0
Super 14 preview for this weekend's round nine action (all times AEST):-
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
HIGHLANDERS V SHARKS at Carisbrook, Dunedin at 5.35 pm
Last meeting: Sharks 23-16 in Durban, round 4, 2007
Looks a mismatch at first glance with the Sharks unbeaten and the Highlanders 1-6 after seven matches. But the Sharks have not been terribly convincing and should have lost their drawn first Australasian leg match against the Hurricanes but for the ref's last second blunder. They've dropped last year's top try scorer JP Pietersen but wing replacement Waylon Murray is classy. Highlanders will be lifted by their bonus point win over the Lions to climb off bottom but have strangely relegated influential halfback Jimmy Cowan to the bench and forward injury absences are hurting.
Tabsportsbet.com.au: Highlanders $3.30, Sharks $1.30
Tip: Sharks by eight
Highlanders: Paul Williams, Matt Saunders, Niva Ta'auso, Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo, James Wilson, Toby Morland, Craig Newby (captain), Tim Boys, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Hoani MacDonald, Clint Newland, Jason Macdonald, Chris King. Reserves: David Hall, Jamie Mackintosh/Keith Cameron, Isaac Ross, Hayden Triggs, Jimmy Cowan, Daniel Bowden, Aaron Bancroft
Sharks: Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Francois Steyn, Bradley Barritt, Waylon Murray, Frederic Michalak, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski, Jacques Botes, Keegan Daniel, Johann Muller (captain), Steven Sykes, BJ Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira. Reserves: Craig Burden, Deon Carstens, Jannie du Plessis, Albert van den Berg, AJ Venter, Rory Kockott, Adrian Jacobs.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
CRUSADERS V LIONS at AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 3.30pm
Last meeting: Lions 9-3 in Johannesburg, round 3, 2007.
What to make of this? Mass changes for both the first-placed Crusaders and last-placed Lions. Robbie Deans is resting Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw and has a debutant playmaker in Hamish Gard replacing injured Dan Carter among eight personnel changes from the last start win over the Hurricanes. Lions coach Eugene Eloff was furious at the effort in his team's loss to the Highlanders but his seven changes may suggest he sees little chance of winning this.
Tabsportsbet.com.au: Crusaders $1.03, Lions $10.00
Tip Crusaders by 12
Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Sean Maitland, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Caleb Ralph, Hamish Gard, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, George Whitelock, Reuben Thorne (captain), Ali Williams, Michael Paterson, Greg Somerville, Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Nasi Manu, Steve Alfeld, Stephen Brett, Kieran Read
Lions: Louis Ludik, Dusty Noble, Jannie Bosh off, Doppies la Grange, Rayno Benjamin, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Chris Jonck, Willem Alberts, Joe van Niekerk, Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), Gerhard Mostert, Dewald Senekal, Ross Geldenhuys, Ethienne Reynecke, Heinke van der Merwe. Reserves: Willie Wepener, JC Janse van Rensburg, Anton van Zyl, Franco van Merwe, Jano Vermaak, Rudi Vogt, Justin St Jerry.
BLUES V BRUMBIES at Eden Park, Auckland at 5.35 pm
Last meeting: Blues 17-15 in Canberra, round two, 2007
Currently sitting in ninth place, seven points out of fourth spot, the Brumbies need to win to maintain any slight hope of making the finals. Fullback Mark Gerrard returns from a hamstring strain, but losing mobile No.8 Stephen Hoiles won't help. After starting with three bonus point wins, the Blues have gone off the boil in the last five weeks. Rudi Wulf comes onto the wing for the injured Joe Rokocoko. Expect a more focused Blues performance following their capitulation to the Waratahs.
Tabsportsbet.com.au: Blues $1.25, Brumbies $3.65
Tip: Blues by eight.
Blues: Isa Nacewa/Ben Atiga, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Rudi Wulf, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Nick Williams, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Bryn Evans, Justin Collins, Taniela Moa, Ben Atiga/one to be named, David Smith.
Brumbies: Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Tyrone Smith, Peter Playford, Christian Lealiifano, Patrick Phibbs, Julian Salvi, George Smith, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Alister Campbell, Guy Shepherdson, Saia Faingaa, Nic Henderson. Reserves: John Ulugia, Salesi Ma'afu, Peter Kimlin, Jone Tawake, Josh Holmes, Matt Toomua, Francis Fainifo, Ben Alexander (one to be omitted).
WESTERN FORCE-NSW WARATAHS at Subiaco Oval, Perth at 9.05pm
Last meeting: 16-16 in Sydney, round 5, 2007
The most significant Australian derby of the season, with the winner certain to jump into the top four ahead of the resting Chiefs. Interesting matchups abound, including those between locks Nathan Sharpe and Daniel Vickerman and pivots Matt Giteau and Kurtley Beale. The Force, who have found winning at home difficult, recalled former Waratahs prop Troy Takiari. Boom teenager Rob Horne makes his run on debut for NSW. It could go either way, but the Force's extra backline experience might just get them home.
Tabsportsbet.com.au: Force $1.75, Waratahs $2.05
Tip: Force by four.
Force: Cameron Shepherd, Nick Cummins, Ryan Cross, Scott Staniforth, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Scott Fava, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Tom Hockings, Troy Takiari, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Luke Holmes, AJ Whalley, Sam Wykes, Matt Hodgson, James Stannard, Lachlan MacKay, Haig Sare.
Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (captain), Dean Mumm, Dan Vickerman, Will Caldwell, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, David Lyons, Beau Robinson, Brett Sheehan, Matt Carraro, Alfi Mafi.
STORMERS V CHEETAHS at Newlands, Cape Town at 11pm
Last meeting: Cheetahs 27-9 in Bloemfontein, round 1, 2007
Rested after their bye, the Stormers will be looking to recapture their sparkling Australasian from which netted them three wins from four games. The Stormers now play their last six in South Africa, with the next five in Durban. They need a win to stay in touch with the top four and won't find that easy to achieve against a Cheetahs team buoyed by their first victory of the campaign after several close losses. The Cheetahs have dropped Juan Smith back to the bench.
Tabsportsbet.com.au: Stormers $1.14, Cheetahs $5.25
Tip: Stormers by six
Stormers: TBA
Cheetahs: TBA
SUNDAY, April 13
BULLS V HURRICANES at Loftus Versfeld Pretoria at 1.05 am
Last meeting: Hurricanes 17-9 in Wellington, round 9, 2007
The Bulls title defence is in tatters after losing all four of their games in Australasia, though their last two were by a combined margin of just three points. They will field an unchanged lineup against a Hurricanes outfit which has slipped to seventh following a loss to the Crusaders and a draw against the Sharks. The Hurricanes, who have won three out of five at the venue, have dropped prop Neemia Tialata and shifted hard running Ma'a Nonu to the midfield from the wing.
Tabsportsbet.com.au: Bulls: $1.65, Hurricanes $2.15
Tip: Bulls by eight
Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez (captain), Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Pedrie Wannenburg, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Rayno Gerber, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Werner Kruger, Jaco Engels, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heini Adams, Morne Steyn, Deon Stegmann
Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Shannon Paku, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Fairbrother, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger. Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, Neemia Tialata, Jacob Ellison, Craig Clarke, Scott Waldrom, Alby Mathewson, Tamati Ellison
Bye: REDS, CHIEFS
AAP
Reply With Quote
