Scotty Donaldson previews Round 6 Super Rugby action with players to watch, bargains and picks.
Super Rugby Round 6 welcomes the return of All Blacks Dan Carter, Jarrad Hoeata and Adam Thomson to action. These players will provide a welcome boost to their sides, although any thoughts of purchasing Dan Carter by www.testrugby.com managers are premature with news that Tom Taylor will most likely kick goals. Unfortunately injuries have hit the Highlanders, although the return of All Blacks Jarrad Hoeata and Adam Thomson will be offset by the loss of Andrew Hore. For updated Super 15 Rugby Round 6 team lists go to
I had a massive week last week picking six out of seven winners. The travel factor is interesting for results because travel can be tiring, but sometimes teams flourish without the pressure of playing infront of a home crowd.
Game 1 - Highlanders vs Rebels
My boys the Highlanders will be hoping to get back into the winner's circle and should be too strong for the Rebels. The 'landers play this one in my home town of Invercargill and hopefully the Rebels won't have the creature comforts of the flash indoor stadium or the warm climate of Australia. The Rebels have a few rock stars especially if Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor can show up, but this Highlanders team will be hurting after slipping up in Canberra last week and will be determined to hit the ground running at Rugby Park on Friday night. It will be interesting to see how loose forward Tom Chamberlain goes against his Southland ITM Cup team-mates from last year. The Highlanders should hopefully take the Rebels apart upfront if they are too win and keep Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor quiet. Remember Andrew Hore is out injured, but fear not as he will be replaced by local legend Jason Rutledge.
Players to buy - Adam Thomson, James O'Connor.
Bargains - Chris Noakes, Shaun Treeby, Jarrad Hoeata.
My pick - Highlanders by 7.
Game 2 - Hurricanes vs Cheetahs
This match should be a great spectacle with both teams enjoying scoring tries. The Hurricanes should win at home, but the Cheetahs have made an artform of running teams close. Their style makes Cheetahs' players ideal for www.testrugby.com, but it doesn't win them matches very often. The battle of the first five eighths will be brilliant with Beauden Barrett and Johan Goosen two of the hottest young talents in the competition. Players to buy - Adriaan Strauss, Andre Taylor.
Bargains - Brad Shields, Beauden Barrett, Johan Goosen, Willie Le Roux, Philip van der Walt,
My pick - Hurricanes by 3.
Game 3 - Chiefs vs Waratahs
The Chiefs are coming off the bye and have been one of the surprise packages of the competition. If they can keep playing like they have been, they should get the win over the Waratahs who have been a bit disappointing this season with several narrow losses. The battle between Berrick Barnes and Aaron Cruden will be interesting, while the Chiefs midfield looks irresistable with two of the hottest properties in the sport Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui looking dangerous. If the Chiefs combative tight five with Sona Taumalolo and Brodie Retallick the new rising talents can gain parity, you would back the attack of the Chiefs' backs to get them home. The Waratahs usually don't get smashed, but have been on the wrong side of several narrow scorelines and this week looks no different.
Players to watch - Sonny Bill Williams, Tatafu Polatau-Nau.
Bargains - Brodie Retallick, Bernard Foley, Tom Kingston.
My pick - Chiefs by 3.
Game 4 - Brumbies vs Sharks
This game could go either way. Jake White has got this Brumbies team playing well, but I wonder if they can handle the power of the Sharks. The Sharks will be disappointed to have lost to the Waratahs last week and despite not having Patrick Lambie, will still have a decent shot at beating the Brumbies who overcame the Highlanders last week. I have a feeling that the Highlanders didn't play very well and the Brumbies may have been made to look better than they are.
Players to watch - Stephen Moore, Bismarck Du Plessis,
Bargains - Michael Hooper, Marcell Coetzee.
My pick - Sharks by 2.
Game 5 - Force vs Reds
The Reds call in at Perth on their way home from being beaten up in South Africa. The Force have a golden opportunity to tip over the defending champions who are struggling with injuries to their first five eighths. It will be interesting to see how Dallan Murphy goes for them in this match. The Force actually have a good forward pack for this match and will be hard to beat on their home patch. This is one of these games that could go either way.
Players to watch - Nathan Sharpe, Scott Higganbotham, David Pocock,
Bargains - Nathan Charles.
My pick - Reds by 2.
Game 6 - Lions vs Crusaders
Dan Carter is back for the Crusaders and they will be confident of winning this match in Johannesburg. While the Crusaders haven't reached the lofty heights of yesteryear, they would have aimed for a win in this match. Carter will ignite the Crusaders backline in this match, so watch for big games from Robbie Fruean and Israel Dagg. For the Lions, they are always tricky to beat at home, but teams still haven't had many problems beating them this season. I think this match will be closer than expected, but the visitors should win. The Lions haven't named their team yet.
Players to watch - Dan Carter, Robbie Fruean, Sam Whitelock, Israel Dagg.
Bargains- Tom Taylor, Jaco Taute, Callie Visagie.
My pick - Crusaders by 2.
Game 7 - Stormers vs Bulls
This is a massive match between the two highly fancied South African teams. There will be no love lost here, especially with the usually staunch Bulls playing in pink against the Stormers. Both of these teams are coming off wins last week, although I think the Bulls will struggle to come down from thrashing the Reds last week. Will the boot of Morne Steyn dictate the outcome of this match?
Players to watch - Morne Steyn, Joe Pietersen, Tiaan Liebenberg, Andries Bekker, Bjorn Basson, Pierre Spies.
Bargains - Juandre Kruger, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt.
My pick - Stormers by 3.
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