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Round 11 preview of the Super 14 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, April 24
HIGHLANDERS (10th, 22pts) v STORMERS (12th, 15pts) at Carisbrook, Dunedin, 5.35pm
Last meeting: Stormers 26-16 at Cape Town, April 2008
Motivation will be high for the unfancied Highlanders who must beat the disappointing South Africans to stay alive in the play-off race. Coach Glenn Moore reacted to the 26-6 loss to the Blues by making two changes to his powerful tight-five. The Stormers have much bigger troubles after losing inspirational centre Jean de Villiers (groin) for the rest of the season. Springbok flanker Schalk Burger takes over the captaincy in a rearranged team. Willem de Waal slots into five-eighth with Peter Grant moving one position further out in a shuffled backline. The Stormers also have a new second-row but will be boosted by the return of skyscraper Andries Bekker. They have also lost Test prop Brian Mujati.
Centrebet: Highlanders $1.52, Stormers $2.55
Tip: Highlanders by 6
WESTERN FORCE (9th, 23) v LIONS (11th, 19) at Subiaco Oval, Perth, 9.05pm
Last meeting: Force 18-16 in Johannesburg, February 2008
Another dramatic week in the west for the Force but, considering their ability to succeed in adversity, that should help rather than hinder against the Lions. The dual loss of CEO Greg Harris and Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell have rocked the Perth franchise after completing an `Aussie Slam’ with their upset over NSW. The Force also suffered another blow with Test No.8 Richard Brown succumbing to an ankle injury. Coach John Mitchell has recalled prop Gareth Hardy at the expense of Pek Cowan at loose-head. The Lions scored a morale-boosting win over Queensland in Brisbane with long-striding winger Henno Mentz bagging a hat-trick. They have made three changes to their starting pack. The Force should have too much class around the ground for a Johannesburg outfit looking forward to returning home.
Centrebet: Force $1.26, Lions $3.85
Tip: Force by 19
SATURDAY, April 25
BLUES (5th, 28) v QUEENSLAND REDS (13th, 13) at North Harbour Stadium, Albany, 3.30pm
Last meeting: Blues 35-22 in Brisbane, April 2008
The Reds were simply dreadful in their 31-20 home loss to the Lions and only a lack of depth saved a host of players from the axe. Coach Phil Mooney forecast wholesale changes but then kept the faith after a Monday crisis meeting. He’s made three injury-related changes with senior men Daniel Braid (ankle) and Peter Hynes (knee) injured and veteran lock Van Humphries returning from a shoulder problem. The talented but erratic Quade Cooper is under plenty of pressure following a scatter-brained display against the Lions. Unsurprisingly, the Blues have taken the chance to rest some of their stars against the competition battlers, naming All Black forwards Keven Mealamu and Jerome Kaino on the bench. Winger Rene Ranger has been stood down following an alleged assault but that should have little impact on the star-studded Aucklanders.
Centrebet: Blues $1.09, Reds $7.50
Tip: Blues by 22
HURRICANES (4th, 29) v BRUMBIES (7th, 27) at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 5.35pm
Last meeting: Hurricanes 33-15 in Canberra, March 2008
The Brumbies are Australia’s form team of the competition after three straight wins since Shawn Mackay’s tragic Durban accident. A fourth would put them into the top four but they must do it the hard way. Teenager Matt Toomua faces a starting baptism of fire, replacing playmaker Christian Lealiifano, while the visitors are also without suspended prop Guy Shepherdson and injured stalwarts Mark Chisholm, Mark Gerrard and Clyde Rathbone. Stirling Mortlock remains on the wing with Alfi Mafu also out. The Hurricanes are also in ominous form after touching up the Stormers and coming from behind to pip the Force. Coach Collin Cooper has made three changes to his pack, promoting Karl Lowe, Bryn Evans and John Schwalger. He’s attempted to stiffen their lineout by surprisingly calling up Evans over Jason Eaton. All Black Piri Weepu has returned from injury on the bench.
Centrebet: Hurricanes $1.32, Brumbies $3.40
Tip: Hurricanes by 10
CHEETAHS (14th, 7) v CRUSADERS (8th, 26) at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, 11pm
Last meeting: Crusaders 55-7 in Christchurch, March 2008
The Crusaders are on a roll and should keep edging their way up the ladder towards the top four with a bonus-point win over the cellar dwellers. With Richie McCaw back from injury, the defending champions knocked over the pace-setting Sharks last week with another old-school grinding win. All that remains is for their attack to spark and they’ll have the rest concerned. Todd Blackadder’s men have scored just 17 tries this season – equal bottom with the Cheetahs – but they will be confident of opening the floodgates in Bloemfontein. The Crusaders have run in 53, 49 and 55 points in their three previous matches against the perennial strugglers. The Cheetahs’ woes have been accentuated by the loss of playmaker Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who has been replaced by former Stormers flyhalf Naas Olivier.
Centrebet: Crusaders $1.34, Cheetahs $3.35
Tip: Crusaders by 19
SUNDAY, April 26
BULLS (3rd, 29) v CHIEFS (1st, 31) at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 1.05am
Last meeting: Chiefs 43-27 in Hamilton, March 2008
The match of the round with the third-placed Bulls looking to keep their unbeaten home record intact against the entertaining table-toppers. The Chiefs have suffered a major blow with dangerous All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard ruled out with a sternum injury. It further lessens the dangers to the Bulls with tackle-breaking wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga injured. The Bulls have been bolstered by the return of inspirational lock Victor Matfield who missed the 32-31 loss to the Brumbies. The home side’s pack should be too powerful for the visitors while the tactical kicking games of Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn will pressure the Chiefs’ exciting backline.
Centrebet: Bulls $1.65, Chiefs $2.25
Tip: Bulls by 12
Bye: NSW Waratahs, Sharks
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.