It’s only natural that talk around who is the front-runner to wear the No.10 jersey against the Lions is weekly commentary, but the only thing that really matters is the month leading up to knockout footy and who can guide their Super Rugby side into a final.

At this point, every fly-half in the country has some things going for them – and others not.

It’s one thing turning it on, on largely dry decks, but the free-flowing rugby being dished up now is nothing like what will be required in the winter months when finals footy arrives and the Lions follow.

Pressure makes diamonds, and that’s what Joe Schmidt will want to see: who can handle the heat and stand up.

Until then, it’s fool’s gold.

Even Sydney-raised Patrick Pelligrini is currently turning it on.

Sydney raised Patrick Pellegrini has been in fine form in his maiden Super Rugby season. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

While the former Shute Shield playmaker looks like one who got away, the reality is the 26-year-old emerged at a similar time as Will Harrison and Ben Donaldson at the Waratahs. Only Donaldson remains in Australia, but it’s not with the Waratahs.

The real lesson is that most playmakers aren’t close to their ceilings when they first burst on the scene, and it takes years to get anywhere near the finished product.

Pelligrini has a strong skill set, and could clean up the Waratahs this week, but he’s not exactly another who got away.

He did however benefit from a couple of years away in England.

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The passage that sums up where the Waratahs are currently at

As bad as the Waratahs were against the Hurricanes, they were still in the contest early in the second half in Wellington.

Trailing 24-12 after Archie Saunders crossed out wide to cut the margin to 12 points, the Waratahs had some promising field position in the 50th minute.

But three ugly phases summed up the Waratahs’ shortcomings this season and, in particular, Taniela Tupou’s.

Powerful back-rower Rob Leota carried the ball into the centre of the Hurricanes’ defence for the Waratahs’ fifth phase. Isolated, with Langi Gleeson a fraction slow at the cleanout, the Hurricanes slowed the visitors’ ball down.

Eventually, the ball spat out, and Teddy Wilson managed to find the always willing Angus Bell, who carried the ball back to where the previous cleanout had occurred, as two Hurricanes players brought down the strong running prop.

Teddy Wilson passes against the Hurricanes during the Waratahs’ heavy loss at Sky Stadium on March 28, 2025. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

At that point, Gleeson got to the breakdown first and was followed by Felix Kalapu, with Tupou slowly arriving well after the ruck was completed and Leota slowly getting back off his feet.

But essentially, the Waratahs had five players out of the next phase, where Wilson’s ball missed the intended target of Ben Grant, who was expecting it to be fired to Joey Walton.

Seconds later, the Waratahs lost the ball at the breakdown, and the Hurricanes went on the attack and scored soon after, with Walton sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul after putting his small frame in harm’s way.  

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The other tight-head prop making a statement

Tupou might be struggling to find his form, but at least fellow Wallabies tight-head prop Allan Alaalatoa is back.

The Brumbies skipper struggled during last year’s Super Rugby season.

After making his way back from a devastating Achilles injury suffered in the middle of the MCG against the All Blacks, it took the experienced Wallabies skipper months to find his power.

By the end of the spring tour there were signs he was rediscovering his feet. Those signs have been confirmed this season.

Not only is Alaalatoa powering over from close range regularly, but the Brumbies’ scrum is now starting to fire off the back of his resurgence. The Brumbies are being helped by the fine work of replacement front-rowers Blake Schoupp and Rhys van Nek.

Allan Alaalatoa is getting back to his best form. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

He’s not the only prop who is making a comeback either, with Reds big man Alex Hodgman in some real form.

It still remains one of the more confusing decisions why Hodgman wasn’t sighted after becoming just the fourth player in history to play for both the All Blacks and Wallabies, having run out for his one and only Test against Georgia last July.

April to make or break Reds’ campaign

History shows that it’s almost impossible to win the Super Rugby title if you don’t finish in the top two.

As such, Les Kiss’ Reds face a ginormous next month if they really want to push for first title since 2011.

The Reds have managed the last couple of weeks well without several big-name players.

It shows not just the quality of the Reds’ management, but their rising depth.

Players like Kalani Thomas aren’t just fringe players now, they’re fully fledged Super Rugby men who are capable of managing games.

Now, they face their biggest test of the year, heading across the ditch to take on the Chiefs in a top of the table clash.

Sevens setting themselves up for success

Australia’s women’s sevens teams might have bombed at last year’s Paris Olympics, but they’re making giant strides to address their shortcomings.

Without a host of big names, including Charlotte Caslick and Madison Ashby, Australia pushed New Zealand all the way in the Hong Kong Sevens final.

Although they ultimately went down, the fact they got that far without half-a-dozen regulars shows the strength of the program and the fine work of Tim Walsh and Scott Bowen.

This is a high performance program that is humming.