Why the Chiefs are ‘the favourites’ to win Super Rugby Pacific

Commentator Elliott Smith believes the Chiefs are “the favourites to take the crown” in Super Rugby Pacific this year following their perfect start to the season.

The Chiefs shocked the rugby world with a dominant 31-10 win over the Crusaders in round one, and the ladder-leaders haven’t looked back since.

Led by star playmakers Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie, as well as the high-flying Shaun Stevenson, the Hamilton-based side have been sensational this season.

After beating the Highlanders in early March, the Chiefs went on to beat the Blues and Hurricanes – completing their early-season dominance over New Zealand opposition.

The Chiefs are currently first on the ladder, having won all eight of their matches with a points-differential of +150.

That’s dominance.

Ahead of their crunch clash with title holders the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday, Newstalk ZB lead rugby commentator Elliott Smith has heaped praise on the Chiefs.

“Absolutely. They just seem to go out every week and get the job done,” Smith told Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.

“Regardless of who they’re playing and the opposition they’ve got, they just go out and do a very, very professional job.

“We saw that a couple of nights ago against the Drua… the Chiefs were just masterful. In wet conditions as well, I thought they were very, very good.

“They’re wrapping what is likely to be top seed on the ladder.

“The Crusaders will come to Hamilton to this week, they’ll be underdogs. The Chiefs, (if) they win that game, I’ve said they’re already favourites for the title but if they win the game this weekend… I’d be a very, very long way back for any team to reel them in for that home advantage.

“Hard to see the Chiefs being knocked off the top spot if they get past the Crusaders this weekend.”

But the Chiefs’ biggest test yet awaits them in round 10.

While their round one win over the Crusaders was by no means a fluke – they’ve proven that this season, they’re a very good team – not many teams beat the title holders twice in one season.

The Crusaders are a champion team for a reason, although they’ve failed to live up to their high standards throughout this year’s campaign.

Following their slow start to the season, Scott Robertson’s team appeared to turn a corner against the Brumbies – but they haven’t been convincing since.

While they were able to rally from a 12-point half time deficit to win at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, the Crusaders are “making very hard work of games at the moment.”

“They’re making very hard work of games at the moment,” Smith added.

“They gave the Rebels a 12 point advantage at half-time and managed to find their way back in the second half.

“It feels like week-to-week, we’re waiting for this Crusaders team to really hit their stride that we have seen in previous years. They haven’t really given us any sense that they’ve been able to do that this year.

“You look at that Crusaders team and you go, ‘Well they’ve got a few players to come back, maybe they’ll do it against the Chiefs in Hamilton.’

“But it feels like we’re waiting and waiting and waiting for them to hit their stride.

“It feels like there’s a waiting game for them to hit their stride… Perhaps they make a statement against the Chiefs this week.

“If they can get the likes of Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder back over the next few weeks, then they’ll be able to push this Chiefs side who are far away the favourites to take the crown this year.”

The highly anticipated New Zealand derby between the Chiefs and Crusaders will kick-off at 7.05pm NZST on Saturday at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium.