PREVIEW: Super Rugby, Round 11 - Part Two
CAREER-ENDING: It was a week of significant injury setbacks for the Brumbies, as they look to continue their climb up the standings.
Veteran Josh Mann-Rea’s career could be over with the 38-year-old reportedly suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, which can need months of recovery.
The Brumbies hooker left the field during their win against the Stormers last weekend and franchise chief executive Phil Thomson confirmed the seriousness of the injury to the Canberra Times.
Mann-Rea, the oldest player in Super Rugby, has been with the Brumbies since 2013 and made two late-career appearances for the Wallabies, earning his debut from the bench against South Africa in Perth in 2014.
Connal McInerney will link up with the squad in Argentina to face the Jaguares as Mann-Rea’s replacement.
However, before we get to that game, there are three other Saturday fixtures.
The Hurricanes host the Chiefs in an all-New Zealand derby in Wellington, the Waratahs face the Sharks in their new stadium in Parramatta, Western Sydney, before the all-South African derby between the Stormers and Bulls at Newlands.
We look at Saturday’s matches!
Saturday, April 27:
Hurricanes v Chiefs
(Westpac Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.35; 07.35 GMT)
The New Zealand conference is yet again the most competitive and closely contested of the three in the competition.
It is also the most perilous to negotiate.
Facing the Chiefs for a second time this season, the Hurricanes are well aware of just how congested the conference is.
Apart from the Crusaders, who were out on their own on 34 points, other sides are knocking each other over and the race for play-off sports was on.
The Hurricanes are second (on 27 points – fourth on the overall standings), followed by the Blues (20 – eighth overall), Highlanders (18 – 13th) and Chiefs (17 – 14th).
Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said he will be wanting his team to deliver an improved performance this weekend – following last week’s 17-23 loss to the Lions.
“This weekend we need to be more disciplined and alert if we are to be competitive,” Cooper said.
“We had a good tussle against the Hurricanes at home last month,” he said, adding: “We know this weekend will be no different.
“We need to ensure our defence systems are strong and we are quick to our feet.
“If we can combine that with patience and control on attack, we should be in a good space.”
Hurricanes coach John Plumtree also spoke of the need to improve on “some aspects” of their play, despite their lofty position.
“We know the character the side is showing us each week and we know we can get better and we will need to be against the Chiefs,” he said.
“The squad is really excited about getting back to Our House at Westpac Stadium after a few weeks away and we want to put a performance together that we and our fans are proud of.”
Recent results:
2019: Hurricanes and Chiefs drew 23-all, Hamilton
2018: Hurricanes won 32-31, Wellington (quarterfinal)
2018: Chiefs won 28-24, Hamilton
2018: Hurricanes won 25-13, Wellington
2017: Chiefs won 17-14, Wellington
2017: Chiefs won 26-18, Waikato
Prediction: Nine of the last 11 Super Rugby meetings between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs have been decided by margins of eight points or fewer, with the sides evenly split in that period, winning five games each and sharing one draw. The Hurricanes lost their last home game, against the Crusaders. However, they’ve not lost consecutive matches at home since a run of four such defeats stretching across the 2013 and 2014 campaigns. The Chiefs have won their last two away games, they’ve not enjoyed a longer such run since winning their first five road matches of 2016. The Hurricanes and Chiefs have each crossed the try line 11 times in the final quarter of games this year, only the Jaguares (12) have crossed more often in the final 20 minutes of matches. Ben Lam (Hurricanes) made four successful offloads in Round 10, no player made more (level with Samu Kerevi), although it is the Chiefs’ Anton Lienert-Brown who has made the most overall in 2019 (21).
Prediction: Hurricanes
Margin: Seven
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Chase Tiatia, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Thomas Perenara (captain), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Kane Leaupepe, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Sam Henwood, 21 Richard Judd, 22 James Marshall, 23 Salesi Rayasi.
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli.
Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Alex Nankivell.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Waratahs v Sharks
(Bankwest Stadium, Sydney – Kick-off: 19.45; 11.45 SA time; 09.45 GMT)
The Waratahs aim to back up their win over the Australian conference leaders, the Melbourne Rebels, when they play the Sharks in their first game at western Sydney’s new Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.
The Tahs enter a block of three successive matches against South African teams.
After hosting the Sharks, the Australian side travels to South Africa – where they face the Bulls (in Pretoria) and Lions (Johannesburg).
