Super 14 previews for this weekend's round 14 action (all times AEST):

FRIDAY, May 16

BLUES v HURRICANES at Eden Park, Auckland at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Hurricanes 23-22 in Wellington, round 3, 2007
Bookmakers don't often get it wrong and, interestingly, they have installed the sixth-placed Blues favourites to win this vital encounter against the second-placed Hurricanes. While a Hurricanes triumph would almost certainly hand them a home semi-final in Wellington, a loss would add further tension to an already intriguing final round. A Blues victory would have both sides waiting anxiously until Sunday morning to see if they make the playoffs. The Hurricanes have been boosted by the return of Jerry Collins, his comeback from three weeks out with a rib injury adding experience and physical presence to the back row alongside Rodney So'oialo and Chris Masoe against and an equally effective Blues trio of Nick Williams, Daniel Braid and Jerome Kaino.|
Lasseters Sportsbook: Blues $1.82, Hurricanes $2.02
Tip: Blues by four

Blues: Nick Evans, David Smith, Anthony Tuitavake, Benson Stanley, Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa, Taniela Moa, Nick Williams, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Nick White, Bronson Murray, Kurtis Haiu, Justin Collins, Danny Lee, Isaia Toeava, Ben Atiga.

Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Easton, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Fairbrother, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger. Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, Jacob Ellison, Craig Clarke, Scott Waldrom, Alby Mathewson, Jimmy Gopperth, Tamati Ellison.

WESTERN FORCE v BRUMBIES at Subiaco Oval, Perth at 9.05pm
Last meeting: Brumbies 14-12 in Canberra, round 12, 2007
The Force face the unenviable record of losing to all three Australian teams in 2008 if they fail at home. As well as sharing the same record (6-6) and points (28), both teams come off tough losses and long flights heading into their derby. The Brumbies are keen to send coach Laurie Fisher out on a high while the Force want to show they are indeed a team on the way up. As well as beating his old team, Brumbies playmaker Matt Giteau can answer the critics questioning his form at five-eighth. Winger Francis Fainifo and scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs return to the Brumbies starting team, while prop Pek Cowan is back from injury for the Force.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Western Force $1.75, Brumbies $2.12
Tip: Draw

Western Force: Cameron Shepherd, Dane Haylett-Petty, Josh Tatupu, James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, David Pusey, Nathan Sharpe (captain) Tory Takiari, Tai McIsaac, Gareth Hardy, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Luke Holmes, Kieran Longbottom, Sitaleki Timani, Sam Wykes, James Stannard, Scott Daruda, Haig Sare.

Brumbies: Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Tyrone Smith, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano, Patrick Phibbs, Stephen Hoiles, George Smith, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Alister Campbell, Guy Shepherdson, John Ulugia, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Salesi Maafu, Peter Kimlin, Julian Salvi, Joshua Holmes, Matt Toomua, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

SATURDAY, May 17

CRUSADERS v HIGHLANDERS at Jade Stadium, Christchurch at 5.35pm
Last meeting: Crusaders 38-3 in Dunedin, round 11, 2007

With a 12-point lead over their closest rivals and already assured of a home semi-final, the Crusaders' biggest danger could be complacency. Coach Robbie Deans has rung the changes in putting close to his full-strength team on the park for the South Island showdown. Five-eighth Daniel Carter makes his starting return from injury after a brilliant cameo against the Reds on Saturday. Fellow All Blacks Corey Flynn, Ali Williams and Andy Ellis are also back starting as the six-time champions warm up for the playoffs. The gritty Highlanders are coming off a 40-15 thumping by the Blues and will do well to keep the scoreline respectable against their all-conquering neighbours.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Crusaders $1.08, Highlanders $8.25
Tip: Crusaders by 26

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Kade Poki, Caleb Ralph, Stephen Brett, Sean Maitland, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richard McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Kieran Read, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Tim Bateman, Casey Laulala

Highlanders: to be named

QUEENSLAND REDS v NSW WARATAHS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 7.40pm
Last meeting: Waratahs 26-13 in Sydney, round 11, 2007
Dubbed "the Origin before Origin". With NSW needing to beat their bitter rivals to lock up a semi-finals spot, Australian rugby's annual interstate grudge match has an even greater edge in 2008. The barbs have been flying from both sides of the border all week, with NSW winger Lote Tuqiri accusing Queensland of copping out by not trying hard enough earlier in the season and falling out of playoff contention and the Reds returning fire and accusing the Waratahs players of being weak for not attending the traditional pre-game lunch. The Reds have been boosted by the returns of prop Rodney Blake (suspension) and halfback Sam Cordingley (calf) on the bench but have lost winger Digby Ioane to suspension. Veteran Cordingley's availability lifts the number of Reds farewells to three with the retiring David Croft and Brumbies-bound Stephen Moore playing their last games for Queensland. The Waratahs have delayed naming their team until tomorrow, coach Ewen McKenzie instead picking a 23-man squad to travel north.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Waratahs $1.50, Reds $2.65
Tip: Waratahs by nine

