Back in January we previewed the New Zealand Super Rugby teams leading up to the kick off of the 2017 competition. Round 6 is now done & dusted so it feels like a good time to check in on the NZ sides and how they’re progressing so far.

Blues

4th NZ, 8th overall

W 56 - 18 vs Rebels (a)

L 26 - 41 vs Chiefs (a)

L 12 - 16 vs Highlanders (h)

L 24 - 33 vs Crusaders (a)

W 38 - 14 vs Bulls (h)

W 24 - 15 vs Force (h)

Opened the 2017 comp with a big win against the Rebels away but struggled to put W’s away when they had opportunities against the Highlanders and Crusaders. 3-3 for the season describes things perfectly. Worst team in the competition’s best conference puts them ahead on form against of all non-NZ opponents. Unfortunately, wins over Kiwi sides are the only way Tana’s boys are going to make the finals. Lots of expecations, average performances so far. Sonny Bill Williams back sometime in April is a light on the horizon but next 4 matches against the Highlanders (a), Hurricanes (h), Brumbies (a) then Waratah’s (a) going to be a real test for this squad. 5-5 at the end of round 11 isn’t going to cut it, they need at least 3 or 4 wins from that stretch to be considered finals contenders.

Chiefs

2nd NZ, 5th overall

W 24 - 15 vs Highlanders (a)

W 41 - 26 vs Blues (h)

W 26 - 18 vs Hurricanes (h)

W 27 - 14 vs Rebels (a)

Bye

W 28 - 12 vs Bulls (h)

A solid campaign so far with 5 wins from 5 showing signs of the quality footy on display by the 2012/2013 championship winning franchise. A round 3 win over the Hurricanes at home the highlight performance so far. With Kerr-Barlow & Cruden heading away at the end of the season, it seems this team is intent on sending them on their way with a championship. Next up is a 3 match road trip to South Africa and Western Australia then local matches against the Crusaders (Fiji), Blues (a) & Hurricanes (a) are also sprinkled throughout the remaining draw. Those wins won’t come easily so lots of work still left to do in the season for this squad.

Hurricanes

3rd NZ, 6th overall

W 83 - 17 vs Sunwolves (a)

W 71 - 6 vs Rebels (h)

L 18 - 26 vs Chiefs (a)

W 41 - 15 vs Highlanders (h)

Bye

W 34 - 15 vs Reds (a)

The defending champions picked up where they left in 2016 with two massive wins over the Sunwolves and Rebels. Those are two of the softest teams in the comp and the Hurricanes were given a massive reality check with a round 3 loss to the Chiefs. The bounce back against the Highlanders and post-bye win away to the Reds has set things back on track for this exciting team. Savea looking solid on the wing nice and early this year and TJ Perenara is in the form of his life. Hard to see anyone other than the NZ teams knocking this squad off track for finals.

Crusaders

1st NZ, 1st overall

W 17 - 13 vs Brumbies (h)

W 30 - 27 vs Highlanders (a)

W 22 - 20 vs Reds (a)

W 33 - 24 vs Blues (h)

W 45 - 17 vs Force (h)

W 41 - 29 vs Waratahs (a)

Like the Chiefs, yet to drop a game. Three massive 2nd half come-from-behind performances in the first three rounds of the comp a sign of this teams depth and resolve. They’ve got an All Blacks jammed forward pack with Kieran Read still to join. Digby Ioane is playing solid on the wing and seems to be thriving in the Crusaders environment. Crotty has been solid in the midfield and injuries at 10 haven’t slowed this team down at all. Upcoming is a 2 match road trip to South Africa then straight back to NZ for the Hurricanes (a) and Chiefs (Fiji) back to back, definitely a run of matches to keep an eye on. They’ve also got a tough end to round robin with their last two matches against the Highlanders (h) and Hurricanes (a) enough of a reminder that a home finals spot is no sure thing out of the NZ conference.

Highlanders

5th NZ, 10th overall

L 15 - 24 vs Chiefs (h)

L 27 - 30 vs Crusaders (h)

W 16 - 12 vs Blues (a)

L 15 - 41 vs Hurricanes (a)

W 18 - 13 vs Brumbies (a)

W 51 - 12 vs Rebels (h)

With 3 wins from 6 matches, the Highlanders have lots of work to do over the coming weeks. Their only win against a NZ side coming against the Blues, a match that some would say they were lucky to get away with. A gritty win over the Brumbies away, and a big win over the Rebels at home, are signs the Highlanders are finding some form. 3 home matches coming up then a 3 match road trip to South Africa and Western Australia will provide plenty of opportunity for this team to keep the momentum going. Only the one NZ conf matchup later in the competition against the Crusaders (a) to worry about. The schedule really allows this Highlanders team to climb the NZ conference table with consistent W’s against Aus & SA conf teams. Lots to keep an eye on.

Winning/Losing margins

A little bonus analysis for the readers who made it this far through. So far this season, when the Blues & Hurricanes win, they win big. Interestingly, both the Hurricanes & Blues have the smallest losing margins of the NZ teams so far. Lots to keep an eye on as the NZ teams begin to face more and more South African & Australian conference teams.

Average winning margin

Hurricanes: 44

Blues: 27

Highlanders: 16

Chiefs: 12

Crusaders: 11



Average losing margin

Hurricanes: 8

Blues: 9

Highlanders: 13

Chiefs: n/a

Crusaders: n/a



(image credit: superxv.com)