Super Rugby is back for a 22nd season and fans of the premier competition in Southern Hemisphere rugby have been treated to the exhilarating, free-flowing, trans-continental action that have become staples of the tournament in recent years.
With two rounds of the 2017 season already in the books and a third set to occur across four countries, three continents and three days this weekend, Lewis Hughes looks at six of the most intriguing storylines that have emerged thus far in the season's opening fortnight.
Winds of (little) change
How do you top a championship-winning 2016 season? Start 2017 with form to ease you to a second consecutive title. Through two rounds the Wellington-based Hurricanes have -pardon the pun - blown the opposition to race out to a comfortable perch atop the Australasian conference with two wins, two bonus points and a staggering +131 points difference.
With a team studded with current All Black internationals including Beauden Barrett, the Savea brothers and Dane Coles, a fast start to this year’s tournament was not unexpected. But the manner in which the Hurricanes swept past the Melbourne Rebels, 71-6 and then bettered that cricket score with a 83-17 thumping of the Sunwolves in Tokyo has them as the early pace-setters in this year’s competition - it is hard to look past the ‘Canes as favourites to once again be crowned Super Rugby champions in August.
Storming Stormers and Leaping Lions
Joining the Hurricanes as early-season darlings are the Stormers and Lions who have both impressed in the season’s opening fortnight and currently stand 1-2 at the top of the South African conference.
Given the current problems plaguing South Africa’s national side and the continuing talent drain of its brightest and best to Europe and Japan, the rousing start from the Cape Town and Johannesburg franchises have given Springboks fans at least some hope for the upcoming season.
The Lions, who were 20-3 losing finalists last season, appear to have overcome the disappointment of being bested by the Hurricanes and have replicated their impressive form from 2016, as well as the exciting, attacking brand of rugby which won them acclaim last season. An impressive 28-25 comeback victory over the Cheetahs was then followed by a comprehensive 55-36 win over the Cheetahs to give the Jo’burg franchise nine points after two rounds.
The Stormers meanwhile have likewise proved their attacking credentials with wins in two open and flowing games of rugby; a 37-24 win over the Bulls followed by a 32-25 triumph over Los Jaguares and cement their place alongside the Lions at the top of the current South African club hierarchy.
A Tale of Two Cities
Last season marked a historic year for both Argentinian and Japanese rugby with the introduction of franchises for both countries, Los Jaguares and the Sunwolves respectively, as part of Super Rugby’s expansion to 18 teams.
Whilst it is little surprise that both teams struggled in their first year of operation – the Jaguares finished 5th in the South African conference and missed the play-offs whilst the Sunwolves finished bottom of the same group – the disparate form of both sides to open 2017 has shown that Super Rugby could be flourishing in Buenos Aires and floundering in Tokyo.
After two games, the Jaguares sit 3rd in the conference the two team share, having recorded an impressive 26-39 away victory over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth and produced a valiant effort in defeat to the Stormers. The Sunwolves meanwhile have nothing to show from the season’s opening rounds, having been embarrassed by the Hurricanes and soundly beaten by the Southern Kings, 23-37 in Singapore. Another last-placed finish could be on the cards for the Japanese whilst the Jaguares are looking in good stead to compete for a play-off berth despite the loss of Facundo Isa to Toulon before the season.
Australian Struggles
Japanese rugby can at least take solace in the fact that their Australian counterparts have also endured a horror start to the season.
Of the five Australian franchises, only the Western Force currently sit in a play-off spot with the four others – the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels - constituting four of the bottom five places in the Australasian conference.
For those looking for a status report of the vitality of rugby in both Australia and New Zealand, it is clear that declining attendances for all five franchises are not the only concern for the ARU, especially given the humiliating nature in which Australian franchises are thus far 1-5 in trans-national competition against their South African and Kiwi rivals.
Rebels without a Cause
Particularly disconcerting for Australian rugby has been the performances of the Melbourne Rebels who sit rock-bottom of the overall standings after two games.
With Australian internationals James Hanson, Toby Smith, Sean McMahon, Lopeti Timani, Reece Hodge, Sefanaia Naivalu and the imperious Japanese No.8 Amanaki Mafi in their ranks, the Rebels’ frankly embarrassing defeats at the hands of the Blues, 18-56, and the Hurricanes, 71-6, has them earmarked as the most disappointing team of the competition thus far.
Star Spotting
Finally, here are the players who have caught the eye through two rounds:
Rohan Janse van Rensburg – A rising star of South African rugby following an impressive debut campaign for the Lions last season, the Inside Centre currently tops the Super Rugby try tables with four in his opening two games.
Vince Aso – Joint leading try scorer, leader in metres made with a man-of-the-match performance last week against the Rebels to boot, the 22-year-old winger is playing his way into contention for a maiden All Blacks appearance when the B&I Lions come to visit in June.
Eto Nabuli – The former rugby league star for St.George appears to be coming good on his cross-code potential in his second season in union. A standout performer for the Reds in two games so far, the Fijian’s hat-trick against the Western Force nearly single-handedly delivered a win for Queensland.
Fred Zeilinga – The competition’s current top points scorer (34) with an impressive 87% conversion rate, Zeilinga, despite the Cheetah’s up-and-down start to the season, has already put his hand up for Springbok contention for their summer tour to France.
