Super Rugby Week 4 Preview.

Good day fellow Rugby fans. Due to my weekend reviews being received well, I thought I would add a preview to the mix for every weekend. In the previews I will share my picks for the weekend and just state why I think this is the case. Let’s build our rugby union community here on Steemit and just chat some ball.

Highlanders vs Stormers

If we look at the past 10 results the Stormers come up trumps with 6 wins to 4. Looking at the past two meetings however the Highlanders have dominated winning 39-21 in 2015 and 57-14 in 2017. Next when we look at current form the Stormers are 1 out of three losing their previous two games. The Highlanders on the other hand has only played one game and looked very dangerous against the Blues to win 41-34.

Comparing the squads, the Highlanders have the edge in the backline with Naholo, Thompson, Sopoaga and Smith. The Stormers scrum thus far has been their greatest strength, but with injuries to JD Schickerling, Pieter Steph Du Toit and concerns over Cobus Wiese and Ramone Samuels the Stormers could potentially have their squad depth tested early in the season.

The first game of the weekend seems to be a straight forward pick as I believe that the Highlanders are in better form, have a better squad with less injury concerns, they have the upper hand in recent clashes and they have the home ground advantage

My Pick: Highlanders by 10+.

Rebels vs Brumbies

A mouthwatering Aussie derby to get us ready for the weekends action. In the past it has been the Brumbies who have dominated this fixture winning 7 of the last 10. In the last 4 meetings (past two seasons) however they have shared the spoils with both teams recording 1 victory at home and 1 away from home. The last meeting between the two saw the Brumbies destroy their fellow countrymen by 29 points.

Looking at current form gives the clash a slightly different view. The Rebels have started the season with two convincing wins, albeit against mediocre opposition in the Reds and the Sunwolves. The Rebels have played some good rugby showing that the addition of some key players and staff from the Force could provide some much-needed talent and depth. The Brumbies on the other hand have been far less convincing against the same opponents, scrapping past the Sunwolves in Japan and suffering defeat to the Reds.

Looking at the squads both teams have some young talent. I do however feel that the forwards of the Brumbies are slightly better. In the backline I give it to the Rebels all day with both their wingers starting the season in fine fashion (Jack Maddoks and Sefanaia Naivalu). The Rebels backline also has a host of game breakers with Will Genia, Reece Hodge and Dane Haylett-Petty.

With the Rebels in great form and these Australian derbies generally being really close and the Brumbies struggling to find their rhythm early in the season, I can only see one winner.

My Pick: Rebels by 7.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders

The most anticipated game of the weekend as two of the giants of franchise rugby square up. The Hurricanes have absolutely dominated this fixture in recent years winning 7 out of the last 10 and not losing a single game at home.

On current form, the Hurricanes having been convincing and will be disappointed with their loss to a Bulls side that is in a transitional period under new coach John Mitchell. The Hurricanes did however bounce back against the Jaguares although they were far from convincing making a lot of errors against their mediocre opposition. The Crusaders on the other hand have been exceptional running riot against a quality Chiefs outfit and giving the Stormers a lesson n rugby.

The Squads strengths lie in different areas on the pitch with the Crusaders backline usually depending on their powerful forwards to dominate the opposition, allowing them space to run into with their dangerous strike runners. The Hurricanes probably have a slightly stronger backline with the Barrets, Savea, Luamape and Perenara being one of the most frightening attacking forces in the world.

With the Canes not being in great form especially compared to their Kiwi counterparts my initial pick was the Crusaders. But with their home record against the Crusaders and their proven quality I started shifting my pick. One thing is certain, this is going to be a humdinger.

My Pick: Canes by 3.

Reds vs Bulls

This clash sees two former powerhouse franchises in Super Rugby trying to get back to winning ways and to become relevant again. Recent games have these two teams split down the middle with the Bulls winning 5 and the Reds winning 5 of the last ten. One interesting stat is that neither team has lost a home game against one another.

Current form sees both teams with one win and one loss. The Reds were destroyed by the Rebels and sneaked past the Brumbies. The Reds have also had some disciplinary problems with 1 red card and 2 yellows already to their name. The Bulls on the other hand couldn’t have had a tougher start facing the Hurricanes (and beating them) and the Lions to whom they lost. The Reds have been unconvincing struggling to croos the chalk whereas the Bulls have showed some brilliant attacking form.

