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 18th March
Chiefs v. Sharks @ Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5:35pm EDST
Chiefs: 15. Tim Nanai-Williams, 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Richard Kahui, 12. Tana Umaga, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Liam Messam (c), 7. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Scott Waldrom , 5. Isaac Ross, 4. Craig Clarke, 3. Nathan White, 2. Hika Elliot, 1. Ben May . Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Sona Taumalolo, 18. Romana Graham, 19. Fritz Lee, 20. Taniela Moa, 21. Mike Delany, 22. Dwayne Sweeney.
IN: Kahui, Elliot
OUT: Sweeney, Willison, de Malmanche
A few minor changes for the Chiefs, the main one being All Black Richard Kahui returning from injury to bolster the midfield. Elliot and de Malmanche trade places.
Sharks: 15. Louis Ludik, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Stefan Terblanche, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. John Smit (c). Reserves: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Anton Bresler, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Conrad Hoffmann, 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22. Adrian Jacobs.
IN: J. du Plessis
OUT: Mtawarira
Just the one small change for the Sharks, with John Smit moving to loosehead, while the Beast drops to the bench and Jannie du Plessis comes in to wear the 3 jersey.
Recent History: Chiefs 2 – 3 Sharks. A pretty close history between these two sides, with the Chiefs taking last year’s match 19–18 in Durban. There have been no real blowouts so expect a close one.
Hornet’s Tip: The Chiefs are coming off a loss at the Cake Tin last week and will be happy to be back in the Tron. They will need to front up hugely in the forwards against a Sharks team that are undefeated on this tour. Admittedly they were a little fortunate against the Rebels last week, who gave them a mighty scare in Melbourne. The team who wins the battle at the breakdown and starves the opposition of the ball wins this. Sharks by 5.
Odds: Chiefs $1.85, Sharks $1.97
Reds v. Rebels @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 8:40pm EDST
Reds: 15. Ben Lucas, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Anthony Fainga’a, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia; 8. Leroy Houston, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 5. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. James Slipper, 2. Saia Fainga’a, 1. Ben Daley. Reserves: 16. James Hanson, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Radike Samo, 19. Ed Quirk, 20. Liam Gill, 21. Mike Harris, 22. Luke Morahan.
IN: Tapui, Wallace-Harrison, Samo
OUT: Chambers, Humphries
Van Humphries is out for a week or two with a thumb injury, with AWH and Samo coming in to fill his shoes. Ben Tapuai comes in at OC to replace the out-of-form Will Chambers.
Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (vc), 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Alister Campbell, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson. Reserves: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Hugh Pyle, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Luke Rooney.
IN: Taumoepeau, Chamberlain, Davidson, Byrnes, Betham
OUT: Gerrard, Lipman, O’Neill
A few injury-forced changes from the Rebels, with key men Gerrard, Lipman and O’Neill all ruled out with injury. Sipa Taumoepeau, Tom Chamberlain and Adam Byrnes are their starting replacements.
Recent History: None.
Hornet’s Tip: The Reds have had a week off after a solid, but not altogether convincing, win against the Brumbies. Suncorp is a happy hunting ground for them, but they need to find some spark in that midfield. The Rebels are going better than many expected and were perhaps a little stiff to not win last week. It’s a bit hard to pick this one, but I’m going with the Reds on their home track by 8.
Odds: Reds $1.09, Rebels $7.60
Saturday 19th March
Highlanders v. Crusaders @ Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin, 3:30pm EDST
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 James Paterson, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Tony Brown, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Adam Thomson , 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Chris King. Reserves: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray/Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Alando Soakai, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Telusa Veainu.
IN: Te Moana, Schwalger, Donnelly, Brown, Crosswell
OUT: Mackintosh, Rutledge, Soakai, Robinson, Hardie
A few changes for the Highlanders, with prop Jamie Mackintosh bracketed on the bench pending a fitness test. All Black Tom Donnelly returns to the starting side after a couple of weeks on the bench. Veteran Tony Brown gets his first chance starting in the 10 jersey.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Adam Whitelock, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 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 Chris Jack, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Zac Guildford.
IN: Thorn, B Franks, Fotuali’i, Guildford
OUT: Jack, Crockett, Heinz, Marshall
Thorn and Ben Franks come off the bench, while Fotuali’i and Guildford return from injury to take places on the bench.
Recent History: Highlanders 2 – 3 Crusaders. The Highlanders have a surprisingly good record against the Crusaders considering they have been largely at opposite ends of the table. The Dunedin men chalked up wins in 2008 and 2009, with the Crusaders taking last year’s match 32-17.
