Hurricanes vs Stormers
The Hurricanes go from strength to strength, their second half blitzing of the Rebels last week giving them their sixth straight win in a row and leaving them three points clear of the Chiefs in the NZ conference, but crucially with a game in hand. This week they face one of their tougher challenges against the Stormers, a team they have not tasted success against since way back in 2009. The men from Cape Town also enjoyed as strong start to 2015 but consecutive losses has removed the sheen from that start and they can ill-afford another loss this weekend.
It will be on of the games that splits the SuperBru community, no doubt, but after they were outplayed by the Highlanders last weekend, and with the Canes welcoming back their big names, I can see them making it three losses in a row. Hurricanes by 6.
Rebels vs Reds
It has not been a good year thus far for the Australian conference, with three of its sides currently sitting in the bottom five of the overall log. Five points separates the Rebels and the Reds in 11th and 14th respectively, and that reflects that they have both been poor. The Rebels’ only ever victory over the Reds came last season, but away from home, and they duly lost the return fixture in Melbourne. Quade Cooper continues his recovery after an impressive return from injury but it wasn’t quite enough to give the Reds a win over the Lions last weekend.
With Cooper another step along the way to full fitness, and the coach’s job in the balance, I think the Reds will bag a face-saving win here. Reds by 3.
Chiefs vs Blues
This is a repeat of the round one fixture, which the Chiefs won by five points in Auckland. That result, combined with the fact that it sent the Blues on a winless run that is yet to end, makes the Chiefs heavy favourites for this one. The Blues have played some attractive rugby at times, but for whatever reason they cannot quite get themselves over the line. When you look at some of the talent they have – Tuipulotu, Kaino, Luatua, Piutau, Halai, to name but a few – it’s not really acceptable.
Their losing run is unlikely to come to an end at a place where they have not won since 2011. Chiefs by 12.
Brumbies vs Cheetahs
The Brumbies have had their momentum sapped somewhat, first by their humiliating loss to the Waratahs and then their bye week. They return with a game against the Cheetahs in which the visitors will look to match them play for play when throwing the ball around. The Cheetahs possess one of the smaller South African packs, however, and that will be where a Brumbies eight than punches above its weight can win the game for the home side.
It’s been a tough run of four losses on the bounce and with further negative injury news to add to what is already a crisis, the Cheetahs won’t find any respite in Canberra. Brumbies by 20.
Sharks vs Crusaders
This is shaping up to be the game of the weekend, although both sides rather underwhelmed in round seven. The Sharks made hard work of beating the Force at home in a game they really should have been targeting a bonus point, while the Crusaders were nowhere in their encounter with Bulls, losing by a convincing 12. All of which makes this a difficult pick. Last year the Sharks did the double in the regular season, only to be hammered in the play-off stages as the Crusaders reached the final.
It’s unlikely to be anything as convincing as the 32 point margin of victory that day, and the Crusaders’ poor away form allied with the Sharks’ returning Boks (who were rested last week) make the home side favourites in my eyes. Sharks by 2.
Lions vs Bulls
The Lions return home after an overwhelmingly positive tour that saw them win three out of four games overseas. They’ve played just two games at Ellis Park this year but have lost them both, but they do have a good recent record against the Bulls there, beating the men from Pretoria in the last two years, including the landmark 50-12 win in 2013. The Bulls, however, have reversed a poor start to the year to win their last four in a row, including an impressive victory over the Crusaders last weekend.
It’s another tough one to call, but a gruelling tour could have taken its toll on the Lions and I think they’ll take a week to find their legs again at home, allowing the Bulls to sneak a win here. Bulls by 5.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images