Super Rugby 2015 Predictions: Round 2

It’s Super Rugby predictions time again, which means you’d better have a coin at the ready after round one and its almost unbelievable set of upsets. Rather foolishly, we’re going to attempt to make some predictions again anyway, so read on.

Chiefs vs Brumbies

These are the only two sides that won in round one who were generally expected to. Their games were the only results that were not considered an upset on SuperBru. None of which makes it any easier to pick a winner this weekend. The Brumbies were immensely impressive as they dismantled the Reds, but the Chiefs will provide a much sterner test this weekend after their own rugged win over the Blues, orchestrated by precociously talented young fly-half Damien McKenzie.

The Brumbies were ominously good, however, and continuing the theme of last weekend – namely, away wins – I’m backing the visitors here. Brumbies by 3.

Rebels vs Waratahs

Last weekend the Rebels were expected to lose away to the Crusaders, while the Waratahs were comfortable favourites to beat the Force at home. Neither results came to pass and it makes this game infinitely more difficult to call. The Rebels impressed in Christchurch but the Crusaders were truly insipid, offering very little in the way of attacking insight and it’s tough to see the Waratahs being that bad this week. Certainly, for the reigning champions to lose two in a row at the beginning of the season would be almost unheard of, and they will be keen to send a message out this time.

For that reason, I don’t think the Rebels will back up their astonishing win from round one. Waratahs by 5.

Bulls vs Hurricanes

They don’t get any easier to predict. The Bulls were dire in their home loss to the Stormers in round one, failing to conjure a shred of attacking intent and losing at Loftus Versfeld, an event that doesn’t happen very often. The Hurricanes managed an impressive away win over the Lions, but they were helped by the home side trying to match them at their own expansive game. This weekend that is unlikely to happen, and ordinarily you would say that the Bulls’ power at the set piece might make the difference here, but they have some horrendous injury issues in the tight five and that means their prowess there is going to be compromised.

That said, the likelihood of them losing two in a row at Loftus are thin, especially against a Hurricanes side that are notoriously inconsistent. Bulls by 3.

Highlanders vs Crusaders

The Crusaders’ shock loss at home to the Rebels in the first game of the tournament meant everyone was able to dust off their favourite Super Rugby cliché: “Yeah, well, the Saders always start slowly, don’t they?” They played so poorly in a game that they were expected to win comfortably, especially with big names like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw featuring. The Highlanders had a bye and as such are an unknown quantity, but they were one of the surprise packages of last year and had the season’s standout player in Malakai Fekitoa.

Unless the Crusaders show a huge improvement from last week, it’s difficult to see them avoiding two losses in a row. Highlanders by 5.

Reds vs Force

Pleasingly, this one is a little easier to call. Of all the underwhelming performances from week one, the Reds were arguably the worst. Their 44 point loss has shattered all hope they had that this might be the season they return to past glories. Looking at the fixture list, they probably would have penned this one in as an opportunity to get things back on track with a sizeable win, but after last week’s results, that is far from the case. The Force were superb in demolishing the Waratahs in their own back garden, and will be flying high on confidence as a result.

That will be enough to see them past a Reds side who seem utterly devoid of ideas. Force by 9.

Stormers vs Blues

The Blues only have three home games in the opening eleven rounds of the season, so to lose last weekend against the Chiefs was a crushing blow. They now face the daunting task of travelling to Cape Town to take on a Stormers side who stormed Loftus Versfeld and will do very well to come away with anything from the game. The Stormers have had the better of this rivalry, having won three of the last four encounters, although they did not face each other last season.

This is one that has home win written all over it. Stormers by 10.

Sharks vs Lions

After the Cheetahs showed how fallible the Sharks can be last weekend, the Lions will fancy their chances in Durban. That said, they have never beaten the Sharks at their home, not since they switched their name from the Cats, anyway. The Sharks will be quick to move on from last week’s upset and desperately need a win to appease their fans. With Patrick Lambie in fine form, they need the others to step up and join him.

Both sides lost last weekend, but the Sharks are most likely to rectify that this time around. Sharks by 12.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43