Preview of Super Rugby round 13 matches (all times AEST).
FRIDAY, May 8
CRUSADERS v QUEENSLAND REDS at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 21, Crusaders 15, Reds 6
In Christchurch: Played 9, Crusaders 8, Reds 1
Last clash: Round 13, 2014 – Crusaders 57-29, Brisbane
The Reds welcome back No.8 Jake Schatz from a month-long elbow injury, while Ben Tapui and Jamie-Jerry Taulagi are also back in the squad. Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw is on the bench after overcoming concussion with coach Todd Blackadder making three changes to his run-on side. The ninth-placed Crusaders have piled on the points in their past three meetings and with the Reds having a season to forget, should continue to do so.
Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.10, Reds $6.50
Tip: Crusaders by 14
MELBOURNE REBELS v BLUES at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.40pm
Head to head: Played 3, Rebels 1, Blues 2
In Melbourne: Played 1, Rebels 1, Blues 0
Last clash: Round 13, 2013 – Blues 36-32, Auckland
The Rebels won their first ever match against the Chiefs last round and now have another New Zealand scalp in sight. With Sean McMahon a chance to play after suffering a hip injury, Melbourne’s in-form backrow should give them a leg up against the Blues. The visitors had a good win over the Force but no Jerome Kaino (finger), Luke Braid (concussion) or Charles Piutau will make the going tough.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $1.52 Blues $2.50
Tip: Rebels by 9
SATURDAY, May 9
HURRICANES v SHARKS at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 16, Hurricanes 7, Sharks 8, Drawn 1
In Wellington: Played 8, Hurricanes 4, Sharks 3, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 2, 2014 – Sharks 27-9, Durban
Already missing injured Beauden Barrett for a month, the Hurricanes will also be without in-form All Blacks Julian Savea and TJ Perenara, who are having their Test break. Against most sides this would matter but the Sharks have slumped to 11th place after losing their past four games, including a 48-15 drubbing by the Highlanders last week. The home side can hit 10 wins for the season with this match.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.18, Sharks $4.75
Tip: Hurricanes by 15
WESTERN FORCE v NSW WARATAHS at nib Stadium, Perth, 7.40pm
Head to head: Played 14, Force 4, Waratahs 9, Drawn 1
In Perth: Played 7, Force 1, Waratahs 6
Last clash: Round 1, 2015 – Force 25-13, Sydney.
The Waratahs are hot favourites to extend their winning run to four matches and consign the Force to a club-record 11th straight defeat. But the resurgent champions are travelling west wary, with the Force having upstaged their more-fancied conference rivals the last two times they’ve met, including a round one boilover in Sydney. Although the Force haven’t won since, the Waratahs – who will be without Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau – are expecting the wooden spoon contenders to once again rise to the occasion.
Tab Sportsbet: Force $4, Waratahs $1.25
Tip: Waratahs by 10
LIONS v HIGHLANDERS at Emirates Airlines Park, 11pm
Head to Head: Played 15, Lions 5, Highlanders 10
In Johannesburg: Played 6, Lions 4, Highlanders 2
Last clash: Round 13, 2014 – Highlanders 23-22, Dunedin.
With halfback Aaron Smith in sparkling form, the Highlanders have a chance to firm up their title ambitions with a win over the Lions. They ran in seven tries against the Sharks but the Lions on home turf will prove a much tougher task, with their two-point loss to the Bulls ending a five-game streak. Highlanders Test fullback Ben Smith has overcome a head knock to tour, giving his team the edge in attack.
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.85 Highlanders $1.95
Tip: Highlanders by 5
SUNDAY, May 10
STORMERS v BRUMBIES at Newlands Stadium, 1.05am
Head to head: Played 16, Stormers 4, Brumbies 11, Drawn 1
In Cape Town: Played 8, Stormers 3, Brumbies 4, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 6, 2014 – Brumbies 25-15, Canberra
After four losses in their past six games, the Brumbies head to South Africa needing to win back-to-back matches in the Republic for the first time since 2007 to stay in touch with the competition leaders. They haven’t won in Cape Town since 2010 but will be boosted by the return of Wallabies halfback Nic White, who has been sidelined for three weeks with an ankle injury.
Tab Sportsbet: Stormers $1.60 Brumbies $2.30
Tip: Stormers by 7
BYE: Bulls
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