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WEEKEND PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS (all times CAT, SA, GMT+2)
HURRICANES v WESTERN FORCE (Wellington, Friday 9.35am)
The Western Force would have shocked many with their gutsy win over the Crusaders last week, and they have tasted success in Wellington before. But that was back in the era when John Mitchell was their coach and they were significantly stronger than they are now. It would be a surprise if the Hurricanes, who have Beauden Barrett wearing the less familiar No 15 jersey, don’t win with a little bit to spare.
Prediction: Hurricanes by more than 7.
WARATAHS v CHIEFS (Sydney, Friday 11.40am)
The Chiefs have rung the changes since the unexpected defeat to the Reds last week, among them the dropping of Gareth Anscombe, with Andrew Horrell coming in at fullback. Tim Nanai-Williams has also been axed, with Richard Kahui moving into the midfield. Brendon Leonard gets his first start of the season at scrumhalf. Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is talking up the Waratahs, describing them as one of the top teams in the competition on paper. He is right in that assessment, but the Waratahs have been short of their best for most of the season and the Chiefs should start slight favourites to get their campaign back on track.
Prediction: Chiefs by 5 to 12.
CRUSADERS v HIGHLANDERS (Christchurch, Saturday 9.35am)
The Crusaders were cock-a-hoop after their unexpected win over the Stormers on Easter Saturday but their form since then has been disturbing and they are now in a situation where they are under pressure after two successive defeats. They still have no Dan Carter in their team and ditto Kieran Read, and the south island derbies are often close. That said, the Crusaders are at home, where they seldom lose, and the Highlanders look like a team that doesn’t know how to win.
Prediction: Crusaders by 7 to 14.
REDS v BRUMBIES (Brisbane, Saturday 11.40am)
A rare occasion where I’m actually sorry I am not down to cover an Australian derby as one of my games of the weekend. This should be a real cracker – and for once that isn’t a cliché. Both teams are playing well, both teams are fresh off excellent wins over New Zealand opposition – and on the other side of the Tasman Sea at that – last weekend. It may be a bit premature to describe it as a conference decider, but the winner will go top of the Australian conference. And if the winner is the Brumbies, they will have a bit of breathing space. However the Reds are at home and they are starting to get that championship look again. In my book they start with the slightest of edges.
Prediction: Reds to win close game.
SHARKS v TOYOTA CHEETAHS (Durban, Saturday 5.05pm)
The Sharks hadn’t named their team at the time of writing but it looks set to be an interesting selection, with coach John Plumtree ruling Ryan Kankowski out of the overseas tour during the week because of his recent poor form and Frans Steyn under pressure to keep his place in the starting line-up. The Cheetahs are worried about fatigue. What should perhaps be of more concern to them is the wet weather predicted for Durban on Saturday. If the rain is anything like what Cape Town experienced earlier in the week, then the match could be played in a quagmire. If that is the case, then the Cheetahs’ running game will be negated and the Sharks must feel they almost live on wet fields as they have played on them so often over the past eight months or so. The team that doesn’t score tries should always welcome wet weather so the Sharks have a slight edge.
Prediction: Sharks to scrape it.
SOUTHERN KINGS v VODACOM BULLS (Port Elizabeth, Saturday 7.10pm)
This match isn’t the plum fixture of the weekend but it will certainly come close to being the biggest occasion, with Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium said to be packed out and the Kings supporters all buoyant after seeing their team complete what for them was a highly encouraging and successful first ever Super Rugby tour. Luke Watson is back to captain the side and he should have a talismanic effect on a team that may just be a little tired after their efforts overseas. Certainly they looked leaden-legged until their unbelievable spirit and character took over in the last minutes in Melbourne last week. The Bulls have lost Dewald Potgieter to injury but when you have a replacement the quality of Arno Botha, that shouldn’t prove too much of a problem. The Bulls did well to beat the Cheetahs in a tough derby at home last week and they could find this one every bit as tough, but it would still be a surprise if they weren’t ahead on the scoreboard at the end of the game.
Prediction: Bulls by 7 to 12.
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