With the summer tours to the SH on the horizon lets view who's on form in the Super XV

Here is Planet Rugby's XV top performers from the Super XV... A decent mix of all three major nations that England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are about to face down under.


15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers SA) - His return from Bayonne has been such a plus for the men from Cape Town. Not only is he in the high percentage from the tee but Pietersen offers a lot in attack. We saw that against the Highlanders and also over this past weekend as he caused the Crusaders plenty of bother.

14 Akona Ndungane (Bulls SA) - Nothing flash but frighteningly efficient from the veteran winger. Ndungane scored his first try of the season on Saturday and once again showed that he is more than capable of avoiding the touchline when under pressure. Great lines from him, getting in ahead of Lelia Masaga.

13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs NZ) - Maybe a touch harsh on Juan de Jongh of the Stormers - who seemingly never misses a tackle - as he was strong in Christchurch. However, for his solidity and intelligence both in defence and attack, Kahui is our man. Must be nice playing outside offload king Sonny Bill Williams.

12 Pat McCabe (Brumbies AUS) - Speaking of Sonny Bill, we come to the number twelve slot where three names popped up. McCabe for his bustling showing against the Rebels, Tim Whitehead for running good lines in Auckland and finally Williams for his moments of brilliance. But McCabe was consistently excellent.

11 Bryan Habana (Stormers SA): Much-improved performances of late from Habana, with his pace looking threatening once again while his work-rate was also mighty impressive. Scored a crucial try too that gave the Stormers a sniff at victory.

10 Tom Taylor (Crusaders NZ): The final scoreline should have read: Taylor 31-24 Stormers. What else can we say? Keep hold of that number twelve jersey for now, Daniel.

9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls SA): Piet van Zyl has taken to Super Rugby like a duck to water in Bloemfontein was again busy for the Cheetahs on Saturday. If the livewire keeps this up during the current Springbok camp he is attending then Heyneke Meyer may keep him around. Unfortunately for Van Zyl though, we've plumped for the probable new South Africa scrum-half, Hougaard, who showed immense power to score against the Lions and was nuggety throughout.

8 Keegan Daniel (Sharks SA): Played a real captain's innings for his team: Daniel set up the Sharks' first touchdown after intercepting and running half the length of the field before being brought down just short of the line, scored himself in the 47th minute to give his team back the advantage, and again featured in the lead-up to the visitors' bonus-point try.

7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies AUS): The 20-year-old (named player of the tournament in last year's junior World Cup) is enjoying a stand-out season in 2012 for the Brumbies. He made his mark with a brilliant performance over the Highlanders and proved it was no fluke with another impressive display against the Rebels.

6 CJ Stander (Bulls SA): With first-choice flanks Deon Stegmann and Dewald Potgieter nursing early-season injuries, Stander has taken his chance to shine with both hands. The talismanic forward who carries the ball strongly, turns over opposition ball at the breakdown and holds up opponents in the tackle, has proved to be a very valuable player for the three-time champions.

5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs NZ): Another solid outing from the Chiefs tall timber. At 2.04m, Retallick - playing in his first Super Rugby season - has taken to the competition as if he was a veteran.

4 Scott Fardy (Brumbies AUS): Was pushing for a place on the Brumbies bench, never mind the starting line-up when the season kicked off. But this two-try, man of the match performance will certainly earn him regular starts in the future.

3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues NZ): Muscled up superbly for the Blues in a solid all-round performance. Tony Woodcock may have crossed for a try, but it was Faumuina who powered his way to the line to get his front-row colleague over it.

2 Craig Burden (Sharks SA): The former wing had mighty big shoes to fill following the injury to Bok hooker Bismarck du Plessis, but has now put in strong back-to-back performances that has left coach John Plumtree with a selection headache ahead of Saturday's clash with the Chiefs.

1 Sona Taumalolo (Chiefs Tonga): If this guy gets within touching distance of the tryline, he scores. It's no wonder he's currently the leading try-scorer in Super Rugby this season (six). Not bad for a prop!

There is no way that Charlie Faumuina or Tom Taylor will be playing against Ireland.

aucklandlaurie wrote: There is no way that Charlie Faumuina or Tom Taylor will be playing against Ireland.

Yes, and that is a frightening prospect. They both look outstanding.