Squad wise both teams have some players with international experience, but in my opinion the Bulls have the stronger team. The Bulls have always had a strong pack of forwards and with their willingness to run the ball under new coach John Mitchell their backline is showing some encouraging signs. The likes of Handre Pollard, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal and Warrick Gelant all have the ability to break the line and can be very physical ball carriers as well.

Although both teams have 1 win and 1 loss, the Bulls faced tougher opposition and performed better and even though the stats indicate that the home team has had an advantage in the past, I feel the Bulls have a better team and just plays a better brand of rugby.

My Pick: Bulls by 7+.

Sharks vs Sunwolves

Both teams are yet to win and have had a disappointing start to the season. However, I can only see one winner. There have only been two previous encounters between these two teams and the Sharks have triumphed on both occasions with an 11-point margin in 2016 and a 21-point margin in 2017.

Current form is not great for either side with the Sharks losing to the Lions and then drawing to the Waratahs in an error riddled game at home. The Sunwolves on the other hand lost to a poor Brumbies team at home and then proceeded to get smashed by a very impressive Rebels team. In my opinion the Sharks have had tougher opponents although their results haven’t been much better.

Looking at the squads the Sunwolves probably have 3 or 4 players that would make it into the Sharks squad not to and maybe 1 or 2 would would compete for a starting berth. The Sunwolves have shown flashes in their time in Super Rugby but have only managed 3 wins and a draw from 30 games in the tournament. The team from Japn is in my opinion way out of their depth and I don’t see that changing this year.

For the Sharks this game couldn’t have come at a better time and it can be an opportunity to kick-start their season against Super Rugby’s whipping boys.

My Pick: Sharks by 14+.

Lions vs Blues

In their last 10 meetings the Blues have the upper hand winning 6 out of the 10. However, the Lions recent rise have seen them win their last three encounters between the Blues. Beating the Auckland based franchise by 43-5 in their last encounter in Johannesburg.

This season has been tough for the Blues so far losing out to the Highlanders in a brilliant encounter in week 2 and then to a Chiefs side struggling with injuries. The Blues have showed that they can challenge the top sides but their decision making is what has let them down in recent weeks. The Lions on the other hand have slowly grown in confidence beating the Sharks in a close encounter before improving against the Jaguares and then getting closer to their best against the Bulls. The Lions have won 3 out of 3 this season and is looking stronger every week.

When looking at the squads both teams have a nice mix of experience and youth. Both sides have game breakers that can turn a game on their own. The Lions have a stronger pack and I think the backlines are venly matched especially with the Lions backline showing some great form this season.

I personally think this game will be closer than their previous encounter but I do think the Johannesburg franchise will continue to improve and the traveling side will struggle and their fitness will be tested in the highveld.

My Pick: Lions by 10+.

Jaguares vs Waratahs

This weekend we will only see the second ever meeting between these two sides with the Jaguares running out 40-27 in the previous fixture in Australia. The Jaguares have however been in terrible form losing their first 3 games against an under fire Stormers team, a Lions team that was average on the day and then against a Hurricanes team that also was very uninspiring. The Waratahs on the other hand managed a last gasp victory against the Stormers and managed a draw away against an underperforming Sharks team in Durban.

Both teams have been far from convincing, but the Waratahs have shown more in their two previous games. Both squads are filled with quality as the Jaguares have a squad with International players in every position. The Waratahs might not have international experience in every position but have some of the world’s best in Israel Folau, Bernard Foley and Michael Hooper. Also, even with all their international experience the Jaguares have struggled in Super Rugby especially with their discipline.

I think it will be a close game and the Waratahs might feel the effect off their travels in recent weeks. However, in my opinion the Waratahs have been the better team thus far and I do not see that changing, even though the Jaguares have the home ground advantage

My Pick: Waratahs by 7.

I Hope you guys enjoyed the preview! What do you think of the weekend’s games? Post your predictions in the comments?

Thank You…. Until next time…

Sources

https://www.superbru.com/superrugby/play_tipping.php?r=4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunwolves
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/highlanders-vs-stormers/80237
https://www.aamipark.com.au/events/rebels-vs-brumbies/
http://sasportsblog.com/2017/07/14/hurricanes-v-crusaders/
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/bulls-overpower-reds
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Lukhanyo+Am/Super+Rugby+Rd+13+Sunwolves+v+Sharks/IQLubkhUL9p
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/the-blues-have-crashed-to-a-thumping-loss-to-the-lions-in-johannesburg/news-story/19b523de01ac0c2e55f783083c96a194
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-08/waratahs-lose-to-jaguares-in-40-27-home-loss/8691054
http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/super-rugby-draws-for-2017-announced/16191.htm