NZ teams: Merit but not excellent
OPINION: The Crusaders’ overdue bye is not a bad time to take a breath and try and appraise New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchises.
Good, without being great, is probably the overall feeling for now.
The Blues are struggling. That’s to the surprise of no-one, and there’s little point trying to analyse their shortcomings because the problems run deeper than tackle counts, offloads or exit plays.
The Highlanders have been a hard one to get a read on. Between their two byes, and a rugged draw, you don’t feel like you’ve quite seen what they’re capable of.
Dillon Hunt has been good in the loose. The midfield combination of Tei Walden and Rob Thompson are useful and wing Waisake Naholo continues to impress. First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga maybe hasn’t played the absolute best footy of his Highlanders career, but he’s been pretty good. As have halfback Aaron Smith and fullback Ben Smith. The trio are a wonderful asset to the franchise.
And if others, such as Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin and Daniel LienertBrown can keep doing a job, then the Highlanders should still have a bit to say about the outcome of this competition.
The Chiefs are interesting. Injuries spare few teams, but the Chiefs have been hit as hard as anyone. So to be fifth, with just one loss, is very satisfactory.
Lock Brodie Retallick has been terrific and then you’ve had a revolving cast of forwards who’ve offered a bit at different stages. People like props Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao and lock Tyler Ardron have done more than might’ve been expected of them and then there’s wing Sean Wainui and fullback Solomon Alaimalo out in the backs.
Much still rests on first five-eighth Damian McKenzie’s shoulders and he’s done enough quality things to suggest the Chiefs remain title contenders too.
As do the Hurricanes. All the New Zealand teams possess stars but, go through each squad , and it’s the supporting cast who often make the difference.
Having the brilliant Beauden and Jordie Barrett means the Hurricanes are never out of any game.
But how often this season have Ben Lam or Sam Lousi, Brad Shields, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Ben May, Gareth Evans and Vince Aso done something that really made a difference?
The Hurricanes are really only scratching the surface of their potential.
Meanwhile, you have to admire the Crusaders’ ability to find a way.
Another team torn apart by injuries, the defending champions have drifted back to the pack as a result. But they continue to battle away and absorb attacks from the opposition, only to punish them on the counter. Yesterday’s 40-14 win over the Jaguares epitomised that and the Crusaders will only improve as their stars began to come back.
Five wins from seven starts is a pretty good return in the circumstances.
For those occupied by other things this weekend, the round began with the Hurricanes’ last-gasp 38-37 win over the Sharks. The Waratahs beat the Sunwolves 50-29, before the Chiefs beat the Blues 21-19 and the Brumbies accounted for the Reds 45-21.
The Lions beat the Stormers 52-31, with the Crusaders bringing things to a close with that win in Buenos Aires. Crusaders Hurricanes Waratahs Brumbies Reds Bulls Blues