A heartbreaker in South Africa, a late win in Tokyo, and a cancellation across the ditch.
Round 5 is finito, which means it is time for another set of The Roar’s power rankings for another week.
1. Crusaders
Last week: 1st
The Crusaders fixture with the Highlanders was cancelled following the horrific mosque massacre in Christchurch.
The right decision, and I’m sure I speak on behalf of the entire rugby community from The Roar when I say we send all our love and well-wishes to our friends over in Christchurch.
2. Stormers
Last week: 10th
The Stormers have slowly moved up to a 3-and-1 record, and obliterated a fairly consistent Jaguares side on the weekend. With the second-best record in the competition, this spot is theirs to hold for this week.
I continue to be impressed by the halves pairing of Herschel Jantjies and flyhalf Jean-Luc De Plessis, the latter of whom I see as one of the more underrated playmakers in the entire competition.
His ability to pin the corners when the Jags started the second half brightly kept his side always in control. Siya Kolisi is a phenomenal leader, too.
(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
3. Hurricanes
Last week: 4th
The Hurricanes were inconsistent in a 23-23 draw with the Chiefs, and they would be mighty frustrated not to have beaten their yet-winless Waikato counterparts.
As coach John Plumlee said, the Hurricanes gave themselves a number of good opportunities, played some good field territory, and (had) good momentum – only to throw a poor offload, or turn the ball over instead of setting for another few phases.
The draw leaves the Hurricanes alone in second spot in the New Zealand conference.
4. Rebels
5. Bulls
Last week: 3rd
Had a bye this weekend – but have looked like one of the best sides in the competition through the first five rounds.
6. Lions
Last week: 8th
The Lions left it as late as possible to beat the Rebels in Jo’burg, but an after the siren penalty secured them the chocolates in round five, 36-33.
If their first half was woeful, their second half was mercurial. They choked the life out of an error-riddled Rebels outfit, and were duly rewarded with the chance to go wide time and time again.
They piled on three tries when the Rebels had Billy Meakes in the bin, too. Taking advantage of a numerical mismatch is basics 101. Brumbies, take note.
Malcolm Marx and Courtnall Skosan continue to impress for last year’s finalists, who seem to have found their attacking mojo after a slow start.
7. Sharks
Last week: 5th
Had a bye this weekend.
8. Highlanders
Last week: 7th
Their fixture against the Crusaders was cancelled following the Christchurch mosque massacre. Bigger and more important things than the game they play in heaven.
9. Brumbies
Last week: 12th
The Brumbies went back to their strengths against the Waratahs, running out 19-12 victors on the back of a dominant set-piece.
Hooker Folau Fa’ainga had a double from two rolling mauls, and they were able to kill off any thoughts of a Waratahs comeback, with their ability to pin corners, and get repeat scrum and lineout penalties.
With that being said, they still have a number of issues that need fixing if they’re to challenge the top of the Australian conference.
They still look average when they attempt to play with width, and their one out attacking style will not trouble the better teams.
They also struggle to play with numerical advantage, continually kicking the ball away while opposing prop Sekope Kepu was in the sin bin. However, a win is a win, and no Brumbies supporter will be upset with that.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
10. Jaguares
Last week: 6th
The Jaguares were pummelled by the Stormers on the weekend, and despite a decent start to the second half, never really put their South African opponents under much pressure.
They lacked the urgency, and defensive tenacity to match it with a side that looked intent on making a statement in front of their home fans.
It was noted in the comments of this piece last week that perhaps the travel would catch up to them – it certainly seemed the case here.
11. Waratahs
Last week: 6th
Errors, errors, and more errors.
That was the Waratahs’ entire fifth round matchup against the Brumbies.
Alarmingly, a number of their side seem to be playing themselves out of Wallabies contention with lacklustre, and inconsistent performances.
Bernard Foley has had serious trouble with the boot this tournament, and has had left enough points on the paddock to win both games they have dropped.
Adam Ashley-Cooper looks slow and slightly off the pace, whilst there are (rightly) question marks over the form and fitness of both Kurtley Beale and Sekope Kepu.
As it stands, these Wallabies veterans are being outplayed by almost every other player in their position in the Australian conference – that is a worry.
12. Blues
Last week: 12th
Had a bye this weekend.
