I am hopeful that things will return to normality this round of Super Rugby, but it is difficult to tell.
Super Rugby Round 14 is a great chance for punters to make amends for the upsets in Round 13. There were only three results that weren't upsets last round, will Round 14 be any different? Remember that three teams have the bye this round with the table topping Reds, the Highlanders and the Hurricanes taking a break.
The Cheetahs are probably the most likely to win this weekend, so they could provide some good options for <a href="www.testrugby.comhttp://www.testrugby.com">www.testrugby.com</a> points.
Super Rugby Teams: Blues vs Stormers Time: 20/05/2011 19:45 Venue: Eden Park Pick: Home team by 12 & under
The Blues host the Stormers in the match of the round with the Blues having the home advantage. They have benched Rene Ranger, but the Stormers are missing critical players like Jacque Fourie and Peter Grant. That is why I think the home team will win, although their lineout may struggle. This should be a beauty!
Teams: Crusaders vs Chiefs Time: 21/05/2011 19:35 Venue: McLean Park Pick: Home team by 12 & under
This is a tough match to pick with the Crusaders returning home from South Africa to play the Chiefs in Hawkes Bay of all places. It will be interesting to see who the locals are cheering for. Can the Crusaders deal with their backline injury crisis? Or can their stars like Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter and Kieran Read get them over the line against the improving Chiefs? There could well be an upset on the cards in this one.
Teams: Waratahs vs Lions Time: 21/05/2011 21:40 Venue: Sydney Football Stadium Pick: Home team by 12 & under
The Lions showed last week against the Brumbies that they are no easybeats. They seem to be thriving away from home and it will be interesting to see if their win last week was because of their good performance or the poor performance of the Brumbies. I am picking the Waratahs, but a loss here for the Waratahs would damage their chances of a Top Six finish.
Teams: Western Force vs Brumbies Time: 22/05/2011 00:05 Venue: ME Bank Stadium Pick: Home team by 12 & under
The Force and Brumbies are playing for pride with Matt Giteau up against his old team mates. The Brumbies were disappointing last week and so it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back this week. This match could go either way, but I am going for a James O'Connor inspired win for the home team.
Teams: Cheetahs vs Rebels Time: 22/05/2011 03:05 Venue: Free State Rugby Stadium Pick: Home team by 13 & above
This is the easiest game to pick of the round. The Cheetahs are finishing strongly, it is a pity they left their run too late to make the playoffs. The Rebels have punched above their weight so far given their lack of depth, but will struggle in South Africa.
Teams: Sharks vs Bulls Time: 22/05/2011 05:10 Venue: Shark Tank Pick: Home team by 12 & under
The earth will shudder when two of the biggest forward packs in the competition clash in Durban. Did the Bulls turn the corner with their win against the Sharks? Or is age catching up with their stars? I am thinking that the Sharks will be too strong with home advantage. There are some great players on display here.
Super Rugby Round 14 teams
BLUES vs STORMERS, AUCKLAND, FRI 09:35
Blues: Lachie Munro, Joe Rokocoko, Jared Payne, Luke McAlister, Sherwin Stowers, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tom McCartney.
Reserves: Pauliasi Manu, Tevita Mailau, Chris Lowrey, Sean Polwart, Chris Smylie, Winston Stanley, Rene Ranger.
Stormers – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Steven Kitshoff, 19 Anton van Zyl, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Danie Poolman, 22 Nick Koster.
CRUSADERS vs CHIEFS, NAPIER, SAT 09:35
Crusaders – TBC
Chiefs – TBC
WARATAHS vs LIONS, SYDNEY, SAT 11:40
Waratahs - 15. Kurtley Beale (Randwick) , 14. Lachie Turner (Eastwood) , 13. Ryan Cross (Eastern Suburbs) , 12. Tom Carter (Sydney University) , 11. Sosene Anesi (Hunters Hill) , 10. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University) , 9. Luke Burgess (Sydney University) , 8. Ben Mowen (Randwick) , 7. Chris Alcock (Eastwood) , 6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University) , 5. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts) , 4. Dean Mumm [c] (Sydney University) , 3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick) , 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta) , 1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
Reserves , 16. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood) , 17. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs) , 18. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts) , 19. Hugh Perrett* (Eastwood) , 20. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs) , 21. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University) , 22. Tom Kingston (Sydney University).
Lions – 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange (c), 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Butch James, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Dylan des Fountain.
FORCE vs BRUMBIES, PERTH, SAT 14:10
Force – TBC
Brumbies – TBC
CHEETAHS vs REBELS, BLOEMFONTEIN, SAT 17:05
Cheetahs – 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corne Uys, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Johan Wessels, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Hennie Daniller.
Rebels – TBC
SHARKS vs BULLS, DURBAN, SAT 19:10
Sharks – TBC
Bulls – TBC
www.superrugbytips.com
|