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 15th April
Chiefs v. Crusaders @ Baypark Stadium, Tauranga 5:35pm AEST
Chiefs: 15. Mils Muliaina (c), 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Richard Kahui, 12. Dwayne Sweeney, 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10. Mike Delany, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Fritz Lee, 7. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Liam Messam , 5. Isaac Ross, 4. Romana Graham, 3. Ben Afeaki, 2. Hika Elliot, 1. Toby Smith. Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche, 17. Nathan White, 18. Craig Clarke, 19. Scott Waldrom, 20. Taniwha Kerr-Barlow, 21. Tana Umaga, 22. Tim Nanai-Williams.
IN: Muliaina, Lee, Graham, Afeaki
OUT: Nanai-Williams, Tokula, Waldrom, Clarke, Retallick, White, Taumalolo
Mils Muliaina returns from injury, while Romana Graham, Fritz Lee and Ben Afeaki come into the starting fifteen.
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 (c), 7. Matt Todd, 6. George Whitelock, 5. Chris Jack, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Ben Franks. Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Richie McCaw, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Tom Marshall, 22. Adam Whitelock.
IN: Fotuali’i, B Franks, McCaw
OUT: Ellis, Crockett, Poff
Only a couple of changes for the Crusaders, with the most prominent being the return of Richie McCaw, albeit only to the bench.
Recent History: Chiefs 2 – 3 Crusaders. The Crusaders have won two on the trot against the Chiefs, winning 26–19 away last year.
Last 5: Chiefs LWLLx, Crusaders WWWxW
Hornet’s Tip: The Chiefs have a big task ahead of them this week. First, they have to hold the line in the pack and make sure they secure enough ball, then they have to stop the seemingly unstoppable, the Crusaders’ midfield. The Crusaders bashed the Bulls in a manner I’ve not seen for a good while. They probably left a few points on the pitch, but their defence was exemplary and the just smashed the Bulls in contact. You’d have to believe the men from the Tron are no chance. Cru by 20.
Odds: Chiefs $3.85, Crusaders $1.27
Rebels v. Highlanders @ AAMI Park, Melbourne 7:40pm AEST
Rebels: 15. Richard Kingi, 14. Lachlan Mitchell, 13. Mark Gerrard, 12. Stirling Mortlock (c) Jimmy Hilgendorf, 11. Cooper Vuna, 10. Danny Cipriani, 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. Adam Byrnes, 19. Tim Davidson, 20. Hoani MacDonald, 21. Luke Rooney, 22. Afusipa Taumoepeau
IN: Vuna, Blake, Tessman, MacDonald, Hilgendorf
OUT: Rooney, Betham, Henderson, Holmes, Cordingley, Mortlock
In late-breaking news Stirlo is out with a busted hip, with Jimmy Hilgendorf returning from injury to take his place. Cooper Vuna returns to the wing, while Hoani MacDonald comes back to the bench. Rodzilla comes in to the fifteen in place of Henderson.
Highlanders: 15. Ben Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Kendrick Lynn, 12. Shaun Treeby, 11. Siale Piutau, 10. Colin Slade, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. Alando Soakai, 6. Adam Thomson, 5. Jarrad Hoeata, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 3. Chris King, 2. Jason Rutledge, 1. Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: 16. Brayden Mitchell, 17. David Te Moana, 18. Tom Donnelly, 19. Nick Crosswell, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Robbie Robinson, 22. James Paterson.
IN: Smith, Mitchell
OUT: Cowan, Schwalger
Jimmy Cowan gets a rest of sorts this week, with Aaron Smith taking the no. 9 jersey.
Recent History: No history
Last 5: Rebels – LLWWx, Highlanders LLxWW
Hornet’s Tip: The battle of the two surprise packets of the competition. Both teams carry some good form into this game and it should be an absorbing contest. The Rebels came back well in their last start against the Force and showed some real ticker. They are a bit unfashionable but very committed, which goes a long way in this game. The Highlanders are getting better every week and are clearly the second-best team in NZ right now; with plenty of go-forward in the pack and a surprising amount of flair out wide. I think this will be close, and am tipping the Highlanders by 5.
Odds: Rebels $2.32, Highlanders $1.62
Saturday 16th April
Blues v. Waratahs @ Eden Park, Auckland 5:35pm AEST
Blues: 15. Isaia Toeava, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Jared Payne, 12. Luke McAlister, 11. Rene Ranger, 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. Tevita Mailau. Reserves: 16. Tom McCartney, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Filo Paulo, 19. Chris Lowrey, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Lachie Munro, 22. Benson Stanley
IN: Kaino, Mailau, Manu, Paulo
OUT: Lowrey, Luamanu, Woodcock
All Black behemoth Jerome Kaino returns to the back row and Tony Woodcock makes way with injury.
Waratahs: 15. Lachie Turner, 14. Tom Kingston, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Daniel Halangahu, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Ben Mowen, 7. Pat McCutcheon, 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm (c), 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Pat O’Connor, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Chris Alcock, 21. Brendan McKibbin, 22. Soseni Anesi.
