Super Rugby returns: How the teams stack up
On the eve of rugby’s return, Dylan Cleaver and Liam Napier provide a refresher ahead of the new competition.
Blues
2020 pre-Covid record: 5-0-2 (+58)
TAB title odds: $5
What they did right
As the season progressed so, too, did the Blues defence. They were connected and fast off the line, frequently forcing errors from pure frustration. Tom Coventry has given the pack, often overlooked by this team, a sense of direction. And on attack, the Blues have mixed direct, destructive carries with offloads and attacking kicking options.
What they got wrong
It speaks volumes of their improvement that you have to go back to rounds one and three to be overly critical. In those familiar defeats against the Chiefs and Crusaders, the two best New Zealand teams, the Blues set piece struggled and their handling was poor at times. The lineout remains a constant work-on, with throwing one particular issue. Filling the now vacated fullback role following Stephen Perofeta’s seasonending foot fracture is another concern.
How they can win the title
Give Beauden Barrett enough time and space to work his magic. It is simple logic but if the likes of Hoskins Sotutu, a revelation from No 8, inform captain Patrick Tuipulotu and powerful prop Karl Tu’inukuafe continue to provide punch, Barrett will pick his moments to challenge the line with his blistering pace. Here, he is at his most lethal. The Blues were humming along nicely when the shutdown hit. Throwing a highly motivated Barrett in the mix should enhance the threat posed by Rieko Ioane and Mark Telea’s dancing feet. Winning the title might be overreaching but continued progress should be demanded.
Chiefs
2020 pre-Covid record: 4-0-2 (+66)
TAB title odds: $3.30
What they’ve done right
They went out and got themselves an outstanding coach in Warren Gatland to replace Colin Cooper, who always felt like a placeholder appointment. They look fit, well-conditioned and less mercurial than Chiefs teams of the recent past.
What they got wrong
They shouldn’t need a halftime tickleup to get their heads in the game. Their starts have been poor, and in a couple of cases, inexplicably bad. You don’t expect Gatland-coached sides to make as many basic errors on defence, either.
How they can win the title
Start better, defend tighter. The Chiefs have enough firepower and they’ll have the game plans to beat any side in the reconstructed competition. The format means little room for error and it’s hard to be confident in them turning up every week given what we saw against the Brumbies earlier this year.
Crusaders
2020 pre-Covid record: 5-0-1 (+84)
TAB title odds: $2
What they did right
In several games this year, they played terribly, possibly deserved to lose . . . but didn’t. The Crusaders’ DNA gives them a head start. Having the best balanced squad in the competition doesn’t hurt either.
What they got wrong
It’s a little nebulous, but despite the excellent record, there just seems to be a little something missing from past Crusader campaigns. Still, they’re handling the post-World Cup campaign blues better than most.
How they can win the title
By staying upright. Okay, we want a bit more suspense than that, so digest this. Over the past three completed seasons, the Crusaders’ record in derbies has been 17 wins and four losses. The closest team to match that is the Hurricanes, with 13 wins, eight losses and a draw.
Hurricanes
2020 pre-Covid record: 4-0-2 (+33)
TAB title odds: $7
What they did right
Played Jordie Barrett at fullback, his best position. Didn’t sulk about losing brother Beauden to the Blues. And also swiftly got on with the job after losing head coach John Plumtree to the All Blacks. Disruption, the Hurricanes have sure had their share. Through that adversity, they also showed plenty of character.
What they got wrong
The long and short of it is the Hurricanes need a first-five they can build a team around. Fletcher Smith was dropped after a horror opening loss, and while Jackson GardenBachop played a steady hand with Jordie Barrett doing some of the playmaking lifting, he is not in the same class as other Kiwi directors. Discipline is another major focus — too often, costly cards were dished out for poor tackling technique. How they can win the title Knocking over the Blues first up would be a great start, and the perfect way to spoil Beauden Barrett’s debut. Realistically, though, the Hurricanes need to produce something special to claim the title, especially while Jordie Barrett is sidelined with a shoulder complaint. So much rests on TJ Perenara, Dane Coles, Ngani Laumape and Ben Lam’s efforts. Du’Plessis Kirifi has been a standout at openside and Ardie Savea’s return will provide a huge boost. Significant question marks hover over the pack, and their depth in a derby competition sure to produce casualties, but expect the Hurricanes to deliver an upset or two.
Highlanders
2020 pre-Covid record: 1-1-4 (-72)
TAB title odds: $31
What they did right
Guess you could say that the coaching staff led by Aaron Mauger pushed the button on a reset after losing Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock and Tom Franklin. Problem being it’s not going to help their cause for Super Rugby Aotearoa and who knows what the competition will look like next year?
What they got wrong
Most of the season, but no team benefited more from the pandemic. They had their slate wiped clean and added some experience in the oft-injured Nehe Milner-Skudder.
How they can win the title
Um . . . the simple answer is they probably can’t. It doesn’t matter how much talent youngsters such as Jona Nareki, Tevita Nabura and Josh McKay possess, the Highlanders have such an experience deficit that 2020 will be chalked up by somebody as “good learnings going forward”.