Super Rugby power rankings: Moana and Drua put 'super' in super round

Analysis: The two Pacific rivals contributed to the match of the weekend in Melbourne but the Chiefs look increasingly ominous, writes Patrick McKendry.

1. Chiefs

(2 wins, 0 losses) beat Brumbies 46-12

(Table position: 1)

Prediction: In the absence of Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie will be the most dominant player in Super Rugby this year. He was at it again against the Brumbies, who aren't a bad side. He's also being enabled by a pack which appears hungrier than any other in the competition. The Chiefs' clash with the unbeaten Blues will be highly anticipated but, due to a quirk, they play each other only once this year and that's in the final round.

2. Blues

(2-0) beat Highlanders 37-29

(3)

Settled into their work nicely against a Highlanders side who impressed with their creativity and toughness, especially early. Hoskins Sotutu, with three tries, is on a tear but new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson will be looking for consistency and workrate before getting too excited. Still, a well-rounded team which should go deep into the playoffs.

3. Hurricanes

(2-0) beat Reds 38-33

(2)

Two wins against Aussie competition, the latter a golden-point win over the Reds, should be kept in perspective but the Hurricanes deserve their high position for their composure in extra time in Melbourne and in a brilliantly worked set-piece try featuring an offload by Jordie Barrett, later shown a red card for a high tackle, which is worth watching again and again. Plus, two tries for Cam Roigard who will presumably be the All Blacks' No.9 in the middle of the year.

4. Waratahs

(1-1) beat Crusaders 37-24

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Waratahs coach Darren Coleman advised reporters on the eve of this match to put money on his side, who were 10-1 outsiders. Afterwards he said he was planning to celebrate by sinking several schooners. Fair enough, too, the Sydneysiders were far too good in nearly every aspect against a Crusaders side lacking direction and accuracy. The defending champs are in a spot of bother. Coleman is quids in (or would be if he was allowed to bet on the match).

5. Moana Pasifika

(1-1) beat Fijian Drua 39-36

(9)

In the match of the round, Moana Pasifika outlasted their Pacific neighbours despite playing with 13 men late on, a display of grit to go with a performance high in flair and ambition. It was a joy to watch. A debatable red card for Nigel Ah Wong for a no-arms tackle was followed by Moana putting on 14 points in three minutes. The Drua responded in the same fashion to finish the match. Put the super into Super Round.

6. Highlanders

(1-1) lost to Blues 29-37

(5)

Rhys Patchell! A week after a beautiful wide pass assist in their win over Moana Pasifika, the Welsh international first-five threw an around-the-corner offload that SBW would have been proud of in the Highlanders' loss to the Blues. Jamie Joseph is building something on his return. The Highlanders will be a handful this season.

7. Fijian Drua

(0-2) lost to Moana Pasifika 36-39

(11)

It's difficult to be cynical about Super Rugby when watching these guys in full flight. They should feel confident about next weekend's clash against the Crusaders.

8. Brumbies

(1-1) lost to Chiefs 12-46

(6)

Not in it after going to the break 25-7 behind but they will cause problems elsewhere this season.

9. Rebels

(1-1) beat Force 48-34

(7)

A triumph for a club on the point of collapse and playing in front of a small crowd on their weekend of all weekends. And they did it after falling behind 34-19 with 30 minutes to go. Bravo.

10. Reds

(1-1) lost to Hurricanes 33-38

(4)

The golden point losers would probably have taken an old-fashioned draw.

11. Crusaders

(0-2) lost to Waratahs 24-37

(10)

The Crusaders were pretty good in their defeat to the Chiefs in round one — any team that scores 19 unanswered points against the Mooloo men this season will have to be. Against the Waratahs they were awful. Their scrum was beset with technical issues, their lineout wonky, they lacked leadership in the backline, with Rob Penney electing to start inexperienced halfback Noah Hotham and first-five Taha Kemara (both only 20), and midfielder David Havili appeared rusty to say the least. They play the Drua in Lautoka next. That's tough.

12. Force

(0-2) lost to Rebels 34-48

(12)

If getting a hiding from the Brumbies in round one wasn't bad enough, the Force backed it up by losing to a Rebels club that probably won't exist in a few months.