Preview of Super Rugby round seven matches (all times AEDT).
FRIDAY, March 27
Hurricanes v Melbourne Rebels at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 3 Hurricanes 2 Rebels 1
In Wellington: Played 1 Hurricanes 1 Rebels 0
Last clash: Round 13, 2014 – Hurricanes 25 bt Rebels 15, Melbourne
The unbeaten Hurricanes have chosen to rest three All Blacks – Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett and Ben Franks – against the Rebels. Melbourne aren’t saying so but they’re bound to be slighted by this and use it as motivation. And they will need all they can get to knock over the competition frontrunners, who are playing their first match at home. The Rebels will need to replicate their very impressive first half against the Lions for the full 80 minutes to have any chance.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.14 Rebels $5.50
Tip: Hurricanes by 9
Queensland Reds v Lions at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 8pm
Head to Head: Played 16 Reds 11 Lions 4 Drawn 1
In Brisbane: Played 4 Reds 2 Lions 2
Last clash: Round 6, 2014 – Lions 23 bt Reds 20, Johannesburg
At long last, the cavalry has arrived for the Reds. Fresh off the bye, in come six huge inclusions, headed by playmaker Quade Cooper, who has fully recovered from the pre-season collarbone fracture that threw coach Richard Graham’s plans for the year into disarray. Also back is James O’Connor, and in the position where Graham believes he can return to being one of the world’s best – on the wing. The Lions are no pushovers, clawing back from 13-0 down to defeat the Melbourne Rebels last week for their second win on tour. But if Queensland is serious about this season, this has to be a win for the home side.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $1.33 Lions $3.25
Tip: Reds by 8
SATURDAY, March 28
Chiefs v Cheetahs at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 9 Chiefs 5 Cheetahs 1 Drawn 3
In Hamilton: Played 4 Chiefs 3 Cheetahs 0 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2014 – Chiefs 43 drew Cheetahs 43, Bloemfontein
The Chiefs will be hungry to bounce back from a red-card fest against the Sharks where a failure to score a single point in the entire second half cost them back-to-back wins in the Republic. They’ll be without hooker Hika Elliot (suspended) for one week, but the good news is they should get superstar Sonny Bill Williams back from a concussion to bolster the midfield. The Cheetahs, on the other hand, kicked off their four-week tour last week in the worst possible way – a 57-14 drubbing from the Crusaders. They’ve made six changes, with Springbok Oupa Mohoje (groin) out for eight to 12 weeks. With the Brumbies next week, this is shaping as another painful tour for the Bloemfontein boys.
Tab Sportsbet: Chiefs $1.08 Cheetahs $8.00
Tip: Chiefs by 20
Highlanders v Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 18 Highlanders 9 Stormers 8 Drawn 1
In Dunedin: Played 7 Highlanders 4 Stormers 2 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 12, 2014 – Stormers 29 bt Highlanders 28, Cape Town
This is the only match of the round where two top six sides are squaring off. And while you can’t really call it a “blockbuster”, it is a pivotal match for both sides. For the Stormers, it will set the tone for the following three weeks of their Trans-Tasman tour, while the Highlanders will be desperate to enter round eight’s bye on the back of a win. Otago openside flanker James Lentjes will make his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders, with Shane Christie and John Hardie both injured. For the Stormers, Juan de Jongh will lead the side due to the resting of usual skipper Duane Vermeulen.
Tab Sportsbet: Highlanders $1.65 Stormers $2.20
Tip: Highlanders by 5
NSW Waratahs v Blues at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7.40pm
Head to Head: Played 19 Waratahs 7 Blues 12
In Sydney: Played 9 Waratahs 6 Blues 3
Last clash: Round 11, 2014 – Blues 21 bt Waratahs 13, Auckland
After rediscovering their mojo in an impressive win over the Brumbies, the Waratahs get the chance to narrow the gap on the Australian conference leaders to just one or two competition points with victory over the winless and last-placed Blues. Try-scoring hero Tolu Latu has retained his place at hooker for the Waratahs, forcing Wallabies rake Tatafu Polota-Nau to return from a head knock via the bench. Embattled Blues coach Sir John Kirwan is gambling journeyman five-eighth Dan Bowden, who hasn’t played Super Rugby for five years, to revive his side’s fortunes.
Tab Sportsbet: Waratahs $1.22 Blues $4.20
Tip: Waratahs by 10
SUNDAY, March 29
Sharks v Western Force at Kings Park, Durban 2.05am
Head to Head: Played 8 Sharks 7 Force 1
In Durban: Played 4 Sharks 4 Force 1
Last clash: Round 14, 2013 – Sharks 23 bt Force 13, Perth
At 1-5, the Force’s finals hopes are already on life support, but their chances of victory against the Sharks in Durban have been given a quadruple boost this week. The Sharks have been ordered to rest Springboks trio Cobus Reinach, Marcell Coetzee, and Pat Lambie under the agreement with the national side, while hooker Bismarck du Plessis is suspended after kicking an opponent in the face. The Force put in their bravest performance of the season against the Bulls last week, but a 22-10 penalty count against them resulted in a heartbreaking one-point loss. The Force have lost their past six matches to the Sharks, including a 53-11 rout when they last visited Durban three years ago.
Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $1.18 Force $4.75
Tip: Sharks by 12
Bulls v Crusaders at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 4.10am
Head to Head: Played 23 Bulls 9 Crusaders 14
In Pretoria: Played 13 Bulls 8 Crusaders 5
Last clash: Round 5, 2013 – Crusaders 41 bt Bulls 19, Christchurch
After two wins against South African opposition at home – including a ruthless comeback victory over the Cheetahs last week – the Crusaders will fancy their chances of making it three on the trot in Pretoria. But their dominant pack will be under enormous scrutiny after prominent former Test referee Jonathan Kaplan accused them and All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett of illegal tactics, claiming they rarely pack down straight and have been getting away with it for too long. The Bulls will take plenty of heart from their narrow win over the Western Force, but they may have a tough time keeping a jet-lagged Crusaders outfit quiet.
Tab Sportsbet: Bulls $1.85 Crusaders $1.95
Tip: Crusaders by 6
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