Super Rugby Power Rankings: Crusaders ring Chiefs' bell

Analysis: It's official - the defending champions are back. Well, they celebrated their first win of the season anyway, writes Patrick McKendry.

(1 win, 5 losses) beat Chiefs 37-26

(Table position: 11)

PR: up 12

Everyone loves a redemption story, right? It’s for that reason that the previously winless Crusaders shoot from last to first on the Power Rankings. Their victory over the Damian McKenzie-less Chiefs wasn’t perfect but it was their most accurate performance of the season by far and featured a notable effort from the returning Johnny McNicholl, who scored a double. Hooker George Bell’s try was a classic. The playoffs suddenly don’t seem quite as distant a prospect.

(6 wins, 0 losses) beat Highlanders 47-12

(1)

(Power rankings: no change)

No sooner had the Power Ranker messaged a mate about Cam Roigard’s disappearance from the All Blacks bench at last year’s World Cup appearing more mystifying by the week, the halfback injured a knee in the Hurricanes’ victory over the Highlanders. A tough blow for a real talent and the Canes and potentially the All Blacks. For this reason, the Hurricanes take a dip.

(5 wins, 1 loss) beat Reds 20-19

(3)

(PR: no change)

The best of the Aussies win in Brisbane thanks to 10 points in the final 17 minutes. They have five wins, yes, and they’re third on the table, but their best victory by far remains the one over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

(3 wins, 3 losses) beat Force 31-13

(7)

(PR: nc)

With three wins from their last four matches, the Drua are a force in this comp. Please excuse the pun.

(3 wins, 3 losses) beat Waratahs 27-21

(6)

(PR: up 4)

The battlers from Melbourne snapped a two-game losing streak to beat the Waratahs in Sydney in what was a decent finish. Up 22-14 with seven to play, Waratah Will Harrison scored a converted try to close it to one point. The Rebels breathed easier when Filip Daugunu scored in the 80th minute. Power Rankings last week wondered where their next win was coming from. It was right here.

(5 wins, 1 loss) beat Moana Pasifika 47-8

(2)

(PR: down 1)

A sneaky good team flying under the radar. A few points off for dealing with one of the weaker teams in the comp.

(4 wins, 2 losses) Lost to Crusaders 26-37

(4)

(PR: down 5)

In their first game of the season against the Crusaders, the Chiefs shipped 19 points when Damian McKenzie left the field. Coach Clayton McMillan not surprisingly played it down at the time but clearly the Chiefs are not the same without McKenzie on the field. They probably would have won had he played in Christchurch at the weekend. He was on a break.

(1 wins 5 losses) lost to Fijian Drua 13-31

(12)

(PR: down 2)

Scored the first try after two minutes but beyond that were never in it.

(2 wins, 4 losses) lost to Hurricanes 12-47

(8)

(PR: down 1)

Flogged in Dunedin. They’ve developed a habit of giving up big leads and coming back but there’s no coming back from a 0-33 deficit against a good team.

(3 wins, 3 losses) lost to Brumbies 19-20

(5)

(PR: up 1)

Tough loss but the Reds are still firmly in the playoff frame. They won only five games in total last year.

(2 wins, 4 losses) lost to Blues 8-47

(9)

(PR: down 1)

Their “home” game finished in a thrashing by the Blues. Moana won’t get a better welcome against the Chiefs in Hamilton next Saturday.

(1 win, 5 losses) lost to Rebels 21-27

(10)

(PR: down 5)

The Sydneysiders are having a bizarre season in which their only win was against the Crusaders.