State of the game

The state of the game is New Zealand.  A Super format that has done us no favours, in a draw where we play each other twice, and a sole home quarter final up for grabs?  But maybe the silver lining is much thicker than we thought.  The NZ Super franchise bases love the derbies because they pack the house.  The players absolutely bash each other.  And they can all play helter skelter. And what we are seeing is a level of rugby never seen before.  The New Zealand Super teams have taken rugby to a new level.  Constant game time versus each other and a only large handful with, for example, the South African teams has left the Saffers trailing the game once again.  The Kiwi teams, for once, hit the ground running and have only improved since.

Just a quick gloss over because I can't be bothered writing more.

The Highlanders

Their ABs are on song, both Smiths are commanding well and the recent new caps add yet more leadership and experience to an already bonded squad.  Aaron Smith is Deadeye Dick with his boxkicking. Luke Whitelock vs Liam Squire for the starting 8 berth!!

Players that would make any other international team:

Patrick Osbourne. Trained with the ABs, a big, hard, sensible, intelligent winger. Could do with another yard of pace.  Recently signed with Tonga.
Matt Faddes.  What a find! An absolute gem has been turned up and he's already the polished goods. Started at wing has proven more than adept at centre or 15.
Richard Buckman.  Currently out injured but a little in the Faddes mode with a little less X-factor and a harder nose, never stops trying.

Be loving that mullet down south

The Crusaders

Naholo helped them get some go forward and recover their mojo a couple of seasons back and though he won't be there this weekend and he will be missed they are more than capable.  Dagg is back to his best and has been the form 15 throughout this season of Super Rugby,  The calming influence of the wise old heads such as Crotty and Ellis has been immeasurable and the loss of the #9 this weekend is as big a blow as Nadolo.

Players that would make any other international team:

Johnny McNicholl. A real livewire winger, pounces on anything, can cover 15.
Jordan Taufua. Not the biggest but powerful, dynamic and skillful.
Jimmy Tupou? Getting there.

Richie Mo'unga has passed his 1st Super Rugby season with flying colours

The Hurricanes

Kid Barrett has taken another step forward with consistency and catapulted his game to new heights. Being thumped by the Brumbies first game up, 2 losses from 2 rounds then losing Milner-Skudder for the season in the third, things didn't look good for last season's minor premiers (and deserved champions).  But Barrett grabbed the reins and, with Coles and co doing the work up front, is leading opposition teams on a merry chase. In Ardie Savea are we seeing something special?

Players that would make any other international team:

No sure things perhaps I'd go with Matt Proctor, Blade Thomson, Reggie Goodes, Jason Woodward and Willis Halaholo.

Don't take your guns to town, boy....don't take your guns to town

The Chiefs

Undoubtedly the most dynamic non stop attacking machine in the Super competition.  That smiling assassin is the face of who the Chiefs are and what they do. Looking still nothing more than a plucky little schoolkid this whizzkid is burning fields up and the Stormers are going to have their hands full trying to contain him on their made -for-running grounds in the Republic.  Cane is leading from the front but I figure his days in the black jersey are numbered.  Despite his huge workrate he lacks the ball skills considered necessary to be an AB loosie and sometimes his decision making goes awry. In Lowe, Ngatai and Tamanivalu you have 3 more new All Black recruits and with capped AB Weber one of the form 9s of the comp the Chiefs' backline is humming.

Players that would make any other international team:

Andrew Horrell. Quite capable of playing anywhere in the backline and still finding gaps.

Anton Lienert-Brown. 2nd5 that can cover every other position wider out.  Must be on the ABs' radar.
James Lowe. A big boy, highly skilled with a never say die competitive edge.

Pair this guy up with Moala, 13 and 12 respectively. Voilá, AB midfield

The Blues

I was surprised when Umaga didn't find space for Hamish Northcote when selecting his squad this year.  All X-factor players meant yet another season of fumbling and bumbling.  But then along came Piers Francis.  And gone was Rene Ranger (big a fan as I am but his injury was a blessing for the Blues. Coming back as the experienced pro he had to show the youngsters how it should be done. Instead we got error after error after error. Inexcusable lack of ball retention all game long. Anyway....back to the point).  With George Moala having time to settle into 13, Nanai igniting his season, and Francis applying some steady to the tiller, the Blues started to get over the hill. My personal opinion is Moala at 12. Had a lot of unfair criticism aimed his way but he has truly been a rock for the Blues in midfield this year. He's the All Blacks' next Nonu if they decide to go with their tried and tested, "get out of jail free" card, a go forward 12.  For all Fekitoa's excitement he is a liability in defence and at times has no idea who he should be taking. Big up to Steven Luatua,having a huge season. Bryn Hall gets some unfair criticism, I like his quick delivery but needs work on his box kicking.  Expect the Crusaders to bring out the best of him. Tuipulotu is a mass of pure muscle but has to cut his error rate down while Charlie Faumuina continues to amaze critics worldwide with his ballskills. The Blues missed the Ioane brothers but we should see something special start to kick in next season and who knows what gifts the wind may bring during the offseason.  

Players that would make any other international team:

Melani Nanai. This guy is really turning tricks.  Took over 15 from the underperforming Visinia and has made every post a winner.  Was doing the same thing on the wing. Keep this up for another season and he's got All Black written all over him.

Possibly Pita Ahki. And of course both the Ioane boys.  Riko is going to be a star.

Nanai, pure class

Bit low on international class forwards, no, but not many "walk-ins".  And while we may take our ball playing props anyday scrummaging ability is first and foremost in other nations. Except Australia.

So the odds on NZ having 4 teams in the semis this weekend?  Well you have to back the Hurricanes in Wellington. Forget past results, this Hurricanes has more self belief than ever. The Brumbies at home are not the force they were and the Highlanders have their A-game on. The Stormers have been playing in a soft competition and have still struggled to dominate.  Taking on the free running Chiefs may be too much for their lungs.  Lions Crusaders is one that I feel could go either way.  How much will the Crusaders miss Nadolo? Will the Lions be underdone fault of their weaker conference?

Smart money would be on each of the NZ teams.  But then there are also the refs...


Then will it be watch out world?