Rugby: Chiefs take control on attack despite having to perform juggling act on field

Julian Savea of the Hurricanes prepares to pass during the round 18 Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Daniel Richardson takes a statistical look at Super Rugby after the opening two rounds.

Only four teams are unbeaten after two weeks of Super Rugby.

Going through the season without tasting defeat would be nearly impossible given the generally tight nature of the competition but the opening fortnight has provided some up-and-down results.

The Hurricanes, Stormers, Chiefs and Cheetahs are the teams who have not lost, although the disclaimer on the Cheetahs is they've played only once after they had the bye during the weekend.

With that in mind, let's take a look at what the Fab Four are doing well.

The Chiefs are a dangerous attacking side. They lead the competition in metres (530.5), clean breaks (10) and offloads (14) per game, which is helped by their backline. Seeing the Chiefs lead these categories is made more impressive by the way they've juggled their backs in the first two games.

Chris Boyd's Hurricanes have relied on defence and their ability at the breakdown to lay the platform for their early success and they have won a league-leading 12 turnovers per contest. They're also tackling with a 90 per cent efficiency; only the Waratahs (91 per cent) have better numbers.

For the Stormers, who upset the Bulls in week one and then brushed the Blues aside on Sunday, they're the only side in the competition, alongside the Crusaders, operating their scrum with perfection. The Stormers have a generous schedule to begin the campaign given they meet the lowly Lions next week.

The Cheetahs, who opened the season with an unexpected win over the Sharks, lead the competition in tries per game (four) and points (35) but those numbers will dial back as the campaign rolls on. Attacking rugby was their calling card last year.

There are three sides who have already been dealt two defeats this season with the Bulls, Lions and Blues yet to fire a shot.

The Bulls are the most surprising name on that list and their set-piece has let them down with their scrum operating at 77 per cent efficiency, while their much-vaunted lineout is the fifth-worst in the competition with an 84 per cent success rate.

The Lions have struggled on attack, averaging 10 points per game, which is the lowest in Super Rugby, and have scored only one try.

John Kirwan's Blues have been poor with ball in hand. They've kicked it 23 times per game - the sixth most of any team - while their 79.5 carries per outing are the third-lowest this season.

They need to find a way to get hold of the ball and then retain it, or move it through the hands.

69
The Western Force have been awful at set-piece this season. Their lineout is performing at only 69 per cent efficiency, while their scrum operates at 59 per cent. Both figures are the worst in Super Rugby.

7
The Lions might not be able to beat anybody but their tackling is sharp. They miss only seven tackles per game, which is the least in the competition.

182
Passing has been a focus for the Waratahs this season. They make a league-leading 182 passes a game; nearly 40 more than the next most pass-happy team, the Crusaders, who average 145.5.

14
They're yet to taste defeat but the Chiefs are testing the referees along the way. They concede 14 penalties per game, the most in the competition, alongside the Cheetahs.

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