Its week fifteen in the Super Rugby competition. This weekend we have three games taking place on Friday and four games on Saturday. (Bye: Blues).
Crusaders vs Hurricanes: 09:35am Friday
Must see New Zealand derby: both teams are seperated by a point, with Crusaders on 46 points and Hurricanes on 45. These two sides have met 33 times in the competition, Crusaders have won 18, lost 12.
Crusaders by 6
Crusaders 1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Codie Taylor (VC) , 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Scott Barrett , 5. Quinten Strange , 6. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis , 7. Matt Todd (C) , 8. Jordan Taufua , 9. Bryn Hall , 10. Richie Mo’unga , 11. George Bridge , 12. Tim Bateman (VC) , 13. Jack Goodhue , 14. Seta Tamanivalu , 15. David Havili – Replacements : 16. Andrew Makalio ,17. Chris King,18. Dinald Brighouse,19. Luke Romano,20. Pete Samu,21. Mitchell Drummond ,22. Mitchell Hunt,23. Braydon Ennor
Hurricanes 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder , 14 Julian Savea , 13 Jordie Barrett , 12 Ngani Laumape , 11 Ben Lam , 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara , 8 Blade Thomson , 7 Ardie Savea , 6 Brad Shields (c) , 5 Sam Lousi , 4 Michael Fatialofa , 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Toby Smith – Replacements : 16 James O’Reilly , 17 Chris Eves , 18 Ben May , 19 Murray Douglas , 20 Reed Prinsep , 21 Finlay Christie , 22 Ihaia West , 23 Jonah Lowe
Rebels vs Sunwolves: 11:45am Friday
The last time these two teams met, the Rebels won convincingly away from home. However, the Moondogs have found some good form in the past two weeks, beating the Reds and Stormers respectively. Rebels will be tough at home ..
Rebels by 10
Rebels Fereti Sa’aga , Anaru Rangi , Sam Talakai , Matt Philip , Adam Coleman (capt.) , Angus Cottrell , Colby Fainga’a , Amanaki Mafi , Michael Ruru , Reece Hodge , Marika Koroibete , Billy Meakes , Tom English , Jack Maddocks , Dane Haylett-Petty – Replacements : Jordan Uelese , Ben Daley , Pone Fa’amausili , Geoff Parling , Lopeti Timani , Harrison Goddard , Tayler Adams , Sefa Naivalu
Sunwolves 15 Jason Emery, 14 Lomano Lemeki, 13 Michael Little, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Edward Quirk, 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Grant Hattingh, 5 Shinya Makabe, 4 James Moore, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Craig Millar – Replacements : 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Sam Wykes, 20 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Harumichi Tatekawa,
23 Semisi Masirewa
Jaguares vs Sharks – 21:40pm Friday
The Jaguares are out to make it 6 and O this Friday when they host the Sharks. History shows us that the Jaguares have never beaten the Sharks, home or away. I feel this is a different Jaguares side
Jaguares by 7
Jaguares – TBA
Sharks 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira – Replacements :16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22. Makazole Mapimpi
Chiefs vs Waratahs – 09:35am Saturday
Played 21 times, Chiefs have won 8 and lost 13 versus the Waratahs. Tahs will be in high spirits following their 41 – 12 victory over the Highlanders last weekend. Cooper has made seven changes to the Chiefs side that lost to the Sharks last week.
Chiefs by 5
Chiefs 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Nathan Harris , 3. Angus Ta’avao , 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Michael Allardice, 6. Luke Jacobson, 7. Mitch Karpik, 8. Liam Messam , 9. Brad Weber, 10. Damian McKenzie , 11. Sean Wainui, 12. Charlie Ngatai (C), 13. Anton Lienert-Brown , 14. Toni Pulu , 15. Solomon Alaimalo – Replacements : 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho , 17. Sam Prattley , 18. Jeff Thwaites , 19. Jesse Parete, 20. Matt Matich, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Marty McKenzie , 23. Shaun Stevenson,
Waratahs 1. Tom Robertson , 2. Damien Fitzpatrick , 3. Sekope Kepu , 4. Tom Staniforth , 5. Rob Simmons , 6. Will Miller , 7. Michael Hooper (C) , 8. Michael Wells , 9. Nick Phipps , 10. Bernard Foley (VC) , 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro , 12. Kurtley Beale , 13. Curtis Rona , 14. Cam Clark , 15. Israel Folau , Replacements : 16. Tolu Latu , 17. Harry Johnson-Holmes , 18. Paddy Ryan , 19. Jed Holloway , 20. Brad Wilkin , 21. Jake Gordon , 22. Lalakai Foketi , 23. Bryce
Reds vs Highlanders – 11:45am Saturday
Played 21 times, Reds have won ten and lost eleven.
Highlanders by 7
Reds 1. JP Smith , 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou , 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Harry Hockings , 6. Angus Scott-Young , 7. George Smith , 8. Scott Higginbotham (C) , 9. Ben Lucas , 10. Jono Lance, 11. Jordan Petaia, 12. Duncan Paia’aua , 13. Samu Kerevi , 14. Izaia Perese , 15. Hamish Stewart
Replacements : 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Sef Fa’agase , 18. Ruan Smith , 19. Kane Douglas , 20. Caleb Timu, 21. Liam Wright, 22. Moses Sorovi , 23. Aidan Toua
Highlanders Daniel Lienert-Brown , Ash Dixon (c) , Tyrel Lomax , Jackson Hemopo , Tom Franklin , James Lentjes , Dillon Hunt , Marino Mikaele Tu’u , Kayne Hammington , Lima Sopoaga , Tevita Li , Teihorangi Walden , Rob Thompson , Waisake Naholo , Josh McKay
Replacements : Greg Pleasants-Tate , Aki Seiuli , Kalolo Tuiloma , Josh Dickson , Liam Squire , Aaron Smith , Josh Ioane , Richard Buckman
Blue Bulls vs Brumbies – 15:05pm Saturday
Both franchises suffered heavy defeats last week. John Mitchell was not impressed with the Bulls performance last week, i’m sure we will see a different Bulls side this Saturday.
Bulls by 5
Teams – TBA
HEADLINE MATCH: Stormers vs Lions – 17:15pm Saturday
The Stormers have played the Lions 24 times in Super Rugby, they have won 15 and lost 8 with 1 draw.
The Cape Town side has really had an average season, the loss against Moondogs last weekend made things worse. The Lions on the other hand are finding their feet again following their convincing win over the Brumbies last week.
Lions by 7
TEAMS – TBA
