Are the Chiefs Legitimate Super Rugby Title Contenders?

It's 16 April and the Chiefs are top of the table. No this is not a belated April Fool's joke nor is it a belated Friday the 13th horror story.

The Chiefs are deservedly and rightfully at the top of the New Zealand conference and as a result of the Stormers losing on the weekend, rightfully at the top of the overall standings. Despite beginning the season with a loss to the Highlanders in Hamilton, the Chiefs have been the team to beat since then and after a 100% record in South Africa, must surely now be favourites to win the title (EDIT following Chiefs' 18-12 win in Durban over Sharks)

Yes, the wins have been against the Force and Cheetahs who are at the wrong end of the table but the Force have been a decent side at home and the Chiefs were made to fight for their win by them. Likewise, the Cheetahs who had a brilliant overseas tour and were a side on the up and it was a superb result by the Chiefs to not only win but get a try-scoring bonus point.

The Chiefs have always had the backs to run around teams but never had the forward pack and defence to back it up. But under Dave Rennie, the Chiefs appear to finally have a pack to be the best and are only second to the Stormers in defence this season. As the shaven head saga has shown, this year's Chiefs are a solid team and look set to stay that way - the same can't be said for the team two hours north on State Highway 1. And with players still yet to return from injury, the Chiefs are perfectly placed to repeat their Finals appearance in 2009 - and this time maybe even have the party at home in Moolooland.

The Chiefs go to Durban and the Shark Tank to take on the returning Sharks. The Chiefs could have the edge as they have already been in the Republic but this season, it appears teams have weathered the long trip across the Indian Ocean better - the Crusaders, Cheetahs and Reds have won after being out of their continent, while the Hurricanes were unlucky to lose on their first home game since starting the season in South Africa. The Sharks would also be buoyed by a reasonable tour to Australia and NZ too.

Even if they lose against the Sharks, the Chiefs should be very satisfied with what they've achieved so far this season and should be rightfully confident of their prospects at the business end of the season. But I think they can beat the Sharks travelling home from New Zealand this week and return home to Hamilton to face the buoyant and refreshed Hurricanes side too.

Hopefully they can get a decent crowd too as the type of rugby they've been playing deserves a decent home crowd.