“The South African sides always come with great physicality,” coach Daryl Gibson said.
“If you can’t compete there, you’re going to come second,” Gibson added.
“For us, it’s very clear, we’ve got to make sure we front up and be very good in that contact area.”
Sharks coach Robert du Preez pointed to individual errors and a lack of execution as the reasons for recent losses to the Jaguares (17-51) and Reds (14-21) – both in Durban.
“That was a game that could have gone either way,” Du Preez said of last week’s encounter with the Reds.
“We conceded two soft tries that came through individual errors, so it’s not a system issue.
“On attack, we had two clear chances to score tries and didn’t execute them, and some others too.
“It comes down to execution at the end of the day.”
Waratahs veteran utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper also spoke of the need to be “physical” against the big South African players.
“They are a team full of big athletes, big bodies and a lot of attacking threats particularly in that back three, so defensively we’ve got a huge job.”
Only once this season have the Tahs won back-to-back with their inconsistency underlined by losing at home to the Sunwolves a week after toppling the competition benchmark Crusaders.
“This week has been about us wanting to go out there and put in a performance off the back of a good performance,” Ashley-Cooper said.
“We’re looking to build that consistency because we’re at a pretty important time in the season.”
Recent results:
2018: Waratahs and Sharks drew 24-all, Durban
2017: Sharks won 37-14, Durban
2015: Waratahs won 33-18, Sydney
2014: Sharks won 32-10, Durban
2012: Waratahs won 34-30, Sydney
Prediction: The NSW Waratahs have won their last eight home games against the Sharks, their last defeat at home to the Durban franchise coming back in 2000. The NSW Waratahs will be facing South African opposition for the first time this season, since the beginning of 2017 they’ve won just one of their seven games against sides from South Africa, that victory coming against the Stormers in February 2018. The Sharks have lost their last two matches in Australia, they’ve not lost more consecutive games there since a run of four straight defeats in Australia across the 2008 and 2009 campaigns. No side has scored more tries in the opening quarter of games this season than the NSW Waratahs who have crossed eight times in that period (level with Highlanders and Brumbies). The Waratahs’ Michael Hooper has made the most tackles of any player this year (122), the Sharks’ Daniel du Preez has made the most carries of any forward in 2019 (106).
Prediction: Waratahs
Margin: Five
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Lachlan Swinton, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Alex Newsome.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain).
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.
Referee: Nicholas Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Amy Perrett (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
Stormers v Bulls
(Newlands, Cape Town – Kick-off: 15.05; 13.05 GMT)
The outing at Newlands will have a lot more riding on it than just four or five match points.
The winner could go to the top of the South African conference – depending on what happens in the games between the Crusaders versus Lions and Waratahs versus Sharks. The two South African teams are both on 22 points.
The Bulls (on 23 points) have lost three times, while the Stormers (19) have lost five matches.
However, both are still in the running to top the conference and ultimately secure a home quarterfinal.
Then, also, it is a Springbok trial of some sorts.
Players like Damian de Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), John Schickerling, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Jesse Kriel, Handré Pollard , Ivan van Zyl, Duane Vermeulen, Rudolf Snyman, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka and Embrose Papier add lustre to the occasion.
“You play against your Springbok friends and that gets you up for the game,” veteran Springbok Duane Vermeulen said.
“Everyone is still playing for a spot in the World Cup squad, so everyone will be up for the game.”
Bok and Stormers captain Siya Kolisi also highlighted the importance of the fixture.
“South African derbies are tougher for us than playing against New Zealand teams,” Kolisi said.
“There are a couple of things that we need to get right to ensure that we finish well and get the desired result,” he added.
The Stormers welcome back a host of experienced Springboks in a big shake-up for their important derby.
Kolisi is back in the starting XV, along with fellow Springboks Frans Malherbe and Damian de Allende, who sat out last week.
Malherbe is joined in the front row by Steven Kitshoff. Lock John Schickerling returns from injury and starts in the second row, while Eben Etzebeth is set to make his return from injury from the bench.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said that the value of the experience of the players returning cannot be underestimated.
“We will need all of our experience on Saturday in what will be a typically fierce derby at Newlands,” Fleck said.
“It is great to welcome back some senior players for this game, but it will require a big effort from every single one of us to deliver the performance we are looking for on Saturday,” he said.
