Friday, March 13

Hurricanes v Blues, FMG Stadium, Palmerston North

Head-to-head: Played 23, Won 8, Lost 14, Drawn 1

In Palmerston North: Played 1, Won 0, Lost 1

Last clash: Round 16, 2014 - Blues 37-24 Hurricanes, Auckland

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Hurricanes are undefeated in three matches, but they have never won their opening four fixtures; they followed three wins with a loss in their fourth game in 1998, 2005, 2006 and 2010.
• The Blues, meanwhile, are enduring their worst start to a season, losing their first four fixtures, and another defeat here will see them equal their worst run of consecutive defeats (seven, (May 2013 - February 2014, and March - May 2012).
• The Hurricanes boast the best tackling success rate this season, making 91% of their tackles so far.

The Blues' Sir John Kirwan is a centre of attention in Auckland © Getty Images

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Line-ups

• Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder; Matt Proctor, Conrad Smith (captain), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields; James Broadhurst, Mark Abbott; Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes. Replacements: Motu Matu'u, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Chris Eves, Jeremy Thrush, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall.
• Blues: Lolagi Visinia; Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Melani Nanai; Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan; Steven Luatua, Luke Braid, Brendon O'Connor; Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis; Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Hayden Triggs, Akira Ioane, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, George Moala.

Injuries/Unavailable

• Hurricanes: Cory Jane (rest, Round 6)
• Blues:Jerome Kaino (concussion, Round 6), Dan Bowden (foot, TBA), Blake Gibson (leg, Round 6-7).

Team News

• Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd has continued to shuffle his squad in line with the New Zealand Rugby requirements for All Blacks players, with Cory Jane given a rest this week. Boyd has made three other changes to the side that thumped the Force a fortnight ago, with skipper Conrad Smith returning at outside centre, James Milner-Skudder earning his first start at fullback, Matt Proctor replacing Jane, and TJ Perenara returning at half-back.
• Under-fire Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has been hit by further bad news with Jerome Kaino ruled out of this week's clash with concussion. Luke Braid assumes the captaincy in his absence with Steven Luatua shifting to No.8 and Brendan O'Connor coming in at blindside breakaway. The front-row trio of Tony Woodcock, James Parsons and Charlie Faumuina will start as a unit for the first time this season; Keven Mealamu has dropped back to the bench.

Greg Growden's Verdict: There will be no relief for the beleaguered Blues and their coach Sir John Kirwan in beautiful Palmerston North. The Blues knight appears to be on his last legs.

Tips - Greg Growden:Hurricanes by 12 Sam Bruce: Hurricanes Brett McKay: Hurricanes Brittany Mitchell: Hurricanes Andy Withers: Hurricanes.

Julian Savea is in rampaging form for the Hurricanes © Getty Images

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Jerome Kaino is a huge loss for the Blues © Getty Images

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Western Force v Melbourne Rebels, nib Stadium, Perth

Head-to-head: Played 8, Won 2, Lost 6

In Perth: Played 4, Won 1, Lost 3

Last clash: Round 10, 2014 - Rebels 22-16 Force, Melbourne

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Force have lost three games in a row after winning their season-opener, their worst run of losses since March - April 2013.
• The Force have the worst tackling (83%), scrum (69%) and goal-kicking success (50%) rates this season, while the Rebels have the worst lineout success rate in the league (76%).
• Scott Higginbotham is Super Rugby's all-time top try-scoring forward, ahead of Owen Finnegan, Jacques Botes and Liam Messam.

Line-ups

• Force: Luke Burton; Marcel Brache, Kyle Godwin, Solomoni Jnr Rasolea, Nick Cummins; Zack Holmes, Alby Mathewson; Ben McCalman, Chris Alcock, Brynard Stander; Steve Mafi, Sam Wykes (captain); Tetera Faulkner, Nathan Charles, Pekahou Cowan. Replacements: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Oliver Hoskins, Adam Coleman, Kane Koteka, Ian Prior, Sias Ebersohn, Mitchell Scott.
• Rebels: Mike Harris; Dom Shipperley, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English; Jack Debreczeni, Nic Stirzaker; Scott Higginbotham (co-captain), Scott Fuglistaller (co-captain), Sean McMahon; Lopeti Timani, Luke Jones; Laurie Weeks, Pat Leafa, Toby Smith. Replacements: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Steve Cummins, Colby Fainga'a, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty, Sefanaia Naivalu.

