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Preview of this weekend’s round 14 of the Super 14 (all times AEST).
FRIDAY
CRUSADERS v BRUMBIES at AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Brumbies 18-16 in Canberra, 2009
The first of two trans-Tasman knockout “quarter-finals” on Friday to kick off the last round of home-and-away fixtures shapes as a beauty – and almost impossible to predict. After looking gone three weeks ago, the Brumbies have revived their title hopes with successive bonus-point wins, while the Crusaders’ record 12th semi-finals appearance is in jeopardy after three straight defeats on the road. The seven-times Super champions are an altogether different beat at home, where they are unbeaten in 2010 and have won 18 of their past 19 tussles with Australian opposition dating back to 2001. More worryingly for the Brumbies, the ACT franchise have conceded 67 points while scoring just six on their past two trips to Christchurch. A highlight of the match should be the last-ever Super showdown of champion flankers Richie McCaw and departing Brumby George Smith.
Sports Alive: Crusaders $1.45, Brumbies $2.75
Tip: Crusaders by eight
NSW WARATAHS v HURRICANES at Sydney Football Stadium at 7.40pm
Last meeting: Waratahs 26-22 in Wellington, 2009
The Waratahs are unbeaten at home this campaign but only another another victory will suffice as both teams look to lock in a semi-final berth. The Hurricanes are the tournament’s form team, last losing seven weeks ago and crossing the Tasman on the back of a five-match unbeaten run. The Wellington-based outfit is also aiming to complete their maiden sweep of the Australian Super rugby participants in one season, after virtually ending Queensland’s playoff hopes with a 44-21 drubbing of the Reds last round. The Waratahs will be without Wallabies prop Benn Robinson (arm), but the Hurricanes received a boost on Thursday with goalkicking halfback Piri Weepu (ankle) declared fit to play.
Sports Alive: Waratahs $1.67, Hurricanes $2.20
Tip: Waratahs by six
SATURDAY
SHARKS v WESTERN FORCE at The ABSA Stadium, Durban at 3.10am
Last meeting: Sharks 22-10 in Perth, 2009
The out-of-contention Force are playing for pride, Wallabies selection and a small slice of Super history as they chase a first-ever win over the Sharks on South African soil. After losing their first six games this season, the Western Australians could finish as high as 11th on the ladder with a fifth win from their last seven games. Despite having not won in Durban before, the Force do have a relatively sound record in the Republic and will be hoping to enhance that in a match that otherwise has no bearing on the make-up of the semi-finals.
Sports Alive: Sharks $1.14, Force $5.75
Tip: Sharks by 15
BLUES v CHIEFS at Eden Park, Auckland at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Chiefs 63-34 in Hamilton, 2009
There’s absolutely no reason why the Chiefs should turn around their dreadful form against the Blues but, given they are the two most unpredictable under-achievers in the competition, the Waikato team will probably spring an upset. The Blues come home following a big thumping of the toothless Lions while the Chiefs were given a touch-up by the Waratahs. The Aucklanders have lost fullback Isaia Toeava to a hip injury but have captain Keven Mealamu back from a calf problem as well as new father Rudi Wulf. The injury-hit Chiefs have been forced into picking a second-string backline with Test halfback Brendon Leonard the only regular starter still standing. This could be a game of touch rugby.
Sports Alive: Blues $1.43, Chiefs $4.15
Tip: Blues by 15
QUEENSLAND REDS v HIGHLANDERS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 7.40pm
Last meeting: Highlanders 24-19 in Invercargill, 2009
Queensland’s 2010 fairytale was blown away amid concentration lapses, a sin-binning and lax defence in windy Wellington last week. Rubbing salt into their wounds has been a string of injuries. Influential twins Saia (neck) and Anthony (shoulder) Faingaa are out along with winger Rod Davies (hamstring) and prop Ben Daley (bicep). The Reds are also without four other injured forwards and have picked several rookies and retiring veteran Sean Hardman to confront the abrasive Highlanders pack. The men from NZ’s deep south have been inconsistent all year, as shown by their upset win over NSW then 31-3 loss to the Brumbies, but will be tough to crack.
Sports Alive: Reds $1.18, Highlanders $4.80
Tip: Reds by 5
CHEETAHS v LIONS at GWK Park, Kimberly at 11pm
Last meeting: Lions 34-28 in Johannesburg, 2009
Only South African diehards are likely to tune into this midnight derby battle of two competition also-rans. The Cheetahs are strong favourites having not been beaten in the four weeks since they avoided defeat overseas for the first time in Super 14 by drawing with the Chiefs in New Zealand. The back-to-back wins over the Blues and the Western Force since then marks only the second time in Super rugby that the Cheetahs have won matches in succession. The lowly Lions, on the other hand, are looking to avoid an unwanted piece of history as the first side to go through a Super 14 campaign winless.
Sports Alive: Cheetahs $1.17, Lions $5
Tip: Cheetahs by 15
SUNDAY
STORMERS v BULLS at Newlands, Cape Town at 1.05am
Last meeting: Bulls 14-10 in Pretoria, 2009
The defending champion Bulls have lost friends on both sides of the Tasman by fielding a virtual second-string side against their South African rivals. Coach Frans Ludeke has rested 14 of his top players after the Bulls ensured they took the minor premiership and finals hosting rights with the 40-35 win over the Crusaders. A loss to the Stormers, upset losers to the Sharks last week, would also ensure they meet an Australasian team in next week’s semi-final in Soweto. The Stormers should clinch a home semi-final of their own with the Bulls big guns watching on the sidelines.
Sports Alive: betting suspended
Tip: Stormers by 12
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.