Hornet’s Tip: This has the makings of an absolute blockbuster, with the two red hot teams in the competition up against each other. The Highlanders have been terrific this season so far and have added some flair to their very willing pack. The Crusaders, on the other hand, have put the troubles in ChCh behind them and actually lifted a gear, none more so than in their wins against the Tahs and Brumbies. They are playing some breathtaking footy at the moment and I’m tipping them to win by 10.
Odds: Highlanders $4.50, Crusaders $1.21
Blues v. Hurricanes @ Eden Park, Auckland, 5:35pm EDST
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Benson Stanley, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Kurtis Haiu, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Matt Luamanu, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
IN: Brett, Mathewson, Saili, L. Braid, Haiu, Afoa, Mailau, Paulo, Luamanu, Smylie, Munro
OUT: Rokocoko, Morland, Lowrey, Faumuina (dropped), D. Braid, Williams (both injured)
Pat Lam gets change-happy after the tepid effort against the Force. Williams and Braid are both out with injury, while Saili returns from a head knock in place of Lowrey. Rocokoco, Morland and Faumuina are out of the 22 altogether.
Hurricanes: 15. Cory Jane, 14. Julian Savea, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Andre Taylor, 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9. Chris Eaton, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Jack Lam, 6. Faifili Levave, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (c), 1. John Schwalger. Reserves : 16. Dane Coles, 17. Anthony Perenise, 18. James Broadhurst, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Jayden Hayward.
IN: Nonu, Kirkpatrick, Levave, Thrush
OUT: Hayward, Ngatai, Cruden, Lilo, Broadhurst
Ma’a Nonu (remember him?) comes back from a suspension that seemed like years yet was only one week. Kirkpatrick comes in for Cruden at pivot, while Serge Lilo is out with a knee injury. Jeremy Thrush returns from injury, pushing James Broadhurst to the bench.
Recent History: Blues 1 – 4 Hurricanes. The Canes have had the wood on the Blues over the last five years. The matches have tended to be high-scoring encounters — last year’s 34–20 scoreline was typical, with the Hurricanes walking away with the bikkies.
Hornet’s Tip: Another potentially absorbing contest. The Blues were their own worst enemies last week against a Force team who got up in their faces, but the visitors dropped a lot of pill unnecessarily. They were lucky to get a draw. The Canes on the other hand were pretty good value against the Chiefs, and I think they’ll fancy their chances in this game. There should be plenty of attacking footy, as both teams like to run the ball. Canes by 7.
Odds: Blues $1.72, Hurricanes $2.15
Waratahs v. Cheetahs @ SFS, Sydney, 7:40pm EDST
Waratahs: 15. Kurtley Beale 14. Afa Pakalani 13. Lachie Turner 12. Tom Carter 11. Drew Mitchell 10. Berrick Barnes 9. Luke Burgess 8. Wycliff Palu 7. Pat McCutcheon 6. Ben Mowen 5. Kane Douglas 4. Dean Mumm 3. Al Baxter 2. John Ulugia 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick 17. Sekope Kepu 18. Sitaleki Timani 19. Dave Dennis 20. Brendan McKibbin 21. Daniel Halangahu 22. Ryan Cross
IN: Pakalani, Barnes, McCutcheon, Palu, Ulugia, Robinson
OUT: Horne, Waugh, Polota-Nau (all injured), Halangahu, Dennis, Kepu (benched)
A host of changes for the Tahs, with Horne, Waugh and TPN all out with injury. However there is something for Tahs fans to smile about with Berrick Barnes and Cliffy Palu returning from sideline stints.
Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Philip Snyman 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Fabian Juries, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Martin Muller, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen. Reserves: 16 Skipper Badenhorst , 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Frans Viljoen 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Francois Uys, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Naas Olivier.
IN: Juries, de Bruyn, Adriaanse, Viljoen
OUT: Benjamin, Pretorius, Calldo
A couple of minor changes to the Cheetahs, with halfback Pretorius making way for de Bruyn, and Fabian Juries returning to the starting side.
Recent History: Waratahs 4 – 1 Cheetahs. As you would expect the Tahs have a good record against the Cheetahs, with the Free Staters’ solitary win coming in 2007. Last year the Tahs had a comfortable 40–17 win at home.
