Round 8 is one of the more difficult weeks as far as predictions go, we have 4 South African Teams taking part and the Lions, bless their dismal souls, have a rest week to lick some wounds.

The Games for the weekend are:

2	Hurricanes	v	Crusaders	Wellington	08:35
2	Western Force	v	Vodacom Stormers	Perth	12:05
3	Blues	v	Vodacom Bulls	Auckland	06:30
3	Chiefs	v	Highlanders	Mt Maunganui	08:35
3	Waratahs	v	Vodacom Cheetahs	Sydney	10:40
3	The Sharks	v	Reds	The Absa Stadium Durban	17:05

Let’s look at the individual games more closely:

Friday 2 April 2010:

 

Hurricanes vs Crusaders:

The Hurricanes host the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium in Wellington at 08:35 SA Time.

The Hurricanes are on a terrible run of 4 straight losses, having lost 3 games in SA on tour and also losing to the Sharks at home this past weekend. They are not sitting pretty at all on the Super 14 Log, sitting in 8th place on 16 Log Points, already 12 points behind the Log leaders and having played a full 7 games compared to the Log-leading Bulls’ 6 games.

They will be desperate and smarting and will realize that this match might be a season-defining match!

This is still a star-studded team though and one expects them to give the Crusaders a real run for their money.

On the other hand we have the Crusaders, sitting in 3rd spot on the Log (23 Points after 6 games), a team who started slowly but who seem to be hitting their straps. They have the disadvantage of playing away from home though!

Players who have impressed so far in the tournament are Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guldford, Dan Carter, the 3 Whitelock Brothers and of course their captain Richie McCaw.

I tend to believe that it will be a Crusaders win…. Saders by 7 in a very hard-fought home derby.

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Hurricanes won 30-24 (Christchurch)
2008: Crusaders won 33-22 (Christchurch) – semi-final
2008: Crusaders won 20-13 (Wellington)
2007: Crusaders won 23-13 (Christchurch)
2006: Crusaders won 19-12 (Christchurch) – final
2006: Crusaders won 20-11 (Wellington)

 

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Jason Kawau.

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Jared Payne.

 

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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Western Force vs Stormers:

The Western Force host the Stormers at ME Bank Stadium, Perth at 12:05 SA Time.

The diabolical Force are 0 from 6 attempts this season and sits with a firm grip on the wooden spoon so far, although the Lions are making a serious attempt to yank the wooden spoon away from them.

The Force, according to some, gave the Bulls a run for their money last week. I say according to some because I believe that the Bulls had most of the possession and territorial advantage and failed to convert points which was there for the taking.

The Stormers have just had their rest week and is sitting in 2nd spot on the Log, having lost just one game so far.

We all know it is difficult to travel though and the long flight East would have some impact, but the Stormers are a settled side and consistency in selection should  stand them in good stead.

I predict a Stormers win… and a good one, with the Force staying relatively competative in the 1st half an hour…… Stormers by 18 PLUS.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Stormers won 25-24 (Cape Town)
2008: Stormers won 32-16 (Perth)
2007: Force won 22-3 (Cape Town)           
2006: Stormers won 26-25 (Perth)

Teams:

Western Force: 5 James O’Connor, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Mark Bartholomeusz, 10 David Hill, 9 Chris O’Young, 8 Matt Hodgson, 7 David Pocock, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Justin Turner, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Haig Sare.

Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 François Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JC Kritzinger.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Frikkie Welsh

 

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Julian Pritchard (Australia)
TMO: Matthew Goddard (Australia)

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Saturday 3 April 2010:

 

Blues vs Bulls:

The Blues host the Bulls at Eden Park, Auckland at 06:30 SA Time.

The Blues are angry, they are in fact livid with the Referee and their performance of last week and we know they are dangerous when they are in such a foul mood.

They are sitting in 9th position on the Log, having won 3 matches and lost 3 matches.

Their strenght lies in their backline, with Rene Ranger their most potent weapon… but he is surrounded by very dangerous mates who will punish a team who is not fully organised, structured and committed on defence.

The high-riding Bulls on the other hand are way clear in No 1 on the Log, having won an impressive 6 from 6 (2 away from home) and they have now gone 12 successive Super 14 games in a row as winners.

Their defence has been questioned this year though!  Their biggest weakness on defence lies out wide, through both wings and past outside centre, areas where the Blues are extremely strong on attack.

Winning is a habit though and the Bulls have certainly embraced that habit well, in addition they are blessed with world stars in many positions and have a patience and a calmness about the way they go about their business.

I am weary of this game and this could easily prove to be a loss for the Bulls especially since they have never beaten the Blues in Auckland but my heart and head screams Bulls…. Bulls by 8 or thereabouts.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Bulls won 59-26 (Pretoria)
2008: Blues won 23-21 (Auckland)
2007: Bulls won 40-19 (Pretoria)
2006: Blues won 30-17 (Auckland)

Teams:

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Paul Williams.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 François Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.

 

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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Chiefs vs Highlanders:

The Chiefs host the Highlanders at Mt Manganui at 08:35 SA Time.

The underperforming Chiefs are at No 7 on the Super 14 Log and have played 6 matches, of which they have won 3 and lost 3.

This places doubt about where they really stand in the competition but I will let myself be led by the quality in the squad. Surely last year’s finalists with Mils Muliaina, Masaga, Kahui, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Lauaki, Messam, Hika Elliott and Sona Taumalolo cannot be that bad, surely they HAVE TO click sometime… and this week might be it!

