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The race to the Super Rugby finals is heating up and with both the Chiefs and Bulls in contention a hard-fought contest is guaranteed. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Chiefs continue to hold down the top wildcard spot, but let a chance to draw closer to the Hurricanes slip last week in a gritty contest.
If you put their season in perspective they are equal second on points, but sit in fourth due to the conference system. However a loss tonight would really open up some hope for the Lions, Stormers and Crusaders.
On the flip side this shapes as a must-win game for the Bulls, who currently sit on 34 points, five points lower then their opponents tonight. A loss could see the Bulls slide from not only their conference lead, but also lose a final’s spot.
In such a tightly contested South African conference points are at a premium.
Both sides have made the changes. For the Chiefs, Mitchell Graham and halfback Augustine Pulu have been promoted to the starting side from the bench, at the expense of Pauliasi Manu and Brad Weber.
Michael Allardice and Michael Fitzgerald both suffered injuries during last week’s loss to the Hurricanes resulting in retired All Black Ross Filipo and Waikato’s Brian Alainu’uese being brought into the squad.
In more bad news for the Chiefs Sonny Bill-Williams hasn’t recovered from injury, and James Lowe has suffered cartilage damage on his shoulder and will be out for four to six weeks.
For the Bulls Adriaan Strauss is resting for Callie Visagie while Jacques du Plessis and Deon Stegmann come into the side for Lappies Labuschagne and Arno Botha.
Prediction
Both teams walking wounded but the Bulls are struggling and were dominated last week by the Blues, the Chiefs were at least respectable against the Hurricanes so I will pick them.
Chiefs by 7.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.