Greg Growden and Brittany Mitchell bring you the lowdown on Super Rugby round five, match by match, to inform your ESPNfootytips selections. And they foresee a physical contest between the Brumbies and New South Wales Waratahs in Canberra. What of the other games? Read on ...

Friday, March 14

Chiefs v Stormers, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

19:35 local, 06:35 GMT, 17:35 EDT, 17:05 CDT, 14:35 WST

Head to head: Played 16; Chiefs 7, Stormers 9

In Hamilton: Played 8; Chiefs 4, Stormers 4

Last clash: Round 13, 2011 - Chiefs 30-23 Stormers, at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Preview: The Stormers were unlucky to go down by one point last week, when their all-but impenetrable defence balanced their struggle to gain possession. They will need to continue that strength in defence, but also create more attacking opportunities as the back-to-back champions are far more assured in attack than are the Crusaders. Schalk Burger returned to make a massive and 16 shuddering tackles last week, and the Stormers will looking to him and captain Jean de Villiers to lead them to their first win in New Zealand this season.

The Chiefs are gagging to take the field, after a bye week, and they will hope their strengthened line-up can reproduce their second-half effort against the Highlanders. Disappointed with their lack of points so far this season, they were happy with their three tries against the Highlanders and will be looking to unleash their strike runners here. But they need to watch their discipline, as their penalty count is keeping opposition sides in the game.

Greg Growden's verdict: The Chiefs are rested, and the Stormers are primed with Schalk Burger again firing. The Chiefs are easily the most impressive team going around, and haven't hit second gear yet. So the mooloo bells will be ringing big time.

Tips - Greg Growden: Chiefs by 10. Brittany Mitchell: Chiefs by 6.

Melbourne Rebels v Crusaders, AMI Park

19:40 local, 08:40 GMT, 19:40 EDT, 19:10 CDT, 16:40 WST

Head to head: Played 2; Rebels 1, Crusaders 1

In Melbourne: Played 1; Rebels 1, Crusaders 0

Last clash: Round 11, 2013 - Crusaders 30 - 26 Rebels, at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Preview: One win and one big loss, the Rebels have shocked with both performances this season. They showed off the razzle-dazzle in their first week only to cop a hammering in Perth a week later having made six changes to the starting team. The Rebels were a mess in Perth - struggling to gain possession, missing a massive 18 tackles and conceding 11 penalties - but a return to Melbourne may bring them back to winning ways. The return of Bryce Hegarty, Luke Jones and Scott Fuglistaller is sure to return to the starting line-up some of the attacking zeal that was absent out west.

The Crusaders celebrated their first win of the season, against the Stormers, but they are still struggling and cracks were still evident during their one-point win. The Crusaders have displayed a lack of attacking ability, and the side may struggle further with the loss of Corey Flynn and Willi Heinz. Still, Israel Dagg, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor are finally selected in their best positions, and that could energise the backline and create strong attacking opportunities.

Greg Growden's verdict: Hopefully the Rebels have overcome their camel ride to Perth, where they played against the Force as if delirious with sunstroke. This won't be much fun, either, because the Crusaders have the NZ media on their back for under-performing. Get-square time. This could be ugly.

Tips - Greg Growden: Crusaders by 18. Brittany Mitchell: Rebels by 4.

Saturday, 14 March

Hurricanes v Cheetahs, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

16:35 local, 03:35 GMT, 14:35 EDT, 14:05 CDT, 11:35 WST

Head to head: Played 9; Hurricanes 6, Cheetahs 3

In Wellington: Played 3; Hurricanes 2, Cheetahs 1

Last clash: Round 13, 2013 - Cheetahs 34- 39 Hurricanes, at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Preview: The Hurricanes are zero from three, and coach Mark Hammett may face the chopping block if his side fails to deliver for a fourth week running. The Hurricanes have made improvements since their opening match in South Africa, but they have scored only four tries in three matches while struggling to gain any possession; they recorded just 39% possession against the Brumbies last week. The Hurricanes must limit their penalty count and hope senior players Owen Franks and Conrad Smith as well as fly-half Beauden Barrett take control of the match and their team.

The Cheetahs have also enjoyed little success this season, winning one game at home and losing two on the road. Simply outclassed in Melbourne and outdone in Brisbane, the Cheetahs have only seven tries under their belt - a poor return for their adventurous style. They've also been undone by disappointing goal kicking from Johan Goosen and turnstile defensive patterns. Willie le Roux made several fine shows against the Reds - running 67 metres with ball in hand - and will is instrumental in the Cheetahs' game.

Greg Growden's verdict: Nothing changes with the Hurricanes. There is a serious lack of heart and soul. And the Cheetahs are usually good on the road. Upset time.

Tips - Greg Growden: Cheetahs by 5. Brittany Mitchell: Hurricanes by 3.

Highlanders v Force, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

19:35 local, 06:35 GMT, 17:35 EDT, 17:05 CDT, 14:35 WST

Head to head: Played 7; Highlanders 2, Force 5

In Dunedin: Played 4; Highlanders 1, Force 3

Last clash: Round 15, 2013 - Force 19-18 Highlanders, at nib Stadium, Perth

Preview: The Force appeared to have pulled a rabbit out of a hat, scoring a four-try bonus-point win for the first time at Perth since 2012 after producing what Matt Hodgson described as "one of the strongest 30 minutes the Force have ever produced". They also produced an impressive defensive performance to shut down the Rebels, but they can't get too excited. They were strong in Perth and they have a good record against the Highlanders, including in New Zealand, but they fell away in the second half against the Rebels and they and may find it hard to produce a similar performance away in New Zealand.