Reds: Clinton Schifcofske, Brando Va'aulu, Morgan Turinui, Berrick Barnes, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, David Croft, Poutasi Luafutu, James Horwill (captain), Van Humphries, Dayna Edwards, Stephen Moore, Ben Coutts. Reserves: Sean Hardman, Rodney Blake, Ed O'Donoghue, Scott Higginbotham, Sam Cordingley, Charlie Fetoai, Caleb Brown.

Waratahs:
Backs: Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Matt Carraro, Tom Carter, Sam Harris, Rob Horne, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner.
Forwards: Al Baxter, Will Caldwell, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, David Lyons, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Robinson, Dan Vickerman, Phil Waugh (capt).

LIONS v STORMERS at Ellis Park, Johannesburg at 11pm
Last meeting: Stormers 30-8 in Cape Town, round 10, 2007
The Stormers, unbeaten since round six, are expected to continue the roll against the last-placed Lions but would be advised against taking their South African counterparts lightly. The Lions dealt the Chiefs' playoff hopes a potentially fatal blow last week and anything less than a bonus-point victory for the Stormers would seriously jeopardise their title hopes. In contention for a home semi but with the Sharks breathing down their neck, even a win might not be good enough for the Stormers if other results go against them. Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has made four team changes including two positional switches in the forwards. The Lions have the added incentive of knowing an upset win would almost certainly spare them the wooden spoon.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Stormers $1.38, Lions $3.10
Tip: Stormers by 10

Lions: Earl Rose; Louis Ludik, Jaque Fourie, Walter Venter, Ryno Benjamin; Jaco van Schalkwyk, Chris Jonck; Willem Alberts, Joe van Niekerk, Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), Gerhard Mostert, Dewald Senekal, JC Janse van Rensburg, Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe. Reserves: Etthienne Reynecke, Ross Geldenhuys, Franco van der Merwe, Wilhelm Koch, Jano Vermaak, Jannie Boshoff, Dusty Noble.

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Wylie Human, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Pieter Myburgh, Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits, Schalk Ferreira. Reserves: Deon Fourie, Brok Harris, Ross Skeate, Robbie Diack, Bolla Conradie, Tony Brown, Dylan des Fountain.

SUNDAY, May 18

CHEETAHS v BULLS at Vodacom Park Stadium, Bloemfontein at 1.05am
Last meeting: Bulls 24-20 in Pretoria, round 2, 2007

They may be two of the also-rans of the competition but the Cheetahs and Bulls won't give an inch in their final game of the season. The Cheetahs will aim to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon and send lock Barend Pieterse out in style after he announced he will retire after this season's Currie Cup. The Bulls, champions in 2007, have rallied after returning home from their disappointing Australasian tour. They have lost injured Springboks Wikus Van Heerden and flyhalf Derick Hougaard but should still be too strong.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Bulls $1.42, Cheetahs $2.95
Tip: Bulls by 10

Cheetahs: to be named

Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez (captain), Pierre Spies, Pedrie Wannenburg, Deon Stegmann, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Derick Kuun, Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Bandise Maku, Rayno Gerber, Jaco Engels, Danie Rossouw, Francois Hougaard, Burton Francis, Hilton Lobberts

SHARKS v CHIEFS v ABSA Stadium, Durban at 3.10am
Last meeting: Chiefs 35-27 in Hamilton, round 12, 2007

The fifth-placed Sharks and seventh-placed Chiefs meet in a sudden-death match, with even the winners relying on other results going their way in order to qualify for the playoffs. A big bonus point win would certainly help the Sharks' cause. After back-to-back defeats, the Chiefs need a minor miracle and they will only advance with a big win and losses also for the Waratahs, Stormers and Blues. The Chiefs may well be out of the running even before they take the field in the very last match of the regular season. Injuries and suspensions led to five Chiefs squad members being flown home from South Africa this week, while injured All Blacks Sione Lauaki, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Tom Willis also remain in doubt.
Lasseters Sportsbook: Sharks $1.42, Chiefs $2.95
Tip: Sharks by 14

Sharks: to be named
Chiefs: to be named

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