This is the Super Rugby Ultimate Preview, your one-stop shop for everything you need to know for those all-important tips or fantasy transfers. As always the Brown Hornet is on board, providing his well thought-out tips for each fixture.
Friday 6th May
Hurricanes v. Blues @ Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin 5:35pm AEST
Hurricanes: 15. Andre Taylor, 14. Alapati Leiua, 13. Jayden Hayward, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Chris Eaton, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Jack Lam, 6. Faifili Levave, 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Jason Eaton, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (c), 1. John Schwalger. Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. Jeremy Thrush, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Julian Savea, 22. Beauden Barrett.
IN: Kirkpatrick
OUT: Ngatai
Just one change for the Canes, with Kirkpatrick returning in place of the injured Ngatai.
Blues: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Chris Lowrey, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tevita Mailau. Reserves: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 James King, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Aaron Bancroft, 22 Sherwin Stowers;
IN: Munro, Stanley, Lowrey, Polwart, Smylie, Bancroft, Stowers
OUT: Toeava, McAlister, Boric, Morland
Ice Toeava is gone for the rest of the Super season, and Luke McAlister is out for a week with a rib injury. Jared Payne moves to fullback and Rene Ranger to centre, with Stanley and Munro coming in from the bench.
Recent History: Hurricanes 3 – 2 Blues. The Canes are still ahead in the last five, despite losing 41-17 in Auckland back in Round 5.
Last 5: Blues WxWWW, Hurricanes LLWLW
Hornet’s Tip: The Canes got back on the board with a very tight win against a slightly below-par Reds last week, and in truth should have won by more considering well they went in the first half. They are still without many of their big guns, especially in the backs. They will struggle against a Blues side who top the Kiwi table and are playing with plenty of confidence. The Blues were probably a little lucky to get away with a win last week but will feel very confident this week, even in Wellington. Blues by 10.
Odds: Hurricanes $2.47, Blues $1.55
Rebels v. Reds @ AAMI Park, Melbourne 7:40pm AEST
Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mark Gerrard, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Peter Betham, 10 James Hilgendorf, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (vc), 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Alister Campbell, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake. Reserves: 16 Heath Tessman, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Cooper Vuna, 22 Danny Cipriani.
IN: McDonald, Weeks, Henderson, Byrnes, Cordingley, Taumoepeau
OUT: Saffy, Blake, Kingi, Cipriani
Key man Jarrod Saffy is lost with a groin injury, while Kingi and Cipriani have been stood down for disciplinary reasons.
Reds: 15. Ben Lucas, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Radike Samo, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 5. James Horwill (c), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. James Slipper, 2. Saia Faingaa, 1. Ben Daley. Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Leroy Houston, 20. Jake Schatz, 21. Will Chambers, 22. Dom Shipperley.
IN: A. Faingaa, Ioane, Samo, Simmons, Slipper, S. Faingaa, Daley, Houston, Schatz
OUT: Chambers, Shipperley, Wallace-Harrison, Humphries, Shepherdson, Hanson, Holmes, Anae, Gill, Sitauti
Plenty of changes for the Reds, with Link bringing back a few players who were either injured or rested last week: Ioane, Slipper, Daley, Simmons, the Faingaas and Samo.
Recent History: Reds 1 – 0 Rebels. The Reds flogged the Rebels 53-3 back in Round 5.
Last 5: Rebels WxLLL, Reds WWWWL
Hornet’s Tip: The Rebels blew hot and cold last week, especially defensively. That part of their game will need to step up mightily with the challenge they face this week. They lift at home and will want to on this occasion. The Reds were at once woeful and then brilliant last week against the Canes. After defending poorly and conceding four tries, they turned on some razzle-dazzle of their own. They get some quality back this week too and really should put the Rebels to the sword. Reds by 12.
Odds: Rebels $6.80, Reds $1.11
Saturday 7th May
Lions v. Cheetahs @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg 3:10am AEST
Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Dylan Des Fountain, 12 Doppies La Grange (c), 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Wikus van Heerden, 4 David de Villiers, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute.
IN: Des Fountain, Kockott, Strauss, de Villiers
OUT: Murray, Vermaak, Rhodes, van der Merwe, Cilliers, Bezuidenhout
A few rotations for the Lions this week.
