Preview: Super Rugby, Round Seven - Part Two

GRUDGE MATCH: The build-up to the weekend’s Round Seven action was dominated by the hype around Quade Cooper and Will Genia’s return to Brisbane

Reds assistant Peter Ryan said he “couldn’t give a rats” how Quade Cooper and Will Genia fare in their hyped Suncorp Stadium return with the Rebels on Saturday.

The Melbourne halfbacks starred in the Reds’ 2011 title-winning season and have recombined to great effect after Cooper was frozen out of coach Brad Thorn’s Ballymore plans last year.

While Ryan understood the theatre behind the pair’s return, but assured it wouldn’t be on his mind this weekend.

“It’s their homecoming, I suppose you could call it that,” Ryan said.

“A lot of people want to talk about Quade and Will … I’m not one of them.

“I don’t want to talk about Quade and Will, I couldn’t give a rat’s and don’t care whether they come up here and play like champions or not.”

But before the big grudge match, Saturday’s action starts when the Stormers look to end a five-year drought in New Zealand against the Blues in Auckland.

Then follow the Reds versus Rebels in Brisbane, the Sharks are at home to the Bulls and the weekend’s action concludes when the Jaguares host the Chiefs in Buenos Aires.

We look at Saturday’s matches!

Saturday, March 30:

Blues v Stormers
(Eden Park, Auckland – Kick-off: 19.35; 08.35 SA time; 06.35 GMT)

The Stormers may have won six of their last seven meetings against the Blues, but none of those victories was in New Zealand.

In fact, the Stormers’ last win in New Zealand was in April 2013, against the Hurricanes.

Their last win in Auckland was even further back – May 2011.

The Blues have won two consecutive games after a slow start.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald made it clear his side is expecting a huge physical effort from the South African visitors.

“The Stormers are going to bring a very different challenge than the Highlanders [whom they beat 33-26 in Auckland last week] and we must be better if we are to get a positive result,” MacDonald said.

“This is another opportunity for us at home.

“The win last week has added to our confidence and we want to play well at Eden Park in front of our fans.

“That win [over the Highlanders] won’t mean much unless we can continue to improve our performances with every game.

The Stormers will be looking to their Springbok-laden pack of forwards – including the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi and Steven Kitshoff – to give them the edge.

Du Toit, in particular, has been in sublime form.

He made 30 tackles in Wellington last week. That tackle performance equalled the tackle count of any player in a single round in the last nine seasons and the towering No.7 has made a combined total of 83 tackles so far this year.

Stormers coach Robbie Fleck said his team is determined to be as clinical as possible in Auckland.

“We have got great energy among the group and the players are all keen to get out there and show what we are capable of, so we are looking forward to it.

“It will be important for us to be composed and focused as we look to keep improving and building our game.”

He added that the Blues have some real gamebreakers and some X-factor players.

“We need to control the game ourselves and take their big players out of it and really enforce our own plan.”

Recent results:

2018: Stormers won 37-20, Cape Town
2017: Stormers won 30-22, Cape Town
2015: Stormers won 27-16, Cape Town
2013: Blues won 18-17, Albany
2012: Stormers won 27-17, Cape Town

Prediction: The Stormers have won six of their last seven Super Rugby games against the Blues, including their last three on the bounce; neither team has ever won more than three successive games in the history of this fixture. The Blues have won their last two Super Rugby games on the bounce; the last time they won more was a three-game stretch in April-May 2017. The Blues have won 14 of their last 17 Super Rugby games at home against teams visiting from outside New Zealand. The Blues have missed just 16 tackles per game in Super Rugby 2019, fewer than any other team, they are however the only side to average fewer than 100 completed tackles per game as well. Pieter Steph-du-Toit (Stormers) made 30 tackles in Round 6 – the joint-most of any player in a single round in the last nine seasons -to take his season tally to a joint competition-high 83.

Prediction: Blues
Margin: Two

Teams:

Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tanielu Tele’a, 13 Thomas Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Dan du Plessis, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 SP Marais.

Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Reds v Rebels
(Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – Kick-off: 18.45; 19.45 Melbourne time; 08.45 GMT)

As much as the Reds try to dismiss it, this game is all about Quade Cooper versus Brad Thorn – the history between the two forceful characters dictate the headlines.

