Super XV Week 6 Preview

Despite the thrashing handed out to the defending champions last weekend matches in this year's Super XV remain close by and large - 74% of matches this season have finished with a winning margin of 7 or less.

Points Table after Round 5
Australian Conference

Position	Team	Played	Wins	Losses	Draws	Byes	Points For	Points Against	Points Difference	Bonus Points	Total
1	Brumbies	4	3	1	0	1	98	95	3	1	17
2	Reds	5	3	2	0	0	101	135	-34	1	13
3	Waratahs	5	2	3	0	0	127	113	14	5	13
4	Rebels	4	1	3	0	1	81	108	-27	2	10
5	Western Force	5	1	4	0	0	106	150	-44	3	7

New Zealand Conference

Position	Team	Played	Wins	Losses	Draws	Byes	Points For	Points Against	Points Difference	Bonus Points	Total
1	Chiefs	4	3	1	0	1	101	78	23	2	18
2	Highlanders	5	4	1	0	0	113	110	3	1	17
3	Hurricanes	5	3	2	0	0	145	130	15	3	15
4	Crusaders	4	2	2	0	1	90	90	0	2	14
5	Blues	5	1	4	0	0	103	124	-21	2	6

South African Conference

Position	Team	Played	Wins	Losses	Draws	Byes	Points For	Points Against	Points Difference	Bonus Points	Total
1	Stormers	4	4	0	0	1	105	74	31	0	20
2	Bulls	4	3	1	0	1	153	69	84	3	19
3	Sharks	5	2	3	0	0	114	109	5	4	12
4	Lions	4	1	3	0	1	94	111	-17	2	10
5	Cheetahs	5	1	5	0	0	121	156	-35	3	7

Week 6 Matches
Friday, March 30

Highlanders v Rebels - Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
The Highlanders suffered their first loss of the season in Canberra last weekend. They will be anxious to atone for that loss against the struggling Rebels, who currently sit 12th in the competition after beating fellow Aussie battlers the Rebels in round five to post their first win of the season.

For the Highlanders Colin Slade is out for the season with a broken ankle, more bad news for the pivot who missed most of last season with 2 broken jaws and was also invalided out of the World Cup. Flanker John Hardie needs surgery on a toe fracture so will also be out for a long time. Chris Noakes wears the 10 jersey by virtue of being the only man fit, with centre Tamati Ellison his back up. On a more positive note All Blacks Adam Thomson and Jarrod Hoeata return from injury to start in the pack, while Aaron Smith again pushes the Gloucester-bound Jimmy Cowan to the bench, and Jason Rutledge starts with Andrew Hore rested.

The Rebels welcome Kurtley Beale back from injury at fullback this week, while James O’Connor moves back to 10 with Lloyd Johansson at 12 as Danny Cipriani has a hamstring injury. The forward pack is unchanged.

At home the Highlanders should have too much grunt for the men from Melbourne. Highlanders by 10.

Hurricanes v Cheetahs - Westpac Stadium, Wellington
The Cheetahs’ Australasian tour moves on to Wellington this week. The South African strugglers will be pleased with their efforts on tour, having picked up a win and two losing bonus points down under so far, and another win could propel them back into contention in the South African conference. The Hurricanes’ good start to the season continued last week as a final minute try to skipper Conrad Smith and difficult conversion by Beauden Barrett earned them a rare win in Auckland.

Mark Hammett has opted to rest some players this week so lock James Broadhurst and second five-eighth Charlie Ngatai start their first matches of the season with Jeremy Thrush and Tim Bateman missing the 22. Karl Lowe returns from injury to start on the open-side.

The Cheetahs welcome Coenie Oosthuizen and WP Nel back to the starting fifteen after injury layoffs, while in the backs Naka Drotske has brought in winger Rayno Benjamin in place of Cameron Jacobs.

Resting players could backfire on the ‘Canes, though the Cheetahs’ willingness to kick the ball out and settle for a bonus point rather than chance their arm at the end of their match in Christchurch suggests a lack of killer instinct. Hurricanes by 10.

Chiefs v Waratahs - Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
The Chiefs return home to Hamilton after a bye last week to face the Waratahs who put in a solid performance at home to beat the Sharks.