13. Reds
Last week: 14th
With half an hour to go – I thought the Reds would be joining the Chiefs as the two winless sides in the competition, and at the base of these power rankings.
However, to credit Brad Thorn and his men, they found something extra to run over the top of the Sunwolves late, 34-31.
Their bench was outstanding, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert and Tate McDermott brought a spark that was lacking in the first half of the contest – and were all rewarded with five pointers for their efforts.
Hamish Stewart was impressive at fullback, and looked like he enjoyed the space at the back.
Their slow start was a concern, however, and the Sunwolves were able to make metres when they went wide, or when they held tight and played one out from the ruck.
The Reds defence will be their Achilles heel for the remainder of the season one feels, but this win may give them confidence in weeks to come. We shall see.
(PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP/Getty Images)
14. Sunwolves
Last week: 13th
The Sunwolves will rue their inability to close the match out against the Reds, having dominated the first 60 minutes of the match.
Their backline is genuinely impressive, and Michael Little and Hayden Parker provide good go forward – and they showed that in abundance in the first half. The latter is also potentially one of the best goalkickers we have ever witnessed.
The Reds simply out-enthused the Sunwolves in the last 30 minutes, and that was the difference between the two sides.
15. Chiefs
Last week: 15th
It was a much-improved performance against the Hurricanes, but a 23-23 draw is not a win, and they are still zero from five, and rooted to the bottom of both their conference, and the Super Rugby ladder.
They head to South Africa now, with their season on the line, only a month into the competition.
Loftus
Guest
Stormers have scored 6 tries in 4 matches, and they're the team with the 2nd best record in the competition? How did they move past the Bulls?
Geoffrey Smith
Guest
It's called the Hansie Cronje technique of refereeing, if that sort of lopsided penalty count doesn't trigger an investigation into match fixing you cansay goodby to Rugby
CUW
Roar Rookie
it is correct to say the penalty count shud have been like 30 : 10 i have a big issue that teams blatantly foul once penalty advantage is called especially near the line. the ref shud have penalized lions a bit more - but as the game went on rebels lost pace and stamina and went for the easy fouls. i did watch the match. i also watched the Jap match where a ref i have never seen before left the japs bemused - had it been rebels they will have shouted a lot and used a lot of choice words. somehow the reffing this is year is rubbish . as i said on another chat , i saw a 3m forward pass let go by Peyper. the commentator saffas were embarrassed - they called it and then had to swallow it . i did not watch that match for long.
Loftus
Guest
For your knowledge, all South Africans loathe this referee, especially non Stormers fans. When SA teams tour NZ or Australia, we also have to content with home town referees. I would appreciate it if you can make an effort not to generalize and tar everyone with the same brush. He was involved now in 2 games with controversy this season, so Sanzaar should step in.
Loftus
Guest
How do you get to the Stormers have the 2nd best record in the competition so far?
Utah
Guest
It amazes me how many people on this site comment on games they haven’t seen.
Cyril in the middle
Guest
Jeez a lot of whingers about the ref conveniently not addressing the dubious calls in the Reds vs Wolves match? Convenient and cherry-picking? What an epic comeback by the Lions' young side. Worrying however for the Ozzie conference and Super Rugby in general that the side likely to finish 4th in RSA conference beat the top side in the Oz conference. Puts the scewed log table into perspective with more weak sides/ games in the Rebels side of the draw. SANZAAR needs to bring back the round robin where each side plays one another and get rid of the glut of ‘derbies’ which are far too many and much less interesting than country vs country.
AJ
Guest
Didn't some smarty pants say he was hanging out for the power rankings this week to see if the Reds had dislodged the Wolves from 14th spot and moved to a lofty 13th rank? Tick, my sarcastic friend.
