The Chiefs have plenty to think about during the bye in the wake of the 26-14 loss to the Brumbies.

OPINION: It's never nice to be the victim of a brazen robbery.

Ask the Chiefs, after they were forced to surrender their pride, as well as being unable to secure competition points, during the 26-14 capitulation to the Brumbies.

After round three the Chiefs were listed second in the power rankings, and were primed to nab the top spot if they put the boot into the Brumbies. That was before they became the mad magician of Super Rugby and whipped out a series of sickly tricks in Hamilton. They certainly fooled many of us with that performance, put it that way.

A few hours later the Blues players were doing a victory jig around Otere Black, after his late penalty had kept the Bulls win-less in Pretoria.

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES Peter Samu produced a fine performance for the Brumbies in Hamilton.

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It hasn't gone unnoticed by the kind souls in the Power Rankings department, either. The Blues have been fast-tracked up the log. Let's hope it doesn't backfire.



1 BRUMBIES (3-0-1) PREVIOUS RANK: 7

The men from Canberra have clearly got grit, and Power Rankings loves a fighter. Hence a glass has been raised in their honour.

An outbreak of mumps forced late changes on game-day for the Brumbies. Yet, somehow, they used the disruption to good effect; it inspired them to give the Chiefs a black eye at FMG Stadium Waikato.

Ahead 26-0 early in the second half the Brumbies, with No 8 Peter Samu playing like a man possessed, welcomed the chance to dance through multiple missed tackles from the Kiwis.

GETTY IMAGES Sharks wing Makazole Mapimpi runs into space against the Rebels in Ballarat.

2 STORMERS (4-0-0) PREVIOUS RANK: 1

KAI SCHWOERER/GETTY IMAGES Experienced Crusaders' fullback David Havili will expect his side to improve their passing skills despite an easy win over thew Highlanders.

The only unbeaten team in the tournament, thanks to the 17-7 win over the Jaguares in Cape Town.

Stormers coach John Dobson has now started to talk like an extra from the movie set of Hamburger Hill.

"We have had a long discussion with the players about this, and we are going full metal jacket," Dobson rabbited as he pondered the next game against the Blues.

So he's set the tone for what's required at Newlands. Should be interesting.

3 SHARKS (3-0-1) PREVIOUS RANK: 6

A clutch late penalty to Otere Black saw the Blues grab a 23-21 victory over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

A 36-24 win in Ballarat ensured the Sharks extended a two-year winning streak over the Rebels.

Although the Rebels don't appear to be up to much, the Sharks' resolve was impressive; they had two players yellow carded, reducing them to 13 men, at one stage.

A try to Curwin Bosch with about eight minutes secured the win.

4 CRUSADERS (3-0-1) PREVIOUS RANK: 3

Getty Images James O'Connor is found his niche at No 10 for the Reds in Super Rugby.

Crusaders fans' are a demanding lot.

What could be better than a 33-13 win over the Highlanders on a lovely warm evening in Christchurch? Quite a bit, it seems.

The Crusaders never looked like losing, but could have easily scored more tries if their execution wasn't so poor at times. Hence the angst.

You would expect better against a more demanding opponent.

5 BLUES (2-0-2) PREVIOUS RANK: 8

JEREMY WARD/PHOTOSPORT Warren Gatland was left to contemplate his first loss in charge of the Chiefs after they stumbled to the Brumbies.

Leon MacDonald's bold decision to find space for three playmakers in his backline was justified at Loftus Versfeld.

The late penalty kick from Black to claim a 23-21 victory over the Bulls, who remain without a win and already look set to miss the playoffs and were out-scored by three tries to two, is valuable for several reasons.

The trust in coach MacDonald should go up a level, as will the players' confidence in each other.

6 REDS (3-0-1) PREVIOUSLY UNRANKED

This 64-5 triumph over the Sunwolves in Brisbane was the Reds first win of the season, and their biggest win over any opponent in 25 years.

At No 10 was James O'Connor, who has been transferred into the playmaker's role by Brad Thorn. O'Connor owes former the ex-All Black for giving him a chance in Super Rugby after he returned to Aussie last year.

The question is whether he will look so comfortable against an opponent that boasts a more ferocious forward pack. That may be answered in the next game against the Sharks.

7 CHIEFS (3-0-1) PREVIOUS RANK: 2

Maybe the Chiefs had altitude sickness after being ranked so highly in recent weeks.

So down the ladder they go, back to base camp in the wake of the shock defeat to the Brumbies. And the players, along with coach Warren Gatland, have the bye week to reflect on a dramatic fall from grace.

Gatland's arrival was supposed to coincide with the defensive line having a band of steel threaded through it. At times it was as resilient as a rice pudding against the Brumbies.

8 HURRICANES (2-0-1) PREVIOUS RANK: 5

The Canes, who had the bye, still manage to stay in the top eight.

Next up are the Sunwolves in Napier. The good people in the Bay could be in for a night of fun if the Hurricanes' high rollers are in the mood to entertain.

That's likely to be bad news for the Sunwolves. Memories of their win over the Rebels in the first round on February 1 are starting to fade.

So, too, are the calls for them to be retained in Super Rugby.