Bulls coach Pote Human wants his side to retain consistency after their win over the Reds was followed by a bye weekend.
“The last time we had a bye, the result was not a good one, so we are pretty mindful of that,” Human said.
“A clash with the Stormers down in Cape Town is always a massive one for us.”
Recent results:
2019: Bulls won 40-3, Pretoria
2018: Stormers won 29-17, Cape Town
2018: Bulls won 33-23, Pretoria
2017: Stormers won 41-33, Pretoria
2017: Stormers won 37-24, Cape Town
Prediction: The Bulls won their most recent meeting with the Stormers, in the opening round of this season, however, they’ve not won consecutive games against the Cape Town side since winning five on the bounce between 2005 and 2009. The Stormers have won their last seven home games against the Bulls, their last such defeat coming back in June 2011 (16-19). The Bulls have won their last two away games, against the Lions and Sharks, as many as they’d won in their previous 16 road games. The Bulls have conceded just five first-half tries in Super Rugby this year, fewer than any other side, while the Stormers have scored the fewest in the opening 40 minutes of matches (six). The Bulls’ Corniel Els has found a teammate with all 27 of his line-out throws in 2019, no other hooker has attempted more than seven throws without missing at least one.
Prediction: Stormers
Margin: Three
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Johannes Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Kobus van Dyk, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 John Schickerling, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Ernst van Rhyn, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Seabelo Senatla.
Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Handré Pollard , 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Jannes Kirsten, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Wiehan Herbst, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Egon Seconds (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Jaguares v Brumbies
(Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires – Kick-off: 18.40; 21.40 GMT; 07.40 Canberra time Sunday, April 28)
The Brumbies will look to continue their climb up the standings without one of their star players.
Wallaby flank David Pocock’s injury woes continue, with the Brumbies star out of their clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Pocock has played just three games this season and none since March 8 – as he struggles to overcome a calf problem picked up at a January pre-season Wallabies camp.
He travelled to South Africa for the Brumbies’ nail-biting 19-17 win against the Stormers last weekend, but has been sent home from the tour.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar acknowledged last week it had been a frustrating time for both the player and the franchise.
“It all started back in January at the Wallabies camp and hasn’t stopped really,” he said of Pocock.
“If I had have been told, when I was originally told it was a calf strain in January, that it would be still dragging on in the back end of April, you’d certainly be frustrated.”
Brumbies forward Murray Douglas believes they can overcome the challenge if they show the same resolve that saw them edge the Stormers last week.
“We go into Argentina with the exact same approach,” Douglas said, adding: “We concentrate on ourselves and we put that effort on effort.
“If guys put everything out there, leaving everything on the field, then that is going to put us in a good place to get another win next week.
“To go to Cape Town and play the Stormers, we knew it would not be easy. We’ll take a lot of confidence off the back of a huge defensive effort. We approached this game really well.
“We prepared for it really well, so we will be using the same sort of tactics heading into Argentina against the Jaguares. We go into the game knowing we can put in another good performance.”
Previous results:
2018: Jaguares won 25-20, Canberra
2017: Brumbies won 39-15, Buenos Aires
Prediction: The Jaguares and Brumbies have met just twice previously in Super Rugby, winning one game apiece, the away side on the day winning each encounter. The Jaguares have won five of their last six games against Australian opposition. However, three of their five victories in that spell have come by just five points or fewer. The Brumbies have lost three games this season in which they’ve led at half-time, no other side has suffered as many defeats in that fashion (Sunwolves also three). The Brumbies have conceded just 13.4 turnovers per game this season, fewer than any other side, while they’ve also won the most turnovers on average (8.6). The Brumbies’ James Slipper has made 42/42 tackles this year, the joint-most of any player yet to miss one (Stormers’ JD Schickerling also 42/42), while Jaguares prop Mayco Vivas boasts the best success rate of any player to attempt more tackles than Slipper (98 percent – 43/44).
Prediction: Jaguares
Margin: Six
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Tom Wright, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Matt Lucas, 8 Pate Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Jahrome Brown, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Connal Mcinerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Murray Douglas, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Andy Muirhead.
Jaguares: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente (captain), 11 Santiago Carreras, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Tomas Lezana, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Enrique Pieretto Heilan, 19 Rodrigo Bruni, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Compiled by Jan de Koning, additional reporting by AAP & AFP
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* Statistics provided by Opta Sports
