Super Rugby: 5 Things We Learnt From Round 17

1     The Highlanders with Ben Smith at 15, Malakai Fekitoa at 13, and Aaron Smith at 9, are serious contenders to win the Super Rugby competition. When playing without them, as they did on Saturday in their heavy defeat to the Hurricanes – when coach Jamie Joseph thought it wise to rest all three of his All Black star backs simultaneously – they are no more than a mediocre team.

2     Beauden Barrett’s return from injury added attacking flair, judicious decision-making, and admirable composure to the Hurricanes. They will end comfortably and deservedly top of the log, and when Ma’a Nonu returns to the starting line-up and Cory Jane is back from injury, they will take some stopping in the play-off games.

3     For the Brumbies to come anywhere close to winning Super Rugby 2015, they will need Matt Toomua back from injury and starting at10, with Christian Lealiifano moving back to 12. The Lealiifano – Coleman 10-12 combination is unlikely to get them there.   

4     The optimistic hope pre-season that former Rugby League and Australian Rules star player Karmichael Hunt would exhibit such skill and flair for the Reds that he would provide an immediate boost to the Wallabies quest to win the World Cup, has not been realised. Perhaps Michael Cheika will give him opportunities during the Rugby Championship to show whether he can crack it at Test level, but in Super Rugby he has shown only glimpses of real class. Has he even found his best position yet?

5     The Force and Blues and Cheetahs and Reds all remain way off the Super Rugby pace.