Charlie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpSNtdTaaIA

The Aussie's are looking the worst of the Super Rugby sides. Big chance for Wales to win a series and maybe get top seed status for the next RWC. Ireland will be thrashed in New Zealand three times. Are England going to South Africa? Who are France playing?

Scotland play the Aussies too prior to Wales on the 5th of June. Could be an even better opportunity for them to surprise a few people.

That said, the Aussies may not be looking great in the Super XV, but neither were the Welsh regions and we just won the Grandslam.

That's true. But Super 15 form tends to translate into test form down south. The Welsh national team is so much more well drilled than the shambolic regions.

I'm not saying Wales should win. We saw what happened last time they played. I just think this young Wales team will continue to improve. And they may catch the Aussie's on a low ebb in terms of form. The Welsh lads didn't have much time with Gatland and Edwards before the last match.

It'll be interesting to see if England's upward curve continues too. I didn't rate Lancaster at all, based on his nervy early public appearances. Thought he lacked gravitas or something. Didn't think he'd be up to it. But I was proved very wrong. They were close to being Grand Slam Champions themselves.

From the small amount I've seen of the Super 15, I think the New Zealand franchises are playing at a higher level to the others. Even in the derbies they're not giving into conservatism or defensive tactics. They look like they're playing for fun. They look like they'll tear Ireland to pieces.

I wouldnt have picked any of the 5 Kiwi's in that 15 except perhaps Kahui.

I'd say Andre Taylor is the form sxv fulback though.

3 of the top 5 sides are Kiwi sides (Brumbies there as conference leadrs but 7th overall) so Im not sure a 7-5-3 split in SA's favour reflects this. Crusaders seem to have extended their models to the north (Canes and Chiefs) and at this time of the year I reckon we are looking way better than I'd expected.

Likely a SA NZ final in their somewhere...

International games are so different to Club games that it is hard to call though? JOC and Beale with no pack at the rebels= not scary. With equal possession to the opposing-> yikes

Yes oz have suffered badly through injuries but not having at least one strong team up there doesnt make Deans job very easy. It means theres likely not a lot of strong combinations already working and he'll have to work small miracles in during that week prior to the first Welsh test.

AB's have largely been Crusaders based but that will change this year a little with the presence of some very stronger players/ combinations.

I think NZ is differently geared to Internationals in that our setup is entirely based on a feeder model through to the AB's so theres more of a correlation in that way.

Oddly- no one else seems to be...

Watching the super 15 there certainly appears to be plenty of talent with teams even if they are doing poorly. This picked up by the pundits at Planet Rugby very well.

I don't doubt that the coaches will be able to find enough quality within the three SH nations to play some very good rugby this summer.

Thats true maesteg. SA and NZ are particularly strong. Oz were a bit lucky last year in that they didnt have injuries to key players despite playing them every test in the 3N.

This year could be different as the lack of depth is being exposed again. Wales could benefit from this if others go down and the 4N will definitely cause the problems if Wales knock the stuffing out of them.

Taylorman wrote:(Brumbies there as conference leadrs but 7th overall)

Small point Taylorman, they are actually 6th overall so if the season finished tomorrow they'd still qualify for the finals.

I wouldn't worry about Aus' lack of form in the Super rugby so far this season. Everyone knows that super form doesn't often translate into test form and as others have said there have been a fair few injuries and our talent is spread pretty thin across 5 teams. Come test time I'm sure the guys will be up for it.

Full Credit wrote:

Taylorman wrote:(Brumbies there as conference leadrs but 7th overall)

Small point Taylorman, they are actually 6th overall so if the season finished tomorrow they'd still qualify for the finals.

I wouldn't worry about Aus' lack of form in the Super rugby so far this season. Everyone knows that super form doesn't often translate into test form and as others have said there have been a fair few injuries and our talent is spread pretty thin across 5 teams. Come test time I'm sure the guys will be up for it.

Similar to Wales, small player base means our regions rarely do well in the HEC but we currently produce enough talent to do well at international level. Difference is that our strength and depth is increasing and we are dealing with key players being injured at international level much better than we have done for the last thirty years.

I think everyone knew when Aus expanded to a fifth Super Rugby team, their talent would be spread thinly. Which is why the Rebels are allowed more foreigners than the other teams for the moment. But, this is not a reflection on the quality of thier top talent, which as we know is quite good. The fifth team was considered an investment to help Union grow in the country so this will take some time for their talent levels to fill out and develop. Consequently, I would not use the Super Rugby form of the Aussie teams as a barometer.

