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By , 5 Mar 2010 Adrian Warren is a Roar Pro

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Preview to round four of the Super 14 (all times AEDT).

FRIDAY
CHIEFS v QUEENSLAND REDS at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Chiefs 50 bt Queensland Reds 26 at Brisbane

The Reds paid a heavy price for their 27-18 loss to the Blues with back three Peter Hynes (finger), Digby Ioane (knee) and Rod Davies (cheekbone) all sidelined. They have also lost reserve backs Tim Walsh and Richard Kingi to injury, while Leroy Houston has been brought off the bench to beef up their pack. The Chiefs are primed for a big night after returning home unbeaten after three matches on the road. Making them more dangerous, skipper Mils Muliaina and All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu are both back. Reds vice-captain Daniel Braid is set for an interesting second-half battle with younger brother Luke who also plays openside flanker.

Sports Alive: Chiefs $1.08, Reds $8
Tip: Chiefs by 11

BRUMBIES v LIONS at Canberra Stadium, Canberra at 7.40pm:
Last meeting: Lions 25 bt Brumbies 17 at Johannesburg

The unchanged full-strength Brumbies, who have won two of their first three games will start as short-priced favourites against the winless Lions. The perennial South African stragglers have conceded a competition high 131 points and have lost on each of their eight previous visits to the Australian capital. Providing they can eradicate the unacceptably high amount of penalties incurred in each of the first three rounds, the Brumbies should have enough firepower to notch a victory. The Lions have made eight changes to their side but crucially could be without backline leader Carlos Spencer, who has been bracketed on the bench after suffering an injury last week.

Sports Alive: Brumbies $1.04, Lions $12
Tip: Brumbies by 17

SATURDAY
CRUSADERS v BLUES at AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Crusaders 15 bt Blues 13 at Auckland

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw starts his first match of the season against the Crusaders arch-rivals after making his comeback off the bench last week. Both sides are coming off stirring wins and it promises to be the match of the round. It will be a big match for Blues flyhalf Stephen Brett who confronts his old team for the first time. Brett spent most of his four years as understudy to Dan Carter and will have a huge point to prove, especially after a mixed start to the year. The Blues will miss big No.8 Chris Saili who produced a powerhouse display in their win over the Reds. In 16 Super rugby matches, honours have been shared with both teams winning eight each.

Sports Alive: Crusaders $1.19, Blues $4.80

Tip: Crusaders by 3

NSW WARATAHS v SHARKS at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 7.40pm.
Last meeting: Waratahs 16 bt Sharks 12 at Durban

Both star-studded sides will be looking for some momentum after disappointing starts to their 2010 campaigns. The Sharks have lost all three of their games, while the Waratahs dropped successive matches in South Africa following an opening round win over Queensland. The return of Wallabies forward Dean Mumm will supplement an already powerful NSW pack. Fired up by some plain talking earlier this week, the Sharks are primed to confront the Waratahs, especially in a tasty looking forward encounter. They arrived in Sydney two days ahead of NSW, but the home team still look the slightly better bet.

Sports Alive: NSW $1.30, Sharks $3.55
Tip: Waratahs by 9.

SUNDAY
STORMERS v HIGHLANDERS at Newlands, Cape Town, 2:05am.
Last meeting: Stormers 18 bt Highlanders 11 at Dunedin

The Stormers will be keen to bounce back after a heartbreaking late home loss to the Brumbies last week. The return of talismanic captain Schalk Burger will add further grunt to the pack. The unchanged Highlanders, who start the round four places and as many points behind the Stormers, have lost the last two clashes between the teams but are coming off a victory over the Cheetahs last week. Successive wins in South Africa would be very handy for the Highlanders prior to next week’s clash with the Bulls but the Stormers’ desperation to avoid consecutive home defeats could just give them the edge.

Sports Alive: Stormers $1.37, Highlanders $3.10
Tip: Stormers by 11

CHEETAHS v HURRICANES at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, 4:10am.
Last meeting: Hurricanes 27, Cheetahs 12 at New Plymouth

The Hurricanes have blown away all of their opposition so far, picking up 14 out of 15 points. However, their perfect start has been tempered by a season-ending knee injury to All Black lock Jason Eaton and fellow internationals Conrad Smith, Hosea Gear and Tamati Ellison are also on the casualty list. The Cheetahs have been competitive in their two home losses and will strengthen their backline with the inclusion of Springbok sevens centre Robert Ebersohn. The Hurricanes still appear to have a little bit too much class across the park.

Sports Alive: Cheetahs $2.65, Hurricanes $1.48
Tip: Hurricanes by 13

Bye: Western Force, Bulls

© AAP 2012
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