Scott Fuglistaller returns to the Rebels' starting side as openside flanker © Getty Images

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Injuries/Unavailable

• Force: Dane Haylett-Petty (Foot, Round 6-7), Matt Hodgson (Hamstring, Round 9), Francois van Wyk (Chest, Season)
• Rebels: Tom Kingston (Knee, TBC)

Team News

• Luke Burton replaces Luke Morahan, who has succumbed to a hamstring strain, in the only change to the starting Western Force side. Adam Coleman returns from the hip injury that has seen him sidelined for the Force's matches against the Hurricanes and Brumbies, via the bench, while winger Mitch Scott is reinstated to the matchday squad, after scoring his maiden Super Rugby against the Hurricanes a fortnight ago. And Nick Cummins play at nib Stadium for the first time since returning from Japan.
• Scott Fuglistaller starts as openside flanker, replacing Colby Fainga'a, in as the only change to the Rebels starting XV. Hooker Tom Sexton and lock Steve Cummins have each been named to make their Super Rugby debut from the bench, while foundation Rebels player Luke Jones, one of four former Force players in the team, will become the fourth Rebels player to reach 50 caps for the five-year old club - following in the footsteps of current team-mate Laurie Weeks and former Rebels Lachlan Mitchell and Hugh Pyle.

Greg Growden's Verdict: The Force will try to strangle the Rebels out of the game. The Rebels will try to strangle the Force out of the game. This will be ugly. Rolling maul after rolling maul. McCalman v Higginbotham.

Tips - Greg Growden: Rebels by 2 Sam Bruce: Force Brett McKay: Force Brittany Mitchell: Rebels Andy Withers: Rebels.

Ben McCalman continues to lead the Force from the front © Getty Images

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Marnitz Boshoff returns to the Lions squad, having been axed after a dire show against the Sharks in round two © Getty Images

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Saturday, March 14

Crusaders v Lions, AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Head-to-head: Played 15, Won 12, Lost 3

In Christchurch: Played 7, Won 6, Lost 1

Last clash: Round 8, 2014 - Lions 7-28 Crusaders, Johannesburg

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Crusaders have won 34/35 games at home against South African teams since the Lions beat them in Christchurch in 2001; the five-point defeat by the Sharks last season is the only blemish.
• The Crusaders have lost their opening home game twice in the past three seasons, but they have not lost their opening two home fixtures since 2004.
• The Lions are the only team to average fewer than one try per game (0.8); they also average just 3.5 clean breaks per game; the lowest this season.

Line-ups

• Crusaders: Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Replacements: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Luke Whitelock, Mitchell Drummond, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili.
• Lions: Andries Coetzee; Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Sampie Mastriet; Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje; Warren Whiteley (captain), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel ; Martin Muller, Franco Mostert; Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Corne Fourie. Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, Andries Ferreira, Derick Minnie, Faf de Klerk, Marnitz Boshoff, Howard Mnisi.

Injuries/Unavailable

• Crusaders: Robbie Fruean (Arm, Season), Willi Heinz (Leg, Season), Jone Macilai (Arm, TBC), Tim Perry (Achilles, TBC).
• Lions: MB Lusaseni (Knee, Round 5).

Team News

• The Crusaders finally have the look of a title-winning team, on paper anyway. The seven-time champions have welcomed back Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock from "mini-sabbaticals" while Dan Carter has overcome his latest leg ailment and will start at No.12. Elsewhere in the backline, Fijian flyer Nemani Nadolo will make his first start of the season but coach Todd Blackadder will have to wait for Israel Dagg for at least another week.
• Lions coach Johan Ackermann has opted for consistency in retaining the starting side that beat the Blues 13-10 in Auckland last weekend. He has made two changes to the bench, with new recruit Andries Ferreira providing lock cover and fly-half Marnitz Boshoff returning to the matchday 23.

