Super Rugby power rankings: Beware a Chiefs team flying under the radar

Analysis: It's all about the Blues and Hurricanes after their Eden Park thriller — but don't forget last year's finalists, writes Patrick McKendry.

(10 wins, 1 loss) beat Hurricanes 31-27

(1)

(Power Ranking: No change)

As we talked about yesterday, other Blues teams of the recent past would have lost this blockbuster of a match. Not this Blues team. Impressive all over the park and clutch when it counted.

(9 wins, 2 losses) lost to Blues 27-31

(2)

(PR: up 1)

The Hurricanes weren't far off, it's just that the Blues' defence was that little bit better. Having said that, it would be a shame if they couldn't get Jordie Barrett more involved on attack. Meanwhile, TJ Perenara is playing as well as he ever has.

(8 wins, 3 losses) beat Moana Pasifika 43-7

(4)

(PR: down 1)

They're quietly going about their business and are probably happy to stay out of the spotlight. This was a routine win over Moana and achieved without Damian McKenzie. Will be a huge threat in the playoffs and may be reasonably confident of going one better than last year. Their clash in Hamilton against the Hurricanes a week on Friday will be instructive.

(9 wins, 2 losses) beat Waratahs 29-21

(3)

(PR: up 1)

The Aussie juggernaut rolls on, albeit thanks to a converted try in the final two minutes against one of the weaker teams in the competition.

(6 wins, 5 losses) beat Rebels 26-22

(5)

(PR: down 1)

Expertly took advantage of Lachie Anderson's sinbinning to score three converted tries in 10 minutes. Their 20-year-old right wing Tim Ryan scored his sixth try in three games.

(5 wins, 6 losses) beat Crusaders 32-29

(7)

(PR: No change)

Good enough to beat a struggling team shockingly low on confidence. This win, an historic one that broke a three-year losing streak against Kiwi teams, keeps the Highlanders on track for the playoffs. They weren't great but didn't need to be.

(3 wins, 8 losses) beat Drua 48-10

(9)

(PR: Up 5)

A powerhouse performance by a side hoping to leapfrog the Drua into a playoff place.

(2 wins, 9 losses) lost to Brumbies 21-29

(12)

(PR: up 3)

They stuck at it well considering their previous form.

(5 wins, 6 losses) lost to Reds 22-26

(6)

(PR: up 1)

They gave it a red-hot crack as the Aussies like to say. In fact, as they were up 15-5 at halftime, the Rebels will be disappointed to lose this. They may had won it had Carter Gordon not missed two easy kicks in the first half. They're still on track for the playoffs, though — some achievement given their financial situation which means the entire franchise's future remains up in the air.

(3 wins, 8 losses) Lost to Chiefs 7-43

(10)

(PR: down 2)

Moana were down only 0-12 at halftime at Waikato Stadium and weren't too far off the Chiefs; it was just the detail that let them down: a kick out on the full, a dropped pass, an accidentally kicked ball at a breakdown. They lost the physical battle after the break, though.

(4 wins, 7 losses) lost to the Force 10-48

(8)

(PR: down 4)

A six-tries-to-one hammering in Perth. The Drua's grip on that last playoff place is becoming tenuous.

(2 wins, 9 losses) Lost to Highlanders 29-32

(11)

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(PR: down 1)

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