Preview of Super Rugby round eight matches (all times AEDT).
FRIDAY, April 4
Highlanders v Melbourne Rebels at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 3 Highlanders 2 Rebels 1
In Dunedin: Played 1 Highlanders 1 Rebels 0
Last clash: Round 20 2013 – Rebels 38 bt Highlanders 37 at AAMI Park
The Rebels have “first win abroad” up near the top of their list of goals for this season and they get a solid chance against the Highlanders. While both teams have delivered some patchy performances the Rebels are on a high after knocking over Australian front-runners the Brumbies. The Dunedin men fell to the Blues, who they beat in their opening game. A lot will depend on how the Melbourne scrum stands up, with Highlanders halves Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga ready to pounce.
Tab Sportsbet: Highlanders $1.38 Rebels $3.00
Tip: Highlanders by 3 points
Brumbies v Blues at GIO Stadium, Canberra 7.40pm
Head to Head: Played 19 Brumbies 8 Blues 11
In Canberra: Played 8 Brumbies 4 Blues 4
Last clash: Round 15 2013 – Brumbies 20 bt Blues 13 at Eden Park
The Brumbies’ lack of discipline has threatened to bite them numerous times this season, and it finally happened against the Rebels last week, who came from behind to end the Canberra side’s four-match winning streak. It’s in direct contrast to the Blues, who strung back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they dismantled the Highlanders. The return of World Cup winning All Black Jerome Kaino has added an extra punch to an already dynamic Blues pack. The Brumbies will find stopping that pack more difficult without stalwart Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore, who’s also helped their set piece be one of the best in the competition. Rain will hinder the Blues’ attacking flair, but it will also add pressure on the back-up Brumbies hookers.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $1.47 Blues $2.65
Tip: Brumbies by 7 points
SATURDAY, April 5
Hurricanes v Bulls at McLean Park, Napier 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 15 Hurricanes 7 Bulls 8
In New Zealand: Played 7 Hurricanes 3 Bulls 4
Last clash: Round 12 2013 – Bulls 48 bt Hurricanes 14 at Loftus Versfeld
All Blacks backrower Victor Vito and Brad Shields are returning from knee injuries for their first appearances this year while the Hurricanes Test winger Cory Jane is back from an ankle injury. On the flipside, no Tim Bateman (shoulder). The Bulls have skipper lock Flip van der Merwe back, with Victor Matfield moving into a coaching role for the tour. The Hurricanes will have grown in confidence from their last-ditch win over the Crusaders and with the Bulls making a very late trek to Napier, should run their opponents ragged.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.57 Bulls $2.35
Tip: Hurricanes by 6 points
Queensland Reds v Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 7.40pm
Head to Head: Played 11 Reds 6 Force 4 drawn 1
In Brisbane: Played 6 Reds 5 Force 1
Last clash: Round 12 2013 – Force 11 drew Reds 11 at nib Stadium
Expect a return to the grudge match of Reds-Force past when the 2014 surprise-packets arrive in Brisbane looking for a franchise record fourth straight win. The Reds have never liked the Force since they raided their stocks in late 2005, while the Perth team are still dirty about Richard Graham announcing his return to Queensland midway through 2012. Will Genia also backflipped on a Force deal that year, and former assistant Force coaches Nick Stiles and Steve Meehan are now back helping Graham. Genia has tipped “warfare”. Queensland have lost wingers Lachie Turner and Dom Shipperley to hurt their already thin outside back stocks.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $1.36 Force $3.60
Tip: Reds by 5 points
SUNDAY, April 6
Cheetahs v Chiefs at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein 12.00am
Head to Head: Played 7 Cheetahs 2 Chiefs 5
In Bloemfontein: Played 3 Cheetahs 1 Chiefs 2
Last clash: Round 3 2013 – Chiefs 45 bt Cheetahs 3 at Waikato Stadium
Last year’s Super Rugby champions the Chiefs defied all odds last week when they scored three tries in the final 10 minutes against the Bulls in Pretoria to jag a draw. They were the first side in 16 matches this year not to lose a match after crossing the Indian Ocean. They should find it easier against the cellar dweller Cheetahs, whose sole win this season came back in round two. However the Cheetahs have had a week’s rest following their gruelling four-week Australasian tour. And while they’ll also get back hard working No.7 Lappies Labuschagne, the Hamilton boys should have just a little too much attacking flair for them to handle.
Tab Sportsbet: Cheetahs $3.00 Chiefs $1.38
Tip: Chiefs by 8 points
Lions v Crusaders at Ellis Park, Johannesburg 2.05am
Head to Head: Played 14 Lions 3 Crusaders 11
In Johannesburg: Played 7 Lions 2 Crusaders 5
Last clash: Round 6 2012 – Crusaders 23 bt Lions 13 at Ellis Park
The battle doesn’t get any easier for the faltering Crusaders, who could be without their skipper Kieran Read after a head knock. Not making Read feel any better is a glimpse of his team’s error rate – averaging 21 a game. With Lions five-eighth Marnitz Boshoff kicking goals at 95 per cent, discipline will also be key. On the plus side, the Crusaders scrum has impressed this season, ranked at the top alongside the Lions. It’s try-scoring where both teams have struggled and whoever can get their attack firing should come up trumps.
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $2.50 Crusaders $1.53
Tip: Crusaders by 1 point
Stormers v NSW Waratahs at Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town 3.10am
Head to Head: Played 16 Stormers 9 Waratahs 6 drawn 1
In Cape Town: Played 9 Stormers 6 Waratahs 2 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 13 2013 – Waratahs 21 bt Stormers 15 at Allianz Stadium
Izzy playing? That’s the million dollar question. The Waratahs’ loss to the Sharks last week showed just how diluted their attack is without star fullback Israel Folau (throat), managing just the one try in the dying minutes of the match. Both sides will have their depth tested after bruising runs, with the Waratahs’ Wycliff Palu (ankle), Rob Horne (suspended), and winger Alofa Alofa (side strain) all out. Meanwhile, the weary Stormers have just returned from their winless Australasian tour. No.8 Duane Vermeulen will take over the captaincy from Jean de Villers (cyst) as one of four changes to the side that lost against the Reds last weekend. Livewire fullback Gio Aplon is also out with an elbow injury.
Tab Sportsbet: Stormers $1.85 Waratahs $1.95
Tip: Waratahs by 4 points
Bye: Sharks
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