It was gritty more than pretty, but the Hurricanes now have a 10-point buffer atop the New Zealand conference after eventually reeling in the Sharks in the capital. Elsewhere the Highlanders suffered a misstep, the Crusaders kept their hopes alive and the Waratahs went down again to their bogey team. Here are your Super Rugby Power Rankings following round 13:
1 Hurricanes (last week #1)
Canes fans looking for a sign their team can turn all this promise into something more tangible might look at this game with some hope. With Beauden Barrett out injured and Julian Savea and TJ Perenara rested, and the Sharks actually turning up, this could have gone bad. Instead the runaway competition leaders grafted away, ticked over four tries and eventually put the South Africans away, to keep Prince Harry happy, if not warm, in the stands. One more positive portent: the depth Chris Boyd is building through a solid squad is almost as impressive as the 10 victories (from 11 outings) they've now posted.
2 Chiefs (last week 3)
The bye was a perfect chance to freshen ahead of the run home, starting with a huge Saturday night visit to the Canes. Surely now talented tyro Damian McKenzie gets his shot at No 10, after brother Marty and Andrew Horrell have both been tried, without great success. Also, what's with Sanzar's crazy points system? With an 8-3 record and 38 points, the Chiefs are clearly the competition's second best team (and playing in its toughest conference). Yet they're fourth on these silly standings. Needs a rethink.
3 Bulls (last week 2)
Also had the bye, which was handy given the long haul to Auckland to make. After losing their conference lead, the Bulls will regard Friday's clash against the lowly Blues at Eden Park as one they need to, and should, win. Still in the race, and have won seven of their last nine, they need to collect points over a tough road trip that also takes in the Chiefs, Brumbies and Rebels.
4 Rebels (last week 8)
Time to give these guys some love. They've beaten the Crusaders in Christchurch, Brumbies in Canberra and Force in Perth and have now tucked away home wins over the Reds, Chiefs and Blues. Friday's 20-point victory over the hapless Auks was a veritable breakout, with five tries and plenty of comfort. Just three points behind the Tahs and four back of the Brums, a chance if they can finish strongly. Now officially better than plucky.
5 Brumbies (last week 6)
Say what? How do you climb a spot off a loss? When it should have been a win, that's when. Only Christian Lealiifano's blown conversion of David Pocock's try from gimme territory cost the men from ACT what would have been a well deserved victory over the Stormers in Cape Town. Instead they fluffed a game they led 16-3 after a half-hour, and missed a chance to put some distance between themselves and the Tahs. Character-testing visit to the Lions next.
6 Stormers (last week 7)
Yes, dreadfully lucky to burgle that one-pointer over the Brumbies, but did well to dig out of an early hole and when all's said and done, a win's a win's a win. Surely, though, will need to play better than this to hold on to the conference lead, with the Bulls and Lions both well in the race.
7 Highlanders (last week 5)
No disgrace losing to the Lions in Jo'burg, but after leading 20-3 at halftime, really should have done better. Still well ensconced in the top six but, given a tricky finish, will be eyeing next two at the Cheetahs and Force as nigh on must-win. Too early to say the mojo has gone, but got to get ball in the hands of the game-breakers this week.
8 Crusaders (last week 10)
Life on the playoff tightrope brought the best out in the Red 'n Blacks this week. On a night when some big names were being celebrated, obliged with the BP win needed. Little hard to judge how much of a part the Reds' turnstile defence played, but certainly encouraging to see Crusaders backs offloading and running into holes. Dan Carter played well; Colin Slade better. And how about Sam Whitelock's try? Still got a ton to do to avoid first playoff miss since 2001, but at least they're alive.
9 Lions (last week 9)
Stay in the playoff race with a quality home win over a side that had plenty of confidence and a big halftime lead. Becoming specialists in the grind-out victory, especially at home, but not a team you want to take lightly. Big improvers, considering they weren't even in the competition a couple of years back.
10 Waratahs (last week 4)
Big drop, but this was a bit of a shocker. Never really fired a shot against their new bogey team. If the Tahs are (sometimes) Superman, the Force are their Kryptonite, having beaten the Sydneysiders three straight now, and home and away this season. Still well in it, just a point south of the Brumbies, but this could be a result that comes back to haunt the defending champs.
11 Force (last week 15)
Not a lot has gone right for the West Australians this year. Unless, of course, they've been playing the Waratahs. Only two wins this season have come against the champs, and they must wish they couple play 'em every week. Gritty effort led well by Matt Hodgson and completed a man down.
12 Cheetahs (last week 11)
Bye week for a team stuck mid-pack and now looking to play spoiler over the run home. Will fancy a fast-paced game against the Highlanders this week, which could be entertaining.
13 Sharks (last week 12)
Now well and truly out of the playoff mix after back-to-back defeats in New Zealand. At least showed a bit more pluck and application in Wellington, and might have even sniffed an upset with a bit more luck. Doesn't get any easier now, with the Tahs next, and likely to be embarrassed into a response.
14 Blues (last week 13)
They tell us Sir John Kirwan will keep his job. That's laughable given the state of this team which crashed to its 10th defeat of the season when well beaten in Melbourne. It's not all on the coach, of course, but this is his team, and it has patently under-delivered. An 0-8 road record says it all about a once-proud franchise that is officially in disarray.
15 Reds (last week 14)
Pathetic defence in Christchurch well and truly suggests this season has now been mailed in. Could get ugly from here on in and it's hard to see how the addition of John Connolly as a coaching "mentor" will change anything up. The Rebels will be licking their lips as they head to Brisbane this week.
- Stuff.co.nz
