Chiefs vs Bulls: Super Rugby live scores, blog

Roar Guru

16th March, 2018

Where: FMG Stadium, Hamilton.
When: Friday 16th March – 5:35pm AEDT
Betting Odds: Chiefs $1.10, Bulls $7.50 (Sportsbet)

Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Fa’auli, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Tiaan Falcon, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross

Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Declan O’Donnell

Bulls
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal (c), 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Jason Jenkins/Tim Agaba, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Johnny Kotze

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Bulls' captain Burger Odendaal. (PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP/Getty Images)

Nick Kelland

Roar Guru

16th March, 2018

The Chiefs are fresh off a bye, and will be looking to hand the Bulls a second straight loss after their defeat to the Queensland Reds last start. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting from 5:35pm AEDT.

Round 5 kicks off with the rested Chiefs tackling the battered and bruised Bulls outfit that will be desperate for redemption after their last start performance.

Brad Thorns’ Reds defeated the Bulls thanks to their superior set piece and immense defensive tenacity last week – and that’s something that Bulls coach John Mitchell will need to sort out, and sort out quickly, if they’re to push the Chiefs away from home tonight.

In team news for the Bulls, skipper Burger Odendaal returns at inside centre, whilst Divan Rossouw assumes his position on the left wing. No.8 Nic De Jager is injured, which sees Hanro Liebenberg pack down at the back of the scrum.

On the other side of the coin, the Chiefs will be looking to continue their good recent form, their 27-21 win over the Blues in round three was impressive.

Angus Ta’avao starts in the front row, whilst Damian McKenzie and Tiaan Falcon swap the 10 and 15 jerseys, with McKenzie taking up his place fullback. Liam Messam plays No.8, and Lachlan Boshier shifts to blindside flanker.

Prediction
History is a good indicator of the future. The Bulls haven’t won in NZ for five years, and they don’t have the attacking weapons to deal with the Chiefs firepower – particularly out wide. I think it’ll be closer than many predict, but expect the Chiefs to win their second on the trot tonight.

Chiefs by 12

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEDT.

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