Hornet’s Tip: This should be close based on form, but stranger things have happened. The Tahs had a week off after getting absolutely cuffed by the Cru. They were made to look a little soft and lacking in energy and will want to sharpen up their act. The Cheetahs have improved since last season but are still a bit off the pace. They will have a mighty job on their hands containing the Tahs’ runners. Tahs by 15.
Odds: Waratahs $1.05, Cheetahs $10.50
Sunday 20th March
Lions v. Force @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg 2:05am EDST
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Jannie Boshoff , 12 Waylon Murray, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Derrick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (c), 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Michael Rhodes, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Deon van Rensburg.
IN: Taute, Boshoff, van Rensburg
OUT: Kamana, la Grange
The Lions lose potent attackers Kamana and la Grange to injury, with Taute and Boshoff coming in to the XV to replace them.
Force: 15. Cameron Shepherd, 14. Alfie Mafi, 13. Nick Cummins, 12. Gene Fairbanks, 11. David Smith, 10. James O’Connor, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. Matt Hodgson, 6. Richard Brown, 5. Nathan Sharpe (c), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Tim Fairbrother, 2. Ben Whittaker, 1. Pek Cowan, Reserves: 16. Nathan Charles, 17. Kieran Longbottom, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Tevita Metuisela, 20. James Stannard, 21. Matt Brandon, 22. Pat Dellit
IN: Fairbrother, Hockings
OUT: Dunning, Jenkins
Matt Dunning is out of action with an ankle injury, and Tim Fairbrother has recovered from the injury he acquired in last week’s warm-up.
Recent History: Lions 1 – 3 Force. For the first three seasons these sides were separated by a bee’s proverbial, with a draw in 2006 followed by a one-point win to the Lions and a two-point win to the Force. The last two matches have been comfortable Force wins, however, with the Westerners winning 33–12 away last year.
Hornet’s Tip: The Lions have improved this season, though like the Cheetahs, they don’t have the results to show for it. They are getting better under John Mitchell, who’ll be pretty keen to get stuck into his old team this week. The Force will be on tour for the first time this season and they have a good record in the Republic. Their defence has been excellent and the back row is world-class. They will need to improve in attack, however, or the Lions midfield will cause them all sorts of trouble (La Grange has been terrific so far but is out injured this week and will be missed). Force by 5.
Odds: Lions $1.72, Force $2.15
Bulls v. Stormers @ Loftus, Pretoria 4:10am EDST
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius , 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp. Reserves: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip Van Der Merwe, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Derick Kuun, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Francois Brummer.
IN: B. Botha, G. Botha, Hougaard
OUT: Russouw, Kruger, Dippenaar, Snyman
The Bothas return — Bakkies to the starting side and Gary to the bench. Francois Hougaard also comes back from injury to the bench.
Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 . Juan de Jongh.
IN: Fourie, Blaauw, Reynecke
OUT: de Jongh, Ntubeni, Malherbe, van der Linde
A few tactical switches for the Stormers, with CJ and Juan de Jongh being benched for Blaauw and Fourie.
Recent History: Bulls 4 – 1 Stormers. With the exception of last year’s final round (in which the Bulls rested most of their side for the finals) the Bulls have had the upper hand against the Stormers. This match is a replay of last year’s grand final, which the Bulls won 25–17 at home.
Hornet’s Tip: Ahhh, a grand final replay and potentially a very good game. The Bulls have been off their usual pace this season and they will want to be right on it for this match. Their defence at times has been ordinary in the midfield and some of the handling not much better. I expect them to lift for this game though. The Stormers have just been putting along without creating too many headlines. They are a very handy team and I think they will give the Bulls and awful fright and in fact they are my pick, but only just, by 3.
Odds: Bulls $1.68, Stormers $2.21
Note: All of the teams are listed in convenient table form on our Ruggapedia. Add it as a favourite, as it will be updated as teams are released and late changes are made.
The Bet: Thanks to Mitch and his gutsy Lions we are back in a good place with a whopping $8 profit. Which doesn’t sound like much, but as noted sports betting fiend Confucius once said ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. Time to continue that journey in a round where I can see a few clear picks.
This week we are returning to the gentle embrace of our good friend the multi bet, taking a favourite and a bolter for a juicy dividend. The first leg is our bolter, the Western Force, who will come out firing after having the game stolen at the death by the Blues last week. With a good history against the Lions they should prevail in a tough encounter. The other leg is the defending champions, who will be looking to return to the winners’ circle after a loss to the Highlanders in their last game. They should get the job done against rivals the Stormers who have looked flat so far this year.
Take the Force into Bulls multi at $3.60 with Centrebet.
What’s your tip?
