Hurricanes vs Highlanders
Another week of Super Rugby, another very tricky Kiwi derby to pick first up. This is a repeat of last season’s final, which the Highlanders won to most people’s surprise. Both sides should be fresh after a week off, and the battle between Naholo and Savea on the wing should be worth the entry fee alone. It’s toss a coin territory, which means I’ll usually back the home side. Hurricanes by 3.
Waratahs vs Chiefs
The Waratahs’ resurgent run came to an end last weekend when they were downed by the Crusaders. They haven’t beaten a Kiwi side this season, having previously been denied by the Highlanders at home. The Chiefs returned to winning ways with a second-gear victory over the Rebels. They’ll need to step it up this weekend in Sydney, as the Tahs have won five of the last six meetings between the two sides – crucially, however, the last meeting between them was way back in 2014. The Chiefs are a much more complete side now than they were then. Chiefs by 2.
Kings vs Jaguares
The Jaguares’ miserable performances have been one of the great disappointments of this season. Their most recent ignominy came in the form of a 50 point drubbing by the Lions. The perfect tonic, however, is a game against the Kings, whom themselves lost by 53 points last week. The Jaguares put 73 points past the Kings in the Buenos Aires leg of this fixture, and while it won’t be the same margin, I still expect them to win in Port Elizabeth. Jaguares by 12.
Blues vs Crusaders
The Blues may sit bottom of the Kiwi conference, but they have won five of their last seven matches. They won’t roll over for the Crusaders, especially at home where they have lost just once this season. The Saders though have made mincemeat of many a side this season, especially those that cannot match them up front – as the Blues will undoubtedly struggle to do. Crusaders by 6.
Brumbies vs Sunwolves
The Sunwolves battled valiantly against the Reds, and scored some wonder tries in their 10 point loss. They are improving as the season goes on, but this will be another match that is beyond their capabilities for now. The Brumbies have injury issues – particularly in the backs – but those that are fit will be sufficiently rested from a bye week to blow the newbies away in Canberra. Brumbies by 25.
Stormers vs Cheetahs
The Stormers have slipped to fourth on the South African log and as it stands, would miss out on knockout rugby. Given the start they made to the season, this would not be acceptable to them, but one win in their last four has derailed their campaign somewhat. The Cheetahs have only beaten the Kings and the Sunwolves this season, and haven’t won at Newlands since 2006. The home side should get things back on track this weekend. Stormers by 18.
Bulls vs Lions
This is certainly up there with your most difficult picks this weekend. The Bulls lost all the statistical duels against the Stormers last weekend, yet proved to be much more clinical when opportunities popped up. The Lions have played much the better rugby this season, but they themselves have squandered many chances against the bigger teams. Their record at Loftus makes for dire reading – they have not won there since 2002. That said, I’m going to stick my neck out and say that their more exciting brand of rugby can get them over the line this weekend. Lions by 5.
Rebels vs Force
The weekend ends with an Aussie derby on Sunday morning between two of the bottom three sides in the Australasian conference. Of the two, the Rebels have looked far the more convincing this season, and given that they are at home, it’s difficult to see anything other than a reasonably convincing win for the men from Melbourne. Rebels by 12.
By Jamie Hosie
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The Lions without two key players will find to find suitable replacements at fly half and full back.This makes the Bulls favourite to clinch a nail biter.
The Lions still have Boshoff. The Bulls are stuck with Brummer.
he Lions without two key players will have to find suitable replacements at fly half and full back.This makes the Bulls favourite to clinch a nail biter.
Lions have used the rotation process for the last 2 years will easily get replacements for these guys although they are two vital players..
Mostly agree, but some of the margins seem extravagant; e.g., Brumbies & Stormers.
Also the Highlanders may squeeze a win, altho the Canes will likely still be smarting from losing in last yr’s final & so should be really ‘up’ for this 1.
As an aside & assuming the other 2 bloggers are Saffas, the lack of UK interest here seems incredulous to me. Surely it epitomises an insular attitude… & a weakness of course. Esp so as it also appears to permeate the (still) outmoded coaching style judging by the way the game continues to be played in the NH (4 instance, the Euro Cup final!).
Ah well, good for the SH I guess.
Don – of all your comments this is perhaps the silliest.
Firstly, a lack of comments does not demonstrate a lack of interest. It perhaps demonstrates a lack of the knowledge necessary to comment and perhaps a lack of passion. For example, I watch a few games of football because I find it interesting but I don’t really care who wins and I certainly wouldn’t bother posting on a blog about it. Or perhaps those in the UK interested in Super Rugby are posting elsewhere
Secondly, it is not easy to watch the games. They are on Sky and on early in the morning – so they cannot be watched unless you have Sky
Finally, this UK blog does a couple of weekly write-ups of predictions and results for the Super Rugby and I am sure I can find others in the UK that talk about Super Rugby. Perhaps you can point me to where http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby discusses the results of round 10 of the Premiership. Or if not, perhaps you can point to the informed discussion over http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/ s prediction of the Newcastle vs Worcester game in Round 15? Even The Roar who seem more wide ranging than most, only mention the Premiership in terms of southern hemisphere players who are plying their trade up here. Altough they did mention the result of the European Cup
As far as I can see the Southern Hemisphere is far more insular than the North
yep I agree with Pablitos post
I am very interested in these articles and always read the predictions and super rugby sections of the best of the weekend posts however I do not have Sky so can’t watch any of the games (plus I use up all the wifes good will as it is playing and watching AP/Euro games on BT sport).
Therefore as a result I do not feel well enough informed to venture an opinion on Super rugby articles either before or after the games. I read other articles and sources but without seeing the games it is very hard to form your own opinions or judge the validity/bias of the article you are reading.
If there was a super rugby highlights program aired on a freeview channel i would certainly watch it
I am from UK and am very interested in this tournament and have been for many years also a good friend of mine who follows league here watches a good deal of the Super Rugby matches and really enjoys them.
The main reason being (for both of us) is that the rugby seems far more open and expansive, handling skills seem better and there appears to be less resetting of scrums. The games just seem to be faster.
My personal opinion is that we (NH) do seem set in our ways, don’t deal with ‘broken play’ very well and rely heavily on set play.
The fact that players from the Argentinian and Japanese national teams are playing with and against some of the best players in the world each week should be a frightening prospect for us in the NH.
Ww now have SH coaches running our national teams, will that have a long term effect in the mentality of how the the game is played up here? Only time will tell. Scotland seem to be a bit more open nowadays.
Sorry. First post and a bit of a ramble but was interested in Don Ps post.
Always good to hear from a new poster outsider of the 10-15 regulars. We all ramble often and rant occasionally
I agree that there is definitely a difference in mind set between NH/SH with regards to the set piece vs broken play and I think that it all stems from a different level of handling/running skills coached from a very early age. If you don’t have the skills to play expansively you will mess it up leading to more set pieces also to win you will need to shut down your oppositions attack through strong defence and slowing the ball a the breakdown leading to slower games and less expansive rugby
Many a column inch has been filled about the merits of weight grading rather than age grading which could go someway to breaking down that mindset.
I think that it is scary to consider the progress Argentina have made since joining the rugby championship and including them and Japan in super rugby will only make their national teams stronger. If the NH doesn’t change soon the slide down the rankings will continue.