Greg Growden's Verdict: The Crusaders' early season form has been confounding, but reality will return in Christchurch even though the Lions will be buoyant after beating the Blues last weekend. Tips - Greg Growden: Crusaders by 14 Sam Bruce: Crusaders Brett McKay: Crusaders Brittany Mitchell: Crusaders Andy Withers: Crusaders.

Kieran Read is back for the Crusaders © Getty Images

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Highlanders v Waratahs, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Head-to-head: Played 18, Won 5, Lost 13

In Dunedin: Played 9, Won 3, Lost 6

Last clash: Round 18, 2014 - Waratahs 44-16 Highlanders, Sydney

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Waratahs have won their past four matches against Kiwi opposition, but they have lost eight of their past nine games in New Zealand and they have never won five in a row against sides from New Zealand.
• The Waratahs have gained the most metres (541), made the most clean breaks (10.7) and beaten the most defenders (25) on average this season.
• The Highlanders have conceded just one first-half try this season, the lowest tally in the competition.

Line-ups

• Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain); Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne; Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith; Nasi Manu (co-captain), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon; Joe Wheeler Tom Franklin; Ross Geldenhuys, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Mark Reddish, John Hardie, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.

• Waratahs: Israel Folau; Peter Betham, Matt Carraro, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter; Dave Dennis, Will Skelton; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tolu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Sam Lousi, Mitchell Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Jono Lance, Taqele Naiyaravoro/Ben Volavola.

Injuries/Unavailable

• Highlanders: Richard Buckman (Knee, Round 5), Ma'afu Fia (Knee, TBC), Kane Hames (Suspension, Round 9), Ma'afu Fia (Knee, TBC)
• Waratahs: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Knee, TBC).

Team News

• The Highlanders welcome Tasman skipper and first-choice No.7 Shane Christie with the flanker finally shaking off a hamstring injury. Christie's inclusion sees Elliot Dixon shift back to blindside breakaway with John Hardie dropping back to the bench. Elsewhere, prop Ross Geldenhuys replaces the injured Ma'afu Fia while Tom Franklin comes back into the starting side at lock.
• Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has named the same starting side that brushed aside the Reds in Brisbane last weekend. The uncertainty around Adam Ashley-Cooper's injury continues, however, with medics still unsure of when he'll return from a knee knock.

Greg Growden's Verdict: This is a very dangerous game for the defending champions, who are only spluttering along, playing almost as badly as the inept Reds last weekend. The Highlanders at home are masters of upsetting visitors who are off-colour. Blame it on the Speight's Old Dark

Tips - Greg Growden: Highlanders by 3 Sam Bruce: Waratahs Brett McKay: Highlanders Brittany Mitchell: Highlanders Andy Withers: Waratahs.

Marty Banks remains on the Highlanders bench © Getty Images

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Kurtley Beale remains in an unchanged Waratahs XV © Getty Images

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Reds v Brumbies, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Head-to-head: Played 25, Won 5, Lost 19, Drawn 1

In Brisbane: Played 11, Won 2, Lost 8, Drawn 1

Last clash: Round 1, 2015 - Brumbies 47-3 Reds, Canberra

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Reds have lost five of their past six games at home to Australian opposition, their latest two defeats seeing them fail to score more than five points in either game.
• The Reds are the only team so far this season to average fewer than 10 points per game, due in part to their 50% goal kicking success rate - the equal-worst in the competition.
• The Reds have scored three of their four tries this season off first phase ball; no team in Super Rugby has scored such a high percentage of their tries from the first phase of possession.

