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 10th June
Chiefs v. Hurricanes @ Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 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. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Liam Messam, 5. Craig Clarke, 4. Isaac Ross, 3. Nathan White, 2. Hika Elliot, 1. Ben May. Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Callum Retallick, 19. Matt Vant Leven, 20. Taniwha Kerr-Barlow, 21. Tim Nanai-Williams, 22. Jackson Willison
IN: Ross, Sweeney, Nanai-Williams, Willison
OUT: Graham, Umaga, Delany
Isaac Ross comes back in place of Graham, while Tana takes a break and Sweeney comes in.
Hurricanes: 15. Cory Jane, 14. Julian Savea, 13. Alapati Leiua, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Jack Lam, 6. Faifili Levave, 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (c), 1. John Schwalger. Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Jason Eaton, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Jayden Hayward, 22. Richard Buckman.
IN: Savea, Keats
OUT: Hayward, C Eaton
Just the one change to the starting lineup, with Savea coming in for Hayward.
Recent History: Chiefs 1 – 4 Hurricanes. The Hurricanes continued their relative dominance of this fixture in Round 4, when they won 29-26 at home.
Last 5: Chiefs WWLxW, Hurricanes LLxWW
Hornet’s Tip: At this stage of the season, these two teams are playing for pride only, but it should be an intriguing battle all the same. The Chiefs caused a boilover last week against the Blues to take the points and have ended their season a lot better than they started it. They’ve claimed a couple of high profile scalps and will feel like they’ve got some momentum heading towards 2012. The Canes are a bit of a rabble at the moment, with the player cleanout taking place and questions being raised about their culture. This season can’t finish soon enough for them and I would expect them to go down tomorrow night. Chiefs by 8.
Odds: Chiefs $1.50, Hurricanes $2.62
Brumbies v. Rebels @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra 7:40pm AEST
Brumbies: 15. Christian Lealiifano, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tyrone Smith, 12. Pat McCabe, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Matt Giteau (c), 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8. Mitch Chapman, 7. Julian Salvi, 6. Henry Vanderglas, 5. Ben Hand, 4. Peter Kimlin, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Jerry Yanuyanutawa . Reserves: 16. Anthony Hegarty, 17. Jono Owen, 18. Sam Carter, 19. Tom Boidin, 20. Nic White, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Andrew Smith
IN: Vanderglass, Kimlin, Carter, Boidin
OUT: Vaea, Chisolm
The Brumbies lose Ita Vaea and Mark Chisolm through suspension and injury respectively.
Rebels: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Julian Huxley, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Alister Campbell, 4 Kevin O’Neill, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake. Reserves: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Lachie Mitchell, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Afusipa Taumopeau
IN: Cipriani, O’Neill, Somerville, Blake, Byrnes
OUT: Mitchell, Pyle, Weeks, Henderson, Cordingley
Hugh Pyle is out with injury, while Danny Cipriani makes his long-awaited return.
Recent History: Brumbies 0 – 1 Rebels. The Rebels have a 100% success record against the Brumbies, after winning their Round 2 match 25-24 in Melbourne.
Last 5: Brumbies LLDLW, Rebels LLLxL
Hornet’s Tip: Everything I said about the last game also applies to this one. The Brumbies have endured an annus horribillus, though they’ll be feeling a lot better after their performance against the Reds last week. I don’t what it is about them and the QLD boys, but they always seem to play that little bit better against them. The challenge is theoretically a little easier this week and a few of these guys will have test jerseys to play for. Expect them to be pretty keyed up. The Rebels are drifting at present and are still in dispute with their staff five-eigth. They need to win to feel like they have gotten something out of this season. In a tight one, I’m tipping the Horsies by 5.
Odds: Brumbies $1.23, Rebels $4.25
Saturday 11th June
Crusaders v. Blues @ Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru 5:35pm AEST
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Brent Ward, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny-Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks. Reserves: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Jonathon Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22. Ryan Crotty
IN: Ellis, Todd, S Whitelock, B Franks, Poff
OUT: Heinz, McCaw, Jack, Crockett, Alfeld
The Crusaders get back Andy Ellis but lose Richie McCaw. Ben Franks and Sam Whitelock also come back to the starting side.
Blues: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Charlie Faumuina. Reserves: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers
IN: Brett, Faumuina, Mealamu
OUT: Munro, McCartney, Mailau
Three changes to the starting XV, with Mealamu and Brett coming back after a week on the bench.
