Super Rugby power rankings: Fine, you win Highlanders fans

Highlanders fans’ campaign of bullying against Scotty Stevenson finally pays off with a top ranking in the latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Highlanders Rd 12: 34-26  v Crusaders Last week: 2 (up 1)) Okay, okay! Here’s why everyone loves the Highlanders: every time they have the ball, they think they can score a try. I blame Tony Brown … Read more

Exposé: Leicester City stole their inspiring sports tale from the 2015 Highlanders

Everyone’s hailing Leicester City’s amazing Premier League victory as a one-in-a-million sporting tale, but James McOnie argues it was plagarised from the Highlanders’ 2015 season.  While everyone thinks Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League victory will be turned into a movie, let’s just remember this rags-to-riches tale involves some players* who earn more in a fortnight than many All Blacks do … Read more

Forgot about Marty: The real reason the Highlanders are winning again

While most rugby pundits talk up the return of Waisake Naholo, the true catalyst for the Highlanders’ Super Rugby resurgence flies under the radar, writes Scotty Stevenson. In most people’s eyes there was only one star of the show for the Highlanders last weekend in Hamilton, a large Fijian-born winger called Waisake Naholo who returned … Read more

Analysis: Would Dan Carter’s new side get wasted in Super Rugby?

Dan Carter’s Racing 92 is battling Saracens for the European Champions Cup this weekend. But would either side make the playoffs in Super Rugby? And what does this have to do with dog racing? In the 1980s, dog racing would often, unbelievably, be the first sport covered on the BBC’s flagship midweek sports show, Sportsnight (best theme … Read more

KFC Super Rugby Power Rankings: Thank you Highlanders, but our Princess is in another castle

The Crusaders once again show that they’re a force to be reckoned with in Scotty Stevenson’s latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Crusaders Rd 11: 38-5 v Reds Last week: 3 (up 2) The Crusaders decided it would be best if they used Friday night as an opposed training session. Did this team really ever get … Read more

KFC Super Rugby Power Rankings: Chiefs refuse to lose

The Blues hold their breath for a win against the Rebels and the Hurricanes come back with a vengeance in South Africa. Scotty Stevenson brings us the latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Chiefs Rd 10: 24-22 v Sharks Last week: 2 (up 1) You have to hand it to the Chiefs – they have … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: Crusaders just wanna have fun

The Chiefs have finally been toppled off the top spot, only to be replaced by another New Zealand team in Scotty Stevenson’s latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Crusaders Rd 9: 40-14 v Brumbies Last week: 3 (up 2) Have you noticed how much fun the Crusaders are having? Me too. And that’s why they … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: The return of the Dagg

New Zealand teams once again dominate the podium in Scotty Stevenson’s latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Chiefs Rd 8. BYE Last week: 1 (N/C) The rugby world has a massive crush on the Chiefs and who am I to argue with the Power of Love? You can’t argue with the Power of Love, and … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings week 7: The least talked about star of Super Rugby

The Chiefs still top the rankings after a close call against the Blues, but the Hurricanes are breathing down their necks following a niggly win over the Jaguares in Wellington. Scotty Stevenson sorts it all out in the KFC Super Rugby Power Rankings. 1. Chiefs Rd 7: 29-23 v Blues Last week: 1 (N/C) Yes, … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: The back office brilliance behind the Chiefs’ winning run

Scotty Stevenson pays tribute to the dominant Chiefs and delivers a stinging rebuke to a sledger in the latest KFC Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Chiefs Rd 6: 48-23 v Brumbies Last week: 1 (N/C) As the Chiefs tore the Brumbies a new one in Canberra on Saturday night, I received the following message: “Lucky you changed … Read more

KFC Super Rugby Power Rankings week 5: Hail to the Chiefs

New Zealand teams claim the gold, silver, bronze, and fourth place medals in Scotty Stevenson’s latest Super Rugby power rankings. 1. Chiefs Rd 5: 53-10 v Force Last week: 4 (up 3) For most of the first half against the Force, the Chiefs chased the ball like it owed them money, but when they finally settled into … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: From 52-10 thrashing to #1 ranking

The Brumbies finally lose top spot after their first defeat of the season, and somehow get replaced by a team they beat 52-10. Scotty Stevenson power ranks round four of the Super Rugby season. 1. Hurricanes Rd 4: 41-6 v Force Last week: 4 (up 3) There is an irony here that the team to replace … Read more

Super Rugby podcast: Should we ditch the TMO?

