S18 PREVIEW: ROUND SEVEN, PART ONE
The burning question in Super Rugby is: 'Who can stop the Chiefs?'
Since their Round Two slip to the Lions, a 32-36 loss in Hamilton, they have looked almost unstoppable – scoring more than 50 points in two of their four matches and 48 in another.
The Blues have the unenviable task of taking on the two-time champions, when they go head-to-head in the weekend's opening match.
The Crusaders, one of New Zealand's other form teams, head to Perth to take on the hapless Western Force for the conclusion of a three-match road trip – which saw them beat the Sharks and Lions.
The final match on Friday sees the Stormers host tournament newcomers the Sunwolves ion a historic match at Newlands – the Japanese outfit's first visit to South Africa.
We look at the Friday, April 8, matches below!
There is something special about domestic derbies – always full of energy and always brutal.
You can expect much of the same when these rivals on either side of the Bombay Hills go head-to-head,
Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge does not see his team as outright favourites, despite their impressive form of the past month – in which they passed the 50-point mark twice and scored 48 points in another match.
"It is a derby game, because we have a huge history with the Blues and Auckland rugby," Strawbridge said.
"It is always a passionate affair and always a tough game to win."
He described the Blues a team of "powerful athletes" and a side that loves it when a game gets unstructured.
"We going to try and nullify those strengths," he added.
Blues No.7 Steven Luatua also spoke of the physicality that these games produce.
"We are looking forward to this challenge against the Chiefs," Luatua said.
"They put a number on the Brumbies last week," he said of the 48-23 win.
"The Chiefs definitely the hot team, the form team.
"We are looking forward to some big collisions and looking forward to some expansive rugby."
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie also spoke of the big rivalry between the two North Island franchises.
"Our guys know a lot of the opposition and have a lot of friends in the opposition, but we'll put that aside for 80 minutes," the Chiefs head coach said.
"It's normally pretty brutal, so it's great to be playing at home."
Blues coach Tana Umaga said the key to victory was denying the Chiefs the ball for 80 minutes.
"If we don't run out of puff, that is probably a big thing," Umaga said.
"They're very good at looking after the ball and they can sustain that throughout the game."
Recent results:
2015: Chiefs won 23-16, Hamilton
2015: Chiefs won 23-18, Albany
2014: Chiefs won 11-8, Auckland
2014: Chiefs won 32-20, New Plymouth
2013: Chiefs won 26-16, Auckland
2013: Chiefs won 23-16, Mount Maunganui
Prediction: The Chiefs have won their last nine matches against the Blues, their longest winning streak against any opponent in Super Rugby. The Chiefs have won only one of their last three matches on home soil against fellow New Zealand teams, though they've not lost consecutive home matches against NZ squads since Round 9, 2011. The Blues are undefeated in their last two matches, they've not gone three matches without loss in a single season since Round 12, 2011. The Chiefs have scored 12 tries in the first half so far this season, the most of any team in the competition, while the Blues have conceded seven tries in the same period, the equal most of any New Zealand team. James Lowe (128) made more metres than any other player again in Round Five and became the first player this season to make more than 500 metres over the gain line. The Chiefs will not have it all their own way, but should have just enough in the tank to sneak the win – by less than 10 points.
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain), 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Maama Vaipulu, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Sam Henwood, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Seta Tamanivalu, 23 Sam McNicol.
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Joe Edwards, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Namatahi Waa, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 George Moala.
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
History will suggest that the Force have always troubled the Crusaders in Perth, but history will count for nothing on Friday.
Their last meeting in Perth, back in 2013, resulted in an upset 16-14 win for the hosts.
However, the Force are nowhere near the quality side of three years ago and their form this season will ensure the Crusaders enter the game as outright favourites.
The Crusaders have just completed a two-match road trip to South Africa, where they overpowered the Sharks and Lions – leaving them in sixth place on the standings.
Without a doubt the one of the biggest match-ups for Friday's clash will see incumbent Wallaby No.8 Ben McCalman come up against newly appointed All Black captain and one of the best No.8s in the world, Kieran Read.