Patience with new developments will reap the rewards. Union has grown inaustralia exponentially since I lived there forty years ago. It will only get bigger, and the fifth SXV franchise will help.

doctor_grey wrote: Consequently, I would not use the Super Rugby form of the Aussie teams as a barometer.

I think I'm agreeing with all here Doc. My point is if key players are injured- JOC, Cooper, Barnes, Genia, Beale, Pocock, Ioane and AA Cooper then they'll be in deep trouble. At the 4N level they dont have the pack to compete evenly and rely on their sharpshooters- thats the primary way they have won those matches.

Coopers only got one month- and hes a confidence player. The injuries so far have decimated Oz rugby this season for that reason- not enough back ups.

Have huge respect for the team when its running on all cylinders but injury wise I don't think they can be as lucky 2 years in a row.

Actually talking about the Australian teams and their injuries I was reading over on the Super xv site that it looks like Stirling Mortlock might play at 12 this week for the Rebels.

He was such a good player for Australia. He was the backline general which is why I think the Aussie backline performs best when AAC is at 13 filling that role. On the wing or at fullback which this talented player can play, the Aussie backline struggles for leadership, particularly on defence.

I think each country has their own young talent coming through. But they're more likely to get a start for SA and NZ because there are important positional voids to fill and only injury will see Australia throw some youngsters into the deep end and if that is the case then Australia might well be in the deep end as they have shown to have the shallowest of depth swimming pools notably in the forwards.

Im not going to under rate the ozzies until we have seen them play the scots... They do have a thin player pool and they currently have some serious injuries to very good players but they unearth some very respectable youngsters all the time.

Never underestimate the Aussie's. But if I was Welsh I'd be really looking forward to the tour full of hope.

The Aussies wont dissapoint . Everyone's favourite burglar Quade is coming back soon ,Genia is picking up form and Jake white has turned a bunch of nobodies at the brumbies into top class players.If dingo deans is any good he'll select those boys with something to prove and Wales could catch a hiding .That being said Wales are slight favourites as they have better form but we all know how defending 6 Nations champiosn fare when they go on tour vs the Tri Nations...

Bullsbok wrote:The Aussies wont dissapoint . Everyone's favourite burglar Quade is coming back soon ,Genia is picking up form and Jake white has turned a bunch of nobodies at the brumbies into top class players.If dingo deans is any good he'll select those boys with something to prove and Wales could catch a hiding .That being said Wales are slight favourites as they have better form but we all know how defending 6 Nations champiosn fare when they go on tour vs the Tri Nations...

I hope they don't. My thinking is they just may have no choice but to. Injuries will hit them harder than anyone else.

Taylorman wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:The Aussies wont dissapoint . Everyone's favourite burglar Quade is coming back soon ,Genia is picking up form and Jake white has turned a bunch of nobodies at the brumbies into top class players.If dingo deans is any good he'll select those boys with something to prove and Wales could catch a hiding .That being said Wales are slight favourites as they have better form but we all know how defending 6 Nations champiosn fare when they go on tour vs the Tri Nations...

I hope they don't. My thinking is they just may have no choice but to. Injuries will hit them harder than anyone else.

Havent seen anyone give wales a hiding in 18 months... This is a good side, the games will be close score lines.

Well this could be the watershed for Wales, the reality is they have a strong team, but also had some bounces of the ball that went their way, if you look at the Irish game speicifically, if Ferris wasn't penalised for that "tip tackle" they could have gone into the 6 nations with a loss rather than a win, and it would have made things a lot more interesting.

What would the sentiment have been then?

That all said, australia at the moment seems not to have the depth if injuries would strike hard, and this should give Wales some advantage, then being in australia it gives them the advantage.

also don't forget their structures are improving and even though their super XV results haven't been great there is still a good 5-6 weeks left, and some teams are gathering momentum such as the Brumbies and Reds to some extent.

The Waratahs, Force and Rebels all have individuals who are coming good and finding form.

It will be a cracking series and I think the one which should offer the most in terms of being a spectacle.

For me the odds are on Australia, but it should be a close run thing.

As for the South Africans on that list, it is likely that only Hougaard and Ndungane will even make part of the springbok squad, and these lists in the OP is interchangeable every week with different players.