The Chiefs welcome Asaeli Tikoirotuma back from bereavement leave on the wing, which allows Richard Kahui to start his 50th match for the Chiefs in midfield alongside the newly bald (for charity) Sonny Bill Williams. Hika Elliot is back from injury to start at hooker, while in a back row re-shuffle Liam Messam plays blindside and Samoan international Kane Thompson plays number 8.

The Waratahs have named an unchanged team this week, Brendan McKibbin’s man-of-the-match performance keeping him at half-back ahead of Sarel Pretorius even though Berrick Barnes’ groin strain is healed enough for him to take the kicking duties if required.

The Chiefs should be able to out-muscle the 'Tahs at home. Chiefs by 10.

Brumbies v Sharks - Canberra Stadium
The Sharks head down to Canberra licking their wounds after conceding three soft tries in their loss to the Waratahs last week. They face a Brumbies team who are very hard to beat at home, as they proved against the Highlanders last week. Much too many pundits’ surprise the Brumbies currently head the Australian conference, while the Sharks have fallen behind the Stormers and Bulls in the Republic’s pecking order.

Jake White has made a couple of changes to his winning team from last week. Tighthead Dan Palmer is rested, with Wallaby Ben Alexander swapping sides, and Irishman Ruaidhri Murphy earning his first Brumbies start at loosehead. Matt Toomua is back from injury at flyhalf, pushing Christian Lealiifano out to inside-centre and Pat McCabe to wing.

The Sharks welcome back Steven Sykes at lock and JP Pietersen at centre this week, while Jean Deysel returns to the bench. Patrick Lambie’s toothache means that Frederic Michalak starts at 10. A 5-2 split of forwards to backs on the bench signals the Durban side’s intentions.

This is a tough match to call, so once again I’ll resort to the home-team rule. Brumbies by 3

Force v Reds - nib Stadium, Perth
The Reds make a pit stop in Perth on their way home from a 60-point mauling in Pretoria. The Force are currently second-last on the table and will be stung by their narrow loss in Melbourne last week, so don’t expect David Pocock’s men to let up the pressure.

The Force have Wallaby Ben McCalman back from injury onto the bench, while an ankle injury to Sam Wykes sees Toby Lynn called up at lock. In the backs there's plenty of reshuffling on the bench with halfback Justin Turner and centre Will Tupou out, and Nick Cummins starting at centre.

Jono Lance broke his leg last week so former Force player Joel Rapana makes his starting debut for the Reds at centre in the only change to decimated backline. In the pack James Slipper, Van Humphries and Liam Gill start, while the lack of fit backs again dictate a 5-2 split on the bench.

The Reds’ injury list makes it hard to see past the Force, Force by 8

Lions v Crusaders - Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
The Crusaders start their African safari in Johannesburg fresh from a home win of the Cheetahs. They face a Lions side who will be stung by last week’s home loss to the Stormers that sees them languishing four places below their guests in 11th place.

The Lions team is yet to be named, but they have lost centre and vice captain Doppies la Grange for three months after elbow surgery this week, leaving them rather short on fit centres, and fullback Jaco Taute may play there again. With Elton Jantjes expected back from injury Butch James may play 12. Concussion fears have eased around captain Josh Strauss, while halfback Michael Bondesio is expected back from a thigh injury.

Dan Carter is back. After a strong performance off the bench last week DC wears the number 10 jersey for the first time this season, pushing Tom Taylor out to 12 and Ryan Crotty to the bench. Rotation in the pack sees Wyatt Crockett start ahead of Ben Franks at loosehead and George Whitelock starts at blindside with brother Luke benched.

My heart is saying Crusaders on this one, my head isn't so sure. But the bookies are heavily favouring the Red & Blacks so Crusaders by 6.

Stormers v Bulls - DHL Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
The Bulls fly down to Cape Town after thrashing the Reds for a matchup between the South African heavyweights, with the winner likely to be competition leader going into next week. The Stormers picked up a win in Johannesburg last week, and will be eager to hold on to top spot.

The Stormers have made a few tweaks to bulk up their pack, with Rynhardt Elstad returning to start at blindside; Duane Vermeulen shifts to 8, and Nick Koster to the bench as impact sub. Nizaam Carr, Scarra Ntubeni and the injured Gary van Aswegen drop out of the 22 with Deon Fourie and Burton Francis coming in.

