Super Rugby Power Rankings: It's the finals countdown

With the playoff teams all but locked in already, it's time to focus on the teams still jockeying for position. Here are Scotty Stevenson's power rankings as the Super Rugby season gets serious.

1. Crusaders (N/C)

The Crusade marches on thanks to an anticipated big win over the Rebels in Melbourne last weekend. Individually, the Crusaders players are starting to climb up the attack rankings which bodes well for a couple of classic derbies to finish the season. David Havili became the second player behind Damien McKenzie to pass 1000 running metres last week (Havili leads every key attack stat for the Crusaders except offloads) and the Crusaders are the only side to boast three players inside the top ten ‘most elusive’ list. Havili, Mo’unga and Bridge are all on that list. The Crusaders have been forced to make just 93 tackles per game this year, which is a competition low. Highlanders need to hold the ball this week to beat them.

2. Lions (up 1)

Hate to say this, New Zealand fans, but in the spirit of power rankings this isn’t just about where the Lions are, it’s also about where they are heading. They have two games remaining and one is an absolute training run against the Moondogs this week. The Lions have the most ruthless and efficient lineout in the competition, which is key given almost 40% of all competition tries this season have originated from this phase. For the Lions, that figure is closer to 50%. The Lions have a 78% success rate from the tee, too, which is higher than any of the other top teams. Forget who they have played and who they haven’t. The Lions are the real deal with or without the ball.

3. Hurricanes (down 1)

The Hurricanes should account for the Force without too much fuss this week, but the importance of this clash cannot be underestimated. The Hurricanes finish against the Chiefs and Crusaders – the only two sides to have beaten them this season. A win against the Force gives the Hurricanes a buffer on the Highlanders and may prove the difference between finishing the regular season in fifth spot or in sixth (the ridiculousness of that is lost on no one, by the way). Why is that important? Because the fifth-place finisher will travel to Australia. The sixth-place finisher must go to South Africa. That would suck so badly.

4. Highlanders (up 1)

Nine consecutive victories have placed the Highlanders into serious finals contention. That is a dead set miracle after starting the season 1-3. The secret to this side’s success is its ability to take a pounding in every match – defensively speaking. There is no team that kicks more or that has more faith in its pack to dominate other teams with tackles. They make more tackles per game than any other side, and seem to enjoy it. Which is frightening. The Highlanders win fewer lineouts than any other side, which is not because their success rate is bad. They just don’t like kicking the ball out. Massive test of resolve this week against the Crusaders.

5. Chiefs (down 1)

If you didn’t scratch your eyes out watching last Friday’s match against the Blues, then you are a better person than I am. The Chiefs are struggling to connect the dots this season. They have form in so many areas but keep undoing their own good work. Their scrum penalty rate is killing them, and their breakdown turnover concession rate is stifling their ability to build phases. The transition offence of Damien McKenzie was under pressure in the wet last week, which exposed the Chiefs in other parts of their game. The penalty count is mounting as well, which adds to this team’s obvious frustration. They have some extra motivation this week with Stephen Donald playing his 100th match for the Chiefs.

6. Sharks (N/C)

The Sharks are the most confounding team in the competition. Just when you think they are going to fold, they find a way to win. The Sharks will play at home against the Bulls and the Lions to finish the season and – bold prediction – they could win both. Two things plague the Sharks: they turn the ball over more than any other team and they struggle to balance their kicking and running games. More running, less kicking would be good advice if they didn’t have such Pinocchio hands. They can’t get a home playoff game so that could well be their undoing. However, if they are against another South African side in the quarters, they could well be the surprise package.

7. Stormers (up 1)

Have the Cheetahs, Sunwolves and Bulls to finish the season and simply have to win them all for their own sake. They can’t be topped in the conference but after the disastrous New Zealand tour, a loss to the Sharks last weekend would have shaken this team. They are now at risk of finishing as fourth qualifier which all but guarantees they will face a New Zealand side in the playoffs. Which would not be good for the Stormers. Not good at all.

8. Brumbies (up 4)

The Brumbies were desperate for a win against the Jags and credit where it is due, they certainly did the job. The Jags have totally blown this season. The Brumbies result proved nothing more than that the Jags know it. Despite the fact they now have a buffer against the Waratahs they aren’t completely out of the woods yet. In saying that the Rebels and the Reds are their next two opponents. They should be able to wrap things up over the next couple of rounds. It won’t matter in the long run.

SPECIAL MENTION: Waratahs

Still a faint hope of making the playoffs if the Brumbies find some way to completely bottle it over the next couple of weeks, and if the Waratahs can somehow find a way to pull off a win in Hamilton. That is highly unlikely, but I don’t trust the Waratahs.