Ten stats that reflect the opening seven rounds of Super Rugby
The opening seven rounds of Super Rugby are in the books and already we have established some clear competition favourites and a handful of teams who can start to think about next year.
Here, Opta Stats bring you 10 big numbers that reflect the action thus far.
Why are the Kings struggling so badly?
The Kings have made the fewest metres (300), clean breaks (5.5) and beaten the fewest defenders (11.3) per game on average this season, while they have conceded more than any other team for each of those three categories (614, 14.5 & 25.3).
Cheetahs their own worst enemy
The team from the Free State have spent the shortest time in possession this season (13m 45s per game), while 39% of their time with the ball has ended in a turnover.
Waratahs' kicking overlooked amid other major issues
The Waratahs have slotted just 58% of their kicks at goal this season, no other side has kicked below 65% this season.
Daryl Gibson Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesNo wonder the newbies are battling
The Sunwolves (80%), Kings (80%) and Jaguares (81%) have recorded the three lowest tackle success rates in Super Rugby this season.
Teams can't stay with the Chiefs
The Chiefs have scored 25 tries in the second half of games this season, no other side has scored more than 13 in the same time.
Force's attacking overhaul still a work in progress
The Force have taken longer than any other side when in possession to get across the opposition try line, scoring every 14 minutes and 46 seconds of possession on average.
Damian McKenzie is killing it
The livewire Chiefs fullback leads the way this season for points (112), tries (7), carries (96) and defenders beaten (33) this season while he ranks in the top five for clean breaks (13), metres (547) and try assists (4).
Charlie Ngatai Hannah Peters/Getty ImagesSo too is Charlie Ngatai
McKenzie's teammate, a genuine All Blacks contender at No.12, has scored the equal second most tries this season, while he has made more clean breaks (14) and beaten more defenders (30) than any other centre this season.
Eben Etzebeth owns the lineout
The Stormers lock has stolen nine lineouts this season, no other player has scored more than five.
Why did the Reds get their first win?
Samu Kerevi gained 164 metres over the gainline against the Highlanders in R7; the most by any player in a game this season and the most by any centre in the Super Rugby era (since 2011).
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