The Highlanders beat the Blues first up and then were unlucky to go down by two points against the back-to-back champion Chiefs; after a week off, the side will be ready to take the field at home and add another win to their tally. The Highlanders relied heavily on Lima Sopoaga's boot to keep them in the game against the Chiefs, and they will hope to see Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Sopoaga spark more four-try bouns-point form.

Greg Growden's verdict: The 'we showed the critics' carry on by the Force after beating the Rebels was vomit-inducing. Go back and watch the second half. You only slap backs when you play for 80 minutes not 20. The Highlanders will drag them out of dream time.

Tips - Greg Growden: Highlanders by 14. Brittany Mitchell: Highlanders by 5.

Brumbies v New South Wales Waratahs, Canberra Stadium

19:40 local, 08:40 GMT, 19:40 EDT, 19:10 CDT, 16:40 WST

Head to head: Played 22; Brumbies 10, Waratahs 12

In Canberra: Played 10; Brumbies 10, Waratahs 2

Last clash: Round 14, 2013 - Waratahs 28 - 22 Brumbies , at ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Preview: The Waratahs were disappointed to have a bye after opening with barnstorming back-to-back wins, and they will be keen to take the field against their old rivals. With Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau likely only to become stronger as combination, the Waratahs should be hard to hold from the line, but this may not quite be the type of game for them to shine. There is sure to be a lot of passion in the match, with no love lost between the sides; and that's before all the talk this week of Dublin dobbers.

The Brumbies earned their first four-try bonus-point win with victory over the Hurricanes in New Zealand last week, but the Waratahs are a different team altogether. And this may be a game where they will really feel the absence of David Pocock, while the pack may face a task with Waratahs players reportedly seeking the heads of Ben Mowen and Stephen Moore. But the Brumbies backline has continued to improve, with Pat McCabe making a massive 101 metres with ball in hand last week, and with the power of Tevita Kuridrani and speed of Henry Speight will cause the Tahs problems they haven't yet encountered this season.

Greg Growden's verdict: In spite of the denials, counter-denials and even more denials that the Waratahs are furious over the off-field antics of certain Brumbies during last year's end-of-season Wallabies tour, there WILL BE a lot of feeling, blood spilt, and get squares. Can't wait.

Tips - Greg Growden: Waratahs by 9. Brittany Mitchell: Waratahs by 7.

Lions v Blues, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Head to head: Played 17; Lions 4, Blues 13

In Johannesburg: Played 8; Lions 2, Blues 6

Last clash: Round 3, 2011 - Lions 32-41 Blues, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Preview: The Lions surprised many with their opening two wins, and they have continued to surprise since - including putting a fright into the Sharks last week after conceding a big lead. With only five tries under their belt, however, they have relied heavily on Marnitz Boshoff's boot for success. They struggled for possession last week and missed a huge 22 tackles in their loss to the Sharks, and it's hard to see them stopping the Blues if they repeat that dose. Similarly, they must retain possession in order to develop a cohesive attack.

The Blues lacked cohesion and attacking penetration last week, and they were simply outdone early by the Bulls. Benji Marshall seems certain to be involved this week, at fullback, with Charles Piutau moving into the centres, and that may provide the strike and penetration they need in order to return home with a win on tour..

Greg Growden's verdict: These are the type of games where we find out if the Knight of New Zealand rugby, Sir John Kirwan, can actually coach. It's hard winning on the veldt, but the Blues have the cattle.

Tips - Greg Growden: Blues by 4. Brittany Mitchell: Lions by 3.

Sharks v Queensland Reds, Kings Park Stadium, Durban

17:05 local, 15:05 GMT, 02:05 EDT +1d, 01:35 CDT +1d, 23:05 WST

Head to head: Played 19; Sharks 8, Reds 11

In Durban: Played 8; Sharks 5, Reds 3

Last clash: Round 4, 2012 - Sharks 27-22 Reds, at Kings Park, Durban

Preview: The Sharks continue to look like South Africa's top side, but the Reds may be the toughest test of their season to date. Jake White's side sitting at the top of the table with three wins, having shown great attacking ability while Springboks front-rowers Bismark and Jannie du Plessis leading a damaging and powerful forward pack; indeed the 2014 Sharks have been described as "like the Brumbies, only bigger". With the added home ground advantage, the Sharks will be a hard side to beat.

The Reds have produced a mixed bag of results this season, with two strong wins and one abysmal loss. The Reds will be boosted after Liam Gill was cleared of a head injury, as he has been one of their most influential forwards, and they need him at his demonic tackling-machine best alongside James Horwill and Ed Quirk if they are to hold back the massive Sharks forward pack. Out back, Aiden Toua and Rod Davies each ran for more than 200 metres with ball in hand last week to illustrate the danger they present if the game gets a little loose.

Greg Growden's verdict: The Sharks are all the rage of the South African conference, and they appear headed for the finals. The Reds are going OK, but they are still a bit flakey. As usual it all revolves whether Quade Cooper is in the mood of try-scoring passes or intercept passes or a bit of both.

Tips - Greg Growden: Sharks by 7. Brittany Mitchell: Sharks by 9.

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