Rugby Union Today: Super charged and Aotearoa teams

David Skippers

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson before the 2019 Super Rugby game between the Stormers and the Crusaders at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town on 18 May 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we delve into the big talking points ahead of this weekend’s Super Rugby Aotearoa and AU action.

What’s on the site

The Crusaders will attempt to secure the Super Rugby Aotearoa title when they take on the Highlanders this weekend and that is one of the topics discussed in this week’s edition of ‘Super charged.’

Elsewhere, Andy Farrell is confident that his Ireland side can still win the Six Nations when the competition concludes in October. They will claim the trophy with successive bonus-point victories, but their final game is against France in Paris.

Finally, most of the teams were announced for this weekend’s action, with Jordan Petaia starting for the Reds against the Waratahs and Luke Jacobson returning from injury for the Chiefs. Check out all the 23-man squads in our team tracker.

What’s in the news

Harlequins have announced the signing of South African prop Maks van Dyk on a short-term deal. He joins from Top 14 outfit Toulouse, where he has played for the past four years.

Meanwhile, all English Premiership games that take place behind closed doors will be televised, according to the governing body and broadcaster BT Sport.

What’s on social media

Who knew that Carole Baskin likes rugby?

What’s on TV

Super Rugby AU and Aotearoa continue from Friday with the Rebels v Brumbies. On Saturday we have the Hurricanes v Chiefs before the Waratahs take on the Reds and on Sunday it’s the Crusaders v Highlanders finishing things off. It’s all live on Sky Sports.