Unbeaten Hurricanes bring the size, the strength and the fitness
Analysis: Momentum continues to build for the Canes in Super Rugby Pacific, but there’s a warning from history, writes Robert van Royen.
It’s only a matter of time before talk of the Hurricanes stitching together an unbeaten campaign heats up. Seven down, seven to go, they’re halfway there after flexing their muscles and rolling the highly-fancied Chiefs down the stretch last weekend.
Not that perfect, or even near perfect, regular seasons necessarily mean anything. Just ask the Blues and Chiefs, who both lost finals to the Crusaders after going 13-1 in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Here’s this week’s power rankings, in which staff ignore the official ladder and rank the 12 teams.
1. HURRICANES (7-0), PREVIOUS RANK: 4 (+3)
Too big, too strong, and supremely fit.
Indeed, they have a pack of hefty and explosive ball carriers, so good luck stopping a team which repeatedly clatters over the advantage line and produces quick ball.
As shown against the Crusaders in Christchurch, and against the Chiefs in Wellington, they’ve got another gear when needed.
2. BLUES (6-1), PREVIOUS RANK: 1 (-1)
Feasted on Moana Pasifika and the Rebels before last week’s bye, but ought to face a significantly sterner test against the Brumbies in Auckland on Saturday night.
If only May 11, when they face the Hurricanes at Eden Park, would hurry along.
3. BRUMBIES (6-1), PREVIOUS RANK: 2 (-1)
Australia’s top side is fresh off a bye and on a five-match winning streak, but they won’t need reminding what happened the last time they faced a top Kiwi team.
Yep, facing the Blues at Eden Park is by far their toughest test since the Chiefs drubbed them in round two.
4. REBELS (5-3), PREVIOUS RANK: 5 (+1)
Kudos to the Rebels, who have won three straight matches since the Hurricanes pulverised them in found five.
They sure are exceeding expectations at a time when their future looks increasingly murky due to the club’s financial woes, although games against the Crusaders (away) and Blues (home) after their bye could again uncover a soft underbelly.
5. CHIEFS (5-3), PREVIOUS RANK: 3 (-2)
Bring on May 24, when the Chiefs host the Hurricanes in a rematch of last week’s emphatic win by the Canes.
The Chiefs had their moments in the capital, but were ultimately thoroughly outplayed en route to a third defeat, two more than they lost during the entire regular season a year ago.
On a bye this week, the Chiefs head to Sydney to face the Tahs on Friday week.
6. FIJIAN DRUA (3-4), PREVIOUS RANK: 8 (+2)
Idle last week while on a bye, the Drua will have to get by without suspended halfback Frank Lomani when they host the unbeaten Hurricanes on Friday night.
They’re not at their Churchill Park fortress in the Lautoka sun, either, rather they will play under the Suva lights in significantly more pleasant conditions for visiting sides.
7. WARATAHS (2-6), PREVIOUS RANK: 10 (+3)
The Crusaders gift-wrapped it, but the Waratahs finally won a tight one – and in style.
Two-point losers against the Blues and Highlanders – they also lost by three to the Drua – the Waratahs sure needed their 43-40 golden-point victory over the Crusaders after losing five straight.
Boosted by sharp-shooter Will Harrison’s return from injury, they’re definitely better than their record indicates.
8. MOANA PASIFIKA (3-5), PREVIOUS RANK: 11 (+3)
As far as turnarounds go, they don’t get much better than Moana Pasifika’s defensive showing en route to a tense win over the Reds last week.
Outscored 175-30 during thumpings at the hands of the Brumbies, Blues and Chiefs the previous three games, Moana Pasifika tackled like demons.
The deserved victory marked the first time they’ve won three games in a season during their young history.
9. REDS (3-4), PREVIOUS RANK: 6 (-3)
It wasn’t so long ago that the Reds rolled the Chiefs and were being tipped as legitimate title contenders.
That was before they dropped a third straight game, against Moana Pasifika of all teams, last week.
To make matters worse, they’ll be without suspended co-captain Tate McDermott for looming fixtures against the Highlanders, Blues and Crusaders.
10. CRUSADERS (1-6), PREVIOUS RANK: 7 (-3)
You have to wonder what’s gone through Rivez Reihana’s head since his blunder cost them a much-needed win against the Waratahs last weekend.
All he had to do was wait a few more seconds to kick a last-ditch conversion, or he simply could have refused to take it before the shot clock expired, and the red-and-blacks would have beaten the Waratahs 38-37.
Experts at closing out games for an age, this year’s Crusaders have blown late leads against the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Waratahs.
11. HIGHLANDERS (2-5), PREVIOUS RANK: 9 (-2)
It seems like an age ago since Highlanders fans were chirping after wins against Moana Pasifika and the Waratahs powered them to a 2-1 start.
They’ve lost four straight since, highlighted by an ugly loss to the Rebels in Melbourne last weekend, and the continuation of their lengthy drought against fellow Kiwi sides.
The good news is they face the understrength Reds, last-placed Force and Moana Pasifika in the next three weeks.
12. FORCE (1-6), PREVIOUS RANK: 12 (-)
Belted by the Blues before sitting out last weekend on a bye, the Force would be silly not to fancy their chances of beating the faltering Crusaders in Perth on Saturday night. The loser will sit in the woodenspoon position on the ladder.