Welcome to 2019 Super rugby fans. It’s a rugby world cup year and Super rugby returns this weekend with a bang as two former champions face each other in New Zealand derby match.
Incredibly this year will be the 24th year of Super rugby so next year Super rugby will be a quarter of a century old.
We start in Hamilton where the Chiefs host the Highlanders on Friday. An Australian Super rugby derby follows as the Brumbies host the Rebels in Canberra in Friday’s second match.
On Saturday Super rugby kicks off in Auckland where the Blues host current champions the Crusaders. That match will be followed by the Waratahs v Hurricanes, the Sunwolves v the Sharks in Singapore.
The final two Super rugby matches of the opening round are the Bulls vs the Stormers and the Jaguares v the Lions in Buenos Aires.
Chiefs v Highlanders Super Rugby Preview
The Chiefs and the Highlanders have played each other 31 times in Super rugby and the the Chiefs have won 18 matches and lost 13 matches.
In the 31 matches between the teams there have been no draws. In the last three matches between these teams the Chiefs have won all three.
The six matches between that were all won by the Highlanders so out of the last ten matches between the sides the Chiefs have won just four.
This weekend the match will be played in Hamilton where the teams have met 15 times. In those 15 matches the Chiefs have won 9 and lost six. That is equal to winning 60% of their matches.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Highlanders in Hamilton is Chiefs 23 Highlanders 20.
Average score: Chiefs 23 Highlanders 22
Last five results
Sat, 30 Jun 2018 Chiefs v Highlanders 45-22 Dunedin
Fri, 30 Mar 2018 Chiefs v Highlanders 27-22 Hamilton
Fri, 24 Feb 2017 Chiefs v Highlanders 24-15 Dunedin
Sat, 16 Jul 2016 Chiefs v Highlanders 15-25 Dunedin
Sat, 07 May 2016 Chiefs v Highlanders 13-26 Hamilton
Chiefs overall record against the Highlanders
Played 31 ,Wins 18 , Losses 13 ,Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 15 February
Venue : FMG Stadium, Waikato
Kick Off local: 19:35 local
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 2:Nick Briant
TMO : Aaron Paterson
Teams
Chiefs
1. Atu Moli,2. Nathan Harris,3. Angus Ta’avao ,4. Brodie Retallick,,5. Michael Allardice,6. Mitchell Brown ,7. Lachlan Boshier ,8. Tyler Ardron ,9. Brad Weber,10. Orbyn Leger*,11. Etene Nanai-Seturo**,12. Anton Lienert-Brown ,13. Tumua Manu*,14. Bailyn Sullivan,15. Shaun Stevenson
Replacements : 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho ,17. Aidan Ross ,18. Nepo Laulala,19. Taleni Seu ,20. Jesse Parete ,21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi ,22. Stephen Donald ,23. Ataata Moeakiola**
*denotes Chiefs debut
**denotes Super Rugby debut
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone,2. Liam Coltman,3. Tyrel Lomax,4. Pari Pari Parkinson,5. Josh Dickson,6. Jackson Hemopo,7. James Lentjes,8. Luke Whitelock (cc),9. Kayne Hammington,10. Josh Ioane,11 Tevita Li,12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen,13. Rob Thompson,14. Matt Faddes,15. Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon,,17. Daniel Lienert-Brown,18. Siate Tokolahi,19. Shannon Frizell,20. Dillon Hunt,21. Aaron Smith,22. Bryn Gatland,23. Patelesio
Tomkinson
Brumbies v Rebels Super Rugby Preview
The Brumbies have played the Rebels 15 times in Super rugby since 2011 and the Brumbies have won 9 Super rugby matches and lost six.
There have been no draws between the two Super rugby sides. The last two matches between the sides were both won by the Rebels.
This weekend the Brumbies will have home advantage as they have done in 7 of the 15 matches. In those 7 home matches the Brumbies have won five and lost two.
The average score when the Brumbies play the Rebels in Canberra is Brumbies 30 Rebels 13.
In the last three matches played in Canberra the teams have alternated wins. If this continues the Brumbies will win this weekend..
