Analysis: Forget playing in Christchurch, playing the Drua in Fiji in February or March is now the toughest gig in Super Rugby, writes Patrick McKendry.
1. Hurricanes
(5 wins, 0 losses) beat Rebels 54-28
(Table position: 1)
(Power rankings: no change)
They’re cruising, but one suspects they will get a reality check soon, and perhaps as early as next Saturday when they play the Highlanders in Dunedin. Jordie Barrett is back and firing. A regulation win against a struggling franchise.
2. Chiefs
(4 wins, 1 loss) beat Highlanders 28-21
(2)
(PR: no change)
A victory marked by set piece and attacking efficiency for 55 minutes and then the wheels came off. The disappointment of the Chiefs’ players at fulltime when they scrambled the ball out in the face of the Highlanders’ comeback was palpable.
3. Brumbies
(4 wins, 1 loss) beat Moana Pasifika 60-21
(3)
(PR: no change)
They followed up their victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin with a regulation win over a team that has probably overachieved so far this season. The best of the Aussies.
4. Fijian Drua
(2 wins, 3 losses) beat Waratahs 39-36
(8)
(PR: up 3)
A crazy, joyous afternoon in Lautoka finished with the Drua’s first win over the Waratahs and meant they went back to back at their fortress after their recent win over the Crusaders. Midfielder Iosefo Masi scored a hat-trick of tries for the Drua as they went out to 33-17 and back came the Tahs to draw it at 80 minutes. Tane Edmed had a chance to win it in extra time with a dropped goal and missed. Kemu Valetini, under penalty advantage, made no mistake.
5. Blues
(4 wins, 1 loss) beat Crusaders 26-6
(4)
(PR: up 1)
This was the first time the Blues have beaten the Crusaders at Eden Park in 10 years, yet the celebrations will likely have been muted given the quality of the losers. The Blues scored two tries in the second half when the Crusaders were down to 14 men for 20 minutes. They should have had more.
6. Force
(1 wins 4 losses) beat Reds 40-31
(11)
(PR: up 6)
A precious win that lifted the Force above the Crusaders on the table, it featured good performances from opposing Wallabies halfbacks Nic White and Tate McDermott, but White had the last laugh. The Reds put together two nice tries as they attempted to come back but they made too many mistakes overall.
7. Waratahs
(1 win, 4 losses) lost to Drua 36-39
(10)
(PR: up 2)
Playing the Drua in Fiji is rapidly becoming the most arduous task in the competition, so credit to the Waratahs for coming back from a near hopeless position to draw level before losing in extra time.
8. Highlanders
(2 wins, 3 losses) lost to Chiefs 21-28
(6)
(PR: no change)
They had no right to get this close given they were down 28-0 near the start of the second half and played with 14 men for 30 minutes thanks to a yellow and red card. That they did is a reflection of the spirit in this team. Few will want to play them in the playoffs.
9. Rebels
(2 wins, 3 losses) lost to Hurricanes 28-54
(7)
(PR: up 1)
The Rebels’ bubble might have burst. It’s tough to see where they next win is coming from.
10. Moana Pasifika
(2 wins, 3 losses) lost to Brumbies 21-60
(9)
(PR: down 5)
Never in the hunt in Canberra.
11. Reds
(3 wins, 2 losses) lost to Force 31-40
(5)
(PR: down 7)
A mixed performance a little light on accuracy.
12. Crusaders
(0 wins, 5 losses) lost to Blues 6-26
(12)
PR: down 1
A predictable loss to their old rivals, albeit one that came with new lows for Rob Penney’s men (who are now dead last). The Crusaders lost nine lineouts and missed more than 40 tackles. They only need to finish eighth to make the playoffs but even that metaphorical low bar appears tenuous.
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