Scotty Stevenson welcomes Mark Stafford, radio host and sports commentator, to the Spinoff podcast bunker. This week Scotty gets heated up about the place of the TMO in refereeing decisions; Nehe Milner-Skudder’s exit from the competition; the Chief’s “killer” schedule and the continually woeful story of the Reds. Listen to the whole thing right now, or save … Read more

Chaos and court cases – what it’s like to cover the most turbulent side in Super Rugby

The Southern Kings have staggered from crisis to crisis for years, failing to pay their players last Super Rugby season, and struggling to field a team this year. Kings beat writer Michael Green talks to Don Rowe about covering South Africa’s most turbulent franchise. Southern Kings fans have seen enough chaos in the last few years to last … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: Ugly wins and even uglier jerseys

Big wins for the Highlanders and Chiefs, heartbreaking losses for the Blues and Sunwolves, and the Brumbies juggernaut just keeps on rolling. Scotty Stevenson assesses all the movers and shakers after round 3 of Super Rugby. 1. The Brumbies Rd 2: 31-14 v Force Last week: 1 (N/C) David Pocock played for ten minutes of … Read more

‘Queenslanders don’t like hanging around with losers’ – Reds coach leaves after poor start to Super Rugby season

Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham has left the club just minutes after his side was ranked last on the KFC Super Rugby Power Rankings. Scotty Stevenson reports. Richard Graham walked out of Ballymore yesterday after overseeing one of the great declines in Super Rugby history. Yes, he walked out, but it was the Reds board … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: Week 2 – UPDATED – Reds coach gets the flick

Scotty Stevenson takes stock of Super Rugby after a round where the Blues went stumbling back to their home in the loss column, the Highlanders inflicted more pain on the Hurricanes, and the Lions remained on track for a perfect season. 1. The Brumbies Rd 2: 32-15 v Waratahs Last week: 1 (N/C) This team is 80% machine, 20% Stephen … Read more

KFC Super Rugby power rankings: Holy crap, are the Blues actually good?

Scotty Stevenson gives his take on the shockingly competent Blues and the Mighty and Terrible Brumbies in our first ever KFC Super Rugby power rankings. 1. The Brumbies Rd 1: 52-10 v Hurricanes The Brumbies are more organised than an obsessive compulsive’s wardrobe. From the grind of the 150-game veteran skipper and resident orc, Stephen Moore, to the metronomic goal … Read more

Breakout star candidates for the 2016 Super Rugby season

It’s Super Rugby opening weekend and a few fresh faces are taking to the field. James McOnie does his best to describe just who the hell they are.  Super Rugby opening weekend is almost upon us and no-one is really ready but too bad, it’s happening. Post-Rugby World Cup is always a big changing of … Read more

Where were you the day Richie McCaw rode a bumper boat? The wonderful world of Super Rugby season launches

Jenga, bumper boats, waka ama, go-karting, archery, ______? It would take some kind of pattern recognition genius to figure out what activity will herald the beginning of the next Super Rugby season in New Zealand. Calum Henderson looks back at the evolution of the season launch in pictures. It started with a game of off-brand … Read more

Sports: Ten Things to Love About Super Rugby’s Sunwolves

It’s official! After all the doubt swirling around Super Rugby’s latest expansion team, Japan’s entry into the southern hemisphere competition now has a name and arguably the greatest logo in rugby history. 1. They’re the Sunwolves. These ain’t no ordinary wolves. That would be far too easy. In Japan things are always better when two … Read more