Warning bells ringing for Australian Super Rugby sides

1. Australian sides face semi-finals wipeout

Significant improvements are needed by the Brumbies, Waratahs and Reds in the space of a week to ensure it isn’t an all-New Zealand competition from the semi-finals onwards. The Waratahs were poor against Moana Pasifika, but what the Brumbies produced in their win against the Rebels won’t be enough to beat the Hurricanes next Saturday.

Timing is everything at this stage of the year and the Brumbies will note that the Hurricanes are coming in battle-hardened after games against the Chiefs, Blues and Crusaders. They have found a new weapon in Kini Naholo and their injury list is coming right. The Brumbies have had their measure in Canberra but the warning signs are there.

2. Waratahs ambushed in Michael Hooper’s farewell

Moana Pasifika have enjoyed the classic ‘departing coach bounce’, and have improved noticeably since Aaron Mauger announced he was leaving a few weeks ago. They should have beaten the Fijian Drua on the road last week, and they carried that form into Sydney.

Led by a genuine warrior in Solomone Funaki, they have significantly underperformed this season and the past fortnight has illustrated that. It’s a shame for Hooper. He has improved as he has aged, and Fraser McReight’s discipline issues in Suva tell you who will be wearing the Wallabies No.7 jersey this year.

3. Reds show why finals format should be revisited

The Queenslanders were third in a two-horse race against the Fijian Drua on Saturday, and will now head to play the Chiefs in the quarter-finals on the back of three straight losses. The eight-team finals format has its benefits – in a new competition with two new teams it offered a carrot to the sides in the bottom half.

However, as the competition matures – and the Drua certainly have – the format n