Australian rugby writer Christy Doran believes the Hurricanes would “stack up” against back-to-back Investec Champions Cup winners Bordeaux Bègles.
Writing for PlanetRugby, Doran argued that while Super Rugby has suffered from years of administrative upheaval and the loss of South African sides, the top New Zealand teams remain among the world’s best.
“In fact, if the Hurricanes were to play Bordeaux this weekend, you’d be naive to write them off,” wrote Doran.
Bordeaux hammered Leinster 41-19 in the Champions final in Bilbao on Saturday to claim their second star and are fifth on the French Top 14 log. The Hurricanes are top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings.
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Doran’s comments come amid ongoing debate around the strength of Super Rugby.
“The English Premiership and the United Rugby Championship are stronger than our Super Rugby,” former All Blacks and Wales flyhalf Shane Howarth told The Rugby Run on Sport Nation. “That’s closer to Test match rugby than what Super Rugby is at the moment.”
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But Doran came out in defence of the top Super Rugby sides.
“With [Japan lock] Warner Dearns spending the year in Wellington, with Asafo Aumua at hooker, the Hurricanes have a pack that stands up against anyone,” he wrote.
“Their loose trio is deep and strong, while their halves, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love driving the show, rival any in the world.
“Then there is their incredibly powerful backline, with former Leinster back Jordie Barrett at the epicentre of it all. It’s balanced personified.
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“Bordeaux’s side, of course, is littered with quality, and their backline is electric, especially with the best winger in the world in Louis Bielle-Biarrey commanding the No 11 jersey.”
He concluded: “The point is that even though Super Rugby has suffered many knocks, it’s still a quality competition with dangerous sides everywhere.”
Photo: David Rogers/Joe Allison/Getty Images
