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 27th May
Hurricanes v. Force @ FMG Stadium, Palmerston North 5:35pm AEST
Hurricanes: 15. Cory Jane, 14. Andre Taylor, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Chris Eaton, 8. Victor Vito (c), 7. Jack Lam, 6. Faifili Levave, 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Dane Coles, 1. John Schwalger. Reserves: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Bryn Evans, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Jayden Hayward, 22. Julian Savea.
IN: Jane, Smith, Thrush, Evans, Coles, Ellison
OUT: Leiua, Hayward, Barrett, J Eaton, Hore, Perenise
Key men Jane and Smith return for the Canes to strengthen the backline.
Force: 15. Cameron Shepherd, 14. Nick Cummins, 13. Pat Dellit, 12. Rory Sidey, 11. David Smith, 10. James Stannard, 9. Mark Swanepoel, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. David Pocock, 6. Matt Hodgson, 5. Nathan Sharpe (c), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Tim Fairbrother, 2. Nathan Charles, 1. Kieran Longbottom, Reserves: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Matt Dunning, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Richard Brown, 20. Chris Cottee, 21. Mitch Inman, 22. Alfie Mafi.
IN: Shepherd, Stannard, Swanepoel, Fairbrother, Longbottom, Brown, Cottee, Inman
OUT: O’Connor, Ripia, Sheehan, Dunning, Cowan, Jenkins, Fairbanks
Plenty of changes for the Force due to injuries to JOC, Ripia, Sheehan, Cowan and Fairbanks. Mark Swanepoel makes his run-on debut, while Manly half Chris Cottee will make his long-awaited Super Rugby debut if he gets on.
Recent History: Hurricanes 4 – 1 Force. The Hurricanes have had the wood on the Force, with the Westerners only win coming in 2008 when they got up by a point at home. Last year the Canes won it 47-22 in Wellington.
Last 5: Hurricanes LWLLx, Force WLLxD
Hornet’s Tip: A game between two teams who have had very disappointing seasons. The Canes come off a bye with some established players coming into the team and a serious injection of quality to go with it. In spite of the fact that their pack have underperformed, their backs ought to be electric if they can get any sort of front foot ball. The Force blew it yet again last week and had a bore draw against the Brumbies. The backline is absolutely decimated, but the pack is very solid and hard working and realistically their only chance is to bash the hell out of the Canes forwards and hope to kick well. Canes by 13.
Odds: Hurricanes $1.10, Force $7.20
Saturday 28th May
Highlanders v. Lions @ Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin 5:35pm AEST
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Mo Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Matt Saunders, 22 Robbie Robinson
IN: Treeby, Piutau, Thomson
OUT: Saunders, Atiga, Veainu, Donnelly
Three crucial players return for the Clan, in the form of Thomson, Piutau and Treeby.
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Dylan Des Fountain, 13 Doppies La Grange (c), 12 Butch James, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derek Minnie, 5 Wikus van Heerden, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Alwyn Hollenbach, 22 Michael Killian.
IN: Des Fountain, Jantjies, Killian
OUT: Mapoe, Hollenbach
Lionel Mapoe is out with injury, while young gun Elton Jantjies comes in to fly half and pushes Butch James to 12.
Recent History: Highlanders 3 – 2 Lions. These two sides have traded wins for the last five years, with the highest margin being just ten points. Last year the Clan won 39-29 at home.
Last 5: Highlanders WLLWx, Lions LxLWL
Hornet’s Tip: One team with a lot to play for against one playing only for pride. The Highlanders really, really need to win this week to keep their finals hopes alive and after Jamie Joseph’s spray of Aussie rugby during the week, they have a lot to live up to! In all seriousness, they ought to be 100% switched on, because they need to get five points. The Lions were pretty terrible in the first half last week against the Tahs and rather good in the second, where they outscored the men from Sydney. They will need the full 80 against the Clan, but it won’t be enough. Highlanders by 12.
