All five Australian franchises are in action in Round 10 of Super Rugby, with the Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels all chasing wins away from home. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are in Johannesburg to face the in-form Lions.

Friday, April 29

Chiefs v Sharks, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Chiefs have won their last three home matches against the Sharks and haven't lost this exact fixture since Round 3, 2009.

Line-ups

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Toni Pulu, Seta Tamanivalu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sam McNicol, Aaron Cruden (co-capt), Brad Weber, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane (co-capt), Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Hiroshi Yamashita, Hika Elliot, Mitchell Graham. Res: Nathan Harris, Siate Tokolahi, Kane Hames, James Tucker, Lachlan Boshier, Kayne Hammington, Andrew Horrell, Shaun Stevenson.

Sharks: Willie le Roux, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, André Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Garth April, Michael Claassens; Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Keegan Daniel (c), Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick. Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit, Coenie Oosthuizen, Hyron Andrews, Jean Deysel, Stefan Ungerer, Joe Pietersen, Odwa Ndungane.

Team News

The Chiefs' tough run with injury has continued with reserve half-back Tawera Kerr-Barlow joining form centre Charlie Ngatai and winger James Lowe. Anton Lienert-Brown has recovered from a knee injury to start at No.12 while Dominic Bird returns at lock. There are also two changes to the front-row with hooker Hika Elliot and prop Hiroshi Yamashita promoted to the starting side.

The Sharks will have a new leader this week with Keegan Daniel taking the captain's armband while Tendai Mtawarira has a rest. Daniel is joined in the back-row by Daniel du Preez at No.8 while "The Beast" is replaced by Dale Chadwick. There is a further new face in the front-row in Kyle Cooper while Michael Claassens starts at scrum-half.

Greg Growden's verdict: New Plymouth is a top spot. The Sharks will be buoyed by their win last week but the Chiefs are playing superb rugby -- they'll win this one by a dozen.

UBET verdict: Chiefs $1.17, Sharks $5.00. The Sharks were lucky to beat a 14-man Highlanders side last week when tryless. The Chiefs have points in them, and should win this one to justify title favouritism.

Force v Bulls, nib Stadium, Perth

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Bulls have conceded only seven clean breaks per game so far this season, the fewest of any team, while the Force have conceded more than double (14.8), the most of any team.

Line-ups

Force: Dane Haylett-Petty, Marcel Brache, Ammon Matuauto, Solomoni Rasolea, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson (capt), Angus Cottrell, Adam Coleman, Sitiveni Mafi, Tetera Faulkner, Harry Scoble, Francois van Wyk. Res: Chris Heiberg, Anaru Rangi, Guy Millar, Ross Haylett-Petty, Brynard Stander, Ryan Louwrens, Kyle Godwin, Semisi Masirewa

Bulls: SP Marais, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Francois Brummer, Piet van Zyl, Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Lappies Labuschagne, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Marcel van der Merwe, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Trevor Nyakane. Res: Bandise Maku, Lizo Gqoboka, Werner Kruger, Marvin Orie, Roelof Smit, Rudy Paige, Tian Schoeman, Dries Swanepoel.

Team News

Force coach Michael Foley has taken the axe to the side hammered by the Waratahs, making seven changes for this week's visit from the Bulls. The biggest call has come at fly-half where half-back Ian Prior will don the No.10 jersey while further out Ammon Matuauto will make his Super Rugby debut at outside centre. There are also starts for Luke Morahan (wing) and local Perth product Harry Scoble (hooker).

Rested after a week off, the Bulls have made just three changes. Piet van Zyl will start at scrum-half while Hanro Liebenberg has been named at No.8; the final switch coming at lock where Marvin Orie has been a late call-up for Jason Jenkins.

Greg Growden's verdict: The Force aren't doing much at all and as long as the Bulls play in similar fashion to the Waratahs last week the South Africans will win easily, too.

UBET verdict: Force $2.75, Bulls $1.45. The Bulls fly to Perth off a bye, and the Force were belted at home by the Waratahs last week. The punters very keen to take the short price for a Bulls win.

