The fifth round of Super Rugby kicks off with the Chiefs hosting the Stormers at Waikato Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm AEDT.
Both of these teams have been recent front runners in their respective conferences, however this year, both the Stormers and Chiefs have looked a little out of sorts.
The Stormers last week should have beaten the Crusaders, but they just seemed to lack the killer punch. Even with the evergreen Jean De Villiers and the comeback of Schalk Burger there just seems to be something missing.
The Chiefs come off a bye after victories over the Crusaders in Round two and Highlanders in round three. Both of these games came down to the wire with an intercept finishing off the Crusaders as they pushed for a win.
They had to chase the Highlander down to record a 21-19 victory.
The Chiefs bye has come at a good time, allowing for a couple of players to overcome injuries suffered in the first few games.
Only Bundee Aki and Robbie Robinson appear to remain on the injury list.
For the Stormers there are injury concerns for hooker, Scarra Ntubeni, who has been sent home and has been replaced by the 21 year old Stephan Coetzee, who moves onto the bench.
Recent results between the two teams has the Stormers with four victories over the Chiefs at three.
The last 2 games have gone the Stormers 36-34 last year and the chiefs 30-23 in 2011.
Both teams having the ability to beat the other on their home ground – the Stormers beat the Chiefs in Waikato in 2010 49-15.
The breakdown battle in this game will be intense, with the Chiefs Liam Messam against Schalk Burger; both are willing and skilled combatants.
The game will also feature some outstanding finishers like Tim Nanai-Williams for the Chiefs and Gio Aplon for the Stormers.
Getting the ball to these guys in space could prove to be the difference in this game.
Current odds have the Chiefs at $1.18 and the Stormers at $3.70. This looks a little rough on the Stormers.
The Stormers did go close last week, but I think the Chiefs will use their backs well and get over the Stormers in a close one.
Join The Roar at 5:30pm AEST for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Old Bugger
Guest
EP I think the grounding call came from the touchie to Joubert hence his call to check the tackle.
Old Bugger
Guest
EP Isn't the rule when entering a maul is you must enter from behind the hindmost feet i.e come through the gate? You will get penalised when you enter into the opposition maul from the side but not your own maul, provided its thru' the gate. Can someone clarify cos at first, I thought that Crud's would get pinged - it all happened right in front of Joubert so I figured its OK.
The V Man
Guest
Er yes......they will win three!
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
Oops - got my Blogs mixed up. The Chiefs sound as if they're rolling on where they left off last season Didn't see this game, but I've seen the previous weeks. They look like a "many-ways-to-win" side, finding the result any which way they can. Keep that up and there's 3-in-a-Row on the cards.
cm
Guest
Of course they set the standard. They've won the last two Super 15 comps. Anything else you need to tell us, V Man?
Gavin Melville
Roar Pro
Is that the first extra-conference loss by an Aussie Super Team this season? I think so.
John
Guest
The selection of Mackintosh is the only criticism I have of the Chiefs coaching team. Last year they had Toby Smith but never played him and he subsequently took off to Melbourne out of frustration. They deemed Manu to be a superior prop.... This year, they get an inferior prop to Smith, in Mackintosh, and then decide to start him ahead of Manu. Where's the logic guys?
The V Man
Guest
What a team. They epitomise guts, effort, and want. Supremely coached and fit - a real joy to watch. The snorefest that is the Australian sides must realise that this is the standard for how footy should be played. Superb stuff!
The V Man
Guest
Joubert refereed a real good game. Glasses clanging to Ben Skeen too. A quick TMO who doesn't fluff around and makes quick decisions.
Chivas
Guest
I absolutel love the ground, not just because it's home and is such a beautiful pitch to play on. But you are close to the sidelines and a noisy parochial largely Waikato crowd just makes it the best day out... and I'm only a little biased :-). But good to see the crowds and beer is flowing. Means everything is good on mooloo land.
Is that a question, or is it not? :D
Elisha Pearce
Expert
In some ways that match looked like it should have been closer. But the Stormers only had 5 excursions with the ball inside the Chiefs 22. That's a bit lame.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
They don't have a best 15 it's impossible to pick. I really do want to see them gel some combinations this year, but it really is brutal to leave some of those backs out for a month or so to do it, they all deserve to start.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
No way. Hes not even the worst at the Chiefs.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I have no idea lol.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
At scrumtime.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
The Stormers looked unstoppable but the mighty Chiefs slayed the giant. Thats my story and Im sticking to it.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Is it offside if the offside person is in the goal but the other person isn't? And while you're at it: To be or not to be?
Highlander
Guest
Stormers did look like a team tiring on tour, but that doesn't excuse the brand of rugby - great injection of pace when they used the bench, but otherwise increasingly like watching England - just dull. If the Chiefs ever figure out their first XV, or can identify it and get them all fit, then we are all in trouble again. Love the way Cruden engages the inside channel defensive line by playing quickly and flat - he just gets better - few 10s doing this well. Where did that chiefs number 8 come from - they have a hell of a scouting network and team culture. Poetic that Latimer scores at the end and that the Stormers have a rolling maul stuffed up them - lovely
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Don't think you can be offside in the in goal anyway