Preview: Super Rugby, Round Six, Part Two
CROWDED AT THE TOP: Two South African teams are sitting pretty at the top of the standings, but by the end of the round they may well have been overtaken by New Zealand franchises.
The Stormers (on a bye) are in first place (with 17 points), just ahead of the Sharks (16) – who host the Jaguares (third, 16 points) in a crucial SA Conference game in Durban on Saturday.
The Crusaders (fourth, 14) gets first bite at the cherry on Friday.
However, it is Saturday where the big moves will take place.
The Hurricanes (fifth, 13) host the Blues (eighth, 13) in the first match of the day.
Then follow the Rebels (ninth, eight points) versus Lions (11th, five), before the big encounter between the Sharks and Jaguares.
The weekend’s action concludes when the Bulls (15th, one) host the Highlanders (13th, five).
We look at Saturday’s matches!
Saturday, March 7:
Hurricanes v Blues
(Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington – Kick-off: 19.05; 06.05 GMT)
This could be the match of the weekend – a showdown between two attack-minded teams that are both on hot streaks.
Just three percent of all punters picked the Blues to take out the table-topping Stormers last week.
No doubt a few more people will be willing to wager a few hard-earned pennies on them getting one over on the high-flying Hurricanes – who have the Jaguares (26-23 in Buenos Aires), Sharks (38-22 in Wellington) and Sunwolves (62-15 in Napier), since their opening-round loss (0-27) to the Stormers in Cape Town.
The Blues have not beaten the Hurricane since 2014, but with stars like Mark Telea and Joe Marchant providing a new attacking edge for the Blues they cannot be ruled out.
Their confidence skyrocketed with back-to-back wins on their tour of South Africa – taking out the Bulls (23-21 in Pretoria) and the Stormers (33-14 in Cape Town).
It has not all been plain sailing, as a delay left them stuck at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport for five extra hours – making an already long journey home even more arduous.
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“We enjoyed an excellent two weeks in South Africa,” coach Leon MacDonald said.
“However, with some unexpected disruption, travelling home has meant we only had a couple of on-field training sessions this week.
“That’s not ideal but we will do our best to test our ability to be a more consistently competitive combination.”
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland made no secret about his team’s intent.
“If we can get our attacking game operating like it was last week, it should be quite an exciting game to watch,” Holland said.
“We cannot underestimate the Blues.
“They have some big boys up front and their defensive capability is solid.”
Head to head
Prediction: The Hurricanes have won each of their last nine Super Rugby games against the Blues, their last defeat against the Auckland-based side coming in May 2014. The Hurricanes have won their last four New Zealand derbies played during the regular season in Super Rugby. A fifth consecutive win here would equal their longest ever streak. Each of the Blues’ last five Super Rugby games has been won by the away team on the day. The Blues have won their last three away games on the bounce – the last and only time they won more was a four-game streak in 1997. The Hurricanes have averaged the most turnovers won (9.5) per game of any team this Super Rugby season; indeed, the Chiefs (9.3) are the only other side with an average above nine in this category. The Blues’ Mark Telea has beaten more defenders (30) than any other player this Super Rugby campaign, while his 340 metres gained ranks second thus far in the competition behind Aphelele Fassi (424 metres). It will be close and very exciting, with the Hurricanes sneaking a late winner – six points.
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Thomas Perenara (captain), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 James Blackwell, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Wes Goosen.
Blues: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Joe Marchant, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Thomas Faiane, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Sam Nock; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Jacob Pierce, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Matt Duffie.
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand
Rebels v Lions
(Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne – Kick-off: 19.15; 10.15 SA time; 08.15 GMT)
Buoyed by a commanding victory over the Highlanders last week, the Rebels will be primed for a chance to make history against the Lions.
The Rebels have not tasted victory against the Johannesburg-based Lions and will see this as a great opportunity to not only break the drought, but also put themselves into the thick of the play-off race.
Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty was cautious about a Lions team that has lost a host of seasoned players since last year and looking to plug some gaps – with veteran Willem Alberts (35, 43 Tests) starting for the first time since returning from France.
“They’ve lost a bit of experience,” Haylett-Petty said.
