Super Rugby Pacific: 4 Key Battles

Super Rugby is going into round 9 and the New Zealand sides are still looking dominant as the playoff picture begins to take shape, Bet Central looks at 4 key battles that could shape this weekend’s clashes.

Chiefs v Fijian Drua: Combative Hookers

Samisoni Taukei’aho had a massive 2022 and has picked up where he left off playing a big role in making sure the unbeaten Chiefs’ record remains without blemish, equally so 23-year-old Tevita Ikanivere has been an influential player in an ever-improving Fijian Drua side.

Both hookers are combative and tough with exemplary set-piece work at the lineout and scrum. It is the younger Ikanivere who is a bit more mobile and quicker than the All Blacks hooker, Taukei’aho is a much more efficient ball carrier taking a couple of defenders with him in comparison with his young counterpart.

If Drua are to stand any chance, Ikanivere will have to step up both as a leader and a player in the face of the behemoth that Taukei’aho which is not an easy feat – not many hookers have had the better of the Chiefs man over the past season.

Rebels v Crusaders: Form 10s Face Off

Rebels are looking for a major upset at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium when they face a tough and uncompromising Crusaders side whose ambition is to send off outgoing coach Razor Robinson with yet another Super Rugby title.

Key to Rebels getting their upset is young flyhalf Carter Gordon who has played so well this season he is being spoken of as a possible World Cup bolter for the Wallabies as they begin life under new mentor Eddie Jones.

Standing right in front of Gordon’s and by extension the Rebels’ ambition for this weekend is Crusaders legend and flyhalf Richie Mo’unga who at Super Rugby level is near untouchable. The standards are lofty, but Gordon has shown throughout this season that he is up to the task. It remains to be seen whether outplaying Mo’unga may be a bridge too far – time will tell.

Blues v Waratahs: Perese, Ioane Looking For Edge

Izaia Perese’s excellent form wouldn’t ordinarily worry incumbent Wallabies outside centre Len Ikitau, but with a new national coach in the picture and the Wallabies identity yet to be defined, Perese could usurp the brilliant Ikitau who was crucial under Dave Rennie. But rolling things back Perese’s present dilemma is his battle against Rieko Ioane.

Ioane’s own form isn’t too bright at the moment, but his experience could play a role in stopping one of the in-form outside centres in this year’s competition. Ioane himself is capable of being an offensive threat who can break the game open at any point, but his defence needs to come to the fore to prevent Perese from running riot at Eden Park.

The former NRL star against the former All Blacks 7s star will make for a tasty battle in the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby.

Force v Highlanders: Man Mountains Collide

Both the Western Force and Highlanders have their respective nations’ worst performing teams with the Force occupying 2^nd from bottom on the log, so it will be a monumental battle at home as they welcome 7^th place Highlanders to Perth.

The Highlanders are without inspirational leader Aaron Smith and will be vulnerable against a Force side eager to prove a point. If the Force are to win the war, the battle up front will be crucial and Argentine international Santiago Medrano will need to be at his best as he takes on All Blacks incumbent loosehead prop Ethan de Groot. 

Both props are accomplished scrummagers and neither will want to give an inch when they collide in the last of this weekend’s Super Rugby games.