Who can challenge the Canes?
Super Rugby Pacific isn’t perfect but when it feeds you a feast of the good stuff, you’re not going to complain about indigestion.
That was the case when the Hurricanes zoomed around Sky Stadium on a magic carpet on Saturday night, and taught the Chiefs a lesson in the truncated round.
Unpredictability can make for a good competition. Moana Pasifika and the Waratahs rammed that theme home with their wins over the Reds and the Crusaders, while the troubled Rebels taught the Highlanders a lesson.
1. Hail the brave Hurricanes under Scotsman Clark Laidlaw
The question has to be asked.
Which of the 11 teams in Super Rugby Pacific possess the talent to deliver the knockout punches that can dim the Hurricanes’ lights, and destroy their dream of winning their first title since 2016? Answer: at this rate, none of them. Remember the days when the “expect the unexpected” line was used as a marketing slogan for the Hurricanes, a reference to their willingness to melt opponents by permitting their gifted backs to tear off the blinkers and launch daring raids from deep within their own half. It was a risky enterprise, but exciting and entertaining.
The problem was that it didn’t win them the big prize.
When they did claim their first (and, to date, only) crown, it was when Chris Boyd was coach. That team knew when to pull the detonator with the ball, or to be pragmatic.
A bit like the current Hurricanes side. Ex-All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw, a Scotsman, is the commander-in-chief of the Hurricanes and the Chiefs discovered what it was like to feel the wrath of his men when they were beaten 36-23 in Wellington.
The Hurricanes' scrum was inspiring, and their ball runners - backs and forwards - can be like wild stags as they seek collisions. Then come the pop passes. Followed by agony, if you are an opponent who's trying to put an end to it all.
Especially if hooker Asafo Aumua has his lamps locked on you.
Match report: Hurricanes 36 Chiefs 23
2. There was another star on show in the Hurricanes-Chiefs encounter, and it was referee James Doleman.
Many of us crunched our teeth, and risked a whopping dentist bill, when the TMO wanted to rule out a spectacular try to Hurricanes wing Kini Naholo in the 68th minute because of a perceived illegal clean-out by Jordie Barrett on Damian McKenzie during the lead-up.
When advised Barrett had been a naughty lad and that the five-pointer should be scrubbed, Doleman was having none of it.
“He’s wrapping. He's really low. So no foul play,” he said after watching the replay.
In other words, keep your beak out of it. Rugby needs more referees to be as courageous as Doleman.
3. Crusaders used to make opponents' faces turn pale with fear, simply by casting their shadows across their front doors.
No longer. The intimidation factor disappeared when former coach Scott Robertson accepted the All Blacks job.
To see the Crusaders fall asleep after Christian Lio-Willie scored a try in the 79th minute to put them in front of the Waratahs was like a bad joke.
The teams under Robertson would have reached for the keys and shut up shop. The current lot left the door swinging from its hinges, and placed a tray of fresh hot scones on the table for good measure. They paid the ultimate price in golden point for a series of inexplicable blunders, and lost.
Next up for the Crusaders are lastplaced Force, who also have a 1-6 record, in Perth. It could be billed as the battle of the battlers. Who would have predicted that at the start of the season?
Match report: Waratahs 43 Crusaders 4. Another low for the Highlanders
It’s easier to have more sympathy for the Highlanders, given their paucity of All Blacks in comparison to the Crusaders, but it doesn't make their performances less frustrating.
The 47-31 loss to the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday night highlighted, once again, their deficiencies in defence. It was their fourth consecutive loss.
It sums up a miserable season for the two South Island teams. Moana Pasifika, who have played an extra game, sit above the Crusaders and Highlanders on the log after beating the Reds 17-14 in Whangarei on Friday evening.
Red cards to captain Tate McDermott, who petulantly whacked Irie Papuni with his forearm, and Fraser McReight (high tackle) reduced the Queenslanders’ numbers.
A late try to William Havili earned MP their second win over the year. The Crusaders can only look on with envy.
Match report: Rebels 47 Highlanders 31