With Hurricanes No9 TJ Perenara becoming the latest member of the Super Rugby centurion club we thought it might be a good opportunity to take a look back at the Top Five scrum-halfs in Super Rugby history.
Some like the great George Gregan you would definitely expect, others like journeyman Alby Mathewson may come as a surprise.
Crusaders – 153 caps
In his ten year career with the Crusaders (2006-16) Ellis earned a reputation for all-round efficiency, with a consistent work-rate and an ability to take the right options. Some say his life was made easier by being behind well drilled packs – Canterbury, Crusaders and the All Blacks – but the Cantabrian hardly put a foot wrong.
GEORGE GREGAN
Brumbies – 136 caps
The only non-New Zealander in the list, Gregan was a key component in the Brumbies golden age. He spent over a decade at the Canberra scrum-base from 1996-2007, featuring prominently in the triumphs of 2001 and 2004. His partnership with fly-half Stephen Larkham continued at Wallabies level where they won the 1999 RWC.
ALBY MATHEWSON
Hurricanes, Blues, Force – 131 caps
Some might be surprised to see the journeyman on the list but Mathewson is far better than his four Test caps for the All Blacks in 2010 might suggest. He was a busy presence for the Canes from 2007-09 before moving on to the Blues from 2010-12 and finishing with the Force where he notched up 50 caps from 2013-16.
PIRI WEEPU
Hurricanes, Blues – 124 caps
The mercurial 2011 Rugby World Cup winner on his day was among the best No9s around, a constant at the Canes ruck from 2004-11 earning 84 caps and playing the grand final loss in 2006. Opposing defenses could never relax as his dangerous breaks were a constant threat. Never reached the same heights at the Blues where he played 40 times from 2012-14.
JIMMY COWAN
Highlanders, Blues – 122 caps
A tough-as-teak scrum-half, Cowan’s effort is all the more impressive as he often played behind a beaten pack. The Southland No9 wasn’t afraid of a few forward skirmishes often playing more like a flanker than a back. He played 108 games for the Highlanders from 2003-12 before a one-off season with the Blues in 2015.