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Preview of Super Rugby Round 14 matches (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, May 27
Hurricanes v Highlanders at Westpac Stadium, Wellington 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 27 Hurricanes 14 Highlanders 13
In Wellington: Played 13 Hurricanes 7 Highlanders 6
Last clash: Round 2 2016 – Highlanders 17 bt Hurricanes 16 at Forsyth Barr Stadium
Just a point separates these teams in the ferociously competitive New Zealand conference. The Hurricanes will have a fully fit squad to choose from and home advantage, but the Highlanders are Super Rugby’s ultimate scrappers. Expect another close contest.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.75 Highlanders $2.05
Tip: Hurricanes by 4 points
NSW Waratahs v Chiefs at Allianz Stadium, Sydney 7.45pm
Head to Head: Played 19 Waratahs 12 Chiefs 7
In Sydney: Played 9 Waratahs 7 Chiefs 2
Last clash: Round 16 2014 – Waratahs 33 bt Chiefs 17 at Yarrow Stadium
The Australian and New Zealand conference leaders meet but the Chiefs are 12 points ahead on the overall ladder. The Tahs have reshuffled their back line but will need to gain ascendancy up front to threaten the Chiefs. A loss could do plenty of damage to the Waratahs’ finals aspirations.
Tab Sportsbet: Waratahs $2.35 Chiefs $1.60
Tip: Chiefs by 6 points
SATURDAY, May 28
Kings v Jaguares at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth 3.00am
Head to Head: Played 1 Kings 0 JAG 1
In Port Elizabeth: N/A
Last clash: Round 10 2016 – JAG 73 bt Kings 27 at Estadio Jose Amalfitani
Two of the stragglers in the South African conference hope to boost their meagre points tallies and defend better after each leaked more than 50 points last week. The Kings have lost hooker Martin Ferreira, winger Luzuko Vulindlu and five-eighth Elgar Watts to injuries, but will look to avenge the dreadful hammering they received in Argentina.
Tab Sportsbet: Kings $10.00 JAG $1.05
Tip: Jaguares by 11 points
Blues v Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland 5.35pm
Head to Head: Played 28 Blues 11 Crusaders 17
In Auckland: Played 14 Blues 8 Crusaders 6
Last clash: Round 2 2016 – Crusaders 28 bt Blues 13 at Christchurch Stadium
The Crusaders have won nine of their past 10 and are coming of a good win over the Waratahs. The Blues have to win to stay in contention for an Australasian group wildcard. The visitors won’t do them any favours because they need a victory to improve their chances of a conference title.
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $4.00 Crusaders $1.25
Tip: Crusaders by 8 points
Brumbies v Sunwolves at GIO Stadium, Canberra 7.45pm
Head to Head: Played 0 Brumbies 0 SUN 0
In Canberra: N/A
Last clash: N/A
It’s hard to see any result other than a comprehensive win for the home team, whose hopes of winning the Australian conference got a boost during their bye week with the Waratahs failing to pick up any points. The Sunwolves have been far more competitive in their past four games since leaking 92 points against the Cheetahs, but still look likely to suffer a fourth defeat in as many matches to an Australian franchise.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $1.01 Sunwolves $16.00
Tip: Brumbies by 19 points
Stormers v Cheetahs at Newlands Rugby Stadium, Cape Town 11.00pm
Head to Head: Played 16 Stormers 11 Cheetahs 5
In Cape Town: Played 8 Stormers 7 Cheetahs 1
Last clash: Round 2 2016 – Stormers 20 bt Cheetahs 10 at Toyota Stadium
The Stormers need to reverse a form slump that has resulted in just one win from their past five matches and pushed them off the top of their conference and out of the wildcard spot. Veteran loose forward Schalk Burger is battling to overcome an ankle injury, but they should still start favourites against the Cheetahs, who have had a disappointing season.
Tab Sportsbet: Stormers $1.16 Cheetahs $5.25
Tip: Stormers by 11 points
SUNDAY, May 29
Bulls v Lions at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 1.10am
Head to Head: Played 14 Bulls 11 Lions 2 drawn 1
In Pretoria: Played 7 Bulls 7 Lions 0
Last clash: Round 12 2015 – Bulls 35 bt Lions 33 at Loftus Versfeld
The South African conference leaders meet at a venue where the Lions have never tasted victory in seven Super Rugby games. The Bulls rebounded from away losses to the Brumbies and Waratahs with a home win over the Stormers. The Lions ran up plenty of points in big home wins in their past two games, but will find the going much tougher in the Loftus Versfeld cauldron.
Tab Sportsbet: Bulls $1.75 Lions $2.05
Tip: Bulls by 4 points
Rebels v Force at AAMI Park, Melbourne 4.05pm
Head to Head: Played 11 Rebels 8 Force 3
In Melbourne: Played 5 Rebels 3 Force 2
Last clash: Round 1 2016 – Rebels 25 bt Force 19 at nib Stadium
Both teams need a win to boost sagging fortunes heading into the June break. Three successive losses have knocked the Rebels down from first to third in the Australian conference and pretty much wiped out their finals prospects. The Force have lost eight of their past nine games and a win would improve their prospects of avoiding successive wooden spoons.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $1.20 Force $4.50
Tip: Rebels by 8 points
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.