Line-ups

• Reds: Ben Tapuai; Chris Kuridrani, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Anthony Fainga'a, Campbell Magnay; Nick Frisby, Will Genia; Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Adam Thomson; James Horwill, Marco Kotze; Sam Talakai, Saia Fainga'a, James Slipper (captain). Replacements: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Sef Faagase, Dave McDuling, Curtis Browning, Scott Gale, Sam Johnson, Tom Banks.
• Brumbies: Robbie Coleman; Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali'ifano, Joe Tomane; Matt Toomua, Nic White; Ita Vaea, Jarrad Butler, Scott Fardy; Sam Carter, Rory Arnold; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore (c), Scott Sio. Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, Ruan Smith, JP Smith, Jordan Smiler, Blake Enever, Michael Dowsett, Lausii Taliauli, James Dargaville.

Nic White has been in fine form for the Brumbies this season © Getty Images

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Injuries/Unavailable

• Reds: Quade Cooper Shoulder, Round 7-10), Greg Holmes (Thumb, Round 7), Karmichael Hunt (Suspended, Round 8), Eddie Quirk (Knee, TBC), Duncan Paia'aua (Concussion, TBC), Beau Robinson (Calf, TBC), Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (Knee, Round 8-10)
• Brumbies: David Pocock (Ankle, Round 6), Jesse Mogg (TBC).

Team News

• The rotten injury luck continues to hit the Reds with star recruit James O'Connor ruled out of Saturday night's clash as he continues to battle a leg injury. He has been replaced at fullback by Ben Tapuai while Chris Feauai-Sautia will partner Anthony Fainga'a in midfield. There is some good news up front with former skipper James Horwill named to make his return.
• Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has named the same starting side to the one that eased past the Force in Canberra last weekend. Jesse Mogg has dropped off the bench.

Greg Growden's Verdict:

Tips - Greg Growden: Brumbies Sam Bruce: Brumbies Brett McKay: Brumbies Brittany Mitchell: Brumbies Andy Withers: Brumbies.

Stormers v Chiefs, Newlands, Cape Town

Head-to-head: Played 16, Won 9, Lost 7

In Cape Town: Played 7, Won 5, Lost 2

Last clash: Round 5, 2014 - Chiefs 36-20 Stormers, Hamilton

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Chiefs have just once in their past six trips to South Africa - against the Stormers in March 2013.
• The Stormers have conceded the fewest metres and clean breaks on average this season, allowing their opponents to gain fewer than 300 metres and 3.5 clean breaks per game.
• The Chiefs have offloaded more than any other team on average this season, 18.3 per game; Sonny Bill Williams has made a joint competition-high nine offloads.

Line-ups

• Stormers: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Kurt Coleman, Louis Schreuder; Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Manuel Carizza, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Neil Rautenbach, Alistair Vermaak, Frans Malherbe, Ruan Botha, Schalk Burger, Nic Groom, Demetri Catrakilis, Huw Jones.
• Chiefs: tba

Injuries/Unavailable

• Stormers: Rynhardt Elstadt (Leg, TBC), Jean de Villiers (Knee, Season), Bongi Mbonambi (Shoulder, TBC), Michael Rhodes (Knee, Round 5), Jaco Taute (Knee, Round 5), Jurie van Vuuren (Shoulder, Round 7).
• Chiefs: Nathan Harris (Ankle, TBC), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Knee, Season), Tevita Koloamatangi (Ankle, TBC), Tim Nanai-Williams (Calf, Round 5), Brodie Retallick (Shoulder, Round 8-10).

Team News

• Kobus van Wyk has been rushed straight back into the Stormers starting line-up with last week's try-scoring hero Jonny Kotze dropping out of the squad. Van Wyk is one of four changes to the run-on XV with Louis Schreuder and Kurt Coleman rotated in for Nic Groom and Demetri Catrakili at half-back and fly-half, respectively. In the pack, Jean Kleyn replaces Eben Etzebeth; the Stormers fulfilling their obligations with SARU to rest the Springboks lock.
• Back from his time with the Samoa Sevens side, Tim Nanai-Williams will form a midfield combination alongside his cousin, Sonny Bill Williams. Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made five other changes to the side beaten by the Highlanders with Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber coming in for Tom Marshall and Augustine Pulu, respectively. Up front, Liam Messam switches from No.8 to blindside flanker, allowing Japanese captain Michael Leitch to win his first Super Rugby start.