Both men provide incredible go forward for their sides and a strong performance from the international No.8s will go a long way to deciding the result.
Force coach Michael Foley said the side is looking forward to playing at home.
"It's always good to come home and play in front of our supporters after time away," he said of their loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
"We set about changing the way we play this season by being more dynamic with ball in hand and while we haven't got the wins we'd all like, we will persevere.
"Our fans are incredibly passionate and the team is looking forward to running out at home and giving it their all for the full 80 minutes on Friday."
Recent results:
2014: Crusaders won 30-7, Christchurch
2013: Force won 16-14, Perth
2012: Crusaders won 38-24, Christchurch
2011: Crusaders won 42-30, Perth
2010: Force won 24-16, Perth
2009: Force and Crusaders drew 23-all, Christchurch
Prediction: The Crusaders have won three of their last four matches against the Force, though have been victorious in only one of their last three trips to Western Australia. A win for the Crusaders would be their fifth in succession, their longest streak in Super Rugby since they won five on the bounce by Round 13, 2014. The Force haven't hosted and defeated a New Zealand team since the corresponding round two seasons ago (18-15 – Round Six, 2014 v Chiefs). The Crusaders are one of only two teams (Stormers) to have a positive points differential in each of the four quarters of matches so far this season. The Force have conceded 80 points in the final quarter of matches so far this season, by far the most of any team and exactly four times as many as they've been able to score in reply. It will not be easy, but the Crusaders will win by 10 to 15 points.
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Sitiveni (Steve) Mafi, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Rory Walton, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Ryan Louwrens, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Albert Nikoro
Crusaders: 15 Ben Volavola, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jimmy Tupou, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Kieron Fonotia, 23 Jone Macilai.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
The Sunwolves are still searching for their first win, with most pundits believing that last week's outing against the Southern Kings had presented their best opportunity to break that duck.
The Stormers, in contrast, are the bestr among the South African teams in the competition.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck is determined to keep his charges' feet firmly planted on the ground.
"Every week we speak about focussing on what we have to do and if we lose focus on that then we will face trouble," Fleck said.
"For us, it is only about improving our game from the things we have identified in the Jaguares match.
The Stormers m,entor said the Japanese outfit will present different challenges.
"They are a good attacking side, they ask different questions, their basics are good, they play at a high tempo.
"There will certainly not be any complacency from our side.
"We know they are desperate for a win and are certainly looking to grab a win in South Africa."
Previous results:
These teams have never met before.
Prediction: The Sunwolves' last three games against South African opposition have been decided by five points or fewer and they've scored 55 points in their last two games against teams from South Africa. The Stormers are the only South African team who are yet to trail at the half-time break so far this season. The Stormers have won six of their last seven regular season matches at home when hosting a team from outside of South Africa. Eben Etzebeth has stolen nine lineouts so far this season, the most of any player in the competition, while having won an additional 22 on his side's throw. Sunwolves lock Tim Bond made 14 carries in his side's Round Five loss to the Kings, the equal second most of any player across the round, and teammate Tusi Pisi (13) was just one behind. The Stormers' solid set pieces and famed defence will ensuire they win by about 20 points.
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Damian de Allende.
Sunwolves: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Viliami Lolohea, 13 Mifiposeti Paea, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Akihito Yamada, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Yuki Yatomi, 8 Tomas Leonardi, 7 Ed Quirk, 6 Liaki Moli, 5 Timothy Bond, 4 Shinya Makabe, 3 Takuma Asahara, 2 Shota Horie (captain), 1 Masataka Mikami.
Replacements: 16 Takeshi Kizu, 17 Ziun Gu, 18 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19 Yoshiya Hosoda, 20 Andrew Durutalo, 21 Atsushi Hiwasa, 22 Harumichi Tatekawa, 23 Yasutaka Sasakura .
Referee: Nicholas Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Compiled by Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
* Statistical information provided by Opta Sports
