So we're roughly a third through Super Rugby and I thought it might be a nice time to do a little bit of a summary, ironically it does feel like despite being 8 rounds in their are still a lot of questions to be answered.
I think it's fair to say that the NZ franchises other than the Blues are still really strong, whether they are slightly weaker than last year, the same level or maybe the rest of the competition has improved remains to be seen.
As for the SA franchises I think it's fair to say that the Sharks and the Bulls have shown encouraging signs but haven't had it all their own way. The Lions and Stormers are probably slightly weaker than last year but it's still a little too early to make that call.
Looks like Lions are still the best in SA but their tour will tell us a lot - as will their away derbies, for now I'd say they are hanging on to their "conference favourite" ***les by a thread. The Sharks started miserably looking flat all through Australia but then suddenly raised their game to unprecedented standards when they entered NZ. Beating the Blues soundly and running the Hurricanes very close indeed.
Stormers sadly just can't defend at all it seems and haven't managed to clinch enough games away from home, my head says a play-off spot will be unlikely this year.
The Aussie teams are even more interesting, I think it's fair to say they are better this year, the Rebels/Tahs/Reds have all put up some big performances and they have managed to dispatch all Saffer visitors thus far, with no SA side winning in Aus yet (and 6/8 games are already played I believe).
The Aus vs Kiwi games will be extremely telling as if even a few victories can be snatched I think it's fair to say the Aussies have genuinely improved.
I encourage you guys to try ranking the teams, the first 5 or so are extremely easy but after that it gets extremely difficult. We're at the stage in the competition where you feel like almost every team could either be in the top 6 or the bottom 3.
I think it's fair to say that the NZ franchises other than the Blues are still really strong, whether they are slightly weaker than last year, the same level or maybe the rest of the competition has improved remains to be seen.
As for the SA franchises I think it's fair to say that the Sharks and the Bulls have shown encouraging signs but haven't had it all their own way. The Lions and Stormers are probably slightly weaker than last year but it's still a little too early to make that call.
Looks like Lions are still the best in SA but their tour will tell us a lot - as will their away derbies, for now I'd say they are hanging on to their "conference favourite" ***les by a thread. The Sharks started miserably looking flat all through Australia but then suddenly raised their game to unprecedented standards when they entered NZ. Beating the Blues soundly and running the Hurricanes very close indeed.
Stormers sadly just can't defend at all it seems and haven't managed to clinch enough games away from home, my head says a play-off spot will be unlikely this year.
The Aussie teams are even more interesting, I think it's fair to say they are better this year, the Rebels/Tahs/Reds have all put up some big performances and they have managed to dispatch all Saffer visitors thus far, with no SA side winning in Aus yet (and 6/8 games are already played I believe).
The Aus vs Kiwi games will be extremely telling as if even a few victories can be snatched I think it's fair to say the Aussies have genuinely improved.
I encourage you guys to try ranking the teams, the first 5 or so are extremely easy but after that it gets extremely difficult. We're at the stage in the competition where you feel like almost every team could either be in the top 6 or the bottom 3.