Saturday April 30

Blues v Rebels, Eden Park, Auckland 

Key stat (Opta Stats)

These teams have traded blows four times, alternating two wins apiece with all four games being won by the home side on the day.

Line-ups

Blues: Lolagi Visinia, Rieko Ioane, George Moala, Piers Francis, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Bryn Hall; Steven Luatua, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Josh Bekhuis, Patrick Tuipulotu/Hoani Matenga, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons , Sam Prattley. Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew or Namatahi Waa, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Akira Ioane, Kara Pryor, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Melani Nanai/Matt Duffie.

Rebels: TBA

Team News

The Blues have been forced into just the one change with George Moala replacing the injured Rene Ranger at outside centre. All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been bracketed alongside Hoani Matenga, with a final decision on his return to be made closer to kick-off.

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Greg Growden's verdict: The Rebels are on top of the Aussie conference but that isn't saying much. The Blues are playing okay, and will get up by three here.

UBET verdict: Blues $1.40, Melbourne Rebels $2.90. There has been bit of early money for the Rebels at $2.90 to spring an upset here. The Blues sit at the bottom of the NZ comp, and the Rebels sit at the top of the Aussie comp, so look value here.

Highlanders v Brumbies, Rugby Park, Invercargill

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Highlanders have lost seven of their last eight matches against the Brumbies, including the last three.

Line-ups

Highlanders: TBA

Brumbies: TBA

Team News

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Greg Growden's verdict: The Brumbies just seem to be a bit lost at the moment. They'll be better for the return of David Pocock, but I still expect the Highlanders to triumph here.

UBET verdict: Highlanders $1.48, Brumbies $2.65. The Highlanders have lost their last two matches by a point, but the Brumbies come to NZ on the back of a touch-up by the Crusaders. Enthralling contest -- early money is for the home side at $1.48

Reds v Cheetahs, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Cheetahs have won just one of their last six matches in Australia, and they've never beaten the Reds in Brisbane.

Line-ups

Reds: TBA

Cheetahs: TBA

Team News

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Greg Growden's verdict: The Reds could well feel the effects of their two-week tour of Africa and thus I'm tipping an upset. Cheetahs by five.

UBET verdict: Reds $1.54, Cheetahs $2.45. Who would have thought the Reds would be favourites? They are, and all of the money is for them. The last time at home they narrowly went down to the Waratahs.

Lions v Hurricanes, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Hurricanes have won eight of their nine meetings with the Lions, a defeat in 2007 the only blemish in this run.

Line-ups

Lions: TBA

Hurricanes: TBA

Team news

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Greg Growden's verdict: This is a big test for the Lions but I think they've got the goods to deny the Hurricanes, in no small part due to the home crowd.

UBET verdict: Lions $1.72, Hurricanes $2.10. The Canes have won five matches this year, but all were against poor opposition (Blues, Force, Kings, Jags and Rebels). The Lions are the competition's biggest improvers, and the money says that they can continue on with that form and beat the Hurricanes.

Stormers v Waratahs, Newlands, Cape Town

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Stormers have won 16 and drawn one of their last 21 matches on home soil against Australian opposition in Super Rugby.

Line-ups

Stormers: TBA

Waratahs: TBA

Team News

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Greg Growden's verdict: The Waratahs' record in Cape Town isn't good. They'll be put in their place by the Stormers without too much trouble.

UBET verdict: Stormers $1.42, Waratahs $2.85. The Waratahs are yet to string two wins together this year, and it does look like a win coming up for the Stormers who head the South African conference over the Lions. Again the money is all for the home side.

Jaguares v Kings, Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires

Key stat (Opta Stats)

The Kings have conceded an average of 47.3 points per game in their last six matches against teams from outside of South Africa.

Line-ups

Jaguares: TBA

Kings: TBA

Team News

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Greg Growden's verdict: Another week, another disappointing performance from the Jaguares. But at long last there is some hope for the Argentines as they face the Kings. Jaguares by plenty.

UBET verdict: Jaguares $1.05, Southern Kings $9.50. Only two wins between these sides this season, but the best of the Jaguares is a lot better than the best of the Kings. Hard to believe the home side could be $1.05, but they're really popular through multis and money for them at -21.5 points ($1.90).