This Preview covers the first 3 matches on Friday. The games on Saturday will be covered in the next article. The teams playing on Saturday is under the tag above, “TEAMS”

Blues vs Hurricanes
Last year the Hurricanes gave the Blues a 45-27 hiding on their home turf and extended their record in the Super 14 to four wins out of five. A remarkable turnaround when you consider that the Blues had never lost to the ‘Canes prior to 2005.
Looking at the two backlines it’s obvious that there will be plenty of attacking rugby and tries on offer. It’s more likely that the side that wins this game will be the one that defends the best, sets a steady platform up front and dominates territory and possession.
Blues
The Blues were particurly weak on defence last season
Unavailable for selection because of injury were lock Ali Williams, and backs George Pisi, Anthony Tuitavake and Luke McAlister.
• Captain – Keven Mealamu
• Six new Blues named
• Brett & Mathewson start first games for Blues
• Ma’afi, Lilo, Paulo and Kirkpatrick make up new faces
Hurricanes
The ‘Canes are near full strength with the only notable absentee being former captain Rodney So’oialo
New captain Andrew Hore will lead the Hurricanes for the first time proper in Friday’s Super 14 opener against the Blues in Auckland.

The New Zealand hooker, who took over from Rodney So’oialo as leader during the off-season, captains a side that includes Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Cory Jane.

Elsewhere in Colin Cooper’s line-up, there are spots for Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, John Schwalger and Hosea Gear while Piri Weepu and Willie Ripia
• Captain – Andrew Hore
• Willie Ripia preferred at flyhalf to young sensation Aaron Cruden
• Vito starts in place of So’oialo who is taking the first three weeks off
• Michael Paterson starts ahead of All Black lock Bryn Evans

Force vs Brumbies
The Western Force managed to beat all three Australian sides last year, but it’s tough to see them overcoming this classy Brumbies outfit.
The fortunes of the two teams since the 2009 edition couldn’t be more different with the Brumbies making some big signings while the Force watched some of their best players leave

Force
The player drain has been offset somewhat by the arrival of Matt Dunning
Five new players are starting for the Force on Saturday and they’ve had to convert prop Pek Cowan into a hooker to cope with the loss of Tai McIsaac. To write the Force off this season would be foolish as they have class players like Nathan Sharpe, Dunning, David Pocock, Richard Brown, Cameron Shepherd and James O’Connor in their starting line-up
• Captain – Nathan Sharpe
• Bartholomeusz, Sheehan, Harris, Dunning and Henderson to make their Force debuts
• Sare and Cummins out injured
• Sharpe to make 50th appearance for the Force

Brumbies
Giteau has been named in the starting line-up alongside the Brumbies’ other big signing Rocky Elsom. The Canberra based side signing both the best Wallaby back and forward during the off season. Throw in the return of Justin Harrison and Josh Valentine and it’s easy to see why the Brumbies are being mentioned as title contenders for 2010.
• Captain – Stephen Hoiles
• Giteau faces late fitness test
• Elsom, Valentine and Harrison all start after moves
• Pat McCabe to make debut on right wing

Cheetahs vs Bulls
The match is a replay of last year’s Currie Cup final
If you’re looking for areas where one side dominates the other then look no further than halfback and the back three. The Bulls hold a distinct advantage at scrumhalf and flyhalf with Springbok pair Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn in a class of their own in that department. Out wide it’s the Cheetahs who hold a slender advantage over the Bryan Habana-less Bulls back three. Nokwe and Mapoe, in particular, have pace to burn and the Cheetahs might look to exploit the Bulls out wide.

An interesting statistic is that the Bulls have won 15 games on the trot in South Africa.

Cheetahs
Seven players in all could be in line for their first taste of top level action. That doesn’t mean that they lack class or experience two of them, Riaan Viljoen and Ashley Johnson, getting Springbok caps in Europe last November while Lionel Mapoe was one of the brightest stars involved in the Currie Cup last year

WP Nel received international recognition when he was picked for the Barbarians and will form a formidable front row alongside Adriaan Strauss and Wian du Preez

Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow and Johnson make up a lethal loose trio
• Captain – Juan Smith
• Seven S14 Rookies in squad
• Johnson, Mapoe and Viljoen all start first S14 game
• Barnes, Oosthuizen, Vermeulen and Ebersohn set for debuts off the bench

Bulls
Retained the bulk of the squad which won the title last year – with only Bakkies Botha and Akona Ndungane missing due to injury – while welcoming hooker Gary Botha and Potgieter back into the fold.

The Bulls developed a few chinks in their scrum armour last season and there will be few better tests to see if they’ve improved in that area than the Cheetahs pack

• Captain – Victor Matfield
• Roux and van der Merwe could make first appearance for the Bulls if used
• 50th game for Gary Botha
• Botha and Potgieter return to the Bulls following two years away