Cooper will return to Suncorp Stadium, linking up with Will Genia for the first time since departing the Reds squad in 2018.

Reds assistant coach Peter Ryan was nevertheless aware the Reds would need to put the squeeze on the playmaking duo to repeat last weekend’s bonus-point defeat of the Brumbies.

Cooper leads the competition with five try assists this season, while Genia – rested from last weekend’s loss in South Africa to the Sharks – has been commanding at the base of the scrum for the side.

“They’re obviously very good players, so we have to look at their individual games, but there’s no extra focus,” Ryan said.

Rebels coach Dave Wessels said the Melbourne-based outfit has focussed on bettering themselves at training to ensure they return to the form which saw the side start the season with three consecutive victories.

“I think the thing is we were disappointed with our performance against the Sharks,” he said.

“What we’ve tried to do this season is to be the best version of ourselves every week and for a variety of reasons we weren’t that last week, so hopefully that’s our one for the season, but we’re very keen to play well again this weekend.”

Standing in the way of the Rebels is a fired-up Reds side who will look continue their red-hot form after a comprehensive home victory over the Brumbies last weekend.

Wessels says his side will have to combat the numerous positional threats Queensland possess, while also focusing on producing Melbourne’s trademark quick ball movement.

“I think the Reds are a good team all around, they’ve got a good balance between their backs and forwards,” Wessels said.

“What’s going to win the game is our intensity and the speed at which we are able to play at.

“If we can do that like we’ve done all season, then I think we give ourselves a real chance.”

Recent results:

2018: Reds won 37-23, Brisbane
2018: Rebels won 45-19, Melbourne
2017: Reds won 29-24, Melbourne
2016: Rebels won 31-28, Brisbane
2016: Rebels won 25-23, Melbourne

Prediction: The Reds have won two of their last three Super Rugby games against the Rebels and will be looking to win back-to-back games against them for the first time since June 2013. The Reds have won seven of their last 11 Super Rugby games on home turf, including three of their last four. The Rebels have won each of their last two Australian derbies in Super Rugby despite trailing at half-time on each occasion. The Rebels have seven line-out steals to their name this Super Rugby campaign, more than any other team in the competition. Samu Kerevi (Reds) leads Super Rugby 2019 in both carries (66) and defenders beaten (24).

Prediction: Reds
Margin: Three

Teams:

Reds: 15 Hamish Stewart, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Angus Cottrell (captain), 6 Luke Jones, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Esei Ha’angana, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Sione Tuipulotu.

Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nicholas Berry (Australia), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)

Sharks v Bulls
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 15.05; 13.05 GMT)

It is a crucial weekend for the South African conference.

The Lions, who heads the SA standings, is on a bye. They have 18 points from six matches.

The Sharks (15 from five), Stormers (14 from five) and Bulls (13 from five) all have a chance to overtake them.

That is what makes the Kings Park showdown so significant.

It is also a match in which stalwart Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira stands on the cusp of making history – as the popular front row forward is set to equal Adriaan Strauss’ record of 156 competition appearances.

Strauss played for the Cheetahs and the Bulls, but Mtawarira has accomplished his feat with just one team, the Sharks, since making his debut in 2007.

The Bulls are coming off the back of a very disappointing 20-56 home loss to the Chiefs and they will be determined to put their campaign back on track against a Sharks team that beat the Rebels last week.

While both teams have won three and lost two matches, the Bulls clinched a comfortable 37-14 win when the two sides met in Pretoria earlier this month.

Sharks flank Jacques Vermeulen admits the crunch derby is going to require great patience if they want to replicate last week’s success over the Rebels.

“The Bulls will come to Durban looking to resurrect their campaign after last week [the loss to the Chiefs], but we pride ourselves on our efforts to win every home game,” Vermeulen said.

“This is a big game for us.

“Every team wants to make their home ground a fortress; it’s important for us to win this weekend.”

Bulls coach Pote Human said his team is much better than last week’s lethargic showing.

“We all admitted that the effort out there was not what we stand for,” the coach said.

“The focus moved forward and what we need to do to be successful against a very capable opponent on their home turf.

