Super 14 preview panel for this weekend’s round six match (all times AEDT).

FRIDAY
BLUES v BRUMBIES at Eden Park, Auckland at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Brumbies 37 bt Blues 15 at Canberra

The Brumbies have slowly risen to equal fourth by grinding out four tight wins. They face a massive test here to continue their streak with the Blues well rested from a bye and playing in Auckland. Stirling Mortlock has been rested with a neck injury but the inclusion of Tyrone Smith in the centres may give the Brumbies’ backline extra impetus on the evidence of his second-half display against the Sharks. The Blues have All Blacks utility Isaia Toeava back from injury and he replaces Paul Williams at fullback.

Sports Alive: Blues $1.62, Brumbies $2.30
Tip: Blues by 5

SATURDAY
BULLS v HURRICANES at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 4.10am
Last meeting: Bulls 19 bt Hurricanes 14 at Wellington

The rampant Bulls are on a roll and looking for their 15th straight victory at their Loftus cauldron to celebrate Victor Matfield’s 100th match. They have yet to drop a point and lead the competition despite having a bye. Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has wielded the axe following their 37-13 loss to the Stormers. Halfback Piri Weepu, flanker Scott Waldrom, lock Bryn Evans, winger David Smith and prop Jacob Ellison have all been dropped in a major overhaul of last season’s semi-finalists.

Sports Alive: Bulls $1.11, Hurricanes $6.50
Tip: Bulls by 20

CRUSADERS v LIONS at AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 3.30pm
Last meeting: Crusaders 32 bt Lions 20 at Johannesburg

The third-placed Crusaders are one of the hottest favourites in the history of Super rugby against the hapless Lions. Richie McCaw’s men have quickly got their act together since being upset by Queensland in round two. While the Cantabrians overpowered the Chiefs last week, the Lions leaked 73 points against NSW. Dan Carter is 34 points from Stirling Mortlock’s Super point-scoring record and could just get it here.

Sports Alive: Crusaders $1.01, Crusaders $21
Tip: Crusaders by 33

HIGHLANDERS v SHARKS at Carisbrook, Dunedin at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Sharks 23 bt Highlanders 15 at Durban

Rumours of rifts in the ranks continue to dog the Sharks in their five-match win-less start to 2010. While they have been competitive in every match, highlighted by close losses to the Brumbies and NSW, they haven’t been able to get over the line. They will like their chances against the Highlanders who conceded 50 points to the Bulls last week. But the Otago team is at home and have key men Jimmy Cowan, Adam Thomson and Michael Hobbs back on board. Hobbs has moved back to inside centre for Robbie robinson to call the shots at five-eighth.

Sports Alive: Highlanders $2.15, Sharks $1.70

Tip: Sharks by 12

WESTERN FORCE v NSW WARATAHS at ME Bank Stadium, Perth at 10.10pm
Last meeting: Force 15 bt Waratahs 14 at Sydney

The Force will be hungry to bounce back from their thrashing by Queensland while the Waratahs will try to build on their record-breaking performance against the Lions. The injury-hit Perth franchise are still looking for their first point of the season and a loss will complete a full slate of defeats by their domestic rivals. Force coach John Mitchell showed enormous faith in his side by naming an unchanged line-up, though injuries forced Wallabies front-rowers Pek Cowan and Matt Dunning off the bench. The Waratahs also named an unchanged side, though injury queries still hover over prop Al Baxter and No.8 Wycliff Palu.

Sports Alive: Force $5, Waratahs $1.17
Tip: Waratahs by 11

SUNDAY
STORMERS v CHEETAHS at Newlands, Cape Town at 2.05am

Last meeting: Stormers 28 bt Cheetahs 22 at Bloemfontein

The impressive second-placed Stormers will be looking to build on some strong home form by adding the Cheetahs to their list of early season victims before they head to Australasia. Their only loss this season was a last-gasp defeat to the Brumbies while the perennial battling Cheetahs have a respectable 2-2 record. Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has made some changes to his backline, replacing injured young inside centre Juan de Jongh. The Cheetahs have won two of their four encounters with the Stormers since returning to Super rugby in 2006.

Sports Alive: Stormers $1.18, Cheetahs $4.75
Tip: Stormers by 9.

Bye: Queensland Reds, Chiefs.

© AAP 2012

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