“But they’re very good up front – as all South African teams are – and they’ve got some very dangerous backs.
“Their outside backs are probably their greatest strengths if we give them space.
“There are some challenges to deal with, but the main thing we’re focused on is us and getting better just a little bit every week and not worry so much about the outcome.”
Injured Springbok Warren Whiteley, who has turned his hand to coaching, admitted there’s pressure on the team to get their first win in a month – their solitary win for 2020 has been a 27-20 squeaker over the Reds at Ellis Park back in Round Two.
“Regardless of the result last week [a 17-29 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney], we saw some good things,” Whiteley said.
“It is always tough not getting the win, but we are working extremely hard to turn it around.”
It promises to be a huge day for the Melbourne faithful in more ways than one, with popular lock Matt Philip due to play his 50th Super Rugby game on his 26th birthday.
Haylett-Petty was full of praise for his towering teammate.
“The boys love him around the playing group. “He’s a pretty dominant ball carrier and he’s done a great job for us.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with him since his debut, right at the beginning, so it’s a great achievement for him.”
A win on Saturday would see the Rebels capture their third win in four games, entering the bye with a 3 – 3 overall record.
With this season’s competition being more open than previous years, Haylett-Petty stressed the importance on maintaining consistency, while continuing to build as a group.
“I think the whole competition is pretty open – it’s the closest it’s ever been.
“This is a crucial couple of weeks for us; we need to keep improving and taking points when we can.
“The Lions have had a lot of success over the last couple of seasons.
“So, we’re looking forward to this weekend and hopefully getting some revenge back.”
Head to head
Prediction: The Lions have won each of their five Super Rugby meetings with the Rebels, although three of those victories came by five points or fewer. The Rebels have lost their last four Super Rugby games at home against teams from outside Australia – after having won three such fixtures on the bounce prior. The Lions have lost their last three Super Rugby games in Australia, after having won six games on the trot in the country prior. They’ve won on each of their two previous visits to Melbourne to face the Rebels. The Lions have enjoyed 18 minutes and 24 seconds of time in possession per game this Super Rugby season, the most of any team. As a result, they also lead the competition in carries (126) and passes (161) per game this season. The Rebels’ Matt Phillip has stolen six line-outs throughout the 2020 Super Rugby campaign, the joint-most of any player alongside Jaguares’ Guido Petti Pagadizaval; no other player has stolen more than three. The Rebels, after last week’s win over the Highlanders in Dunedin, will be fancied to win their third match of the season – by a converted try.
Teams:
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Matt Gibbon.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Michael Wells, 23 Andrew Deegan.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Daniel Kriel, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Shaun Reynolds, 23 Courtnall Skosan.
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi (Argentina), James Quinn (Australia)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
Sharks v Jaguares
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 15.05; 10.05 Buenos Aires time; 13.05 GMT)
It will be an intriguing clash between two South African Conference heavyweights – the Sharks second overall (16 points – one behind the table-topping Stormers) and the Jaguares third (15 points).
Fresh from their successful Australasian tour, where they won three from four (42-20 over the Highlanders, 36-24 over the Rebels and 33-23 over the Reds) they will be keen to overtake their compatriots (the Stormers) at the top of the table and putting some distance between themselves and the dangerous Jaguares.
Sharks coach Sean Everitt insisted he was not pandering to politicians by regularly fielding up to eight black players in his starting line-up.
“My teams are picked purely on merit and I never look at the [racial] numbers,” he said of the high-flying Sharks.
Despite their healthy position, the Sharks were very cautious.
“It’s still a bit early to say how things will progress, but we are just taking it one game at a time and not get too ahead of ourselves,” in-form loose forward Tyler Paul said.
“Our focus is on the job at hand and see how things go further down the line.”
Last week the coach, Everitt, rested flanks James Venter and Tyler Paul.
Both have been restored to the starting line-up, as has Springbok wing Sibusiso Nkosi.
“It’s tough with the travel, but resting a couple of players really helps and the team will look to us to bring the energy in training,” Paul said.
“Hopefully the break pays off.”
The Jaguares, as losing finalists, arrive in Durban with a fearsome reputation – especially the brutal, physical nature of their game.
