- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Preview of Super Rugby round 17 matches (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
Hurricanes v Highlanders at McLean Park, Napier
Head to head: Played 24, Hurricanes 13, Highlanders 11
In Napier: Played 1, Hurricanes 1, Highlanders 0
Last clash: Round 6, 2015 – Hurricanes 20-13, Dunedin.
Runaway competition leaders the Hurricanes can afford to rest up against their nearest NZ rivals. Their All Blacks five-eighth Beauden Barrett returns from his knee injury, although centre Ma’a Nonu will be freshened up ahead of the finals. The Highlanders are gunning for four straight wins for the first time since 2012, but Jamie Joseph is resting Test stars Aaron and Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa among six changes to the starting line-up which thumped the Chiefs 36-9 last week. Because of this the Hurricanes should get home.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.26 Highlanders $3.95
Tip: Hurricanes by 8
Western Force v ACT Brumbies at nib Stadium, Perth, 8.00pm
Head to head: Played 14, Force 4, Brumbies 9, drawn 1
In Perth: Played 7, Force 2, Brumbies 4, Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2015 – Brumbies 27-15, Canberra
The Force have a poor record against the Brumbies, winning only one of their past eight and are unlikely to add another victory this round. The Brumbies have too much to play for and too much talent. The Perth boys have scored the least amount of points in the competition this season and against the stingiest defence, it could be a long night. Blake Enever will start in place of injured lock Sam Carter in the Brumbies’ only change.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $1.27, Force $3.85
Tip: Brumbies by 14
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Melbourne Rebels v Bulls at AAMI Park, Melbourne at 3.30pm
Head to head: Played 3, Rebels 0, Bulls 3
In Melbourne: Played 1, Rebels 0, Bulls 1
Last clash: Round 19, 2014 – Bulls 40-7, Pretoria
The Bulls have won all three games between the sides, surprisingly posting more than 40 points in each. But this Rebels side has more grit than previous versions and will be keen to finish off their best ever season on a good note. No winger Sefa Naivalu which is a blow to their attack but former Waratah Cam Crawford will be eager for a crack. They blew a chance for their first win in South Africa and will be out to make amends.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $2.05, Bulls $1.79
Tip: Rebels by 7
Blues v Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland at 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 26, Blues 11, Crusaders 15
In Auckland : Played 13, Blues 8, Crusaders 5
Last clash: Round 11, 2015 – Crusaders 29-15, Christchurch
Sitting eighth the Crusaders still have a slight sniff of the finals and won’t want to slip up. Coach Todd Blackadder has made three changes in the forwards, among them the return of Wyatt Crockett. The Blues, meanwhile, have been hammered by injury and now representative duties due to the under 20s world championship. Hooker James Parsons will captain a hugely inexperienced side with lock Will Lloyd, flanker Joe Edwards and fullback Matt Vaega all making their first starts.
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $4.30 Crusaders $1.23
Tip: Crusaders by 21
Queensland Reds v Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 7.40pm
Head to head: Played 18, Reds 10, Chiefs 8
In Brisbane: Played 8, Reds 5, Chiefs 3
Last clash: Round 9, 2013 – Reds 31-23, Hamilton
On paper the fifth-placed Chiefs should bank an easy win but this one will have plenty of emotion for the home side. Reds greats Will Genia and James Horwill are playing their final home match before moving off-shore and their side will surely want to send them out as winners. Coach Richard Graham has been pulling at the heart-strings, calling for his team to make it a match to remember.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $2.40 Chiefs $1.59
Tip: Reds by 8
Cheetahs v Waratahs at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, 11.00pm
Head to head: Played 8, Cheetahs 4, Waratahs 4
In Bloemfontein: Played 3, Cheetahs 1, Waratahs 1
Last clash: Round 5, 2013 – Cheetahs 27-26, Sydney
Big Jacques Potgieter is back and his return couldn’t come quick enough for the Waratahs. Matt Carraro is the only other change to the side that loss to the Lions, replacing suspended winger Rob Horne. The Waratahs can’t afford to slip up against the 13th-placed Cheetahs as they are tied on points with the Brumbies in top spot in the Australian conference.
Tab Sportsbet: Cheetahs $4.20 Waratahs $1.24
Tip: Waratahs by 9
SUNDAY JUNE 7
Stormers v Lions at Newlands, Cape Town, 1.05am
Head-to-head: Played 20, Stormers 15, Lions 5
In Cape Town: Played 9, Stormers 7, Lions 2
Last clash: Round 3, 2015 – Lions 19-22 Stormers, Johannesburg
The Lions showed they are in form with their win over the Waratahs but the Stormers seem to have their number. They have won 11 of 12 games against the Lions, suffering their sole defeat in 2014. The Stormers are currently three points clear of the Lions at the top of the table and with a big crowd expected to cheer them home, should extend that lead.
Tab Sportsbet: Stormers $1.33 Lions $3.40
Tip: Stormers by 11
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.