PREVIEW: Super Rugby, Round 15 - Part One
However, if this baroque format is taken out of the equation, the Crusaders and the Hurricanes are – by some distance – the two best teams in the competition.
That is why the encounter in Christchurch on Friday – to get the weekend's action underway – is the most appetising start you could wish for.
In fact, they are playing for first place on the standings – even with the convoluted conference system.
The winner will top the New Zealand conference and thus claim first place on the overall table.
Currently, the Crusaders lead by a single point – 46 (from 12 matches) to the Hurricanes' 45 (from 11 matches.
While the Rebels versus Sunwolves clash will pale in comparison, Friday's third encounter – the Jaguares versus Sharks – is a massive encounter in the race for top spot in the South African conference.
We take a look at Friday's matches!
Friday, May 25:
Crusaders v Hurricanes
(AMI Stadium, Christchurch – Kick-off: 19.35; 07.35 GMT)
The Hurricanes have been a bit erratic in the last few rounds, but they have still won nine in a row and are just one point off the top spot.
However, that winning streak will be under serious threat when they travel to Christchurch on Friday to take on the eight-time champion Crusaders.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said, after their 38-34 win over the Reds last week, and the 69 percent of possession they had, they had been working on all areas of their game.
"We were happy with 38 points, but we had an awful lot of chances we didn't nail either," Boyd said.
"To be fair on both sides of the ledger, it wasn't a great performance by us last week.
"The Crusaders are always tough, it doesn't really matter who puts that jersey on.
"It's probably no different than playing any of the other franchises, the local derbies are really, tough, physical, contested.
"They've got a great roster and are current Super champions and so it is going to be a good battle," he said.
The Crusaders will be conscious that their discipline – or rather lack of it – had become a problem in recent weeks.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson downplayed the issue – saying that props Owen Franks and Joe Moody – both copped two-week bans for strikes to the head of an opponent – were not cheap-shot merchants.
"Both Joe [Moody, who copped his two-week ban for an offence against the Waratahs two weeks ago] and Owen [Franks] are quite remorseful," claimed Robertson.
"There was no intent.
"No one dropped a knee or eye-gouged. He put his arm up. It wasn't like he intentionally chased after anyone.
"That's when I start to think, 'hang on, mate. We've lost that call'. We have characters that get the boiling blood but at nearly every other ruck, it could've happened what Owen had done," said Robertson.
"We have to be better. We discussed the individual ownership around it and the boys probably are remorseful."
Recent results:
2018: Hurricanes won 29-19, Wellington
2017: Hurricanes won 31-22, Wellington
2017: Crusaders won 20-12, Christchurch
2016: Hurricanes won 35-10, Christchurch
2015: Crusaders won 35-18, Christchurch
2015: Hurricanes won 29-23, Wellington
Prediction: The Hurricanes have won eight of their last 11 games against the Crusaders, including their last two meetings and a 29-19 victory when they met earlier this season. The Crusaders have won their last six New Zealand derbies at home; their last loss in such a fixture was in Round 17, 2016 against the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have won their last 10 games on the bounce; an 11th consecutive win would set a new club record for their longest winning streak in Super Rugby. The Hurricanes have conceded the fewest metres (354), beaten defenders (20), offloads (seven), and tries (2) per game of any team this season. Ben Lam has scored 14 tries in 10 games for the Hurricanes this season, including five tries in his last three games; he's just one shy of equaling the record for most tries in a Super Rugby season last set by Ngani Laumape (15) last season. This is tough to call, simply because the teams are so evenly matches. However, we think the Crusaders will sneak a late winner – by five points.
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith
Replacements: 16 James O'Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Jonah Lowe
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
Rebels v Sunwolves
(AAMI Park, Melbourne – Kick-off: 19.45; 18.45 Japan time; 09.45 GMT)
Melbourne Rebels No.8 Amanaki Mafi knows exactly what his team can expect from their Japanese rivals.
He is, after all, a regular in the Japan national team – with 19 Test caps.
Mafi certainly shared his inside knowledge with the Rebels coaching staff, ahead of their encounter with the vastly improve Sunwolves team.
"I have spent the last week with the coaches, to try and give more secrets of Japanese strength," Mafi said in an interview on the Rebels website.
"You know with the Japanese; they change [their style of play] every game.
