Super 14 preview panel for this weekend’s round 11 action (all times AEST).

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

CRUSADERS v BLUES at Jade Stadium, Christchurch at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Blues 34-25 in Auckland, round 1, 2007
A must-win encounter for the moody Blues, who have lost four of their last six games to slide from first to seventh on the ladder to be serious danger of losing touch with the top four. The Chiefs did them no favours last week, though, when they ended the Crusaders’ unbeaten eight-match start to the season, although Blues coach David Nucifora was heartened to note some shortfalls in the six-time champions’ game. Nucifora has responded to his side’s indifferent form, dropping All Blacks centre Isaia Toeava and halfback Danny Lee to the bench and promoting winger David Smith and scrumhalf Taniela Moa in a reshuffled backline. Crusaders coach Robbie Deans won’t be too worried about his team’s last-up loss with the defeat easing the pressure of trying to complete the season unbeaten. Look for Ali Williams to lead the way for the Crusaders in his first clash with his former Blues teammates.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Crusaders $1.30, Blues $3.60
Tip: Crusaders by 13

BRUMBIES v LIONS at Canberra Stadium at 7.40pm
Last meeting: Brumbies 14-9 in Johannesburg, round 8, 2007
After upsetting the previously unbeaten Sharks last week, the Brumbies – in eighth spot but just three points shy of the top four – are heavy favourites to outclass the last-placed Lions and keep their finals hopes alive. Boosting the Brumbies’ prospects further is the return of skipper Stirling Mortlock from a head knock. Mortlock’s inclusion at outside centre has forced in-form Wallabies teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper to the wing, with Peter Playford dumped from the 22-man squad altogether. Hooker John Ulugia has replaced fellow youngster Saia Faingaa at hooker as coach Laurie Fisher – almost certainly picking his last ever home team before Andy Friend takes over next season – searches for more consistency at the set piece. The Lions have never come within 20 points of the Brumbies in six matches in Canberra and victory again seems unlikely for the struggling South Africans.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Brumbies $1.10, Lions $7.25
Tip: Brumbies by 16

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

CHIEFS v QUEENSLAND REDS at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Chiefs 21-19 in Brisbane, round 7, 2007
The Reds have already embraced coach Phil Mooney’s challenge to be the competition’s spoilers by ending the playoff hopes of the Western Force last week. They’re again without key trio Chris Latham, Sam Cordingley and Hugh McMeniman but youngsters such as new skipper James Horwill, No.8 Leroy Houston and playmaker Quade Cooper are maturing quickly. Former Wallabies prop Rodney Blake has beefed up the front row and has a chance to change perceptions he’s struggling with the game’s pace under its experimental laws. Waikato-born Cooper will be desperate to atone for an embarrassing match against the Chiefs last season by showing his true wares against the red-hot side which upset the Crusaders last week. The Chiefs have injury clouds over All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard, prop Simms Davison and centre Callum Bruce but should be too strong at home.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Chiefs $1.16, Reds $5.50
Tip: Chiefs by 10

NSW WARATAHS v SHARKS at the Sydney Football Stadium at 7.40pm
Last meeting: Sharks 22-9 in Durban, round 2, 2007
The match of the round and battle for outright second spot is of great importance to both teams but especially the Waratahs. They finish the regular season with a tough stretch of away games against the defending champion Bulls and in-form Stormers in South Africa and the annual grudge match with the Reds. A loss to the Sharks, who already possess one more competition point, would probably end NSW’s chances of hosting a semi-final. Resisting the temptation to ease back injured stars Timana Tahu and Rocky Elsom via the bench, Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has named an unchanged line-up for the third week in a row as his team chases a fifth consecutive win and looks to complete a perfect home campaign in 2008. The Sharks are likely to move field goal ace Francois Steyn closer to the action – from outside to inside centre – while veteran back-rower AJ Venter is also tipped to start.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Waratahs $1.66, Sharks $2.25
Tip: Waratahs by six

CHEETAHS v HURRICANES at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein at 11pm
Last meeting: Hurricanes 37-15 in Wellington, round 10, 2007
The Hurricanes were chastened by their loss to the in-form Stormers last week which dropped them from third to sixth in a tight playoff race. Coach Colin Cooper has taken action by dumping five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth and replacing him with youngster Willie Ripia. Another rookie, teenager Zac Guildford, has been promoted to the wing while flanker Chris Masoe has been switched to blindside and Scott Waldrom will start in the absence of injured All Black Jerry Collins (rib). The struggling Cheetahs will be fresh after a bye but have little to play for. Inspirational flanker Juan Smith is back from a knee injury to lead his team but they will need much more to upset the dynamic Wellington-based outfit.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Cheetahs $2.70, Hurricanes $1.48
Tip: Hurricanes by nine

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

STORMERS v HIGHLANDERS at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town at 1.05am
Last meeting: Highlanders 35-24 in Dunedin, round 4, 2007
Despite triumphing just twice in 11 meetings with the Highlanders, the resurgent Stormers are expected to cement their top-four position with a sixth win from seven starts after opening 2008 with a hat-trick of defeats. The Highlanders recorded a famous 30-15 win in Cape Town two years ago after half their squad had fallen ill mid-week but that was against a Stormers side lacking the confidence of the current group. Former Otago and Highlanders stalwart Tony Brown makes his first Stormers start and will provide an experienced head amid the hysteria set to grip a packed Newlands once again. An upset win for the 12th-placed Highlanders would probably steer them clear of wooden-spoon contention and leave them with some hope of avoiding a last-place finish among the five New Zealand sides.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Stormers $1.15, Highlanders $5.65
Tip: Stormers by 18

BYE: WESTERN FORCE, BULLS

© AAP 2012

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