Super 14 preview panel for this weekend's round two action (all times AEDT):

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22

HURRICANES v REDS at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 5.35pm

Last meeting: Reds 25-16, Brisbane, February 07

The Reds haven't won in Wellington for 10 years and will face a Hurricanes side desperate to put last week's 20-3 tryless loss to NSW behind them. Queensland will have learned something from the Tahs' tight play last week and have the troops to attempt the same. They got off to a winning start, albeit an unconvincing one, with their 22-16 win over the Highlanders and coach Phil Mooney has promoted whiz kid Quade Cooper to his bench. Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has made three changes to his team with All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata promoted to start from the bench, lock Jeremy Thrush replacing Craig Clarke and Tane Tu'ipulotu at inside centre in place of the injured Tamati Ellison.

Centrebet: Hurricanes $1.40, Reds $2.95

Tip: Hurricanes by 20

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23

CHEETAHS v FORCE at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, 3.00am

Last meeting: Force 45-17, Perth, April 07

Matt Henjak is gone and the Force are a long way from home. The West Australians performed credibly in last week's 17-10 loss to 2007 finalists the Sharks with Henjak but, in the middle of a three-week stint in the Republic, the Cheetahs will fancy they could grind the visitors out of it. That's if they can improve on last week's demoralising 23-22 loss to the Lions. James Stannard is in the hot-seat for the Force and will wear Henjak's old No.9 jersey. Nathan Sharpe has so far avoided the hostile local pizzerias and will return to captain the side. Fullback Cameron Shepherd is out with a knee strain and a backline reshuffle means Scott Daruda replaces him at inside centre.

Centrebet: Cheetahs $1.97, Force $1.85

Tip: Force by 5

BULLS v CRUSADERS at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 5.05am

Last meeting: Bulls 27-12, Pretoria, semi-final - May 07

The match of the round and possibly the season as the champions of the past two seasons go head-to-head. The Bulls are on a seven-match winning streak and have beaten Robbie Deans' side in three of their last four matches at Loftus Versfeld, including last year's semi. The Crusaders demolished the Brumbies 34-3 in a wet Christchurch last week but the road trip to the Republic will have been taxing. The Bulls outpointed South African rivals the Stormers 16-9 and are expecting 50,000 to spur them on in Pretoria. Flyer Bryan Habana is out for the home side with a shoulder injury while Andrew Ellis returns to the Crusaders starting side at halfback.

Centrebet: Bulls $2.60, Crusaders $1.50

Tip: Crusaders by 20

CHIEFS v WARATAHS at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 5.35pm

Last meeting: Chiefs 28-23, Sydney, April 07

The Chiefs will hit back hard after last week's 32-14 embarrassment by the Blues. The question is, can the Waratahs, who haven't won in Hamilton for six years, continue the tight stuff to frustrate the home side and balance that with a backline itching to be unleashed. NSW coach Ewen McKenzie is confident of bouncing out of his hospital bed to be there for the match after having a kidney stone removed this week. His 22 is unchanged from last week. Acting Waratahs boss Todd Louden has warned the Chiefs back three will need to be watched closely, including former Blues winger Viliame Waqaseduadua who will debut for his new franchise for the injured Sosene Anesi. The Chiefs' other change is Brendon Leonard at halfback for Jamie Nutbrown, who has a knee injury.

Centrebet: Chiefs $1.65, Waratahs $2.25

Tip: Waratahs by 10

BRUMBIES v HIGHLANDERS at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm

Last meeting: Brumbies 29-10, Dunedin, May 07

Last week was about how the Brumbies were going to go without the retired George Gregan and Stephen Larkham, and the injured Stirling Mortlock and Clyde Rathbone. This week, it's how are they going to with their most inexperienced backline ever after Adam Ashley-Cooper and Gene Fairbanks were both hurt in last week's 34-3 smash-up by the Crusaders. On the positive side, the Canberrans have some talented youngsters to call on, they're at home and they're playing New Zealand's lowest ranked side. The Crusaders didn't let them get into the game at all and they'll need an improved showing from their forwards, particularly in the scrum. Tyrone Smith and Anthony Faingaa are the new centres while ex-Queenslander Mitch Chapman and Mark Chisholm bolster the pack. The Highlanders will rely on the influence of their only All Black, halfback Jimmy Cowan, as they try to recover from the off-season losses of Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Clarke Dermody and Nick Evans.

Centrebet: Brumbies $1.45, Highlanders $2.75

Tip: Brumbies by 10

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

SHARKS v STORMERS at Absa Stadium, Durban, 2.00am

Last meeting: Sharks 36-10, Cape Town, May 07

All eyes will be on flamboyant French five-eighth Frederic Michalak who will make his Super 14 debut for the Sharks after overcoming a calf strain which forced him to miss last week's 17-10 win over the Force. The World Cup playmaker, who has 50 Test caps for France, will form a formidable partnership with halfback Ruan Pienaar. And if that isn't enough, they have a prop called "Beast" - loose-head Beast Mtawarira. The Stormers have named Springbok Conrad Jantjes at fullback after his recovery from hand surgery, while Adriaan Fondse will start at lock for Francois van der Merwe who drops back to the bench. Flanker Schalk Burger has been cleared of a rib problem suffered in last week's 16-9 loss to the Bulls.

Centrebet: Sharks $1.35, Stormers $3.20

Tip: Sharks by 12

LIONS v BLUES at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 4.05am

Last meeting: Blues 41-14, Auckland, March 07

The perennially battling Lions scored a 23-22 upset win away to the Cheetahs last week, despite injuries to their biggest names, causing coach Eugene Eloff to declare the new rules suited his side. They seemed to suit the Blues more though when they effortlessly disposed of the Chiefs 32-14 in Auckland. The home side are still without Andre Pretorius and Jaque Fourie and will need the Blues' long trip and the rarefied Jo'burg air to play their part.

Centrebet: Lions $4.85, Blues $1.18

Tip: Blues by 30

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