“They’ve been good in the past year and we expect a massive forward battle,” Paul said.
“Like we did last weekend, we just have to step up and take them on.”
Head to head
Prediction: The Jaguares have won three of their last four meetings with the Sharks, this after losing each of the initial four Super Rugby clashes between the sides. The Sharks have lost their last three games when hosting sides from outside South Africa, this after going unbeaten in each of their 13 such games before that. The Jaguares have won three of their last four Super Rugby games in South Africa, more than they had won across their 16 games in the country prior. The Sharks have retained possession on 26 kicks in play this Super Rugby campaign, eight more than any other team in the competition. Domingo Miotti (Jaguares) has made seven break passes so far this Super Rugby season, more than any other player in the competition. It is going to be close, intense and brutal. The Sharks should win by a single score – three points.
Teams:
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Madosh Tambwe.
Jaguares: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Carreras, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente (captain), 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomas Lezana, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas.
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Sebastian Cancelliere, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Santiago Chocobares.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans (South Africa)
Bulls v Highlanders
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 17.15; 15.15 GMT; 04.15, Sunday, March 7 NZ time)
The have just one win and six points between them – two former champions struggling at the foot of the tables.
Having lost all four their matches and collected just one losing bonus point, the Bulls are stuck at the foot of the table.
The Highlanders, with one win from four starts, are in the 13th place and will look to get their season back-on-track.
No trip to South Africa is ever easy though and Aaron Mauger’s side cannot afford another sloppy showing as they did against the Rebels last week.
“We put our own game under pressure by trying to force things and giving them a couple of runaway tries doesn’t help,” Mauger said.
“Just not really taking opportunities ourselves when we’re creating them.
“The game can be easy for us if we take those opportunities and stop trying to force things.
“It’s probably a reflection of a young team, but we don’t really want to be standing here saying the same things for the next couple of weeks; we’ve got to take those lessons.”
Bulls coach Pote Human finally lost patience with his under-performing team and tweaked the side.
Former Junior Springbok No.8 Muller Uys and Ian Groenewald (lock) will make their Super Rugby debuts.
Human made four changes to the side that lost to the Jaguares, with Ruan Nortje partnering Groenewald in a new-look second row combination.
There is one change in the backline, where Manie Libbok gets his first start of the season at flyhalf, as veteran Springbok Morné Steyn is shifted to the bench.
Former Springboks coach Nick Mallett – now a television pundit – said he would have axed a few more players.
He was particularly critical of off-season signings Juandre Kruger and Josh Strauss, whom he called the “invisible men”.
“Kruger should be leading from the front, but he was nowhere, and I hardly saw Strauss,” Mallett said in the wake of last week’s 24-39 loss to the Jaguares.
“Juandre and Josh are vastly experienced players and should be bringing the younger Bulls along with them, but they are not producing enough aggression.”
Head to head
Prediction: The Highlanders have won five of their last seven games against the Bulls, although each of their victories in that run came by seven points or fewer. The Highlanders have lost their last three games away to South African opposition. They’ve not endured a longer such run since a run of five defeats stretching from 2006 to 2008. The Bulls have lost their opening four games of the 2020 Super Rugby campaign despite leading at half-time twice in that time. The last time they opened a season with more consecutive defeats was in 2002, when they lost all 11 games of the campaign. No side has been shown more yellow cards this Super Rugby campaign than the Highlanders (four). Indeed, the Dunedin squad have received five yellow cards in their last five games, as many as they had seen in their 21 games prior. Rosko Specman (Bulls) has made an average gain of 10.3 metres per carry this Super Rugby campaign, the most of any player to have made at least 20 carries this term. Even the bookmakers are having trouble separating them. Home ground advantage may see the Bulls finally break their duck – with a late penalty.
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Muller Uys, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Trevor Nyakane (captain), 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenkamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ryno Pieterse, 20 Ruan Steenkamp, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Highlanders: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Ngane Punivai, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Teihorangi Walden, 23 Tima Fainga’anuku
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Egon Seconds (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)
Compiled by Jan de Koning; with additional reporting by AAP & AFP
* Stats provided by Opta Sports
