Brumbies v Hurricanes (Canberra, Friday 11.35am)
The Hurricanes are welcoming back flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who missed last week’s clash with Crusaders because of illness, but perhaps the best news for All Black fans will be that Dane Coles is making his return in this game from a long injury lay-off. The influential hooker is an important cog in both the Hurricanes and All Black machines so it is positive on both fronts. Otherwise there aren’t too many changes to the Hurricanes and you get a sense of how strongly favoured the Hurricanes are to win when you read their coach Chris Boyd talking up the Brumbies. The hosts will be fuelled by the emotion of having Christian Lealiifano back in the match day squad for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukemia 10 months ago but it shouldn’t be enough.
Prediction: Hurricanes by 12.
Crusaders v Highlanders (Christchurch, Saturday 9.35am)
The Crusaders have made eight changes to the side that lost to the Hurricanes last week, and most of them strengthen the team. The team that went to Wellington was without several All Blacks, and they all return this week, which means a completely new front row and Sam Whitelock is back in the starting team as captain. Ryan Crotty, injured in the first test against the Lions, is also back at inside centre, and that should make a big difference too. The Highlanders team they will face has been strengthened too, however, and you just have to read through the names at the back – Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Lima Sopoaga and Aaron Smith – to realise they have a backline with some ability. But it should be the Crusaders forwards that win it for their team.
Prediction: Crusaders by 10 to 20.
Emirates Lions v Cell C Sharks (Johannesburg, Saturday 2.30pm)
The Sharks pushed the Lions close in the first round regular season game in Johannesburg, and they could do so again, but it is hard to see them going one better than what they did then by actually winning. The Sharks do have the forwards to hurt the Lions if they are firing, which they promise to be, and that is important to recognise. The Lions do rely a lot on the momentum that comes with front foot ball, and Curwin Bosch has a lengthy kicking boot. The Sharks also have nothing to lose. But while that all adds up to the Sharks being more dangerous than suggested by the respective teams’ finishing positions on the log, there is a reason why the Lions boast a strong home record. They weren’t as good last week as they could have been and the Sharks will have to raise their game a couple of levels to pull of the win they so covet.
Prediction: Lions by 10.
DHL Stormers v Chiefs (Cape Town, Saturday 5.00pm)
This is a hard game to call as while the Stormers were woeful on their recent tour of New Zealand, one of the Kiwi teams they did beat was the Chiefs. Yes, they beat them on their home field, but that is where this game is going to be played. The Stormers would also have been pleased to see Jaco Peyper named as the referee as he was in New Zealand and part of the refereeing team for the tests when British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland drew public attention to his perception of Kiwi illegalities and off the ball play at breakdowns and around the fringes. The Stormers had yet to name their team at the time of writing and ditto for the Chiefs, but SP Marais was expected to return at fullback and assume the place-kicking duties, with Dillyn Leyds moving to wing. The Stormers will try and make their pack as physical as possible, which should mean the return of Rynhardt Elstadt for Sikhumbuzo Notshe, as the Chiefs are close to brutal at times in their approach. Last time the Stormers made a point of getting into the game early, and their willingness to front physically translated into an unseemly brawl in the early minutes. Both teams have the players who can dazzle on attack, the game should be high tempo – it also might not be for the faint hearted. Expect it among other things to be a physical, bruising game that will leave the winner nursing the wounded ahead of the semifinal.
Prediction: Stormers to raise their game and sneak it.