Odds: Highlanders $1.14, Lions $5.75
Brumbies v. Stormers @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra 7:40pm AEST
Brumbies: 15. Pat McCabe, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tyrone Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Matt Giteau (c), 9 Josh Valentine, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. Julian Salvi, 6. Mitch Chapman, 5. Ben Hand, 4. Mark Chisholm, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Jono Owen. Reserves: 16. Anthony Hegarty, 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Peter Kimlin, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Andrew Smith
IN: Vaea, Chapman
OUT: Faingaa, Elsom
Rocky and Colby are out for the remainder of the season (one with injury and one with Under 20s commitments) so they are replaced by Ita Vaea and Mitch Chapman.
Stormers: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nick Koster, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (c), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Rynhardt Elstadt, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Duane Vermeulen, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Jean De Villiers, 22. Johann Sadie.
IN: Fourie, Grant, Duvenage, Koster, Harris, De Villiers
OUT: Sadie, Cronje, Januarie, Poolman, Vermeulen, van der Linde
Fourie and Grant return from injury to strengthen the backline, with Harris coming in for the injured van der Linde.
Recent History: Brumbies 3 – 1 Stormers. The Brumbies have won the last two games against the Stormers, getting up 19-17 in South Africa last year.
Last 5: Brumbies xLLLD, Stormers xWLLW
Hornet’s Tip: As one of the guilty parties in last week’s bore fest in Perth, the Brumbies did at least show a little more fight than their deplorable effort in the previous week. On paper, there is a massive gulf in class in this game, because the Brumbies injury list is long and the replacements aren’t anywhere near as good. The Stormers come off a massive victory at Eden Park last week, where they played with considerable courage and cunning to go with it. They should surely have way too much class in Canberra this weekend, especially considering that they are in a dogfight with the Sharks for first place in the South African conference. Stormers by 15.
Odds: Brumbies $3.85, Stormers $1.27
Sunday 22nd May
Sharks v. Waratahs @ ABSA Stadium, Durban 1:05am AEST
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Conrad Hoffmann, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Eugene van Staden, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 John Smit (c). Subs: 16 Tendai Mtawarira, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Gerhard Mostert, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Riaan Swanepoel.
IN: Mvovo, Hoffman, Daniel, Smit, Herbst, Swanepoel
OUT: Ndungane, McLeod, Alberts, Mtawarira, Burden, Coetzee, Jacobs
A few changes for the Sharks, with Beast, McLeod and Alberts having a week on the bench.
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. Chris Alcock 6. Dave Dennis 5. Sitaleki Timani 4. Dean Mumm 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. John Ulugia 17. Al Baxter 18. Pat O’Connor 19. Hugh Perrett 20. Brendan McKibbin 21. Daniel Halangahu 22. Atieli Pakalani
IN: Timani, Pakalani
OUT: Douglas, Kingston
Timani and Pakalani return from injury, with Douglas dropping out and Kingston going to the Under 20s.
Recent History: Sharks 1 – 4 Waratahs. The Tahs have taken the last four games, including a semi-final back in 2008. The last two games have been decided by just four points, 25-21 in Sydney and 16-12 in Durban.
Last 5: Sharks WLWxL, Waratahs LWWxW
Hornet’s Tip: A season-defining game for one of these teams this weekend. The Shorks tripped up big time last week and will be seriously rueing their inability to get the points against the Bulls and thus stay in touch with the Stormers. Expect them to be very focused this week and in particular be ready to throw the considerable weight and power of their pack into the Tahs. There are some lingering doubts about their midfield, but that is their only real weakness this weekend. The Tahs were at once brilliant and awful against the Lions last weekend. They wrapped up the bonus point in the first 40 minutes, after playing some daring, attacking and attractive footy. Quite what happened to them in the dressing sheds is anyones guess, because they were the complete opposite in the second half. I am beginning to understand why their fans get so frustrated with them. With all that said, I am on the Shorks this weekend and reckon they’ll get there by 8.
