The sixth week of the Super 14, and will the Sharks finally pick up a win?
The Bulls, Stormers and Crusaders should all be able to bag a full haul of log points and remain in pole position, but the remaining games may see some changes to the table.
In Dunedin, the Sharks should be able to beat a travel weary Highlanders side, whilst the Waratahs can make a move against the Force.
Blues v Brumbies – Eden Park, Auckland
A tough one to call. Both sides are evenly matched and really it comes down to the day. The Brumbies probably have a more experienced, star studded lineup, but the Blues are playing at home, and will they be fresh coming off the bye?
Neither side has a really tough forward pack, and in the backs, the Blues have the more erratic but dangerous gamebreakers, whereas the Brumbies work better as a team.
I’ve changed my mind a few times on this one, but the Brumbies have beaten the Blues in their last 2 encounters, including the last match at Eden Park.
Brumbies by 9.
Bulls v Hurricanes – Loftus, Pretoria
The Hurricanes have shown signs of desperation in making 6 changes to the side that was comprehensively beaten by the Stormers last week. Axing the tournaments leading try scorer is an interesting move and not something I’d have done as coach!
The Bulls meanwhile are a settled side, confident and relaxed. In what is probably their best combination barring Jaco Pretorious at centre, they’ll be strong and ready to repel the Hurricanes challenge. Many are criticising the Bulls defence, but when you’re outscoring the opposition does it really matter? In any case I believe it’ll be switched on when it needs to be under pressure.
The altitude factor after 3 weeks away for the Hurricanes will also play a role. The Hurricanes best shot at victory is to throw it around, chance their arm and hope their game breakers come off. The Bulls need to keep it tight initally and wear this Canes side down, the altitude and fatigue will do the rest.
Bulls by 15.
Crusaders v Lions – AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Whilst nobody is probably prepared to give the Lions a show, it could be close.
Firstly if the Lions don’t get anniliated, I believe they’ll front up and be spurred on by proving last week’s performance was a blip on an upward curve. Secondly, Burton Francis at flyhalf is the best thing for this Lions side. He is a calm, collected player, and the Lions have always looked better when he is on the field. He’ll also have Jano Vermaak with him, and he is a quality scrumhalf who’ll be much better than JP Joubert.
However in saying that, the Crusaders showed in the first half last week, they are almost back to their best. The key for the Lions is matching the Crusaders up front, and stopping any early momentum.
Crusaders by 15 (but I’m hoping for a Lions win!).
Highlanders v Sharks – Carisbrook, Dunedin
This year I’d say any side playing the Sharks are favourites, but recent injuries, and the travel back from Pretoria may just affect the Highlanders. Surely the Sharks have to win sometime too, and they do have a fairly good record at Carisbrook.
The Sharks do have an inability to score tries however, whilst the Highlanders can blow hot and cold in this department. They were allowed to score 5 tries against the Bulls because they were never going to win the game. Other than that they’ve also looked fairly pedestrian this year.
The Sharks have also won the last 4 games between these sides, but this time may be a little harder.
Sharks by 10.
Force v Waratahs – Perth
The Force will be lucky to win a game this year. The Waratahs are not a great side, in spite of their two recent wins in Sydney. They’ll need to pick up a bonus point here, and their attitude on attack will be important. Will they take as many risks as they did against the Lions? I don’t think they will.
Waratahs by 18.
Stormers v Cheetahs – Newlands, Cape Town
The Cheetahs always give the Stormers a run for their money, but the Stormers have been getting better and better and should be too strong for the Cheetahs who will suffer immensely without Heinrich Brussow.
The Stormers will be giving a debut to Tim Whitehead at inside centre, and I like the confidence Alister Coetzee is showing in his younger players and also being prepared to rotate last week’s man of the match Sireli Naqelavuki.
For the Cheetahs this could be the start of their downward spiral as they head away overseas after this and have yet to win a super 14 match in Australia and New Zealand.
Stormers by 19.