The Hickville Highlanders on the other hand are a bunch of ruffians mixed with the class of Israel Dagg and Jimmy Cowan, a bunch of hard-grafting forwards at their disposal and they will want to show that they are heaps better than the Hillbilly Moonshine outfit lying at No 11 on the Super 14 Log! They have played 7, won only 2 and lost 5 games already, with a lowly 10 Log points to show for their Hillbilly efforts!

Home Country derbies however is a story of a different kind and the Highlanders have the ability to put ANY Super 14 team away on a good day.

I predict a home win for the Chiefs…. Chiefs by 13 PLUS.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
14 Mar 2009 Chiefs v Highlanders 14-10 Ivercargill
29 Mar 2008 Chiefs v Highlanders 39-24 Hamilton
07 Apr 2007 Chiefs v Highlanders 38-34 Queenstown
01 Apr 2006 Chiefs v Highlanders 16-13 Hamilton
14 May 2005 Chiefs v Highlanders 31-8 Hamilton

Teams:

Chiefs  – 1. Sona Taumalolo 2. Hika Elliot,3. Ben Afeaki,4. Craig Clarke,5. Culum Retallick,6. Liam Messam ,7. Luke Braid,8. Sione Lauaki,9. Brendon Leonard,10.Mike Delany,11.Dwayne Sweeney,12. Stephen Donald,13.Richard Kahui,14.Lelia Masaga,15.Mils Muliaina (captain)

Reserves: 16. Vern Kamo, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Jarrad Hoeata, 19.Colin Bourke 20. Junior Poluleuligaga, 21. Jackson Willison, 22. Tim Nanai-Williams.

Highlanders – 1 Chris King,2 Jason Rutledge, 3 Clint Newland, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 5 Hayden Triggs, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 8 Steven Setephano, 9 Jimmy Cowan ( c ), 10 Robbie Robinson, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 12 Jason Shoemark, 13 Kenny Lynn, 14 Ben Smith, 15 Israel Dagg

Reserves: , 16. Jason Macdonald, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Joe Tuineau, 19. Tim Boys / John Hardie, 20. Sean Romans, 21. Mat Berquist, 22. James Paterson

Match Officials
Referee: Marius Jonker (SA)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (NZ), Shane McDermott (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)

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Waratahs vs Cheetahs:

The Waratahs host the Cheetahs in Sydney at 10:40 SA Time.

The Waratahs are without Captain Phil (Shrek) Waugh and this might not be such a bad thing, he’s been moaning and groaning and whinging on and off the field far too much! The Waratahs are in the No 4 spot on the Super 14 table but they have played 7 games and not 6 like the 3 teams above them on the Log, giving them a look perhaps of being a bit better than they actually are.

They have played 7 and won 5 of the 7 but some of the wins have been scrappy.

Last week they were lucky to come away with a win against the Blues by scoring an intercept try at a time that the Blues would have scored, had it not been for the intercept.

The Cheetahs promised much this year in the early stages of the Super 14, beating the Hurricanes in Bloemfontein and looking to take the step up from last year but they have had a terrible run of injuries, with star player Heinrich Brussouw out, Juan Smith still attending to family matters and losing their prime lock candidates.

With the average Tewis de Bruin at scrumhalf and the even more average Naas Olivier at flyhalf there is just not that spark to ignite the dangerous outside backs they have and the injuries have decimated their otherwise potent forwards pack.

The will play with heart and passion, we hope, but the Waratahs should be strong enough to win on the day….. Waratahs by 12.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
01 May 2009 Waratahs v Cheetahs 18-10 Bloemfontein
28 Mar 2008 Waratahs v Cheetahs 23-19 Sydney
17 Feb 2007 Waratahs v Cheetahs 26-30 Kimberley
31 Mar 2006 Waratahs v Cheetahs 26-3 Sydney

Teams:

Waratahs – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Locky McCaffrey, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Tom Carter, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Barend Pieterse, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Walti Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.

Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Davon Raubenheimer, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Corné Uys, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

Match Officials.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Aus), James Leckie (Aus)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Aus)

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The Sharks vs Reds:

The Sharks host the Reds at The ABSA Stadium, Durban at 17:05 SA Time.

There is still a huge imbalance in the embattled Sharks team, one feels, even though they are now on 2 consecutive wins after a dismal start to the season. This imbalance is caused by the lack of a good flyhalf, the Sharks having decided they will stick with a Club Level quality English import in Andy Goode…. well, he just is’nt goode enough!

Apart from this, there are still injuries all over the place to worry about which has now caused a fullback (Stefan Terblanche) to play his 100th Super 14 game at the unfamiliar position of outside centre. The wings are simply not pacy enough and seem to be off form.

On-field dicipline is still a huge problem, with the 2 Du Plessis brothers in the front row being the prime problem children in this regard.

The Reds have surprised all and sundry by performing very well in 2010 with a lot of no-namers and only 2 real stars in Will Genia and Quade Cooper. We are quickly getting to know some of these no-namers and by the end of season we might just be thinking of them as stars or future stars!

This is one of the more difficult picks of the week.. the temptation is to go with the home side… then one thinks again and the prospect of the Reds walking off as winners look very good indeed. I set a lot of faith in the perfomance and dominance of the halfback pairing in a match and in that respect I rate Will Genia superior to Ruan Pienaar and I also rate the wild-child, Quade Cooper, as much better than Andy Not-so-Goode.

I will balance this by predicting that the Sharks forwards will be better than the Reds forwards…. so my prediction is, allowing for better on field dicipline by Bismarck du Plessis and his brother Jannie, that the Sharks will sneak this tight encounter…. Sharks by 3.

 

Teams:

The Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 4 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 John Smit (captain).
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Andries Strauss, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.

Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Jack Kennedy, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Leroy Houston, 21 Ben Lucas, 22 Rod Davies.

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Marc van Zyl (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)