So can't read much into them at all.

No i agree. And how a non All black from NZs most pathetic team - Faumuina can be named as the top prop us beyond me. Yes hes playing well in a team of bedwetters but best prop in tbe super xv?

maestegmafia wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:The Aussies wont dissapoint . Everyone's favourite burglar Quade is coming back soon ,Genia is picking up form and Jake white has turned a bunch of nobodies at the brumbies into top class players.If dingo deans is any good he'll select those boys with something to prove and Wales could catch a hiding .That being said Wales are slight favourites as they have better form but we all know how defending 6 Nations champiosn fare when they go on tour vs the Tri Nations...

I hope they don't. My thinking is they just may have no choice but to. Injuries will hit them harder than anyone else.

Havent seen anyone give wales a hiding in 18 months... This is a good side, the games will be close score lines.

yer i suppose wales havent played the All blacks in roughly 18 months am i correct? Wales are good but i'll give them their due applause when they win in the Southern Hemisphere and this is their best chance yet .

Bullsbok wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:The Aussies wont dissapoint . Everyone's favourite burglar Quade is coming back soon ,Genia is picking up form and Jake white has turned a bunch of nobodies at the brumbies into top class players.If dingo deans is any good he'll select those boys with something to prove and Wales could catch a hiding .That being said Wales are slight favourites as they have better form but we all know how defending 6 Nations champiosn fare when they go on tour vs the Tri Nations...

I hope they don't. My thinking is they just may have no choice but to. Injuries will hit them harder than anyone else.

Havent seen anyone give wales a hiding in 18 months... This is a good side, the games will be close score lines.

yer i suppose wales havent played the All blacks in roughly 18 months am i correct? Wales are good but i'll give them their due applause when they win in the Southern Hemisphere and this is their best chance yet .

Didn't the Aussies give Wales a hiding in November?

Kiwireddevil wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Taylorman wrote:

Bullsbok wrote:The Aussies wont dissapoint . Everyone's favourite burglar Quade is coming back soon ,Genia is picking up form and Jake white has turned a bunch of nobodies at the brumbies into top class players.If dingo deans is any good he'll select those boys with something to prove and Wales could catch a hiding .That being said Wales are slight favourites as they have better form but we all know how defending 6 Nations champiosn fare when they go on tour vs the Tri Nations...

I hope they don't. My thinking is they just may have no choice but to. Injuries will hit them harder than anyone else.

Havent seen anyone give wales a hiding in 18 months... This is a good side, the games will be close score lines.

yer i suppose wales havent played the All blacks in roughly 18 months am i correct? Wales are good but i'll give them their due applause when they win in the Southern Hemisphere and this is their best chance yet .

Didn't the Aussies give Wales a hiding in November?

Nope

Wales 18 - 24 (6 - 3) Australia

biltongbek wrote:Well this could be the watershed for Wales, the reality is they have a strong team, but also had some bounces of the ball that went their way, if you look at the Irish game speicifically, if Ferris wasn't penalised for that "tip tackle" they could have gone into the 6 nations with a loss rather than a win, and it would have made things a lot more interesting.

What would the sentiment have been then?

That all said, australia at the moment seems not to have the depth if injuries would strike hard, and this should give Wales some advantage, then being in australia it gives them the advantage.

also don't forget their structures are improving and even though their super XV results haven't been great there is still a good 5-6 weeks left, and some teams are gathering momentum such as the Brumbies and Reds to some extent.

The Waratahs, Force and Rebels all have individuals who are coming good and finding form.

It will be a cracking series and I think the one which should offer the most in terms of being a spectacle.

For me the odds are on Australia, but it should be a close run thing.

By the same train of thought of 'if', IF we hadn't of missed so many kicks we would have still won. I don't think Ferris staying on the pitch would have made much difference.

'if' the ref had used the TMO for Hook's kick we would have beaten SA

munkian wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Well this could be the watershed for Wales, the reality is they have a strong team, but also had some bounces of the ball that went their way, if you look at the Irish game speicifically, if Ferris wasn't penalised for that "tip tackle" they could have gone into the 6 nations with a loss rather than a win, and it would have made things a lot more interesting.

What would the sentiment have been then?