Average score: Brumbies 26 Rebels 18
Last five results
Sat, 12 May 2018 Brumbies v Rebels 24-27 Canberra
Fri, 09 Mar 2018 Brumbies v Rebels 10-33 Melbourne
Sat, 03 Jun 2017 Brumbies v Rebels 32-3 Canberra
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Brumbies v Rebels 17-19 Melbourne
Fri, 13 May 2016 Brumbies v Rebels 30-22 Melbourne
Brumbies overall record against the Rebels
Played 15, Wins 9, Losses 6 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 15 February
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local: 19:45 local
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Damon Murphy
TMO :James Leckie
Teams
Brumbies
James Slipper , Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa , Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Rob Valetini ,David Pocock, Lachlan McCaffrey , Joe Powell, Christian Lealiifano (c) ,Toni Pulu ,Irae Simone ,Tevita Kuridrani ,Henry Speight ,Tom Banks
Replacements Josh Mann-Rea,Scott Sio,Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin,Blake Enever,Peter Samu ,Matt ,Wharenui Hawera,Andy Muirhead
Rebels
1. Tetera Faulkner,2. Anaru Rangi,3. Jermaine Ainsley,4. Luke Jones,5. Matt Philip,6. Angus Cottrell,7. Richard Hardwick,8. Isi Naisarani,9. Will Genia,10. Quade Cooper,11. Marika Koroibete,12. Billy Meakes,13. Tom English,14. Jack Maddocks,15. Dane Haylett-Petty (Captain)
Replacements : 16. Robbie Abel ,17. Matt Gibbon,18. Sam Talakai,19. Esei Ha’angana,20. Brad Wilkin,21. Rob Leota,22. Michael Ruru,23. Semisi Tupou
Blues v Crusaders Super Rugby review
The Blues have played current super rugby champions the Crusaders 32 times in Super rugby since 1996 and they have won 11 matches and lost 21 matches.
There have been no draws between the two former champions.
This weekend the match will be played in Auckland where the sides have met 14 times and in those matches the Blues have won just 6 matches.
That gives the Blues a record of winning 43% of their home matches against the Crusaders in Auckland. The average score when these sides meet in Auckland is Blues 21 Crusaders 23.
The Crusaders have not lost to the Blues since February 2014 and they have won the last eight matches.
Average score: Blues 21 Crusaders 27
Last five results
Sat, 14 Jul 2018 Blues v Crusaders 17-54 Christchurch
Sat, 19 May 2018 Blues v Crusaders 24-32 Auckland
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 Blues v Crusaders 24-33 Christchurch
Sat, 28 May 2016 Blues v Crusaders 21-26 Auckland
Fri, 04 Mar 2016 Blues v Crusaders 13-28 Christchurch
Blues overall record against the Crusaders
Played 32 , Wins 11 , Losses 21 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 16 February
Venue : Eden Park, Auckland
Kick Off local: 19:35 local
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 2:Dan Waenga
TMO :Ben Skeen
Teams
Blues
15 Michael Collins, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Matt Matich, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Andrew Makalio ,3. Owen Franks , 4. Scott Barrett ,5. Quinten Strange 6. Jordan Taufua , 7. Matt Todd (C) , 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas , 9. Bryn Hall 23. Will Jordan*, 10. Richie Mo’unga , 11. George Bridge , 12. Ryan Crotty (VC) , 13. Braydon Ennor , 14. Manasa Mataele , 15. David Havili
Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell , 17. Tim Perry ,18. Michael Alaalatoa ,19. Luke Romano ,20. Tom Sanders ,21. Mitchell Drummond ,22. Mitchell Hunt
Waratahs v Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview
The Waratahs have played the Hurricanes 22 times in Super rugby since 1996 and they have won 10 matches and lost 12.
There have been no draws between the sides.
This weekend the match will be played in Sydney where the sides have met on 11 occassions. In those 11 matches the Waratahs have won 7 and lost four.
That gives the Waratahs a record of winning 64% of their home matches against the Hurricanes. The average score when the Waratahs host the Hurricanes in Sydney is – Waratahs 28 Hurricanes 23.
The Hurricanes have won the last two Super rugby matches between the two sides regardless of venue.
Average score: Waratahs 25 Hurricanes 25
Last five results
Fri, 07 Apr 2017 Waratahs v Hurricanes 28-38 Wellington
Sat, 09 Jul 2016 Waratahs v Hurricanes 17-28 Sydney
Sat, 18 Apr 2015 Waratahs v Hurricanes 29-24 Wellington
Sat, 03 May 2014 Waratahs v Hurricanes 39-30 Sydney
Sat, 06 Apr 2013 Waratahs v Hurricanes 29-41 Wellington
Waratahs overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 22 , Wins 10, Losses 12, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 16 February
Venue : Brookvale Oval, Manly
Kick Off local: 19:45 local
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Damon Murphy
TMO : James Leckie
Teams
Waratahs
15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Lachlan Swinton, 20 Will Miller, 21 Mitch Short, 22 Mack Mason, 23 Cam Clark
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves
Replacements : 16 Dane Coles, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Ben May, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 James Marshall, 23 Wes Goosen
Sunwolves v Sharks Super Rugby Preview
Japan’s Sunwolves have played South Africa’s Sharks just three times in Super rugby and they have yet to beat the side from Durban.
Two of the three matches between these sides were played in Durban and the only other match was in Singapore where these sides will meet on Saturday. That match was won 17-38 by the Sharks.
The average score when these sides meet regardless of home advantage is Sunwolves 23 Sharks 43.
Average score: Sunwolves 23 Sharks 43
Last three results
Sat, 10 Mar 2018 Sunwolves v Sharks 22-50 Durban
Sat, 20 May 2017 Sunwolves v Sharks 17-38 Singapore
Fri, 15 Jul 2016 Sunwolves v Sharks 29-40 Durban
Sunwolves overall record against the Sharks
Played 3 , Wins 0 , Losses 3, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 16 February
Venue : Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
Kick Off local: 18:55 local
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 2:AJ Jacobs
TMO : Minoru Fuji
Teams
Sunwolves
15 Gerhard van den Heever, 14 Semisi Masirewa, 13 Shane Gates, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Ed Quirk, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 James Moore, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Asaeli Valu, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Craig Millar (c)
Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Awe Helu, 20 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Michael Little
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (c), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Rhyno Smith, 23 Jeremy Ward
Bulls v Stormers Super Rugby Preview
The Bulls have played the Stormers 30 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Bulls have won 11 and lost 18.
There was one draw between the sides in 2000.
The Bulls will have home advantage this weekend as they have done in 15 of the 30 matches. In those 30 matches the Bulls have won 8 and lost 7.
Those results give the Bulls a record of winning 53% of their home matches. The average score when the Bulls host the Stormers in Cape Town is Bulls 27 Stormers 22.
In the last five matches between these sides in Pretoria the teams have alternated wins. The Bulls have won three but if this trend continues it is the Stormers turn to win on Saturday.
Average score: Bulls 23 Stormers 23
Last five results
Sat, 05 May 2018 Bulls v Stormers 17-29 Cape Town
Sat, 31 Mar 2018 Bulls v Stormers 33-23 Pretoria
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Bulls v Stormers 33-41 Pretoria
Sat, 25 Feb 2017 Bulls v Stormers 24-37 Cape Town
Sat, 21 May 2016 Bulls v Stormers 17-13 Pretoria
Bulls overall record against the Stormers
Played 30 , Wins 11, Losses 18, Draws 1
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 16 February
Venue : Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick Off local: 17:15 local
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2:Egon Seconds
TMO :Marius Jonker
Teams
Bulls
Warrick Gelant , Johnny Kotze , Jessie Kriel, Burger Odendaal, Rosko Specman , Handré Pollard, Embrose Papier, Duane Vermeulen, Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Steenkamp, Lood de Jager (c), Jason Jenkins , Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: Corniel Els, Simphiwe Matanzima, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Eli Snyman, Thembelani Bholi, Ivan van Zyl, Manie Libbok, Dylan Sage.
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 SP Marais, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Kobus van Dyk, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Dan du Plessis
Jaguares v Lions Super Rugby Preview
Argentina’s Jaguares start the 2019 Super rugby season at home in Buenos Aires where they will host the Lions in the final match of the round.
The Jaguares have played the Lions 7 times since 2016 and the Jaguares have won three matches and lost four. There have been no draws.
The Jaguares have hosted the Lions three times and in those three matches they have won all three. The Jaguares are therefore unbeaten at home agains the Lions.
The average score when the Jaguares host the Lions is Jaguares 40 Lions 27.
Average score: Jaguares 31 Lions 35
Last five results
Sat, 21 Jul 2018 Jaguares v Lions 23-40 Johannesburg
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 Jaguares v Lions 49-35 Buenos Aires
Sat, 24 Feb 2018 Jaguares v Lions 27-47 Johannesburg
Fri, 21 Apr 2017 Jaguares v Lions 21-24 Johannesburg
Sat, 11 Mar 2017 Jaguares v Lions 36-24 Buenos Aires
Jaguares overall record against the Lions
Played 7, Wins 3 , Losses 4 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 16 February
Venue : Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick Off local: 18:40 local
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO : Santiago Borsani
Teams
Jaguares
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortego Desio, 7 Rodrigo Bruni, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Marco Kremer, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Juan Cruz Mallia, 23 Matias Moroni
Lions
Andries Coetzee, Courntall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Warren Whiteley (capt), Hacjivah Dayimani, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Rhyno Herbst, Carlu Sadie, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith.
Replacements: Pieter Jansen, Frans van Wyk, Jacobie Adriaanse, Ruan Vermaak, Robert Kruger, Gianni Lombard/Dillon Smit, Wandisile Simelane, Ruan Combrinck