Odds: Sharks $1.50, Waratahs $2.63
Bulls v. Cheetahs @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 3:10am AEST
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling. Reserves: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Danie Russouw, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
IN: Ndungane, Jinka
OUT: du Preez, Kuun
Fourie du Preez is replaced by Francois Hougaard at 9, with Dustin Jinka (a cracking name for a halfback) coming onto the bench.
Cheetahs: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Corne Uys, 11. Riaan Smit, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 7. Ashley Johnson, 6. Kabamba Floors, 5. Martin Muller, 4. Francois Uys, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen. Reserves: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Izak van der Westhuizen, 19. Johan Wessels, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Hennie Daniller.
IN: Snyman, Muller, van der Westhuizen
OUT: Benjamin, Steenkamp
Benjamin has a couple of forced weeks off, while Steenkamp is out with injury.
Recent History: Bulls 5 – 0 Cheetahs. The Bulls won in Round 2 by just two points, easily the closest the two sides have ever been.
Last 5: Bulls LWxWW , Cheetahs xWWWW
Hornet’s Tip: The Bulls kept themselves in the hunt by beating the Sharks and denting the latter’s finals hopes ever so slightly. They can do themselves even more favours by knocking off the Cheetahs this week as well. For a team that looked finished, there are still some signs of life in the old dogs. The Cheetahs have been playing some great tooty of late and will be looking forward to this. Their pack has been great value and I think they’ll give planty of cheek in this game. I still favour the Bulls by 5.
Odds: Bulls $1.31, Cheetahs $3.55
Reds v. Crusaders @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 4:00pm AEST
Reds: 15. Ben Lucas, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 12. Ben Tapuai, 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. Res: 16. James Hanson, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Will Chambers, 22. Dom Shipperley.
IN: Holmes
OUT: Shepherdson
Just the one change on the bench for the Reds.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Brent Ward, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny-Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Quentin MacDonald/David Hall, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Joe Wheeler/Matt Todd, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Matt Berquist, 22. Ryan Crotty
IN: Williams, Thorn, O Franks, Todd/Wheeler
OUT: Crotty, Umaga-Marshall, Romano, B Franks, Poff
SBW is back, as is Brad Thorn.
Recent History: Reds 1 – 4 Crusaders. The Reds broke the drought last year with a convincing 41-20 win at home. But before that it was all the Saders.
Last 5: Reds WLWWx, Crusaders LWWLW
Hornet’s Tip: A genuinely mouth-watering clash of two of the best teams this season. A contrast in styles too. Whilst the Reds have proven that they can muscle up in the pigs, their electric backline (ably supported by the equally good back row) has played some beautiful footy this season. The game against the Blues was one of the matches of the season so far. They have so many attacking options that it’s hard to know where to look at times. The Cru may be injury ravaged, but they still look mighty potent. I expect their Test-quality pack to give the Reds a very hard time indeed, with their third-string backline still being pretty serviceable. Very hard to predict the outcome of this one, but I think the Reds might just sneak it. Reds by 5.
Odds: Reds $2.03, Crusaders $1.80
The Bet: Well if JOC slots the last-minute penalty (or holds on for the try 20 minutes before) we are swimming in cash. But it wasn’t to be, and so we are now sitting on just a $14 profit. This week I have yet another two-leg multi, and my logic is the same in both. The weather in New Zealand at this time of year is typified by two things: cold and rain. It is supposed to piss down in Palmerston North on Friday, and is supposed to be bone-chillingly cold in Dunedin on Saturday. So I think because of that (and the fact that both the Canes and Clan have been in less than stellar form) both games are going to be scrappy, largely low-scoring affairs. So I am taking both outsiders with the healthy start offered.
Take the Force +16.5 into Lions +14.0 at $3.65 with Centrebet
Whom are you tipping?
