Super Rugby 2016: Round 5 Predictions

Hurricanes vs Kings

Sadly, the Kings’ season is going largely as everyone expected it to. Their opening three fixtures have yielded losses by margins of 35, 34 and 33. The Canes have hit some form in the last two games and there’s no reason to think they won’t win this at a canter. Hurricanes by 45.

Chiefs vs Force

The Chiefs return home from a brief but successful tour with two wins from two. The Force remained competitive against the Canes last week until the last half hour, when the hosts ran amok. Fatigue might be a factor for the Chiefs after their travels, so they may not pull away from the Australian side as the Hurricanes did last weekend, but they will still be strong enough to get the win. Chiefs by 12.

Rebels vs Highlanders

The un-fancied Rebels have quietly put together a run of three victories from their opening four games, with their most impressive coming in Japan last weekend as the ran roughshod all over the Sunwolves. The Highlanders, however, present a wholly more difficult challenge, and although they allowed the Waratahs back into the game last weekend after storming to a 30-0 lead, the defending champions are playing too well at the moment to do so again. Highlanders by 6.

Sunwolves vs Bulls

The Sunwolves have made a decent start to life in Super Rugby, with a one point loss to the Cheetahs in round two showing they can be competitive when they get it right. The problem is, their set piece has looked wobbly, and against a team as powerful as the Bulls, that makes their chances of victory here slim. Bulls by 9.

Cheetahs vs Brumbies

The Brumbies were brought crashing back down to earth by the Stormers in the last round, as they failed to even garner a losing bonus point. The Cheetahs represent a different challenge, less robust up front but more willing to give the ball some air and play an open game. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Brumbies can play that way very well. Despite having lost on their last two visits to Bloemfontein, it should be a comfortable away win. Brumbies by 15.

Sharks vs Crusaders

A tricky pick, this one. The Sharks remain the only unbeaten side in Super Rugby but will be reeling from an astonishing finish against the Bulls, which essentially saw them grab a draw from the jaws of victory. The Crusaders pummelled the Kings in the last round, but that tells us very little. They humped the Sharks on last year’s visit to Durban, but they are a team in transition this season, and without the forward dominance they usually enjoy in New Zealand, they could struggle. Sharks by 5.

Jaguares vs Stormers

The Jaguares are rapidly becoming everyone’s second favourite team, with their commitment to throwing the ball around and offloading bordering on the insane at times. Sadly it has not yielded too many wins in their opening couple of games. This will certainly be the biggest test of the Stormers’ mostly watertight defence so far, however, but the visitors’ greater precision should ultimately see them through – just. Stormers by 2.

Reds vs Waratahs

It has been an inauspicious start for the Waratahs, with two losses from three so far, including last weekend’s unreal game which saw them 0-30 down against the Highlanders after 50 minutes. They salvaged a losing bonus point, but will not be happy. The Reds have shown progress under their new, albeit temporary, management, and a draw against a dangerous team like the Blues represents a success. They haven’t beaten the Tahs since 2013, however, and it’s difficult to see that changing this season. Waratahs by 11.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images