PREVIEW: Super Rugby, Round 18 - Part One
REBELS WITH A CAUSE: The battle for play-off places is heating up with only two rounds left of the league phase.
After their defeat to the Waratahs last weekend, the Melbourne Rebels will be desperate for a victory over the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.
A loss could see David Wessels’ side drop out of the top eight with only one round left to play.
In Friday’s other match, the Crusaders host the Highlanders in the big South Island derby.
The Crusaders can strengthen their position on top of the overall standings with another win.
A victory for the Highlanders will put the pressure on the Hurricanes and Chiefs again ahead of their matches on Saturday.
We take a look at Friday’s matches!
Friday, July 6:
Crusaders v Highlanders
(Wyatt Crockett Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.35; 07.35 GMT)
The match will be a special occasion with Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett making history by becoming the first player to record 200 Super Rugby caps.
The AMI Stadium has been renamed the ‘Wyatt Crockett Stadium’ especially for Friday’s match to celebrate the legend’s latest achievement.
“To reach 200 games at this level takes an immense amount of talent, commitment, and personal sacrifice over a long period of time, and Crocky certainly sets the benchmark for passion and professionalism among our group,” said Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson.
“Crocky continues to make a massive contribution to the Crusaders jersey in what is his 13th season with the club. He’s well-respected by the squad and management alike and is the ultimate team man. We are proud to be able to celebrate this achievement with him.”
Meanwhile, Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty said they won’t be taking their foot off the peddle despite their comfortable position at the top of the standings.
“We worked really blooming hard to get where we are on the ladder. We are just taking it one week at a time and we can’t look too far ahead against a quality Highlanders team who will be hurting after last weekend.
“The boys are just doing what it takes to prepare well, and we are really excited about getting back at home in front of our crowd,” said Crotty.
Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger is confident his team will bounce back after their 22-45 defeat to the Chiefs last weekend.
“History tells us every time we get a smack on the nose we are usually pretty good the next week. The challenge for this group is to not get smacked on the nose,” Mauger told the Otago Daily Times.
“Our boys were absolutely shattered after the game. And that was because of where we have taken our game this year, and what we want to do. That means a lot to the guys.
“We are all disappointed that we did not nail it. The best way to review that is to acknowledge the things we did not nail and why was it. We’ve had a good couple of days of reflection and everyone is back on the horse now.”
Recent results:
2018: Highlanders won 25-17, Dunedin
2017: Crusaders won 17-0, Christchurch
2017: Crusaders won 25-22, Christchurch
2017: Crusaders won 30-27, Dunedin
2016: Highlanders won 34-26, Dunedin
Prediction: The Crusaders have won nine of their last 12 games against the Highlanders, though were defeated 17-25 when they met earlier this season. The Crusaders have won their last 10 games on the bounce – the last time they lost was in Round Five against the Highlanders. The Highlanders have won three of their last five games away from home, with two of those three victories coming after they had trailed at half-time. The Highlanders have scored 11 tries this season after winning a turnover, only the Chiefs (12) have scored more tries via this method. Wyatt Crockett is set to become the first player in Super Rugby history to play 200 games in the competition. It will be another huge battle with the Crusaders winning it by eight points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Richard Buckman, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon/Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Pari Pari Parkinson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Fletcher Smith.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Reds v Melbourne Rebels
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 19.45; 09.45 GMT)
The Melbourne Rebels know that they cannot afford to drop points in this round after their loss to the Waratahs last weekend.
The Rebels are currently in eighth place on the overall standings with 35 points. That is only three points ahead of the Sharks, who face the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Rebels’ final league game is a tough one against the Highlanders in Dunedin next week, so a win against the Reds is a must for Dave Wessels’ side
“We are really adamant about trying to get a result this week because it could help us in the finals race,” said Rebels prop Sam Talakai.
“We haven’t talked too much about that, but we have talked about how the process will lead us into that. For us this week there is a big importance on getting that result in Queensland.
“It is like a Grand Final week for us, so hopefully we can go up there and come away with the points.”
With the play-off race heating up, the Rebels will not be making too many changes to the way they play.
“I think against the Waratahs we probably were the better side for about 70 minutes and then the last 10 minutes of the game we saw it went a bit wayward from how we want to play, so a lot more of that attacking style of rugby and we should be alright in Queensland if we stick to those patterns,” Talakai added.
For the Reds, Friday’s match will just be about gaining respect after a tough season so far.
The Brisbane side is in 14th place in the overall standings with four wins from their 14 games.
“We just want to win. We just want to play with pride and give the fans something in the last two games and ourselves especially,” said Reds lock Izack Rodda.
Recent results:
2018: Rebels won 45-19, Melbourne
2017: Reds won 29-24, Melbourne
2016: Rebels won 31-28, Brisbane
2016: Rebels won 25-23, Melbourne
2015: Reds won 46-29, Brisbane
Prediction: The Rebels have won five of their last eight games against the Reds, including a 45-19 win when they met earlier this season; they had never defeated Queensland prior to this run (Lost six). The Reds have won only one of their last 10 games and have lost their last five on the bounce; the last time they lost more in succession as a six-game drought in early 2017. The Rebels have won half of their previous 14 Australian derbies away from home; however, they’ve never won such a fixture by a margin of more than seven points. The Rebels are the most penalised team in the competition this season, conceding an average of 11 penalties per game. Samu Kerevi has scored four tries and assisted one in his last three games against the Rebels, crossing at least once in each of those games. There is a lot on the line for the visitors. The Rebels will win by six points.
Teams:
Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Caleb Timu, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Aidan Toua.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English (captain), 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Reece Hodge, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements:16 Nathan Charles, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Graham Cooper
TMO: Ian Smith
Compiled by Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
* Statistics provided by Opta Sports