“The Sharks showed they are not rolling over and this is going to be a really tough one to pull through. That said, we are embracing all challenges and the guys are eager to show improvement.

“They know what we can bring and we know what to expect too. They have a number of Springboks in their pack and it’s going to be a battle.

“I’m really excited about this game and the players are all excited to go and show what they can do. We all know that we are better than what we produced last week.”

Recent results:

2019: Bulls won 37-14, Pretoria
2018: Bulls won 39-33, Pretoria
2018: Bulls won 40-10, Durban
2017: Bulls won 30-17, Durban
2016: Sharks and Bulls drew 16-all, Pretoria

Prediction: The Bulls are undefeated in their last eight Super Rugby games against the Sharks, last losing to the Durban club in Round One, 2014. The Sharks have won seven of their last eight Super Rugby games on home turf, losing only to the Stormers in that period. The Bulls have won their last three South African derbies in Super Rugby on the bounce; the last time they won more was a four-game spree in 2014. The Bulls boast a line-out success rate of 95 percent in Super Rugby 2019, the highest of any team in the competition and 10 percentage points higher than the Sharks (85 percent). Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks) has made an average gain of 9.6 metres per carry in Super Rugby 2019, the most of any player who has made at least 30 carries this season.

Prediction: Sharks
Margin: Five

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Curwin Bosch.

Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard (captain), 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Johnny Kotze.

Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO: Christie du Preez

Jaguares v Chiefs
(Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires – Kick-off: 18.40; 21.40 GMT; 10.40, Sunday, March 31 NZ time)

The Chiefs will be looking to build on last week’s impressive demolition of the Bulls in Pretoria, but they have to do so without the services of some senior players.

With Brodie Retallick missing the game as part of his All Blacks stand-down requirements, and fellow co-captain Sam Cane of course still sidelined with his neck injury, the Hamilton-based franchise will be tested by the physical Argentineans.

Retallick’s absence is undoubtedly a huge loss.

Coach Colin Cooper said he will be wanting his team to continue to deliver another strong performance this weekend.

“This week we want to continue to carry the momentum and confidence we have into the Jaguares match,” he said.

“The Jaguares are a very passionate team and they have a strong set piece.

“We need to maintain a high tempo game and ensure our defence systems continue to improve, if we get that right then we should be in a good space.”

https://www.facebook.com/chiefsrugby/videos/1930507483719828/

Cooper is confident new captain Michael Allardice will lead the team by example in Retallick’s absence.

“Michael is a good leader and provides plenty of experience to lead the team this week.

“He is well respected among the guys and we trust he will do a commendable job as captain.”

Cooper feels being together on tour is what turned the season around for the Chiefs.

Previously winless – after four defeats and a draw – the Chiefs recorded their first win of the Super Rugby season with an emphatic 56-20 trouncing of the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.

“When you’re on tour, you’ve got players with you all the time and [we were] making sure we’ve got real clarity.

“I could see it building as the games were going on,” Cooper said.

Previous results:

2018: Jaguares won 23-19, Rotorua
2016: Chiefs won 30-26, Buenos Aires

Prediction: This will be the third Super Rugby meeting between the Jaguares and Chiefs, with each of the previous two games being won by the away team on the day after they had trailed at half-time. Each of the Jaguares’ last four Super Rugby games has been won by the home team on the day, with the Argentine squad having won their last two games at home and five of their last six, going back further. The Chiefs have won 14 of their last 18 Super Rugby games outside New Zealand, including a 56-20 win over the Bulls in the last round. The Chiefs have scored nine tries on the back of a scrum win this season, more than any other team in the competition, they have however conceded nine originating from scrums too, more than any other side as well. Bautista Delguy (Jaguares) has scored five tries in his last six games on home soil for the Argentinian club.

Prediction: Chiefs
Margin: Three

Teams:

Jaguares: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomas Lezana, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: 16 Gaspar Baldunciel, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Pablo Matera, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Matias Orlando.

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice (captain), 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Taleni Seu, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Date: Saturday, March 30
Venue: José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 18.40 (21.40 GMT; 10.40, Sunday, March 31 NZ time)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pablo Deluca (Argentina), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)

Compiled by Jan de Koning, additional reporting by AAP
@king365ed
@rugby365com

* Stats courtesy of Opta Sports