finally being done about it.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ WEST : nice explanation. however maybe u can explain the cross conference part more. 1. how are the 4 out of 5 foreign conf. opposition slected? 2. how are the home & away basis for cross conf decided? IMO instead of a country's conf. playing the home teams twice, if a team plays against all the teams one time , either home or away, there will be 14 matches in the league stage. assuming the number of teams dont grow, the home and away basis can be yearly (like in the 6 nations where a team will play another team home and away alternative years). this will eliminate any regional bias (strong /weak conf.) that would untimately decide the top 6 or leaderboard. if necessary there can be a final round or just a final between the top 2 teams in one country on rotation basis. IMO super 12 was way better and more competitive.
WEST
Roar Guru
Conference works like this. Each team will play a total of 16 regular season matches, eight home and eight away. Each team will play all four of the other teams in their conference twice, both home and away, and play against four of the five teams in each of the other two conferences Internal Conference Matches - a team will play each of the four other teams in its conference on two occasions meaning a total of eight Internal Conference Matches. With one match against each team played at a home venue and one match played at an away venue this will result in four home matches and four away matches; Cross Conference Matches - a team will play four of the five teams from each of the other conferences on one occasion meaning a total of eight Cross Conference Matches. In playing the four teams from each of the other conferences, two of those matches will be played at a home venue and two matches will be played at away venues for a total of four home and four away. During the Regular Season, each team will play a total of 16 matches and will have two byes. After the completion of the Regular Season, a three-week Super Rugby Finals Series will take place involving the three Conference winners and the three best-placed 'wildcards', irrespective of the Conference in which they are based. The teams ranked 1 and 2 have a bye during the first week of the Finals series with the teams ranked 3 to 6 taking part in Qualifiers to secure a place in the Semi-Finals. Teams 1 and 2 will host home semi-finals against the two qualifier winners. With the Conference winners ensured of home advantage, at least one Finals Series match will be played in each country each year.
Garth
Guest
Make that "beating the AB's once every 15.57 years", which is what England's win ratio works out at, over the past 100+ years.
Garth
Guest
Make that "beating the AB's once every 15.57 years", which is what England's SEVEN wins works out at, over the past 100+ years.
Garth
Guest
Make that "beating the AB's once every 15.57 years", which is what England's SEVEN wins works out at, over the past 100+ years.
Tui
Guest
Desperate article and comments again. Same shit same time every year. When/if the AB's drop a game this year you watch all the clowns come out from hiding in the bushes. AB's have peaked bla bla bla. The only problem is than when you reach perfection its very hard to maintain it because you are playing against yourself. We've only had the Bledisloe for what 11 years or so ive lost count its become so predictable.
Winston
Guest
Don't Aus super rugby teams spend a lot more time in preseason?