Greg Growden's Verdict: This will really test the resolve of the Chiefs. Losing to the Highlanders at home and then a week later playing on the other side of the world. Good luck!

Tips - Greg Growden: Stormers by 4 Sam Bruce: Stormers Brett McKay: Stormers Brittany Mitchell: Stormers Andy Withers: Stormers.

The Beast returns from his calf problems © Getty Images

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Cheetahs v Sharks, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Joe Pietersen will be key, once again, for the Cheetahs © Getty Images

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Head-to-head: Played 14, Won 6, Lost 8

In Bloemfontein: Played 6, Won 2, Lost 4

Last clash: Round 1, 2015 - Sharks 29-35 Cheetahs, Durban

Key Stats (Opta Stats)

• The Cheetahs have won three of the past four meetings between the teams, but the Sharks claimed a bonus point on each occasion.
• The Cheetahs have made fewer carries this season than any other team, an average of 70 per game, and have subsequently gained the fewest metres (277m per game).
• Only the Brumbies (3.3) have averaged more tries this season than the Cheetahs (3), but the South Africans have also conceded the most points per game on average.

Line-ups

• Cheetahs: Willie le Roux; Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Raymond Rhule; Joe Pietersen, Sarel Pretorius; Boom Prinsloo, Jean Cook, Oupa Mohoje; Francois Uys (captain), Carl Wegner; Coenie Oosthuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Danie Mienie. Replacements: BG Uys, Stephan Coetzee, Maks van Dyk, Heinrich Brussow, Steven Sykes, Tian Meyer, Willie du Plessis, Clayton Blommetjies.
• Sharks: SP Marais; Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo; Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach; Ryan Kankowski, Renaldo Bothma, Marcell Coetzee; Pieter-Steph du Toit, Mouritz Botha; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis (captain), Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick / Thomas du Toit, Lourens Adriaanse, Marco Wentzel / Lubabalo Mtyanda, Tera Mtembu, Conrad Hoffmann, Andre Esterhuizen, Jack Wilson.

Injuries/Unavailable

• Cheetahs: Willie Britz (Hamstring, Round 6-7), Lood de Jager (Elbow, Round 15), Armandt Koster (Back, TBC), Hilton Lobberts (Knee, Round 15), Sergeal Peterson (Jaw, Round 9-10), Willem Serfontein (Knee, Round 7-8), Steven Sykes (Knee, Round 5-6), Ewald van der Westhuizen (Nerve, TBC), Elgar Watts (Knee, Round 7-8)
• Sharks: Jean Deysel (Ankle, Round 8-10)

Team News

• Heinrich Brussow returns for the Cheetahs off the bench after missing the start of the season due to concussion, while coach Naka Drotske has made several changes to the starting XV defeated by the Bulls at Loftus. Johann Sadie starts at outside centre with Francois Venter moving to 12, whil Sarel Pretorius returns at scrum-half after missing the Bulls game with a hamstring injury. In the back-row, Boom Prinsloo moves from flank to No.8 with Jean Cook back to flank and Oupa Mohoje starting in the No.6 jersey after Tienie Burger withdrew with an injury.
• Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis return to the Sharks' front-row, while former England international Mouritz Botha is back in the second-row, but Springboks flanker Willem Alberts is back on the sidelines after playing just one game back from injury against the Stormers last week. Botha replaces Giant Mtyanda, who is bracketed with Marco Wentzel on the bench, while Mtawarira replaces Thomas du Toit and du Plessis returns for another former England international, Matt Stevens. Renaldo Bothma replaces Alberts.

Greg Growden's Verdict: Many have started to give up on the Sharks. Give them one more week.

Tips - Greg Growden: Sharks by 6 Sam Bruce: Cheetahs Brett McKay: Cheetahs Brittany Mitchell: Cheetahs Andy Withers: Sharks.

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