IN: Kingston, Halangahu, Dennis, Ulugia, Anesi, O’Connor
OUT: Pakalani, Carter, Palu, Fitzpatrick
Plenty of changes for the injury-ravaged Tahs, with key men Carter and Palu the biggest casualties. Tom Kingston makes his debut and is faced with the arduous task of marking Rene Ranger. Also in the starting side are Halangahu and Dennis. Fresh from playing a couple of rounds of Sydney park footy with Hunters Hill, Sosene Anesi comes onto the bench to make his first appearance this season.
Recent History: Blues 1 – 4 Waratahs. The Tahs haven’t lost to the Blues since they went down 6–34 in Auckland back in 2007. Last year they took it out at home 39–32.
Last 5: Blues DWWWx, Waratahs xLWWW
Hornet’s Tip: The men from Auckland, like the Highlanders, have played some great footy this season. Their pack is superbly led by Mealamu and their backs are devastating, given any amount of quality ball. The Tahs have been a bit up-and-down but were dominant last weekend, especially in the pack, where they spanked the hapless Force. They will need to do two things in this game: starve the Blues of quick ball, and create plenty of opportunities themselves. This could be a high-scoring game, by one team or maybe both. Blues to take it by 10.
Odds: Blues $1.42, Waratahs $2.90
Reds v. Bulls @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:40pm AEST
Reds: 15. Luke Morahan, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Radike Samo, 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. Liam Gill, 20. Jake Schatz, 21. Ben Lucas, 22. Will Chambers.
IN: S. Faingaa, Holmes, Schatz, Lucas
OUT: Hanson, Shepherdson, Houston, Prior
Just one change to the starting lineup, with Saia Faingaa replacing James Hanson.
Bulls: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Stephan Dippenaar, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Derick Kuün, 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. Danie Russouw, 19. Deon Stegmann, 20. Fourie du Preez, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Akona Ndungane.
IN: van den Heever, Dippenaar, Kuun, Ralepelle, Ndungane
OUT: Pretorius, du Preez, Stegmann, Botha, van der Merwe
Plenty of changes for the Bulls, with FdP being benched in favour of fellow Springbok Francois Hougaard. Chiliboy comes in for Botha, while Dippenaar replaces the injured Pretorius.
Recent History: Reds 3 – 2 Bulls. The Bulls have not won in Brisbane since 2004, with the Reds taking out the last three games held there. Last year’s grinding 19–12 win was a triumph for the Reds against the eventual Super champions.
Last 5: Reds xWWWW, Bulls xLWWL
Hornet’s Tip: The Reds were magnificent in a tight one last week against the leagu-leading Stormers. Challenges don’t come much bigger than winning at Newlands and the Reds just strangled the life out of the men from the Cape. They’ll need to do something similar against the Bulls this week, as the physical challenge at the breakdown will every bit as big. The Bulls came away from Timaru a battered and bloodied team. I’ve not seen them so physically dominated in many a long day. They’ve looked sluggish this season and quite honestly have probably got away with it a bit so far. They’ll need to lift their game considerably against a Reds team with their tails up and playing at home; in particular, more committment is needed at the breakdown and the gain line. Reds by 6.
Odds: Reds $1.37, Bulls $3.15
Sunday 17th April
Lions v. Stormers @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg 1:05am AEST
Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies La Grange (c), 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Wikus van Heerden, 4 David de Villiers, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Dries van Schalkwyk, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute
IN: Killian, Francis, Rhodes, Grobbelaar, de Villiers, van Heerden, Adriaanse, Bezuidenhout, van Schalkwyk
OUT: Kamana, Pretorius, Minnie, Strauss, van der Merwe, Earle, Marutulle
Plenty of changes for the Lions, the main ones being the loss of pivotal backrowers Strauss and Minnie to injury.
Stormers: 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Gio Aplon, 10. Gary van Aswegen, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (c), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: 16. Ethienne Reynecke, 17. Brok Harris, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Nick Koster, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Lionel Cronje, 22 . Johann Sadie.
IN: Jantjes, de Jongh, Steenkamp, van der Linde, van Zyl, Sadie, van Aswegen, Cronje
OUT: Habana, de Villiers, Elstadt, Harris, Grant
The Stormers lose key men Habana, de Villiers and Elstadt with injury. They have very able replacements though in Jantjes, de Jongh and Steenkamp. Peter Grant is a late withdrawl with a minor knee injury.
Recent History: Lions 0 – 5 Stormers. The Stormers have been all over the Lions, with last year’s 26–13 result continuing this trend.
Last 5: Lions WLLLL, Stormers WWWWL
Hornet’s Tip: The Lions were awful against the Sharks last week and got done cold. Whatever they have been building in Jo’burg has started to crumble a bit and the Sharks took full advantage. The Stormers had a reality check last week against a team who wanted it a lot more than they did. They were also pretty undisciplined. Even with all that, you’d just about bet your house on them this weekend. Stormers by 16.
