Good, reasonable, mediocre: Super Rugby review

After 18 weeks of ups and downs, twists and turns, and a few Covid curveballs, the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific is done and dusted.

With the Australian sides back in the mix, and the addition of new entities in Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua, there was some novelty factor, though with a finals format which rewarded mediocrity.

What wasn’t novel, or mediocre, were those Crusaders clinching yet another Super crown, as Scott Robertson’s men grabbed the silverware ahead of the resurgent Blues.

Here’s the Stuff rugby writers’ report card on how all the New Zealand sides stacked up.

CRUSADERS Season record: Won 14, lost 3 – 2nd on ladder, champions Grade: A.

The masters of timing their run, the Crusaders navigated a rough patch in the middle of the season, before digging into their well of championship knowledge. Much was made of their glitches, but to have won it all after losing Joe Moody, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Dunshea and Quinten Strange to serious injuries, and capping 16 new Crusaders along the way, says ample. Highlighted by the continued emergence of second-year props Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell, and rookie lock Zach Gallagher, the future appears bright.

Player of the year: Will Jordan. At what point do opposition sides stop kicking to the 24-year-old? Jordan notched by far the most metres (1915) in the competition, constantly threatening to knife teams open with his acceleration. His kicking game continues to improve, too.

What they need for 2023: Just who head coach Scott Robertson replaces departing assistant Andrew Goodman with is the biggest question surrounding the Crusaders this off-season. After all, the roster is set to closely resemble this year’s, with halfback Bryn Hall and loose forward Pablo Matera the notable departures. A healthy-again Blackadder addresses the loss of Matera, while Robertson will have to decide if a Mitchell Drummond-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi one-two punch at halfback will be good enough.

ROBERT VAN ROYEN

BLUES

Season record: Won 15, lost

2 – 1st on ladder, runners-up Grade: A-.

You don’t win 15 in a row, and finish minor premiers, without doing a lot right. Improved a lot of key areas, such as decision-making, culture, accountability and discipline, but ultimately came up short when it mattered. At their best they were impressive, but there were enough scratchy efforts in the winning run to raise doubts, and they wobbled badly over the final two weeks. The Brumbies and Crusaders both exposed key weaknesses in the pack, and when Beauden Barrett and co were denied front-foot ball, they were decidedly mortal. Another step still to take. Player of the year: Tough one. Kurt Eklund was solid throughout, but the grand final lineout implosion was a big black mark. Dalton Papalii was quality as a seven and skipper, but his appendix didn’t play ball at the end. So the nod goes to Stephen Perofeta, who springboarded off a standout season into the All Blacks. A class act at both 10 and 15, he excelled playing off Barrett and kept delivering to the very end.

What they need for 2023:

Lock was where they got exposed in the final against the Crusaders. Patrick Tuipulotu’s return will help, but another world-class big man might be handy. Could also do with some help at prop, hooker and in midfield. There are not too many holes to fill in their roster, but if they want to get where the Crusaders are, the Blues have to stay busy and upgrade.

MARC HINTON

CHIEFS

Season record: Won 11, lost 5 – 3rd on ladder, lost semifinal Grade: B.

For all the promise they showed at times this year, the Chiefs were again nearly men, unable to ever really find the consistency they were craving. They escaped to be on the right margins of some tight ones later in the season, before leaving one of their worst performances for last, squandering all sorts of chances in a semifinal against the Crusaders. Injuries were again a factor for Clayton McMillan’s squad, with key All Blacks Brodie Retallick (thumb) and Anton Lienert-Brown (shoulder) missing more games than they played.

Player of the year: There were a few contenders – new All Black Aidan Ross again powered a solid scrum, Bryn Gatland stepped it up a level in driving the team, Alex Nankivell was uncatchable much of the time, but Pita Gus Sowakula was the pick. Again, the storming backrower proved a force to be reckoned with, and was wellrewarded with ABs selection.

What they need for 2023: A little polish. McMillan will know, from what was built on this year, on the back of surging into the 2021 Aotearoa final, his side aren’t a million miles off being a title force. With Damian McKenzie back next season there will be an immediate injection of x-factor and experience and it shapes as the first time since 2018 that he, Retallick and Sam Cane will step onto the field together at Super level. AARON GOILE

HURRICANES

Season record: Won 8, lost 7 – 5th on ladder, lost quarterfinal

Grade: C.

