Crusaders: What can I say, the Crusaders jaggarnaut keeps rolling and it's difficult to see when it will stop. Another title, but I haven't given them an A+ due to that one loss against the Hurricanes. With a player drain unlikely for next year the Crusaders will once again be the team to beat when 2021 rolls around.
Season rank: A
Forward of the year: Codie Taylor
Back of the year: Richie Mo'unga
Most improved player: Will Jordan

Blues: The Blues are back. Not the perfect season by any stretch but it's a massive improvement on years gone by so I have given the Aucklanders an A- . The foundation is there to kick on and become a team that will consistently contend for the title, especially if they keep enticing players into Auckland rather than out of it.
Season rank: A-
Forward of the year: Hoskins Sotutu
Back of the year: Caleb Clarke
Most improved player: Akira Ioane

Hurricanes: I have given the Canes a B for Super Rugby Aotearoa. They wouldn't have been happy with how they started and finished the tournament, however a sweet run of five victories including a Kiwi grand slam shows there is plenty of firepower in this side to be a force moving forward. A couple of good off-season signings and they should be there or there abouts once again next year.
Season rank: B
Forward of the year: Scott Scrafton
Back of the year: Jordie Barrett
Most improved player: Peter Umaga Jensen

Highlanders: I have also given the Highlanders a B grade considering how they've responded from that massive player drain in 2019. They have played some enterprising footy this year and are starting to grow crucial combinations in key areas. Like the Hurricanes and Blues they have a good core group of young players that will help set the standard for success moving forward.
Season rank: B
Forward of the year: Marino Mikaele Tu'u
Back of the year: Aaron Smith
Most improved player: Pari Pari Parkinson

Chiefs: The Chiefs have tried hard all year but their skill execution and inability to finish off chances cost them dearly in what was a brutal competition. I'm confident they will get back into the groove in 2021 but it may take a few hard truths within their environment before they get that chance.
Season rank: D
Forward of the year: Lachlan Boshier
Back of the year: Solomon Alaimalo (debate away)
Most improved player: Naitoa Ah Koui

@kiwi_expat we as fans observe players in the heat of the battle, the place where they are tested to their limits. If the Canes coaches are selecting players purely on good training habits and leadership ability alone then I’m afraid they’ve failed already. Player X still has to perform on game day.

I’m not sure if you’ve actually watched the Canes over the last two seasons because it’s blatantly obvious that James Blackwell falls well short on the paddock (excuse the pun). If you’re happy with a 1.90m lock, who gets man handled in almost every carry, who drops about half the passes that come his way, and just looks like an ordinary NPC player at best, then good on you.

Fans, including myself sometimes get it wrong but on this occasion (other Canes fans would agree) the best players aren’t starting for the Canes atm. Flanders is blatantly better than Prinsep, IWL is blatantly better than Blackwell and it was super obvious at the start of the season (until Holland finally woke up) that Rayasi should have been there earlier aswell. The coaches have to take some accountability as to why they are 1 and 3 because the players that are apparently superb at training, aren’t cutting it where it matters - that’s where the issue is.

Also if you don’t like fans having an opinion or questioning selections, I don’t think the Fern is the right place for you.

My two cents on the game and where do I start.

Well how can you not go past Laumape's try after gassing Beaudy and running over Otere at the line. Fair play to Beauden hitting right back with an impressive surge under the posts.

The Hurricanes were quite dominant in the early stages of the game but they struggled to finish their chances through line breaks from Laumape and Peter Umaga Jensen, who I might add had his best game in a Hurricanes jersey. The Hurricanes had the advantage at scrum time which allowed them to get well over the advantage line on attack, again though they will be a tad grumpy for not executing. A positive for the Canes is that they showed calmness under pressure in those final 10 minutes that will give them plenty of confidence heading down to Christchurch next week.

