Chiefs vs Sharks

The Sharks pulled off a shock win over the Highlanders last weekend but, in all honesty, had it not been for the early red card for Jason Emery, they would have lost. They made such hard work of beating a 14 man team that if the Chiefs – who are a more complete unit anyway – avoid any red cards, they should win comfortably. Chiefs by 12.

Force vs Bulls

A reasonably promising start to the season for the Force seems a long time ago now. Their hammering at home by the Waratahs was the nadir in a season of troughs. The Bulls, meanwhile, aren’t being talked about as title contenders, and yet they haven’t lost since round one. Given their respective form, this looks like a fairly simple away win. Bulls by 9.

Highlanders vs Brumbies

I picked the Brumbies to beat the Crusaders at home last weekend, and after the way that turned out, I won’t be making the same mistake again. The Highlanders have injury and suspension issues, but the men from Canberra are in the doldrums and it’s difficult to see them coming away from Otago with a win. Highlanders by 6.

Blues vs Rebels

Both of these sides have had stuttering seasons – neither has put together more than two wins in a row, and indeed only the Rebels have managed that once. The Blues will be refreshed after a week off, while the Rebels will be buoyed after their convincing win over the Cheetahs last time out. Home advantage is important to the Blues, and for that reason I’m backing them – but this one could really go either way. Blues by 5.

Reds vs Cheetahs

This is quite a difficult one to call. The Reds are showing themselves to be a tougher prospect to beat than earlier in the season, although they have just completed a fairly gruelling tour of South Africa. The Cheetahs have only beaten the Sunwolves and have been beaten fairly convincingly by most other sides. The Reds are not the Sunwolves. Reds by 3.

Lions vs Hurricanes

This is a real acid test for how far the Lions will go this season. The Crusaders stormed Ellis Park a few weeks ago, and the Hurricanes will have taken note of that. I picked the Lions in that game, and I feel like I should stick with them to come good against a Hurricanes side that perhaps lacks some of the structure and power of the Crusaders outfit. Whatever happens, it should be a belter of a game. Lions by 3.

Stormers vs Waratahs

It has not been a vintage season for the Waratahs, although their huge win away in Perth – against a Force side who had become something of a bogey team for them – will have restored a few smiles in camp. The Stormers somewhat lumbered to victory over the Reds last week, but they are yet to lose to any of the touring sides that they have played. At home, they should be strong enough. Stormers by 6.

Jaguares vs Kings

How disappointing have the Jaguares been? One win from their first eight games was not the return most of us saw coming for a side that possesses the core of the Argentina national team. Sure, they’ve had injuries and have rotated quite heavily, but they’ve still been hugely out of sorts. One from eight is more like what we expected from the Kings, and it’s what we’ve got. The home side simply has to win this one – to prove their worth, if nothing else. Jaguares by 15.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43