Super XV Round 6 Preview and Live match thread

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

First topic message reminder :

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

[Full Credit]

Force 45 - Reds 19.... dear oh dear.

All we need now is a loss to the rebels and our humiliation will be complete.

[Biltong]

It is amazing how the little things can go against a team.

I am watching the Lions vs the Crusaders.

Start of the game, Crusaders half their players in front of the kicker.

Lions on the attack, with the similar colour jumpers, Josh Strauss passes the ball to a Crusader 15 meters out.

The Lions on the attack, early tackle in the Crusaders 22, not seen so knock on given to the Crusaders.

Lions knock a ball back deep in their half, Referee Kaplan is 40 meters away and gives it as a forward knock.

None of them match changing, but nevertheless interesting

[Biltong]

Ah well the poor Lions tried, but they aren't going to beat the Crusaders in the next century.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Are the Crusaders back three going to be the next NZ back three? Dagg, Maitland and Guildford. Pretty classy players.

[Full Credit]

So close yet so far. The lions gave a good account of themselves tonight. They deserved that last penalty to go over for the bonus point but not to be.

God bless Kieren Read and Zac Guildford in the post match interview.... "Full credit to the boys".... warms my heart. No interview is complete without it.

[Full Credit]

Oh no, are the bulls really wearing pink?

[Full Credit]

When is the IRB going to get serious on rat's tails and mullets? Should be an immediate red card for running out onto the field with one of those.

[Taylorman]

Looks like the brumbies are holding up the Oz side of things. The depth thing really is becoming an issue over there. Hopefully it picks up when the boys get some home matches.

SA and Kiwi sides have gotta be happy with their sides.

Gosh that pink is terrible.

[Biltong]

Classic north vs south derby this. They'll go hammer and tongs at each other for 80 minutes.

[Biltong]

rat's tails

What's that?

[Full Credit]

Pretty much just like it sounds. I'll let the picture tell the story.

Link

I've seen the odd one pop up here and there and it needs to be eradicated.

[Biltong]

I know Hougaardt sported one of those last year.

[Biltong]

The stormers lucky to win this one, it should have been a draw. Won on a lotto penalty at scrumtime.

[fa0019]

wasn't luck BB.

That was one massive surge by our young front row against the well established trio of Kruger, Chilliboy & Greyling.

Man I was sweating bullets come the 60th min!!!!!

[Biltong]

Fa, that last scrum, the Stormers were lucky to get that penalty it could have just as easily gone agaonst them for their hooker pushing up.

But anyway, you're a Stormers fan?


Well done to your team.

[fa0019]

Always going to go against the team going backwards though.... no matter who technically rises up first.

Have to say the Bulls were the better side for much of the match... how we were 14 points up I don't know... ill discipline on the bulls front probably.

But they deserve it for dressing like a bunch of cheerleaders.

They showed good heart though when Flip got binned but I'm a bit worried about how we reacted to it. We should have just played the territory and allowed them to buckle with 14 men... instead we tried to find the 1 man gap in their defence and played a high risk running game which saw us haemorrage 10 points to 0.

Yeah I'm a stormers fan.... only came to be later in life after I moved from the UK to Cape Town for the usual reasons... following a woman! Took my seuntjie to his first Stormers match a couple of weeks ago... cried for most of it bless him!!!

[Biltong]

The Stormers biggest problem is their midfield, unless Jean de Villiers runs right through the defence you aren't scoring tries out wide, he doesn't offload and doesn't create useable space.

There is no use to have someone with the pace of du Jongh next to him if he doesn't put him into space.

The exact same thing happened with the Boks last year.

The Stormers will be better off if they put du Jongh inside and de Villiers outside.

[fa0019]

crazy with wings like Aplon & Habana huh!

I guess Coetzee will say 'if it ain't broke...' and it may be good enough to get a home semi come the playoffs but I agree, playing like that in the backs will not bring the title to Newlands.

[Biltong]

Coetzee is hanging on to the idea of Jean de Villiers. When Jaque Fourie was there they still had a chance as he could also run through defences, but Du Jongh needs the space.

I cannor for the life of me understand what it is with coaches in SA that hang on to players for their reputations.

De Villiers hasn't been able to create much since 2007.

[MBTGOG]

Is Jamie Joseph the best coach in the comp?

Anyway, I see they might be signing Mike Delany to cover for the injuries to Slade and Sopoaga. Looks like another smart piece of business by Joseph.

[Taylorman]

Possibly. I think Hammets done wonders withe the canes considering they lost Nonu, Hore, Gear, cruden and weepu and gained not a lot for it. Same mould as joseph it seems. No nonsense. Ive doubts about Josephs lateral thinking abilities and feel hes applying a tough formula that either works or doesnt.

Last year the highlanders started with a huff n puff then laboured when the tough end of the season came along, not able to inject anything new to save them.

[MBTGOG]

Think that might have been down to the lack of depth in the squad and players having to play too much. Might be the same again this year due to the injury crisis they are going through.

[yappysnap]

NH clubs can get special dispensation to hire players for 3 (?) months due to injuries in one position. Could Superrugby teams do this? (Taking in to account finances and things too)

[bsando]

Good result for the Force!! Chiefs next!

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