Super Rugby power rankings: Roigard shows the way for Hurricanes

Analysis: Is first-five still the key tactician in rugby, or has halfback taken over? Cam Roigard's influence suggests the latter, writes Patrick McKendry.

(3 wins, 0 losses) beat Blues 29-21

(Table position: 1)

(Power rankings: up 2)

One could come to the conclusion after watching the Hurricanes beat the Blues in Wellington that first-five is no longer the most important tactician on a rugby field. Indeed, if one has an excellent halfback such as Cam Roigard, the old adage that it takes an elite first-five to win a championship may no longer apply. Certainly, this can already be seen at France with Antoine Dupont. The Hurricanes have a steady No.10 in Brett Cameron and a game changer in Roigard. Ruben Love at fullback was also very good.

(2 wins, 1 loss) beat Waratahs 23-21

(6)

(PR: up 4)

The southerners showed enough for two thirds of their previous defeat to the Blues that suggested they were brewing something a little special and that revealed itself during their victory over the Waratahs in Sydney, although they had to survive a late penalty attempt by Tane Edmed. The fingerprints of Jamie Joseph, their new director of rugby, are all over this side.

(2 wins, 1 loss) beat Chiefs 25-19

(3)

(PR: up 7)

They had to survive a silly number of phases to get home against a very good Chiefs team and now find themselves third on the table after their agonising golden point loss to the Hurricanes last weekend. And they probably should have had a numerical advantage for at least 10 minutes after Samisoni Finau’s shockingly late tackle on Reds’ first-five Tom Lynagh was deemed only penalty-worthy. The Reds’ results are another tangible example of the improvements by the Aussie teams this year.

(1 win, 2 losses) beat Crusaders 20-10

(9)

(PR: up 3)

That’s two in two years for the Drua against the Crusaders. The levels they reach in Lautoka and Suva in front of packed houses can no longer be considered surprising. They’re travelling well and probably considered themselves unlucky not to pick up something more against Moana the previous weekend.

(2 wins, 1 loss) lost to Reds 19-25

(2)

(PR: down 4)

A reality check for the (still) presumptive champions who showed hints of vulnerability in terms of their lineout defence. They weren’t their clinical selves and were also lucky to keep Finau on the field as mentioned above.

(2 wins, 1 loss) lost to Hurricanes 21-29

(5)

(PR: down 4)

Caught out by their six-two forwards-backs split on the reserves bench when AJ Lam and Zarn Sullivan were off inside the first quarter with head injury assessment failures. Showed glimpses of counter-attacking genius but mistakes hurt their momentum.

(2 wins, 1 loss) beat Force 22-19

(7)

(PR: up 1)

The jury is still out on the Brumbies. We’ll know a lot more after they play the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon.

(2 wins, 1 loss) beat Moana Pasifika 29-23

(4)

(PR: up 1)

Somehow a team that probably doesn’t have a future beyond this year is fourth on the table with two victories, although a little perspective is required. The Rebels were thrashed in round one by the Brumbies, their two wins coming over the bottom-placed Force and a Moana team who had to dig deep the previous weekend to beat the Drua.

(1 win, 2 losses) lost to Highlanders 21-23

(8)

(PR: down 5)

The Waratahs showed progress in beating the Crusaders in Melbourne and may feel they regressed against the Highlanders. They now face the Blues and should prepare for a backlash.

(1 win, 2 losses) lost to Rebels 23-29

(10)

(PR: down 5)

Moana showed resilience to bounce back from a 10-19 halftime deficit to take the lead with 20 minutes remaining but two yellow cards in 10 minutes put paid to that.

(0 wins) lost to Drua 10-20

(11)

(PR: no change)

The Crusaders are in a perfect storm: they lack experience in key positions, they have underdone All Blacks, they possess a defensive system that doesn’t appear to be working and a set piece that isn’t as dominant as in years past. It's their worst Super Rugby start since 1996. They host the table-topping Hurricanes next.

(0 wins) lost to Brumbies 19-22

(12)

(PR: no change)

A worse record than even the Crusaders, although they were leading the Brumbies at halftime. A missed penalty and conversion in the final 15 minutes cost them.