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
I find it hard to watch a game that is not reffed fairly. SANZAR commented last year in regards to non neutral refs, "The controversies are created by disappointed coaches and the media to be honest." https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/103975959/sanzaar-say-refereeing-controversy-stirred-by-disappointed-coaches-and-media Research into bias in super rugby matches shows, “Put simply, when a referee is of the same nationality as one of the teams in the match he’s refereeing, there’s a good chance his decisions will favour that team,” said Lionel Page, an economics professor, who conducted the research with his wife, Katie Page of the QUT faculty of health." https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/now-theres-proof-hometown-refs-are-biased/news-story/4abc66c452b6c59b5e20e481c78c8d3c When Super Rugby kicked off in 1996, neutral referees officiated games but the competition switched to a "merit-based" system several years ago, a move supported by the Super Rugby franchises and coaches. The precedence gets worse when finals of super rugby often involve non neutral refs. The integrity of the game is in question.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Really Baylion. you thought the differential between the sides was that great! Given you didn't watch the game perhaps you could try doing that for a start and then give us your opinion first hand. Not sure who the "many commentators" are but I'm going to hazard a guess that they are South African!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Could not agree more Rugbyrah. That was disgraceful. And when he didn't give one Jaco was on hand to call it from the sideline! I have watched the game twice. I am not a Rebels fan and they beat my Brumbies last week but they are not a side that is proportionately that ill disciplined. 20 to 1 is ludicrous. How can a ref find only one infringement from one side and 20 from another when both sides played much the same at the breakdown and in the scrums. SA rugby should be ashamed. You are absolutely right. The Rebels forwards dominated both scrum and breakdown and were denied several legitimate turnovers. So when you are being that well beaten just word the ref up at half time and that should FIX it!
Baylion
Roar Rookie
The 20-1 penalty count against the Rebs is a bit weird, 30-8 would probably have been more accurate given the dominance of the Lions in possession and territory (70% and 75%) and taking into account penalty advantages (penalties not given as a team played through the advantage). I didn’t watch the game but most reports and comments from people who had actually watched the game remark that the Rebs had themselves to blame because of the ill-discipline, similar as during the first half against the Brumbies the previous week. Many commentators felt that the Rebs should have had another YC or two, they had so many team warnings that the ref didn’t turn into cards. Seconds isn’t a good ref and I wouldn’t prefer that he never ref a Lions game again but when a team cannot behave themselves on the field, or take head of team warnings, most refs will punish them. Although Seconds probably overreacted to a degree
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Ref was hireivle as were the Rebels in second half. I really thought big Genia and QC, with all of their experience would have shut it down. Rebels have been pretty fortunate to win in 3 of their previous games so congrats to the Lions in taking the game
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
He ignored Lions players still competing for the ball while off their feet. Never seen anything like it for years except at the game Growden was at "WHEN THE FIX WAS IN"
Rugbyrah
Roar Rookie
Can't leave out the standout Man of the week who made it all happen. The man who had the biggest influence on the game and if it wasn't for him, the home side had no chance of winning. Yes, the ref from the Rebels lions game who did a wonderful job of policing all 20 infractions of the rebels and the 1 infraction form the lions. Such is his class, he disallowed a try without going to the technical ref, as he had full control and full knowledge where he wanted this game to go. He penalized dominant strong scrums and overlooked crooked line outs. He is so one eyed, he is now known as the pirate of the spingboks. How anyone is supposed to play a game under this biased is a mystery, but SANZAR endorse having SA refs refing a SA and non SA team. I suppose it is one way to ensure the SA teams make the finals this year.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
If Stewart could bring the same running game to 10 as he showed last game then I'd be happy enough to see him back there. But I'd still like to see better distribution skills from him at 10. He's been standing very deep and shovelling the ball onto the 12, which puts us well behind the gain line. But maybe it's the Reds' game plan to stand deep, in which case (1) it's not all his fault, but (2) it's not going to improve our backline play. Yet again, the Reds' backline was outplayed and it was the forwards who did most of it. The 'Wolves 10 Hayden Parker didn't stand particularly flat but he took the ball to the line at pace and fed the outside runners with nice flat, accurate passes.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
They should stick with Stewart and let him grow into the role , but pair him with McDemott. They had a good combo going in the NRC. They are both good at making a breaks.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Meant "deer", altho I'm sure he's a lovely bloke, too.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nick. Not to be pedantic, the young Reds run-on was Harry Hoopert. I note this as much that his supporters at his old junior club - the mighty Dalby Wheatmen - get their due mention and credit. What an excellent name for a club! Sorting wheat from chaff, for rugby's growth in the bush. Reds must still be on probation with that performance. Falling over the line against one of the other weakest sides in the comp is not going to sustain us. Fitter sides than the Sunwolves would have held them at bay in the 2nd half. Agree Stewart looked better at the back and I said as much in the match blog - I think when he's forced to run the ball he's actually not bad at it. But at 10 he often looks like a dear in the headlights.