"Their ruck game [is strong]. I predict this game is going to be a lot of running.
"They are going to throw every quick ball they can do. So I'm really excited and I can't wait to play them."
The Sunwolves enter Friday's game with two consecutive wins – after a comfortable 63-28 demolition of the Reds and an impressive 26-23 victory over the Stormers.
Key players in those victories – their first triumphs this season – were Shintaro Ishihara, Shota Horie and Akihito Yamada.
Although Mafi will look forward to facing a raft of Japanese Internationals, there is one player in particular that Mafi is most looking forward to taking on.
"I [am] looking [forward] to playing against Michael Leitch," Mafi said.
"[However there is] a lot of excitement to face them. You know them well for a long time.
"They know your strength; they know your weaknesses."
Previous results:
2018: Rebels won 37-17, Singapore
2016: Rebels won 35-9, Tokyo
Prediction: The Rebels have won each of the last two meetings between these teams by a margin of 20+ points, including a 37-17 win when they met in Round Three this season. The Rebels will be searching for back-to-back wins for the first time since winning their opening three games of the season after snatching a 27-24 win over the Brumbies in Round 13. The Sunwolves have now won two games in a row to take their total Super Rugby win tally to five; however, they are yet to win from 19 fixtures as the away team. The Sunwolves (86 percent) boast the best goal-kicking accuracy of any team this season, while no team has been less accurate in front of the sticks than the Rebels (62 percent). Will Genia has made eight try assists this campaign; only the Lions' Elton Jantjies (9) has made more. The Sunwolves are on a run, but that might come to a screeching halt. The Rebels to win by 12 points.
Teams:
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Reece Hodge, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga'a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Fereti Sa'aga.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Pone Fa'amausili, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Tayler Adams, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
Sunwolves: 15 Jason Emery, 14 Lomano Lemeki, 13 Michael Little, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Edward Quirk, 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Grant Hattingh, 5 Shinya Makabe, 4 James Moore, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Craig Millar.
Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Sam Wykes, 20 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Harumichi Tatekawa, 23 Semisi Masirewa.
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Graham Cooper
TMO: Ian Smith
Jaguares v Sharks
(Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires – Kick-off: 16.40; 21.40 SA time; 19.40 GMT)
After a slow start, in which they won just two of their first seven matches, the Jaguares have finally found the form that was expected from them since they entered the competition three years ago.
After finishing 13th (with just four wins) in 2016 and 10th (seven wins) in 2017, the Argentinean team is on the cusp of making the play-offs.
In fact, Friday's game is vital in their quest for a top-eight finish.
They are seventh, with 29 points from 12 matches.
The Sharks are one position and one point behind, with the same number of matches played.
Both are chasing the South African conference leaders, the Lions, who are on 36 from 13 matches.
Sharks coach Robert du Preez is wary of the threats the high-flying Argentinean outfit poses.
"They are a very physical team," Du Preez said in an interview from Buenos Aires.
"They are well balanced," he said, adding: "It is also Argentina's national team.
"We have seen what they did to the Bulls [beat them 54-24 last week].
"If we don't man up on the day, it will be a long day at the office for us.
"We are well prepared and we believe we can beat them.
"We have everything to play for and we are desperate to win this game.
"There is no margin for error at this stage of the season."
Recent results:
2017: Sharks won 33-25, Buenos Aires
2017: Sharks won 18-13, Durban
2016: Sharks won 25-22, Buenos Aires
2016: Sharks won 19-15, Durban
Prediction: The Sharks have won all of their previous four games against the Jaguares, each by a margin of no greater than eight points. The Jaguares have won their last five games on the bounce, of which three came after trailing at the half-time interval. The Sharks have lost six of their last seven games away from home; however, they have managed to pick up a losing bonus point in five of those six defeats. The Jaguares have kicked 10 penalty goals within the opening quarter of games this season, more than any other team in the competition. Lwazi Mvovo made a round-high 115 metres in Round 14, his most in a single game since Round 13, 2017 (152 metres). It is difficult to see the Sharks winning after their marathon trip to Buenos Aires. You have to back the home team – the Jaguares to win by seven points or less.
Teams:
Jaguares: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomas Lezana, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Javier Manuel, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Damian Schneider, Jose Covasi
TMO: Santiago Borsani
Compiled by Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
* Statistics provided by Opta Sports