Cheetahs: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Burger 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Corne Uys, 11. Riaan Smit, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 7. Ashley Johnson, 6. Heinrich Brussow, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp (c), 4. Francois Uys, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen. Reserves: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Waltie Vermeulen, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Hennie Daniller.
IN: Floors, Vermeulen
OUT: Muller, F Viljoen
Just a couple of changes on the bench for the Cheetahs.
Recent History: Lions 3 – 2 Cheetahs. The Lions took the lead after winning their Round 5 clash 25-20 away from home.
Last 5: Cheetahs LLLxW, Lions LLLLx
Hornet’s Tip: In theory, this is a bit of a ho-hum affair between two sides not going that well. These Saffer derbies tend to be pretty hard-fought affairs though and the Cheetahs stung the Brumbies last week in Bloomfontein. If they can turn on the kind of attack they did in that game, especially amongst the big boys, you’d have to believe the Lions will be in trouble. Cheetahs by 8.
Odds: Lions $1.91, Cheetahs $1.91
Chiefs v. Highlanders @ Westpac Stadium, Wellington 5:35pm AEST
Chiefs: 15. Mils Muliaina (c), 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Richard Kahui, 12. Dwayne Sweeney, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Fritz Lee, 7. Scott Waldrom, 6. Liam Messam, 5. Craig Clarke, 4. Romana Graham, 3. Ben Afeaki, 2. Hika Elliot, 1. Toby Smith. Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Sona Taumalolo, 18. Isaac Ross, 19. Tanerau Latimer, 20. Taniwha Kerr-Barlow, 21. Tim Nanai-Williams, 22. Jackson Willison.
IN: Sivivatu, Elliot, Latimer
OUT: Tokula, de Malmanche, Cane
Sivi returns to the wing, while Hika Elliot replaces de Malmanche. Tanerau Latimer comes back from injury onto the bench.
Highlanders: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Ben Smith, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Tony Brown, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: 16 Mo Schwalger, 17 David Te Moana, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Matt Saunders, 22 James Paterson.
IN: Sopoaga, Mitchell, Murray
OUT: Brown, Schwalger, Te Moana
Lima Sopoaga returns from injury, and comes in to the XV in place of Tony Brown.
Recent History: Chiefs 4 – 1 Highlanders. The Clan broke a five game losing streak to the Chiefs back in Round 2 when they won 23–12 at home.
Last 5: Chiefs LxLWL, Highlanders WWWWL
Hornet’s Tip: The Chiefs’ season never really got started and they came home this week off a big loss to the Bulls. They’ll be looking for a new coach and perhaps a new pattern of play by season’s end. They run into a Highlanders outfit that will be dirty with themselves for not beating the Blues last week and really need to win this game to keep their finals hopes alive. You’d expect them to be well and truly up for this one and they’ll take it by 9.
Odds: Chiefs $1.74, Highlanders $2.11
Waratahs v. Force @ Sydney Football Stadium, 7:40pm AEST
Waratahs: 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. Lachie Turner, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Tom Carter, 11. Sosene Anesi, 10. Berrick Barnes, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Ben Mowen, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. John Ulugia, 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. Ben Roberts, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Kane Douglas, 19. Chris Alcock, 20. Brendan McKibbin, 21. Daniel Halangahu, 22. Tom Kingston.
IN: Ulugia, Roberts
OUT: Polota-Nau
Just one change for the Tahs, with TPN forced out after suffering concussion.
Force: 15. Pat Dellit, 14. Nick Cummins, 13. Mitch Inman, 12. James O’Connor, 11. David Smith, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Richard Brown, 7. David Pocock, 6. Matt Hodgson, 5. Nathan Sharpe (c), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Nathan Charles, 1. Pek Cowan. Reserves: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Tim Fairbrother, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Ben McCalman, 20. James Stannard, 21. Rory Sidey, 22. Alfie Mafi.
IN: Inman, Hodgson, Hockings, Fairbrother
OUT: Shepherd, McCalman, Metuisela, Longbottom
Mitch Inman’s return is tempered by the loss of Cameron Shepherd to injury. Hodgson comes in to the starting line-up in place of the unlucky Ben McCalman.
Recent History: Waratahs 3 – 1 Force. The Waratahs clobbered the Force 31–3 in Perth just a few rounds ago. The Force won the last clash in Sydney, however, 15–14 back in 2008.
