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: Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga,
Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter
Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger,
Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits and JD
Moller. Reserves: Tiaan Liebenberg, Brok Harris,
Ross Skeate, Robbie Diack, Bolla Conradie, Tony Brown and Gio
Aplon.
Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller; Eddie Fredericks, JW
Jonker, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe; Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Tewis
de Bruyn; Duanne Vermeulen, Juan Smith (capt.), Heinrich Brussow,
Barend Pieterse, Rory Duncan, CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Strauss,
Wian du Preez. Reserves: Richardt Strauss, Bees
Roux, David de Villiers, Hendro Scholtz, Falie Oelschig, Conrad
Barnard, Hendrik Meyer.
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
