Blues vs Waratahs
A tough one to call first up on the final weekend of regular season action. Assuming the Brumbies beat the Force later on, the Tahs need a bonus point (and for their rivals not to get one) to top the Aussie conference and make the quarter-finals. The trouble is, they’ve not won in Auckland since 2009, and the Blues were in insatiable form in demolishing the Brumbies last weekend. Conditions look like they will be poor, which could play into the visitors’ hands – I think they could sneak a win, but I’m not convinced it’ll be enough for them to qualify. Waratahs by 3.
Reds vs Rebels
An Australian dead rubber, which right now is not going to get the juices flowing. The Rebels have more wins to their name this season, but they have shipped 142 points in their last two games. 142! There’s a good chance they’re on the beach already, and for that reason the Reds must be favourites to win at home. Reds by 6.
Sharks vs Sunwolves
The Sharks need a win at home to Sunwolves to guarantee themselves qualification as the eighth seed for the play-offs. They’ve had a tough schedule and plenty of injuries this season, so even though they’d be unlikely to win an away knockout game, they’ll probably view the season as a success. They should get the win they’re looking for at home to the Japanese new boys. Sharks by 45.
Crusaders vs Hurricanes
Both of these two can still feasibly top the Kiwi log, but are already qualified for the knockouts anyway. So, with a bit of luck we’ll be in for a classic Kiwi derby, with tries and running rugby aplenty. The Crusaders have lost just once at home this season, on the opening day to the Chiefs, while three of the Canes’ four losses have come away from home. For that reason, I’m backing the Crusaders at home. Crusaders by 5.
Highlanders vs Chiefs
Again, both of these sides will qualify for the knockouts; again, both could feasibly finish atop the standings. And again, it all points towards what should be a hugely entertaining Kiwi derby (aren’t we being spoiled this weekend?). The Highlanders have a great record in this fixture, winning each of the last five instalments including earlier in the season in Hamilton. But conversely, the Chiefs have lost just once on the road this season, and I can’t escape the feeling that they’re building an insatiable momentum as we head into the business end. I reckon they’ll sneak a win and confirm top spot on the log. Chiefs by 2.
Brumbies vs Force
The Brumbies will know what they have to do coming into this one; essentially, they will have to match or better whatever the Waratahs manage against the Blues on Friday. Given they have much the easier fixture, at home to the hapless, flailing Force, the smart money is on the Brumbies to bounce back from last weekend’s horror show in Auckland and stroll through to the knockouts. Brumbies by 21.
Stormers vs Kings
The Stormers are one of few qualified teams to know their exact fate; they will top their conference, but not the African group, which will still be enough to bag a home quarter-final. And frankly, given their nice schedule and presence in the easier conference, anything else would have been a disappointment. Other than Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit they are expected to name a full strength side, which should see them finish the regular season with a rout of whipping boys the Kings. Stormers by 40.
Cheetahs vs Bulls
The Bulls’ hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals are still flickering faintly, but they are relying on a hugely unlikely loss at home to the Sunwolves for the Sharks. All they can do is go out and win, and then hope a miracle happens. They have a fairly good record against the Cheetahs, and given the men from Bloemfontein have nothing left to play for, the Bulls should overcome a fairly poor away record to get a win. Bulls by 6.
Jaguares vs Lions
The Lions have bagged a home quarter-final well ahead of time, and so have rested almost their entire first choice squad for this one game tour to Argentina (a trip which sums up the ludicrous nature of this Super Rugby season in a nutshell). It means that should they lose, they are likely to give up their place at the top of the overall leaderboard, which will have a massive impact on who they face in the quarter-finals. The Pumas will be hungry to finish their inaugural season on a high, and I can see them getting a win over what is essentially the Lions’ Currie Cup line-up. Jaguares by 5.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
I think Lions making huge mistake in resting so many players.
All looks fine except Lions game. My prediction will be Lions by 5+
The Lions have bagged a home semi or a home quarter? Surely they need to win next weekend before they can bag any kind of semi-final ;)
Ha well spotted, just checking you were all awake :)
Hehehe…only because the Sharks are my team and I’m secretly hoping they’ll stage a major upset ????
Ackermann knows what he’s doing,stil a strong Lions team watch them,the union is in a strong place!Lions4Life!Think the blues will beat the tahs and the landers the chiefs,going for my 3rd Gsp in a row let’s hope!
What are your predictions for this weekend?
The Lions have made the best choice under the circumstances. They play on Saturday and because it is a 26 hour trip will only return late Monday or early Tuesday.The Sharks play at home on Friday and will be well rested, resulting in an unfair contest if the Lions were still the log leaders.
Lions will do it Lions 4 Life
Lions should have rested half against Argies and the other half against Sharks and still win both
Yeah the smart thing about Ackers move is that the players r just trying to prove themselves so the added pressure isn’t as much if a factor
After the way the blues played against the brumbies it is hard to see them loosing against the tah’s
Eddie Jones should keep one eye on Piers Francis at the blues
Oh well, Jamie, 2 right out of the first 6 is bad but it could have been worse. Just.
Mmmm. Mighty trick things these predictions.
Deemed the Blues @ home ought to have scraped it, but thought it could have gone either way for much of the time whilst viewing the game.
And conversely with the Hurricanes, couldn’t see them turning Canterbury over away. Ending up atop the Kiwi conference, who’d have guessed that 1? Not me.
Also, I thought the Chiefs would be just too clinical v the Highlanders. The yellow probably made a difference, but those Otago boys looked plenty tenacious & resilient to me.. although Waikato aren’t out of it yet.