With Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 underway, Patrick McKendry ranks New Zealand's contenders and pretenders.
1. Crusaders
(Highlanders 13 Crusaders 26)
On a heavyweight weekend, the Crusaders put in a performance high on ring craft at Forsyth Barr Stadium, which showed once again that it's the best rugby stadium inthe country. The defending champs were too good defensively for the Highlanders, who made several odd tactical choices, and were a constant counter-attacking threat.
Biggest mystery: Why referee Ben O'Keeffe described Crusaders' prop Joe Moody's sustained head-hunting attack on Highlanders' lock Jack Regan as "a little bit of push and shove off the ball". Yes, Moody, angry that Regan wouldn't let go of his jersey in a maul early in the game, used an open palm, but the three solid right hands and two lefts were delivered with power, and he connected more often than rising boxing star David Nyika in his professional debut the next night on the Parker v Fa undercard. It looked like a yellow card at least. Only a penalty was given.
Problems on the horizon: The Crusaders dodged a bullet there but still gave up two yellow cards via sanctions for Ethan Blackadder in the first half and Scott Barrett at the end of the second. Discipline, a problem in pre-season, remains an issue; the visitors gave up 15 penalties to the Highlanders' eight. Like it or not they're earning a reputation as serial offenders.
Special mention: Codie Taylor. The Crusaders and All Blacks hooker appears in top physical shape and was busy, and, to stretch what may be becoming a tedious metaphor a little further, he landed a big early power punch when sprinting in from 40m for SRA's first try of 2021.
2. Blues
(Hurricanes 16 Blues 31)
The Blues accounted for the Hurricanes in Wellington with a performance high on composure, control and aggression; qualities which we are becoming used to seeing in teams coached by Leon MacDonald. They are most definitely back and appear the one team most likely to challenge the Crusaders' supremacy.
Biggest mystery: How they will cope with living and training away from Auckland under the city's latest lockdown. They appear set to base themselves at Cambridge and have a bye this weekend, but, with Auckland back under tight restrictions until next Sunday morning at least, who knows what the near future holds.
Problems on the horizon: Very few apart from the giant one above. The Blues' incredible depth at prop and loose forward – probably the best in the competition -
was on display at Sky Stadium. Midfielder Rieko Ioane looks fit and eager and No10 Otere Black was as neat as a pin.
Stephen Perofeta celebrates scoring a try with teammate Otere Black. Photo / Photosport
Special mention: There were eye-catching performances all over the park, including from wings Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea, but loosie Tom Robinson's cameo off the bench was high on energy and impact. The man known as "Sauce" brought the heat.
3. Highlanders
(Highlanders 13 Crusaders 26)
They're rarely out of a game at home due to the energy the crowd creates at Forsyth Barr Stadium and this certainly applied here. But they just lacked a bit of attacking quality when they needed it most, which bring us to…
Biggest mystery: Why they thought the Crusaders would crack under the pressure of their lineout drive when, from memory, the red and blacks have never conceded there under the four and a bit years of Scott Robertson's reign. The Highlanders wouldn't let it go (they tried about eight times) and the Crusaders stood firm every time.
Problems on the horizon: Their scrum looks a little creaky, although to be fair many do against the Crusaders.
Special mention: Wing Jona Nareki appears to have jet-powered boots.
4. Chiefs
Bye
No team wants a bye in round one, but the upside for the Chiefs is that their inactivity allowed them to dodge last place in the inaugural 2021 SRA Power Rankings.
Biggest mystery: How they will cope this year under new head coach Clayton McMillan after a horror 2020.
Problems on the horizon: Once again they have a Brodie Retallick-sized hole in their pack.
Special mention: Damian McKenzie back at first-five in pre-season is promising for both him and the Chiefs.
5. Hurricanes
(Hurricanes 16 Blues 31)
The Hurricanes were in this game until just after halftime – helped by Jordie Barrett's right foot and new skipper Ardie Savea's relentless work at the breakdown.
Jordie Barrett tackled by Dalton Papalii. Photo / Photosport
Biggest mystery: We're changing things up here because there was absolutely no mystery around how they let this game slip. Up by four points just after halftime, the
Hurricanes were hot on attack only for lock James Blackwell, who was sinbinned in the first half and had just re-joined play, to drop it cold. Minutes later, Caleb Clarke was over in the corner and the Blues never relinquished their lead again. A converted try for the Hurricanes would have put them 18-7 up.
Problems on the horizon: Discipline – it was awful and it let the Blues off the hook.
Special mention: Ardie Savea was occasionally inspirational, but the most kudos must go to hooker Asafo Aumua, who scored two tries and was near unstoppable at times.