That all said, australia at the moment seems not to have the depth if injuries would strike hard, and this should give Wales some advantage, then being in australia it gives them the advantage.

also don't forget their structures are improving and even though their super XV results haven't been great there is still a good 5-6 weeks left, and some teams are gathering momentum such as the Brumbies and Reds to some extent.

The Waratahs, Force and Rebels all have individuals who are coming good and finding form.

It will be a cracking series and I think the one which should offer the most in terms of being a spectacle.

For me the odds are on Australia, but it should be a close run thing.

By the same train of thought of 'if', IF we hadn't of missed so many kicks we would have still won. I don't think Ferris staying on the pitch would have made much difference.

'if' the ref had used the TMO for Hook's kick we would have beaten SA

If that kick had been given then the Boks would have unleashed and scored 4 tries ....then again this is IF

If my mum had a winky she'd be my dad!

munkian wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Well this could be the watershed for Wales, the reality is they have a strong team, but also had some bounces of the ball that went their way, if you look at the Irish game speicifically, if Ferris wasn't penalised for that "tip tackle" they could have gone into the 6 nations with a loss rather than a win, and it would have made things a lot more interesting.

What would the sentiment have been then?

That all said, australia at the moment seems not to have the depth if injuries would strike hard, and this should give Wales some advantage, then being in australia it gives them the advantage.

also don't forget their structures are improving and even though their super XV results haven't been great there is still a good 5-6 weeks left, and some teams are gathering momentum such as the Brumbies and Reds to some extent.

The Waratahs, Force and Rebels all have individuals who are coming good and finding form.

It will be a cracking series and I think the one which should offer the most in terms of being a spectacle.

For me the odds are on Australia, but it should be a close run thing.

By the same train of thought of 'if', IF we hadn't of missed so many kicks we would have still won. I don't think Ferris staying on the pitch would have made much difference.

'if' the ref had used the TMO for Hook's kick we would have beaten SA

Well our world Cup panel checked that kick over and over, and yet there was no proof the kick went over.

It still has very little to do with Wales in the Six nations though. And I am speculating on mood, what would it have been like if a few things were different in the Six Nations leading up to the Oz tour.

The race for the top four IRB ranking is very much a six horse race. Australia and NZ look assured of being in the top four. But any of Argentina, England, France, Ireland, SA and Wales could make it if results go there way.

I don't think the rankings matter all that much to be honest. From a South African perspective what does it matter if we are not in the top 4.

You still have to win all your knock out matches, no matter who you play.

I am more concerned with getting another plonker of a referee than who we have to play.

biltongbek wrote:I don't think the rankings matter all that much to be honest. From a South African perspective what does it matter if we are not in the top 4.

You still have to win all your knock out matches, no matter who you play.

I am more concerned with getting another plonker of a referee than who we have to play.

I was hoping/praying that the IRB would have removed or re-educated the plonker referees by 2015. Regarding seedings, SA didnt get an easy pool last time so even if they are seeded it may mean little. Though compare that to other groups and you can see the benefit of being seeded.

Looking at the top 8 countries who will get seeded as tier one, immaterial of where they end up they should by all rights qualify for the quarters finals, from there they have to win 3 knock out matches.

You need to beat all your opponents there, does it matter who you face.

Trying to avoid a specific nation until the final and then still losing t them doesn't matter.

I suppose it depends what the goal is, do you want to reach a semi final, or final, or do you want to win the whole thing.

biltongbek wrote:Looking at the top 8 countries who will get seeded as tier one, immaterial of where they end up they should by all rights qualify for the quarters finals, from there they have to win 3 knock out matches.

You need to beat all your opponents there, does it matter who you face.

Trying to avoid a specific nation until the final and then still losing t them doesn't matter.

I suppose it depends what the goal is, do you want to reach a semi final, or final, or do you want to win the whole thing.

Yes but having a bruising run of games, (for example, like two PI teams and a SH giant then a top NH team followed by another in the semis and likely the best team in the world at the final), means that you likely only played one or two teams not in the top ten of the IRB rankings. Compare that to other routes where your seeding might mean that the most difficult team you face, the only top tier or top ten ranked side is in the semis or final, as has regularly happened in at least one group, assures that the Seeding does have advantages.

Luck or bad luck of the draw.

You really think playing the SH teams (I include the PI teams) are the only bruising games out there Maes?

