Super Rugby Rebooted: Dave Wessels has Rebels humming

The Jaguares provided the only real upset of Round 6, the Argentines taking down the South African conference-leading Lions in a 49-35 victory in Buenos Aires.

Elsewhere, there were wins for the Crusaders, Rebels, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Stormers.

Read on for some of the major talking points from the weekend's action.

Australian Conference

Wessels proving Rebels' most shrewd recruit

Melbourne Rebels are restored to the top of the Super Rugby ladder, proving their second half capitulation against the Waratahs from Round 5 was merely an aberration in an otherwise strong start to 2018.

Friday night's victory over the Sharks was hugely impressive, not just because of their shortened preparation but also for the fashion in which it came. And for that coach Dave Wessels deserves an enormous amount of credit.

Given they played in ridiculously hot conditions in Sydney only five days prior, you could have forgiven the Rebels had they been a little sluggish out of the blocks at AAMI Park. But they opted for all-out attack instead, catching the Sharks unawares with an attacking exit from the opening kick-off; the play very nearly resulting in a try inside two minutes.

From there, the Rebels were always in control as they mixed sweeping attacking raids with powerful driving mauls; the lineout drives resulting in two tries for hooker Anaru Rangi. The Sharks were completely outplayed and much of that was down to the game plan which Wessels had built, and the players then executed.

Wessels' work in bringing together a fractured franchise with a swag of new players is akin to, or even greater than, what Brad Thorn has done with Queensland Reds. On paper, Wessels certainly has the more talented playing group at his disposal. But his ability to mould them into a cohesive unit inside the first month of competition has been hugely impressive.

Wessels' coaching career began under the tutelage of World Cup-winner Jake White and there are elements of the great Springboks mentor's style in his countryman. White was always open and honest, with his players, fans and the media, a dynamic that proved hugely successful in building a successful club [Brumbies] and Test [South Africa] side.

Wessels' admission that he got the preparation wrong for the Waratahs game and that that "was on me" was a refreshing break from the narrative of modern-day coaches blaming referees or insisting their team was heading in the right direction when the scoreboard said otherwise.

And then he realised the need to freshen up his starting side last Friday, promoting the likes of Billy Meakes and Colby Fainga'a for their first run-on starts of the season. Both men enjoyed fine games against the Sharks; Meakes in particular forming a strong midfield pairing with Reece Hodge.

Greater challenges await in the form of New Zealand opposition, starting this Friday at home to the Hurricanes, but there is no doubt Wessels' star continues to rise in Melbourne.

New Zealand Conference

McKenzie a 10 at 10 against Sunwolves

After an indifferent start to life as a Super Rugby fly-half, Damian McKenzie finally showed what he can do as chief playmaker in the Chiefs' 61-10 victory over the Sunwolves.

But his performance, and so too the Chiefs as a whole, must be tempered by the fact that it came against the Sunwolves who have this year conceded an average of 44 points per game.

McKenzie loves space and that's exactly what a game against the Sunwolves offers. The Chiefs star certainly made the most of the available acreage, too, as he finished with 10 runs for 74 metres, for three clean breaks, two tries and two try assists.