Last 5: Waratahs WWLLW, Force LLWWL
Hornet’s Tip: The Tahs will be desperate to stay in touch with the six this week, after keeping themselves in the hunt with a win against the Rebels. It wasn’t pretty, which sums up the Tahs’ season to a large degree, but nonetheless they got the points. They also have a mounting long-term injury list, which is concerning for both them and the Wallabies later in the year. The Force are a bit the opposite. After running the Cru close last week and getting the majority of their squad healthy again, they’ll be confident heading into this game. With Palu and Waugh gone and Sharpe imperious in the lineout, they’ll fancy their chances in the forwards. It’s going to be a tight one, but I’m going with the Force by 5.
Odds: Waratahs $1.43, Force $2.88
Sunday 8th May
Stormers v. Crusaders @ Ellis Park, Cape Town 1:05am AEST
Stormers: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Johann Sadie, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Jean De Villiers, 11. Gio Aplon, 10. Lionel Cronje, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (c), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Rynhardt Elstadt, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Brok Harris, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Nick Koster, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Kurt Coleman, 22. Juan de Jongh.
IN: Sadie, Cronje, Liebenberg, Coleman
OUT: Habana, Grant, Reynecke
A couple of key losses for the Stormers in the form of pivot Grant and winger Habana.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Marshall, 22. Adam Whitelock.
IN: Reid, O. Franks, Marshall, Olorenshaw
OUT: Todd, B. Franks, Poff, Umaga-Marshall
Kieran Read returns, with Matt Todd dropping to the bench and Richie McCaw taking back the 7 jersey. Ben Franks is out with injury, and replaced by brother Owen.
Recent History: Stormers 2 – 3 Crusaders. The Stormers won this clash convincingly last year, 42–14 at home.
Last 5: Stormers WLWxW, Crusaders xWWLW
Hornet’s Tip: What a game this shapes up to be. The Stormers have still only lost once this season and are playing at home at fortress Newlands. They were good value in their win against the Sharks last week and are clearly the best Saffer team going around right now. The Cru come off a terrific contest in Perth last week and while they still have some injury concerns, they get Read back this week, who is an important player for them. They play exactly the kind of fast counter-attacking game that could really worry the Stormers. This game is very, very hard to pick, but I’m going with the Stormers by 3.
Odds: Stormers $1.72, Crusaders $2.14
Sharks v. Brumbies @ ABSA Stadium, Durban 3:10am AEST
Sharks: TBA
Brumbies: 15. Pat McCabe, 14. Andrew Smith, 13. Tyrone Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Matt Giteau (c), 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. Colby Faingaa, 6. Mitchell Chapman, 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. Peter Kimlin, 3. Jono Owen, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Salesi Ma’afu, 18. Ben Hand, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Josh Valentine, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Francis Fainifo.
IN: T. Smith, Owen, Vaea, Ma’afu
OUT: Fainifo, Palmer, Hooper, Salvi
Yet another backline reshuffle sees Franky Fainifo drop out for Tyrone Smith. Gits moves back to 10 with Andrew Smith pushed to the wing. Ita Vaea returns from injury with Hooper moving to the bench.
Recent History: Sharks 1 – 4 Brumbies. The Sharks’ solitary win came in 2009 at home; otherwise this game has been dominated by the Canberrans.
Last 5: Sharks LWxWL, Brumbies LWLxL
Hornet’s Tip: They Sharks will be a little stung by getting flogged last week. The Stormers dominated them nearly everywhere and while their opponents won’t be as challenging, they still need to lift if they want to make the finals. Fortunately for them, they are playing a pretty dispirited Brumbies team this week. The Horsies couldn’t get the win last week and would be embarrassed about the number of tries they let the Cheetahs in for. They could scarcely be going any worse and two of their best players in Elsom and Hoiles haven’t been sighted. You’d have to think that the Sharks will win comfortably. Sharks by 15.
Odds: Sharks $1.15, Brumbies $5.60
The Bet: The Cheetahs and Stormers both came through for us, and as a result we are now sitting on a $16 profit. This week I am putting our tenner behind a side that I love watching — the Western Force. Three weeks ago a seriously undermanned Force were knocked off at home by an almost full-strength Tahs side. Now the roles are reversed — the Force are firing on all cylinders despite losing to the Crusaders last week, while the Tahs players are dropping like flies. The Westerners offer great value with the talent in their side.
Take the Force at $2.88 with Centrebet
Whom are you tipping?