England, France, Wales, Ireland and even Sctoland are as physically demanding as any of the others in my view.

biltongbek wrote:You really think playing the SH teams (I include the PI teams) are the only bruising games out there Maes?

England, France, Wales, Ireland and even Sctoland are as physically demanding as any of the others in my view.

No you miss understand me Bill. I think playing all the teams you mention above more often than playing teams like Romania, Georgia, Canada, Namibia, USA, Russia and Japan is more bruising.

Pools A, B and C were a lot less bruising in the last RWC than Pool D.

In the last world cup it was anticiapted that Wales would have a really brusing group. However, Namibia were really disappointing (worst side in the tournament by a county mile) and Fiji were awful and already on the plane by the time Wales played them. Samoa were tired after not enough rest time and SA were very off form in the first game (and still won).

To be fair Maes, the other teams are improving, and most countries these days will rest their most important players for those matches, but yes traditionally I agree Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the like are physical even if not performing to their potential as a collective.

Fiji aren't really physical

biltongbek wrote:To be fair Maes, the other teams are improving, and most countries these days will rest their most important players for those matches, but yes traditionally I agree Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the like are physical even if not performing to their potential as a collective.

It is certain that the regular top ten to fifteen IRB ranked teams are definitely a lot closer. Whether or not you value the top four seedings as a distinct advantage or not the battle at the top of the table is very close, all evenly matched. The nations chasing those teams are not far off the pace and are constantly improving. Hopefully the RWC will get ever tighter between an increasing group of nations for the greater good of the game.

Wonderful for International rugby, though as you mentioned earlier, would be fantastic to see the referees as consistent and as talented as the players.

They are more physical than err.. let's say, Japan, Georgia, Russia.

They don't have a particularly well structured game or the forward power that Russia or Georgia has, but their backs at pace will hurt you.

I disagree about gaps narrowing. I actually think many of the sides below the top 8 or so are actually getting worse and gaps are widening in some areas. Some sides really haven't kicked on at all.

Also, it's more physically punishing to play a good side than a so called 'physical' side.

Note: can people stop blaming refs in every article? It's pathetic.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Fiji aren't really physical

Fiji are famous for their physicality and their flair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X_ldFXRcN8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

maestegmafia wrote:

biltongbek wrote:To be fair Maes, the other teams are improving, and most countries these days will rest their most important players for those matches, but yes traditionally I agree Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the like are physical even if not performing to their potential as a collective.

It is certain that the regular top ten to fifteen IRB ranked teams are definitely a lot closer. Whether or not you value the top four seedings as a distinct advantage or not the battle at the top of the table is very close, all evenly matched. The nations chasing those teams are not far off the pace and are constantly improving. Hopefully the RWC will get ever tighter between an increasing group of nations for the greater good of the game.

Wonderful for International rugby, though as you mentioned earlier, would be fantastic to see the referees as consistent and as talented as the players.

Yeah the referee issue is a sore one for me. but getting back to the seedings.

Let's take this scenario

Let's say for argument sake the rankings look like this end of year.

NZ
OZ
SA
WAL
ENG
FRA
IRE
ARG
SCO

the groupings will look something like this.

NZ - ARG
OZ - IRE
SA - FRA
WAL - ENG.

4 and 5 are always in the same grouping are they not?

So the rest of the teams for the groups are drawn by chance not by ranking from what I understand, so it is a lottery how and where they end up.

SA for example over the past two RWC's had Samoa in both there campaigns, instead of England we had Wales, not much difference in my opinion.

sugarNspikes wrote:I disagree about gaps narrowing. I actually think many of the sides below the top 8 or so are actually getting worse and gaps are widening in some areas. Some sides really haven't kicked on at all.

Also, it's more physically punishing to play a good side than a so called 'physical' side.

Note: can people stop blaming refs in every article? It's pathetic.

SugarNspikes, if all teams had the same time for recovery between tests and not 3 days in some cases, you will see a big difference in performance.

Yes valid point.

It will be interesting to see the forth coming NH vs SH tours to see where we stand.

Rankings could well have two or even three NH teams in the top four spots come the end of the year should the NH teams show up well during their summer tours and AI's.

Can't wait.

Also watching the Super XV the refereeing is much better than we are receiving up here, far better empathy than with refs like Clancy and Co currently doing the NH circuit.

I don't think the referees have been announced by the IRB for the tours as yet. If you have seen them and I've missed them please post a link I would be keen to know.