After coming from 18 points down in the final 10 minutes to beat the Blues in their second game, anything seemed possible for Jason Holland’s troops. But soon came that shock loss to Moana Pasifika, and the Canes’ wild inconsistency was laid bare. Against the Aussies there were a further couple of losses, along with a couple of unconvincing wins, as they did enough to secure themselves a quarterfinal berth against the Brumbies. But after coughing up a handy advantage that night in Canberra, the Canes again proved they have some way to go if they are to be genuinely competing for a second Super crown.

Player of the year: A toss-up between their only two real stars – Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett. Skipper Savea edges it. He was an inspirational, follow-me type, all season, with his aggressive ballcarrying and big-moment plays. Trouble was, there was only one of him and the dynamic All Blacks No 8 often had little help from elsewhere in the pack.

What they need for 2023: To desperately lock in Barrett’s signature. The All Blacks utility, who was made the intriguing move to No 12 for some games this campaign, had last year re-committed for one more season only, but he is absolutely crucial if the franchise are going to have future success. They must also aid his cause in the backline by settling on a No 10 instead of their revolving-door selection. AARON GOILE

MOANA PASIFIKA

Season record: Won 2, lost 12 – 12th on ladder

Grade: C.

How do you fairly review a season that was like no other? The constant rescheduling of fixtures, which forced Moana Pasifika into multiple ‘storm weeks’ when they had to play three games in eight days, makes it impossible. But, this is what we know: despite those disruptions, they turned up every week and even managed to pick up two wins against the Hurricanes and Brumbies. That is a decent achievement for a side that was virtually thrown together at late notice, and suggests that solid foundations have been put in place. Clearly, they need to improve at set-piece time Significantly, several players have flowed straight into the Manu Samoa and Tonga test teams, where further development will occur. That is exactly what World Rugby – an investor in the concept – was looking for.

Player of the year: Henry Time-Stowers. A tough choice, because Levi Aumua was a weapon in midfield, and flanker Solomone Funaki was consistently good. However, it was hard not to admire TimeStowers’ relentless physicality. The No 8 was a standout in the majority of games he played.

What they need for 2023: Some experienced props and locks could transform Moana Pasifika. Wallabies prop Scott Sio is leaving the Brumbies – he would be an outstanding pickup, because at 30 he still has plenty to offer. PAUL CULLY

HIGHLANDERS

Season record: Won 4, lost 11 – 8th on ladder, lost quarterfinal

Grade: D.

With wins against Moana Pasifika, Fijian Drua, Western Force and Reds to show for their season – and eight losses against New Zealand sides – it’s hard to argue that 2022 was anything but a big disappointment. The pack was fine, but the attack was poor, and they struggled to field a dangerous back three. Injuries played a part in the Highlanders’ season, but letting Hurricanes fullback Josh Moorby slip through the net was a costly decision on the recruitment front. There are also question marks at No 10 after Mitch Hunt’s disappointing year, and new head coach Clarke Dermody has a big job on his hands to get the club back on track.

Player of the year: Marino Mikaele-Tu’u. The 24-year-old has developed into a topquality No 8, especially on attack. After a tricky 2021, Mikaele-Tu’u started to fulfil his potential, and he was often the player the Highlanders looked to when they needed inspiration.

What they need for 2023: A new game plan, fullback, No 10 and wing, although Jona Nareki’s return from an ACL injury should sharpen the attack next year. The good news is that the pack is good enough to secure plenty of quality ball – retaining Pari Pari Parkinson would also help – but they can’t afford to stumble through another campaign without finding genuine answers at first-five and No 15. PAUL CULLY

GETTY IMAGES The Crusaders were crowned the kings of Super Rugby again, after their victory over the Blues at Eden Park last weekend.

The Blues were resurgent but were tripped up at the final hurdle.

The Highlanders struggled but somehow made the playoffs.

The Chiefs were again nearly men, and lacked consistency.

Sekope Kepu led Moana Pasifika in a tough first year.

Jordie Barrett was one of few stars for the Hurricanes.