Odds: Lions $4.50, Stormers $1.21
Cheetahs v. Hurricanes @ Vodacom Park, Bloemfontain 3:10am AEST
Cheetahs: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Burger 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Barry Geel, 11. Rayno Benjamin, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 7. Ashley Johnson, 6. Kabamba Floors, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp (c), 4. Francois Uys, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen. Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Martin Muller, 19. Leon Karemaker, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Corne Uys.
IN: Geel, Benjamin, Strauss
OUT: Louw, Smit
A couple of changes for the Cheetahs, the most prominent being the return of first-choice captain Adriaan Strauss to the bench.
Hurricanes: 15. Andre Taylor, 14. Alapati Leiua, 13. Jayden Hayward, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9. Tyson Keats, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Jack Lam, 6. Serge Lilo, 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Michael Bent, 2. Andrew Hore (c), 1. John Schwalger. Reserves: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Neemia Tialata, 18. Jason Eaton, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. Chris Eaton, 21. Beauden Barrett, 22. Charlie Ngatai
IN: Hayward, Kirkpatrick, Broadhurst, Bent, Barrett
OUT: Smith, Cruden, J. Eaton, Tialata
The Hurricanes have lost key players Conrad Smith and Aaron Cruden with injury, while Cory Jane remains unavailable due to the pending birth of his third child.
Recent History: Cheetahs 2 – 3 Hurricanes. The Cheetahs have pinched a few games off the Canes, and won 28–12 at home in this game last year.
Last 5: Cheetahs LWLLL, Hurricanes – WLLLL
Hornet’s Tip: The Cheetahs might have snatched an unlikely win last start and could have come away feeling a little stiff about the result. Their task gets a little easier this week, playing at home and against the Hurricanes. The Canes were pretty awful last week and frankly have been that way most of the season. Two teams with fairly ordinary records in 2011 should make the game pretty close. In a tight one, I’m tipping the Canes by 3.
Odds: Cheetahs $1.95, Hurricanes $1.87
Brumbies v. Force @ Canberra Stadium, Canberra 4:10pm AEST
Brumbies: 15. Matt Toomua, 14. Pat McCabe, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Francis Fainifo, 10. Matt Giteau (c), 9 Josh Valentine, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Peter Kimlin, 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. Ben Hand, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. Anthony Hegarty, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Elvis Levi, 17. Salesi Ma’afu, 18. Colby Faingaa, 19. Julian Salvi, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Tyrone Smith, 22. Adam Ashley-Cooper.
IN: McCabe, Fainifo, Faingaa, Palmer, Levi
OUT: Speight, Ashley-Cooper, Salvi, Ma’afu
A couple of changes, AAC is nursing injury and hasn’t trained all week. Speight is out for a couple of months, with McCabe returning to the starting side in his place.
Force: 15. Pat Dellit, 14. David Smith, 13. Rory Sidey, 12. James O’Connor, 11. Nick Cummins, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. Jono Jenkins, 6. Richard Brown, 5. Nathan Sharpe (c), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Tim Fairbrother, 2. Nathan Charles, 1. Kieran Longbottom. Reserves: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Pek Cowan, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Tevita Metuisela, 20. James Stannard, 21. Gene Fairbanks, 22. Alfie Mafi
IN: Dellit, Sidey, Longbottom
OUT: Shepherd, Fairbanks, Cowan
Cam Shepherd is out injured, with Dellit making his starting debut. Sidey comes in at 13 and JOC moves to 12.
Recent History: Brumbies 3 – 2 Force. These two sides have had a fairly close history, with the last two results going to the away side: the Brumbies won 24–15 in the west last season, and the Force took out the 2009 version 25–16 in Canberra.
Last 5: Brumbies xLLLW, Force DWLLL
Hornet’s Tip: Finally a win for the Brumbies last weekend, even if it was against a pretty ordinary Canes team. They looked a bit sluggish and really made hard work of it. Fortunately, for the second week in a row they are playing a team who are worse than they are. The Force were terrible against a physically dominant Tahs outfit in Perth. They showed little and produced even less. A substantial improvement is required, especially in contact. They also need to get O’Connor closer to the ruck — he is not a fullback. Brumbies by 4.
Odds: Brumbies $1.37, Force $3.15
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: Last week the Waratahs pulled a great display of rugby out of their arse, and as a result we are now resting on just a $17 profit. Not to worry though, we are still sitting pretty with plenty of time left in the comp. This week we have another couple of selections that are bound to come in. The first is the Crusaders 13+ against the Chiefs. The Crusaders have steamrolled everybody in their path this past month-and-a-half, and I expect the Chiefs to be no different. The second selection is the Cheetahs to beat the Hurricanes at home, after putting up a couple of gutsy displays in New Zealand. The Canes look listless and I expect the Cheetahs to take it in a tight one. So:
Take the Crusaders 13+ into the Cheetahs at $4.17 with Centrebet
Whom are you tipping this weekend?
