S14 Preview: Round Eight, Part One
The Brumbies and Lions have the weekend off as we reach the half-way point of the 2010 Super 14 tournament – it's Round Eight!
The Brumbies and Lions have the weekend off as we reach the half-way point of the 2010 Super 14 tournament – hold onto your beer coaster, it's Round Eight!
Friday's New Zealand derby clash between the Hurricanes and Crusaders is the one to watch as Andrew Hore and his troops attempt to get their season back on track before it's too late.
The Western Force's quest for a first win in 2010 continues when they host the Stormers, fresh off a bye, which didn't affect their standing in second position on the competition points table.
On Saturday, the Bulls put their unbeaten twelve-match run on the line when they search for their first-ever win over the Blues in Auckland.
Hurricanes v Crusaders
The Hurricanes will be out to keep their Super 14 hopes alive when they head into Friday's mouth-watering derby clash against the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
With the home side sitting in eighth place after four consecutive losses, the most recent a 26-29 defeat to the Sharks last weekend, a win against the third-placed Crusaders is non-negotiable.
Friday's clash is more than likely going to be the turning point of the Hurricanes' season – they're down four in a row and can't afford to let any more games slip away from them. It's that simple, but easier said than done.
There's the small matter of their dodgy record against Good Friday's opponents to deal with. Last year's win in Christchurch was just the second time the Hurricanes had beaten the Crusaders from eleven attempts since 2003 on Colin Cooper's watch – it was their first win from the last eight.
The Crusaders-'Canes trilogy is the greatest in Super Rugby, in terms of matches played, with this being the 19th contest between the two. The Hurricanes have only won four of those, with wins being recorded at Westpac Stadium in 2000 and 2004.
The Hurricanes have been to the play-offs five times under Cooper and have been stopped by the Crusaders four times, with three of those exits coming at the semi-final stage, while the Crusaders also prevailed in the fog bound 2006 final.
The Crusaders are coming off their bye and will be keen to consolidate their spot near the top of the points table. They have five wins from six in 2010, their only loss being a 20-41 defeat to the Reds in Brisbane in Round Ttwo.
Be that as it may, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is cautious of the Hurricanes, despite the odds stacked in his team's favour.
“They are the sort of team that can be really dangerous when they are desperate,” he said.
“They have had a tough few weeks and always take it to the Crusaders.”
Super head to head: Former Hurricanes v ex-Crusaders: Expect centre Robbie Fruean, wing Zac Guildford and benched number eight Thomas Waldrom to be well primed for this match. All three are Wellington products. The ex-Crusaders contingent within the Hurricanes squad is no different. Lock Michael Paterson and benched scrum-half Tyson Keats were all Crusaders last year, while out of favour ex-All Black flanker Scott Waldrom (the brother of Thomas) also previously spent a season with the Crusaders.
Prediction: The Hurricanes need to come up with something special if they're going to make it back to back wins over the men from Canterbury, who are coming off their bye and are in great shape. Will be another close one for the home side, but a fifth straight defeat looks on the cards. Crusaders to win by four points.
The teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Jason Kawau.
Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (c), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Jared Payne.
Western Force v Stormers
The Stormers kick off their four-week Australasian tour on Friday when they take on the winless Western Force in Perth.
It's the start of a tough road trip for the Stormers and they'll be targeting this one as a must-win game.
The Cape side enjoys a good record against the Force as they have never suffered a defeat to the Western Australian franchise Down Under – their last meeting ending 32-16 in favour of the visitors at the Subiaco Oval in 2008.
The Stormers are second on points differential with the Crusaders and Waratahs behind them, while the Force are rock bottom.
There was at least some encouragement for the last-placed Force who briefly held a five-point lead over the ladder-leading Bulls before suffering an honourable 28-15 loss in Perth. Their defence, although at times ill-disciplined, often troubled the Bulls' ball-carriers and forced the visitors into mistakes or at least limited their momentum.
They will be out to do the same against a Stormers unit that have looked dangerous in recent rounds but are aiming for a more consistency. Their forward power has been evident from Round One, and their breakdown proficiency has improved with each week.
They've built their campaign on an aggressive and uncompromising defensive system that's only conceded five tries in six games, while on attack they've scored nine tries in two weeks after beating the Highlanders and Hurricanes by comfortable margins.
“The Stormers are second on the log, have got the best defence and have probably got more X-factor than the Bulls,” said Force coach John Mitchell.
“I see them as a tougher proposition than we faced last week.”
Super head to head: Ryan Cross v Tim Whitehead. The inclusion of Ryan Cross at inside centre indicates the Force want to attack the young Stormers rookie's channel. Cross has plenty Test match experience under his belt, while Whitehead only made the step up to Super Rugby for the first time two weeks ago. How he will acquit the Wallaby is anyone's guess… but based on his last outing, this young gun is locked and loaded and ready to fire.
Prediction: John Mitchell's side now have just two chances left to avoid emulating the franchise's foundation outfit of 2006, who were unable to achieve a win from their six home ties that year (the Crusaders are due in Perth at the end of the month). Can the Force finally break their drought? We think not. Stormers to win by three points.
The teams:
Western Force: 5 James O'Connor, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Mark