The seventh week of the Super 14, and the Bulls now need to perform away from the fortress of Loftus
The Bulls and Stormers may be 1 and 2 on the log, but now they have to perform away from home. The Stormers enjoy a week off, but the Bulls have to travel to Perth to face the Force. Like last year they’ve left their travel arrangements as late as possible to minimise the time away from home.
The Brumbies and Chiefs face off in what will be a devasting loss for the loser and make their play off aspirations that much harder, and the Waratahs-Blues game takes on similar proportions but I don’t fancy either of those 2 sides to realistically be in contention in the latter stages.
The Reds need to show if they are contendors or pretenders, and Bloemfontein won’t be an easy trip for them.
Highlanders v Lions – Carisbrook, Dunedin
It should be an easy victory for the Highlanders against the walking bonus point, the Lions.
Dick Muir has again made massive changes, and Earl Rose and Wandile Mjekevu drop to the bench. It all smacks of desperation.
At the back of my mind (like the Sharks last week) I figure surely a side has to win sometime? Unfortunately it’s probably going to come later, when the Lions return home. Silly me for getting my hopes up.
Highlanders by 15.
Brumbies v Chiefs – Bruce Stadium, Canberra
Crunch time. The Chiefs have had a week off to resurrect their campaign. They’ve also named thug Sione Laukai, a convicted assailant.
The Brumbies will welcome back Stirling Mortlock, a move that should make their midfield defence less porous than it was in Auckland last week. It’s out wide they might struggle (with the Chiefs backs) if conditions are dry.
Both forward packs are pretty similar, and it should be fairly even up front. I’m picking the Chiefs backs to produce 1 or 2 moments of brilliance to seal this one.
Chiefs by 12.
Cheetahs v Reds – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
A tough one to call. The Cheetahs have been playing well, but have been decimated by injuries. The Reds have been impressive at times, and have two game breakers in their scrumhalf and flyhalf.
However this is the Reds first game against South African opposition and if they can be dominated up front, maybe they can be stopped. However it only takes a few moments of brilliance for the Reds to turn this game on it head.
I’m backing the Cheetahs pack, good kicking, and the home factor. It may well be their last win for the season.
Cheetahs by 9.
Hurricanes v Sharks – Westpac Stadium, Wellington
The Hurricanes have to make the long trek back from Loftus in Pretoria, and how will they hold up after the travel and the thousands of tackles they made last week?
The Sharks are on the up. But I still think they are struggling, have a few injuries and have a poor record in Wellington.
Whilst the Sharks played more direct in the second half against the Highlanders, if they play like they did in the first half they’ll struggle with the constant defending they’ll have to do. I also thought luck favoured them at times against the Highlanders, who struggled to make numerous opportunities count.
The Hurricanes have now had 3 losses in a row, this is season defining for them and I think they’ll be the hungrier side.
Hurricanes by 12.
Waratahs v Blues – Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
The Blues showed last week, for 20 minutes anyway, how devastating they can be. The Waratahs showed how poor they can be, yet won. And that is where the difference lies, the Waratahs as poor as they be, know how to win.
In saying that however, I’m picking an upset.
Blues by 10.
Force v Bulls – Perth
The Bulls will need a minimum of 2 wins on a 4 match tour, and this is one of the must win games. It should be the easiest of the 4, with only a short travel week, and the Force ineffective up front.
If the Bulls forwards gain the dominance they’ve produced all season, the backs have way too much class for this second rate Force side. What will be important is winning well and gaining a 4 try bonus point, something sides haven’t done when playing in Perth so far this year. Then again, the Bulls are not just any side.
Bulls by 18.