From a player perspective the three standouts for me were Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett and Peter Umaga Jensen. Ngani Laumape, well his performance speaks for itself and if you haven't seen his brilliant interview post game, check it out here - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2805567983004746. Jordie Barrett was exceptional and rose to the occasion against his older brother when it really mattered. He caught everything kicked his way aswell which would have pleased the All Black coaches. Lastly, Peter Umaga Jensen took his chance, he ran with purpose and intent all night, constantly looking dangerous. Broke through the heart of the Blues defence early with a hard and direct line, in what was a common sight all night.

From a Blues perspective they showed plenty of grit and determination to halt that Canes early onslaught which is promising for such a young group. A sign of a good team is one that stays in the fight without really firing too many shots and that's what the Blues did last night. They took all their chances when they came and nearly pulled off a win that looked highly unlikely after the first 20 minutes.

From a player point of view I was really impressed with Kurt Eklund, he continues to grow his game and will push for the top Blues hooking spot moving forward, and deservedly so. Dalton Papali'i was my next pick of the Blues bunch, he was everywhere on defence, making something like 18 tackles which was massive on a night like this. Mark Telea's stocks also continue to rise, every time he got the ball it took about two or three guys to put him down. With a bit more coaching on his defence and technique under the high ball he could very well push for higher honours soon.

Game Highlights:

Post match presser:

Just spent the last week out on the course watching these boats up close and personal. The higher wind pressure on the first day of sailing made for great viewing, just a shame the lighter winds over the last few days have prevented these boats from hitting their straps.

Just being out on the course with the masses was an experience in itself. Everyone having a great time partying, drinking, swimming - a real festival atmosphere.

Only downside was the couple of arrogant dicks who decided that it would be a great idea to turn up last minute and park up in front of everyone else. Most of them were heckled until they moved which was rather hilarious.

All in all, I would highly recommend the A Cup to anyone that hasn’t been out yet. Let’s just hope we get stronger winds so we can wrap this thing up.

I'd just like to say thanks to Ardie for getting us out of that shit storm.

@Kiwiwomble Laumape was playing the house down before injury struck. Definitely the form 12 in the comp.

Outstanding effort from Auckland. Really dominated in all facets. Please give those Cantabs a spanking next week.

From a Wellington persepctive Ben Lam showed exactly why he will never be an A.B. Didn't look interested at all. Toomaga Allen was another that just didn't really care about being out there.

As a Wellington and Canes fan I hope they don't get many games for the Canes this year. I don't care if Ben Lam scores 100 tries in a season, an attitude like that won't win any championships. He has proven time and time again that he goes missing in the big ones, just another big lazy wing that only cares about looking good.

Many on here believe Renata should be a Canes re-signing. 100% agree, atm all we need is a scrummaging prop and he looks to be getting better and better. Also how does Akira not make the A.Bs 51 man squad after a performance like that. Luke Whitelock is probably the most boring and ineffective player to ever grace New Zealand pro footy fields, only gets in through his Cantab connections.

My two cents on the game and I don't like to bag on the refs too much but the performance from O'Keefe was worryingly poor on both sides of the ball. (will leave it at that)

On the match itself, I felt the Canes really stood up on defence and kudos where it's due to the likes of Prinsep who made a whopping 21 tackles - if he puts in a shift like that every week then fair play to him on selection. I thought Scrafton had a blinder at lock apart from the two yellow cards (which on another day he have got away with) and Lomax was once again rock solid at scrum time. In the backs it was fairly obvious that Jordie brought the composure back into our game that was missing in the first two rounds. He helped the guys around him flourish so long may that continue. The pick of the rest for me was Kobus van Wyk who was solid with ball in hand and competent under the high ball. I was also really happy with Peter Umaga-Jensen aswell, defensively superb and proved a handful for the Chiefs defence at times.

The Chiefs, well where do we start. They relied far too much on their small men in this game and they just look like a poorly coached outfit. The frustration was summed up at half time by the assistant coach so I can't imagine the Chiefs will get too much rest over the bye week.

Where do we start. Last night was a match of pure quality, two teams brimming with talent and it showed. I thought it was the best game of SRA so far, just the finishing of both sides was top notch and it was nailbiting up until the last minute.