Recent History: Crusaders 3 – 2 Blues. The Blues broke a three game losing streak in Round 1 with a scintillating 24-22 win at home.
Last 5: Crusaders WLWLx, Blues WLLxL
Hornet’s Tip: Huge game this one and crunch time for both teams in terms of their positioning on the ladder. The Cru had a timely week off after the epic contest at Suncorp and will have had a chance to rest some weary bodies. McCaw is out, which is a blow, but it’s not like the Cantabs don’t have some back row depth. They can get themselves a home final if they win this and the next game, so there’ll be plenty of motivation. The Blues seem to have developed a dose of the staggers. They should have beatent the Chiefs last week and have dropped a couple of games they could have and should have won. Realistically their top spot should be sewn up by now, but they have blown it a bit. They’ll need to be 100% switched on this week, but I think the Red and Blacks will pinch it. Cru by 5.
Odds: Crusaders $1.36, Blues $3.20
Waratahs v. Highlanders @ SFS, Sydney 7:40pm AEST
Waratahs: 15. Kurtley Beale 14. Lachie Turner 13. Tom Carter 12. Berrick Barnes 11. Sosene Anesi 10. Daniel Halangahu 9. Luke Burgess 8. Wycliff Palu 7. Phil Waugh 6. Dave Dennis 5. Sitaleki Timani 4. Dean Mumm 3. Al Baxter 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. John Ulugia 17. Jeremy Tilse 18. Pat O’Connor 19. Chris Alcock 20. Hugh Perrett 21. Josh Holmes 22. Atieli Pakalani
IN: Palu, Waugh, Dennis, Tilse, Holmes
OUT: Mowen, Alcock, Douglas, Ryan, McKibbin
The Tahs make three changes to the starting lineup, all in the back row. Waugh and Palu make yet another return from injury.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Tony Brown, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: 16 Mo Schwalger, 17 Chris King, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 John Hardie, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson 22 Telusa Veainu
IN: Brown, A Smith, Soakai, Murray, Rutledge, Veainu
OUT: Sopoaga, Cowan, Hardie, King, Schwalger, Donnelly
Five new faces in the Highlanders starting team, the most prominent being Aaron Smith who comes in for the benched Jimmy Cowan.
Recent History: Waratahs 3 – 2 Highlanders. The Clan have had a bit of success against the Tahs, winning last year’s match 26-10 in Invercargill.
Last 5: Waratahs WxWLL, Highlanders LWxLL
Hornet’s Tip: Massive game for both teams, especially the Tahs. The Sydney boys had a heartbreaking tour of South Africa and came away with not much to show for it. They will be desperate and so they should be. If they are any kind of team they’ll be fired up for this one. Much will depend on their ability to just get a fit team out on the paddock, as their injury list is a mile long. The Highlanders will have looked at the footage from last Friday night and felt a little sick. How they managed to lose that game in the last 20 minutes is a bit mind boggling. That could have been their season right there. I think this one will be really close and goal kicking will be crucial. On a flip of the coin I’m going with the Tahs at home, by 3.
Odds: Waratahs $1.40, Highlanders $3.00
Force v. Reds @ nib Stadium, Perth 10:05pm AEST
Force: 15. James O’Connor, 14. Nick Cummins, 13. Pat Dellit, 12. Rory Sidey, 11. David Smith, 10. James Stannard, 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. Kieran Longbottom, Reserves: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Tim Fairbrother, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Ben McCalman, 20. Mark Swanepoel, 21. Mitch Inman, 22. Alfie Mafi
IN: O’Connor, Cummins, Sheehan, Brown, Dunning
OUT: Inman, Mafi, Swanepoel, Cottee, McCalman, Fairbrother
JOC returns at the back, with Stannard remaining at 10 after a couple of great displays. Brett Sheehan returns at 9, with Brown coming back to number 8.
Reds: 15. Jono Lance, 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Will Chambers, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Rod Davies, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Radike Samo, 7. Liam Gill, 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. Ben Coridas, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Dom Shipperley.
IN: Lance, Chambers, Davies, Gill
OUT: Lucas, A Faingaa, Ioane, Coridas
Four changes to the Reds side, with Coridas’ demotion the only one not forced by injury.
Recent History: Force 2 – 3 Reds. The Reds won a nailbiter at Suncorp in Round 1 21-20. Worth noting that the Reds have been flogged both times they have played in Perth, 39-7 in 2009 and 38-3 in 2007.