The Bulls unsurprisingly retain the same starting fifteen who beat the Reds, their only change is forced by an injury to replacement hooker Willie Wepener, who is replaced by 21 year old Bongi Mbonambi.

This is my match of the round, and it’s a tough one to call. Stormers by 5.


BYE:
Blues

74% of the matches has been within 7 points.

Stormers

Stormers team: Joe Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana, Peter Grant, Dewaldt Duvenage, Duane Vermeulen, Rynhardt Elstadt, Siya Kolisi, Andries Bekker, Eben Etzebeth, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Frans Malherbe, De Kock Steenkamp, Nick Koster, Louis Schreuder, Burton Francis, Gerhard van den Heever.

Rynhardt elstad is moving to flank, with duane Vermeulen to 8, nick Koster to impact sub.

Only change to the matchday 22 is Gary van Aswegen with his injured ankle is replaced by Burton Francis.

elstad moving to flank bolsters the stromers line out options and also strengthens the pack with his size.

Cheers Biltong.

I'm hoping to leave work on time tonight (after late ones Friday Monday and Tuesda), will hopefully have a couple of hours at home on Journal stuff

Bulls

One change was made to the bench when Ludeke named his team on Wednesday, with replacement hooker Willie Wepener ruled out due to an infected nerve in his face.

Wepener was replaced by 21-year-old Bongi Mbonambi,


Vodacom Bulls team: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, Johann Sadie, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard , Pierre Spies (captain), Jacques Potgieter, CJ Stande, Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling .

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, JJ Engelbrecht.


"We did well last weekend against the defending Super Rugby champions, but now the only undefeated team in the competition waits," Ludeke said.

"The Stormers are an established outfit with a lot of experience and it will take a massive effort from us to beat them at home."

Cheetahs

Coenie Oosthuizen and WP Nel, both returning from injury. Piet van Zyl in the run-on XV for Saturday's game, with Tewis de Bruyn dropping to the bench.

Winger Rayno Benjamin was included in place of Cameron Jacobs, who dropped out altogether, and replacement centre Philip Snyman was recalled to the bench.

Naka drotske

"We know there is a lot of pressure on us to perform well against the Hurricanes," he said.

"We played well against the Crusaders even though we didn't get the victory, so the confidence is there.

"The Hurricanes are a different team and will really challenge us on defence.

"They are especially dangerous from their counter attacks, so we aren't underestimating them at all."

Sharks, no team news yet, but some of what Plumtree had to say.

“If we can force our game on them, if we can be more clinical at kick-offs, play all the basics of our game really well, especially defence, then we are a good enough side to win, because our attack is coming along nicely,” said Plumtree.

“You can see the South African influence coming through from Jake with the driving line-outs. And they play very direct rugby and are very aggressive on defence. They’re obviously focussed again on making sure their home ground stadium is the fortress it was in the past. We know what a massive challenge it is. Canberra is a place where we have had a lot of heartache.”

Plumtree lamented the “three soft tries” his team conceded against the Waratahs.

“We won’t be wanting to repeat that against the Brumbies. We were disappointed to let it slip. We were three points up 73 minutes into the game, and it should have been a lot more, but we got pretty tired around the three-quarter mark and faded quickly. All of our defensive indicators and measurements showed a big drop off.

“How much of that was down to the intensity of the game and how much to jetlag, I’m not sure, but we just couldn’t maintain what we needed to do. Every time the Waratahs put pressure on us on attack, we couldn’t stop their momentum. They gained metres all the time and when they were deep in our half, they threatened to score every time.”

Although the Sharks still battled at the kick-offs, Plumtree was pleased with the improvement made in the lineout, an area where his team have struggled all year.

“The Waratahs have a much taller pack than us but we won 12/12 of our own throw-ins, so that’s the best it’s been and we want to build on that,” said Plumtree.

Couple of teams still to be named, but not far off finished

soft tries in their loss - sharks vs brumbies


They will be anxious to set things to rights against the struggling - Highlanders vs rebels.

Either - atone for the loss
or
Set things right

Cheers