The Crusaders will obviously be disappointed losing their impressive run of home victories but a few players really stood up despite the end result. Richie Mo'unga, take a bow young man, he was everywhere last night and surely deserves the first crack at the All Black's number 10 jersey. The way he drives his team around the park is just poetry in motion, and I believe without his efforts the Canes may have blown this one out.

The other player that stood out for me was Will Jordan. The Canes were able to shut him down for long periods of the match but he is one of those guys that you can't keep out forever. Massive running metres and he nearly pulled off a game-winning try right at the death. That Jordie/Jordan combo must look very tantalising if you were an All Black selector right about now.

The last player that just keeps churning out influential performances is Sam Whitelock. How is this guy not All Black captain? Sorry Chiefs fans but this guy is the best option we have in the country at the moment. He was tireless to the final whistle and was nearly able to turn the tide with all his experience, guile and skill. An absolute competitive performance. Exhausted himself for the cause and that's what we need at test level in my opinion.

Onto the Canes. Fairly chuffed watching them go about their work last night, I would consider that performance as their best since winning the title back in 2016. Asafo Aumua continued his rise up the hooking ranks with another barnstorming performance. He was nearly perfect at the lineout and did plenty of damage around the park. Scary to think that we haven't quite seen the finished product.

Another strong performer was Ardie Savea. One of the standouts in both teams last night. Was powerful when he carried and had an abundance of energy that allowed him to make an impact in defence and around the breakdown. Was simply destructive every time he got his hands on the ball.

Man of the match for me was Peter Umaga-Jensen. Dominating two All Black's in the space of two weeks must put him in contention for All Black selection, especially now Laumape looks to be out for some time. I've been a big supporter of this kid ever since the Canes signed him out of school. At 22, and with a chance to showcase his ability with consistent game time, he has definitely announced himself over the last couple of weeks with his sharp, brave and direct style of running. Check out Rugby Pass's rundown of PUJ here -

Lastly, it's hard not to applaud the Cane's pack. With late injuries causing disruption I couldn't have asked for more. Cudos to the young Tevita Mafileo, he really stood up after coming on early in the match. I can see why the Canes have signed him for the next two years. Strong at scrum time and he will probably only get better as he matures.

All in all, a great game of footy. Bring on today's match between the Blues & Chiefs.

@tim Painful isn't it. Any one of us could have come up with a better list of squad players and these guys get paid for it.

Funny how in their season review they saw srummaging as a real weakness, yet they bring back every single player from that campaign, including the scrum coach who has been there far too long. If this was the NFL, none of them would have a job anymore.

@stargazer have I missed something, is the Force game in Napier?

@mikey07 weird aye, and then nothing eventuated which was odd.

@stargazer probably, no surprise at the other odd selections if that’s the case.

@stargazer I remember him promising that we secured the talents of an international calibre first five (post Beaudy moving on) in a Radio Sport interview. He’s lied through his teeth more than once.

@stargazer yeah piss poor really.

Anyone know if Laumape copped a suspension from that Crusaders game. I was expecting him to miss the rest of this SRA campaign...

@bovidae I expect Morgan and Higgins to make it in from the Canes. They were behind a fairly average pack at times but looked brilliant with front foot ball.

@stargazer Thompson has far more potential than O'Reilly and looks to have the physical capability to dominate in that position. O'Reilly however looks barely big enough for NPC.

Hopefully the Lions start Thompson because they seemed to favour James O'Reilly but I think that was probably more down to experience.

@stargazer yeah Riccitelli might move on but for someone like Tyrone, I think it will be beneficial for him to stay at the Canes to learn off the likes of Coles. We’ve got a habit of turning hookers into All Blacks, plus that one two punch of Aumua and Thompson down the track looks fairly tantalising.

@stargazer I think he’s still got a couple years in him, maybe not at international level but most definitely at Super the backup to Aumua. He will be quality coming off the bench in the last 25 mins of every game.