Last 5: Force LxDLW, Reds WWxWL
Hornet’s Tip: The Force stuck at their task really well last week and in spite of being behind for long periods, burgled that game from the Clan. The pack is firing and the halves inspiring. I would expect them to want to give the Reds a torrid time this weekend in their last home game for the season. Expect the battle at the break down to be brutal. The Reds inexplicably lost last weekend, to a team who had shown very little to that point. Perhaps it was that old cliche of the game they had to lose. Perhaps, but they wont’ want a repeat, or we’ll be saying same old same old. I don’t think we will though. They are a quality unit this season and have won some big games. I’m expecting them, even with their injury troubles, to sneak home by 5.
Odds: Force $2.57, Reds $1.52
Sunday 12th June
Lions v. Sharks @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg 1:05am AEST
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Dylan Des Fountain, 13 Doppies La Grange (c), 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Butch James, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Derek Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Wikus van Heerden, 4 Franco van der Merwe/David De Villiers, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 David De Villiers/David Bulbring, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Michael Killian.
IN: Hollenbach, Bondesio
OUT: Jantjies, Kockott
Just a few changes for the Lions, with mercurial flyhalf Elton Jantjies dropping to the bench.
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Eugene van Staden, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Marcel Coetzee, 20 Freddy Michalak, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Adrian Jacobs.
IN: Botes, Mtawarira, Coetzee
OUT: Alberts, B du Plessis
Alberts drops out of the 22, while Beast comes in and Bismarck has a week on the bench.
Recent History: Lions 0 – 5 Sharks. The Lions are yet to beat the Sharks in Super Rugby, with the Sharks winning comfortably 27-3 at home in Round 8.
Last 5: Lions LWLWL, Sharks WxLWW
Hornet’s Tip: One of a couple of pivotal games in the Republic this week. The Lions don’t have a huge amount to play for, but their opposition sure do. To be fair, the Lions have been a lot better in the last couple of weeks and cracked a good win against the Clan. The Sharks are in an absolute dog fight with the Bulls and Tahs for a top six position. Expect them to try and turn on the power early to soften up the Lions and then spin the ball wide to chase a bonus point. They’ll need to, as they face the Bulls next week. Sharks by 10.
Odds: Lions $3.85, Sharks $1.27
Stormers v. Bulls @ Newlands, Cape Town 3:10am AEST
Stormers: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Jean De Villiers, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Rynhardt Elstadt, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Wicus Blaauw Reserves: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Anton van Zyl, 20. Nick Koster, 21. Dewaldt Duvenage, 22. Juan de Jongh
IN: Bekker, D Fourie, Kitshoff, Duvenage
OUT: Van Zyl, Liebenberg, Schreuder, Rose
Andries Bekker and Deon Fourie make their return to the starting side.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 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 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling. Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuun, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stephen Dippenaar
IN: Potgieter, Kuun
OUT: B Botha
Bakkies is out with injury, so Rossouw slots in to the second row and Potgieter takes over on the blindside.
Recent History: Stormers 3 – 2 Bulls. The Stormers beat the Bulls at Loftus in Round 5 this year, taking it out 23-13.
Last 5: Stormers LLWWW, Bulls xWWWW
Hornet’s Tip: Massive game this, not only in the context of the season, but also in terms of the rivalry. The Stormers can more or less assure themselves of top spot in their conference by winning and will be feeling pretty good after a successful tour. They took plenty of the points on offer and put a gap between themselves and the other sides. Their pack is superb and the backline not bad either. The Bulls are hanging on right now, but their destiny is still in their hands if they keep winning. There have been some signs in recent weeks that their pack has awakened and they still have some good finishers out wide. I still reckon the Stormers will take this, but only just and by 4.
Odds: Stormers $1.62, Bulls $2.32
The Bet: The underdogs got us home yet again, and as a result we are now sitting on a $66 profit. This week we are flipping the tables though and taking a couple of favourites who I think will win well. The first are the Chiefs, who are really hitting form at the back end of the season. With the Hurricanes in turmoil this week I expect them to win in a canter. The second is the Brumbies, who will be keen to even the ledger with the Rebels and give Giteau, Chisolm and AAC a great sendoff. So
Take a multi of the Chiefs -7.5 into the Brumbies 13+ at $4.26 with Centrebet
Who are you tipping?
