Rugby: Crusaders leaders of Super Rugby also-rans

Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo made the most clean breaks in Super Rugby. Photo / Getty Images

The Super Rugby season is over for nine teams. Only six can take part in the playoffs and for some of the teams who missed out, the end of the season will have come as a relief.

Let's look - statistically - at what those teams who missed out on the finals did well, or not, this season.

• The Crusaders were unlucky to miss out on the playoffs given they accumulated more competition points than the Stormers. They also averaged the most points per game (30.1) of any team in the competition and made the most passes (168.6).

• The Lions surprised many this season and they were helped along by reliable defence. They made a competition-best 88 per cent of their tackles. They also gave away the third fewest penalties per game (9.6).

• The Bulls were disappointing in 2015. They kicked the most penalties per game (3.2) but made the fewest clean breaks (5.3) and offloads (5.9) as their attack offered little.

• The Rebels were another team who exceeded expectations this season and they were clinical at the ruck. They had the highest percentage of ruck wins (96) and spent the most time with ball in hand during the game. Their problem was a poor lineout that only operated at 80 per cent efficiency, the lowest figure in Super Rugby.

• The Sharks struggled on defence. They missed the most tackles per game (23.3) and relied on field position to attack rather than running the ball. They gained the fewest metres (343.6) and produced the fewest passes (92.8) each week.

• The Cheetahs were great in some areas but poor in others. They had the most accurate goalkicking (81 per cent) and made the most tackles each week (133.4) but also won the fewest rucks (53), fewest scrums (4.5) and spent the least time in possession.

• The Reds had issues from the kicking tee all year, only managing 58 per cent of their attempts at the posts. They did win the most lineouts per game (14.1) but there were few other reasons to get excited about this side in 2015.

• The Blues finished the season in tatters but they made a competition-best 88 per cent of their tackles and registered the fewest missed tackles per game (14.3). Struggled at the ruck and won only 93 per cent of their rucks, the equal-lowest in Super Rugby.

• The Force ended the season at the bottom of the points per game (15.3), tries (1.8) and clean breaks (5.3) categories. Their attack was non-existent and the Perth-based team paid the price.

Regular season stand-outs

68
Israel Folau beat the most defenders this year. Folau also led Super Rugby in offloads, metres gained and carries. The Waratahs fullback got his hands on the ball regularly.

28
Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo made a slow start to the season but he warmed up as the campaign went on. He made the most clean breaks.

26
Reds flanker Liam Gill won the most turnovers this year. He will look to carry that form into the international arena.

21
Chiefs loose forward Liam Messam gave away the most penalties during the season; the Chiefs conceded the most penalties as a team too.

231
Lions loose forward Warren Whiteley was busy all season, making the most tackles.