Super Rugby Power Rankings: Canes catch fire ahead of Drua showdown

Analysis: The Hurricanes are flying as high as they ever have, but they're about to embark on one of the toughest trips in the game, writes Patrick McKendry.

(7 wins) beat Chiefs 36-23

(1)

(PR: Up 3)

No surprise, really. In successfully passing their toughest test of the season, the Hurricanes are now favourites for the title. No Cam Roigard, no problem – TJ Perenara’s late-career renaissance augers well for his franchise and maybe the All Blacks too.

(6 wins, 1 loss) bye

(3)

(PR: NC)

In the wake of some helter-skelter action and results over the weekend, Power Rankings is holding firm on the Brumbies being the best Aussie team in the competition. Therefore, they don’t lose their second place here despite their bye. They face the Blues at Eden Park next.

(6 wins, 1 loss) bye

(2)

(PR: NC)

The Brumbies represent the Blues’ toughest opponents since their loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington on March 9. After seeing their Kiwi rivals overtake them into No.1 during their bye week, the Blues are travelling well but still have a bit to prove.

(5 wins, 3 losses) beat Highlanders 47-31

(4)

(PR: Up 1)

An astonishing result for the Rebels, who have crept into fourth spot on the table and currently will have home advantage for a quarter-final. They have never before made the finals of a full Super Rugby competition. The Highlanders aren’t a bad team and were up 10-5 before the Rebels launched their comeback, with wing Darby Lancaster scoring a hat-trick of tries. Impressive.

(3 wins, 5 losses) beat Reds 17-14

(8)

(PR: Up 5)

Moana Pasifika have never won three matches in a season before. That they have got there halfway through 2024 is a testament to their new coaches Tana Umaga and Tom Coventry, and their togetherness. They can’t call anywhere in Auckland home (in terms of a stadium), so are leading a nomadic existence. Given their heritage, that may be significant. It’s certainly not easy. Here they got the result via a late try and conversion for William Havili.

(2 wins, 6 losses) beat Crusaders 43-40

(9)

(PR: Up 6)

A crazy and hugely entertaining match with numerous lead changes finished in a victory for the Waratahs, who were down by three points seconds as the hooter sounded. Power Rankings called the Sydney-siders “awful” last week. Here they were awesome. Their two wins this season are against the defending champions. That's an ownership.

(5 wins, 3 losses) lost to Hurricanes 23-36

(5)

PR: (Down 6)

They didn't do much wrong in Wellington but couldn't find an antidote to the infectious offloading from the Hurricanes, who also had an edge at the set piece. A reality check.

(3 wins, 4 losses) bye

(7)

(PR: Up 1)

The Drua may have quietly sat back over the weekend happy in the knowledge another potential victim was on its way to an ambush. After the heights the Canes reached against the Chiefs, it would be no surprise to see them slip up in Suva.

(3 wins, 4 losses) lost to Moana Pasifika 14-17

(6)

(PR: Down 2)

The Reds suffered a meltdown in terms of discipline in the second half, losing halfback Tate McDermott (swinging arm to head) and Fraser McReight (shoulder to head) to red cards. Their late struggles were not unpopular in Whangārei.

(2 wins, 5 losses) lost to Rebels 31-47

(10)

(PR: Down 2)

Mauled in Melbourne.

(1 win, 6 losses) bye

(12)

(PR: Up 1)

The competition strugglers enjoyed a welcome rest and next face the Crusaders, a team perhaps struggling even more than them. It’s a genuine mystery who will come out on top in Perth.

(1 win, 6 losses) lost to Waratahs 40-43

(11)

PR: (Down 7)

Were presented with the equivalent of an open tryline and proceeded to trip over their feet and fumble the ball. How else to explain a loss after leading by three points with seconds remaining on the clock? An historically poor season for the defending champs.