Cheree Kinnear gives us the results from a packed weekend of sport.
OPINION:
Chris Rattue ranks New Zealand's contenders and pretenders after the third round of Super Rugby Transtasman.
(1) Crusaders
What we liked: The Crusaders will be topping the power rankings for years to come – and here's why their highly successful two-game mission across the ditch has re-enforced that.
TheCrusaders toyed with the Waratahs at times and still crushed the underwhelming Sydneysiders in Wollongong, having humiliated the Reds a week earlier.
The Kiwi champs, with a re-jigged line-up, showed what tremendous depth they have.
Emphatic wins in Australia's main rugby centres have further promoted the Crusaders players' All Black prospects, shoring up the franchise's long-term position under New Zealand Rugby's central contract system. The dynasty goes on.
And to think – Puma muscleman Pablo Matera arrives next year. It's frightening.
They will be out to tear the Force apart in flood-hit Christchurch, getting their points differential in order.
Sevu Reece of the Crusaders fends off a Waratahs defender. Photo / Getty
The Downside: The Crusaders are unbeaten and the best team in Super Rugby Transtsman…yet need other results to go their way to make the final on bonus points. Years of success means complacency might creep in (but nah…the Crusaders always rise to the occasion).
(2) Blues
Latest result: Beat Brumbies 38-10
Record: 3-0
Last week: 4th
What we liked: In two words – Finlay Christie. Finally, the Blues have found the halfback they have been looking for, and his feisty performance against the Brumbies was crowned by a twisting gem of a solo try.
The Blues marauding spirit demolished the Canberra mob, and power lock Patrick Tuipulotu's return comes in the nick of time as SRTT fatigue kicks in.
Adding to the Christie find, the well-travelled, 30-something, come-from-nowhere wing Bryce Heem is winning a lot of fans, which is adding to the feel-good factor.
Finlay Christie on his way to the try line. Photo / Photosport
The Downside: The set piece is a big issue. The underwhelming lineout battled, and after a fantastic start, the scrum even degenerated. This is a significant issue as they head to Brisbane where the buoyant Reds await.
Otere Black showed nice touches at No. 10 but for my money his command is unconvincing.
It's make-or-break time for the Blues, and injuries to Dalton Papalii and Josh Goodhue may put added pressure on the pack while taking an edge off the bench impact.
(3) Hurricanes
Latest result: Beat Force 43-6
Record: 3-0
Last week: 5th
What we liked: Ardie Savea is back, and it doesn't get much bigger than that. He's the perfect energy tonic as the SRTT teams get into the fatigue zone.
The Hurricanes have always been a magic moment franchise. An often drab affair against the Force found sparkle through highlights such as Asafo Aumua's 60m try and a world class cut out pass from Peter Umaga-Jensen.
If the Australian teams do fade the draw might play into the hands of the Hurricanes, who face the toughest Aussie teams last with that bonus point advantage to protect.
Hurricanes duo Ngani Laumape and Salesi Rayasi celebrate a try. Photo / Photosport
The Downside: It's easy to get into bad habits playing poor opposition, and the Hurricanes have been scraping the bottom of the Super Rugby barrel against the Waratahs, Rebels and Force.
The Brumbies in Canberra are a different proposition, particularly with the bonus point being so important. The unconvincing Hurricanes' set piece will face a stern test as they try to remain on the front row of the grid.
(4) Highlanders
Latest result: Beat Rebels 42-27
Record: 3-0
Last week: 2nd
What we liked: The exquisite moments of pure class from halfback Aaron Smith against the Rebels. He actually seems to be getting better with age.
It was like spotting a Rembrandt in a thrift store, as Smith's touches shone at a depressingly barren Leichhardt Oval.
There was also a truly special long range try and Scott Gregory's midfield physicality against the Aussie crash merchants was impressive.
Aaron Smith of the Highlanders. Photo / Getty
The Downside: The Highlanders couldn't nail a bonus point and are now behind the eight ball.
With Liam Coltman starting ahead of Ash Dixon, their lineout suffered, and the scrum was under pressure from the hard-to-miss figure of Cabous Eloff and giant hooker Jordan Uelese.
The Highlanders were starting to look in some trouble before Uelese's petulant act drew a yellow card enabling Smith and co. to get a jump on the Aussie strugglers.
It was a strange game, with the late transfer from Queenstown, but the Highlander didn't shape as title chasers.
(5) Chiefs
Latest result: Lost to Reds 40-34
Record: 2-1
Last week: 3rd
What we liked: The comeback against the Reds. It was brilliant, led by unheralded blokes like Kaleb Trask, Xavier Roe and Zane Kapeli….and some guy called Liam Messam. Trask looked a much better No. 10 than fullback, after covering for the dismissed Damian McKenzie.
It says something for the strength of New Zealand rugby that a team playing badly and drained by two cards loses by just six points to the best Australian outfit, having trailed 8 – 40 away from home in the final quarter.
The game was a lot of fun, and an Australian win was desperately needed.
The Downside: The Chiefs are goners. A season of over-achievement hit a wall as they became the first Kiwi team to effectively exit SRTT title contention.
The Chiefs started badly and reacted very poorly to the overlapping cards on Chase Tiatia and McKenzie.
They will lick their wounds against the physical but limited Rebels in Hamilton as the disappointment sets in. There won't even be McKenzie to liven up the Sunday afternoon fixture, after his costly wild tackle in Townsville.
