S14 Preview: Round Three, Part Two
Round Three continues with five matches on Super Saturday that will no doubt produce more thrills, spills and everything else in between.
Round Three continues this weekend with a whopping five matches on Super Saturday that will no doubt produce more thrills, spills and everything else in between.
The Lions are up against the Hurricanes in Wellington first up – a daunting task indeed and not an easy start to their double crossing of the Tasman on their five-match tour.
There are two games on Australian soil this weekend, with the Reds and Western Force at home to the Blues and Chiefs respectively.
The Cheetahs and their new-found confidence will make life hard for the Highlanders as the Kiwis kick-start their South African tour in Bloemfontein. And finally, the Bulls and Waratahs end off the weekend's proceedings at Loftus Versfeld in what should be another bruising spectacle on the Highveld.
Hurricanes vs Lions
Former All Blacks fly-half Carlos Spencer returns home with the struggling Lions for Saturday's match with the second-placed Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
The Hurricanes have started the season with two wins, while the Lions have lost both their opening two matches at home to the Stormers and the Chiefs, going down to the latter 65-72 in a tournament record high score.
The Hurricanes piled on 29 second-half points after leading the Force 18-8 at half-time to remain unbeaten in this year's competition. After struggling to score only one try against the Blues the previous week, they looked a more polished unit as they piled on seven tries to pick up a bonus point.
For the Lions, this match is the first of five straight away encounters in New Zealand and Australia, with fixtures against the Brumbies, Waratahs, Crusaders and Highlanders to follow – no easy task for any side.
This side has been one that the Hurricanes backs have found much success against over the years. The Hurricanes have totalled 49 tries against them in all matches and 41 of these have been scored by the backs.
The Lions can at least take heart knowing that they are the only South African franchise to keep the Hurricanes to less than 10 points in a match – with their 30-7 win in 2007.
In 49 previous matches at Westpac Stadium, the Hurricanes have won 34, lost 13 and drawn two. If they beat the Lions it will be their fifth straight win at their Wellington venue.
The question on Saturday will be whether the Lions – inexperienced as individuals in many instances and lacking time on the field as a team – will be able to adapt to the notorious Wellington conditions.
And, of course, whether Lions director of rugby Dick Muir has fixed their defence malaise that let the Chiefs in for nine tries last weekend.
Super head to head: Once more the Lions midfield will come up against quality players of size. The All Blacks pair of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are of the best in the world, and Deon van Rensburg and Doppies Eksteen will have their work cut out.
Prediction: Sadly for the Lions, this is a no-brainer. The Hurricanes to win by 20 points.
The teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor.
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 George Earl, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger , 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Michael Killian.
Date: Saturday, February 27
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Nathan Pearce (Australia)
Reds vs Blues
The Reds have their third straight home game when they the Blues at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday in the first of two trans-Tasman clashes this weekend.
The home side will be brimming with confidence after thrashing the Crusaders 41-20 last week, and the memories of their 31-24 victory over the Blues at North Harbour Stadium last year are sure to provide plenty of motivation.
But remarkably the Reds have been unable to put back-to-back wins on the board since 2006.
The Blues meanwhile will also be out to make it two wins in a row after they saw off a late Highlanders onslaught to run out 19-15 victors.
In recent years the Reds have made the glitzy new facility of Suncorp Stadium their home, but Saturday's clash sees Ewen McKenzie's men return to their former ground in Brisbane.
Blues coach Pat Lam played his first game for Auckland against Queensland at Ballymore in 1990. A bright-eyed Lam helped Auckland overcome a tough challenge to defeat Queensland 27-12.
20 years on Lam knows not much has changed when it comes to taking on the Reds in Brisbane.
“It's a huge challenge,” Lam said.
“They're red hot at the moment. We saw what they did to the Crusaders last week and over there in February playing an hour earlier than last week and playing at Ballymore makes it a massive challenge.
“But that's all it is – it's just a challenge and we've prepared well. They boys are up for it and they know they need to be.”
It is the first time the Blues will come up against their former team-mate Daniel Braid. The one-time capped All Black departed New Zealand shores to join the Reds last year but a ruptured Achilles tendon ruled him out of last year's clash.
However he is now back to full fitness and has been handed the responsibility of vice captain of the Reds after inspirational leader James Horwill suffered a season-ending injury.
With the Reds boasting a lethal back three featuring Digby Ioane, Peter Hynes and Rod Davies, they pose a real threat on the counter-attack. The key to the Blues overcoming their opponents will lie up-front, tidying up their work at the set piece and maintaining possession.
Super head to head: The Blues' 9, 10 pairing of new imports Alby Mathewson and Stephen Brett have been developing nicely as the two playmakers continue to develop their partnership, but they will face perhaps their biggest challenge of the season against the exciting duo of Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
Prediction: Based on the two sides' performances after two outings, the Reds look the better the two and should be able to add another victory to their name on Saturday. Reds to win by six points.
The teams:
Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby