Super Rugby team by team preview round 10

Super rugby round 10 means that we have passed the first half of the Super rugby season and this is where it starts to get serious as teams are now starting to be eliminated in the running for the title.

The Sunwolves, Highlanders, Reds and the Brumbies still have a chance of reaching the play-offs but they will need to win most of their remaining matches.

Conversely the Crusaders look to be cruising towards a third straight title as they have an 11 point lead over their nearest rival. Admittedly the Crusaders have played one more match than the entire field but that will even out this weekend as they have a bye.

In our current form rankings which is based upon the last five matches, points scored, matches won and points conceded the Chiefs have risen to the top as they have won their last three matches.

The Highlanders – who won the Super rugby title in 2015 – have dropped to 15th place as they have not won a match since the second round.

The top team in terms of form in Australia is the Brumbies while the top South African Conference team is the Jaguares.

Super rugby form guide

1 Chiefs – L – L – L – L – D – W – W – B – W
2 Crusaders – W – W – W – W – D – L – W – W – W
3 Hurricanes – W – L – W – W – D – W – L – W – B
4 Blues – L – L – L – W – B – W – W – W – L
5 Jaguares – L – W – W – L – L – B – L – W – W
6 Bulls – W – L – W – W – B – L – W – L – W
7 Brumbies – L – W – L – L – W – L – B – L – W
8 Rebels – W – B – W – W – L – L – W – W – L
9 Reds – B – L – L – L – W – W – L – W – L
10 Stormers – L – W – W – B – W – L – L – L – W
11 Lions – W – L – L – W – W – W – B – L – L
12 Sharks – W – W – L – L – B – W – L – W – L
13 Waratahs – L – W – B – W – L – W – L – L – B
14 Sunwolves – L – L – W – L – L – L – W – L – B
15 Highlanders – W – W – L – L – D – L – B – L – L

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Chiefs v Lions Super Rugby Preview

The Chiefs have played the Lions 17 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Chiefs have won 12 matches, drawn 0 and lost 5 times.

The Chiefs 12 wins out of 17 matches gives them a record of winning 71% of their matches against the Lions regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Hamilton which is home for the Chiefs and the venue where the teams have met 9 times.

In those 9 matches played in Hamilton the Chiefs have won 8 matches and lost 1. This gives the Chiefs a record of winning 89% of their matches against the Lions at home.

The average score when the Chiefs play the Lions in Hamilton is : Chiefs 36 Lions 20.

The Chiefs one and only loss to the Lions was in 2016 – the last time the teams met in the city. This means that the Chiefs have not beaten the Lions at home since 2014 so few current players will have experience of beating the Lions at home..

The Bookies have given the Lions an 8 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Chiefs 34 Lions 28

Last five results
Sat, 05 Mar 2016 Chiefs v Lions 32-36 Hamilton
Sat, 03 May 2014 Chiefs v Lions 38-8 Hamilton
Sat, 05 May 2012 Chiefs v Lions 34-21 Pukekohe
Sat, 23 Apr 2011 Chiefs v Lions 34-30 Johannesburg
Fri, 19 Feb 2010 Chiefs v Lions 72-65 Johannesburg

Chiefs overall record against the Lions
Played 17 , Wins 12, Losses 5 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 19 April
Venue : FMG Stadium, Waikato
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:Rasta Rasivhenge
TMO : Shane McDermott

Teams

Chiefs

15 Jack Debreczeni, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (captain), 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Tyler Ardron, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Liam Polwart, 1 Angus Ta’avao

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Tumua Manu, 23 Shaun Stevenson.

Lions

Andries Coetzee ,Sylvian Mahuza, Lionel Mapoe, Franco Naude, Aphiwe Dyantyi; Gianni Lombard, Ross Cronje; Warren Whiteley, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Stephan Lewies, Carlu Sadie, Robbie Coetzee, Sti Sithole.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Frans Van Wyk, Johannes Jonker, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Marnus Schoeman, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Ruan Combrinck

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Sunwolves v Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview

The Sunwolves have played the Hurricanes twice in Super rugby since 2017 and the Sunwolves have lost both matches.

This weekend the match will be played in Tokyo which is home for the Sunwolves and the venue where the teams have met just once before.

In that single match played in Tokyo the Sunwolves were beaten 17-83.

The Bookies have given the Sunwolves a 17 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Sunwolves 16 Hurricanes 63

Last two results
Fri, 27 Apr 2018 Sunwolves v Hurricanes 15-43 Wellington
Sat, 25 Feb 2017 Sunwolves v Hurricanes 17-83 Tokyo

Sunwolves overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 2, Wins 0, Losses 2 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 19 April
Venue : Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick Off local: 19:00
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Shuhei Kubo
TMO :Minoru Fuji

Teams

Sunwolves

15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Josh Timu, 12 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Hendrik Tui, 7 Dan Pryor (captain), 6 Ben Gunter, 5 Luke Thompson, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Nathan Vella, 1 Pauliasi Manu

Replacements:16 Atsushi Sakata, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Takuma Asahara, 19 Tom Rowe, 20 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Jason Emery, 23 Jamie Henry

Hurricanes

15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Fraser Armstrong

Replacements:16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Sam Henwood, 21 Richard Judd, 22 James Marshall, 23 Billy Proctor

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Sharks v Reds Super Rugby Preview

The Sharks have played the Reds 19 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Sharks have won 9 matches, drawn none and lost 10 times.

The Sharks 9 wins out of 19 matches gives them a record of winning 47% of their matches against the Reds regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Durban which is home for the Sharks and the venue where the teams have met 9 times.

In those 9 matches played in Durban the Sharks have won 6 matches and lost 3. This gives the Sharks a record of winning 67% of their matches against the Reds at home.

The average score when the Sharks play the Reds in Durban is : Sharks 25 Reds 21.

The Reds won the first three matches in a row involving these teams between 2000 and 2004 but since then the Sharks have gone unbeaten through five matches against the Reds at home.

The Bookies have given the Reds a 13 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Sharks 25 Reds 23

Last five results
Fri, 24 Feb 2017 Sharks v Reds 26-28 Brisbane
Fri, 22 May 2015 Sharks v Reds 21-14 Brisbane
Sat, 15 Mar 2014 Sharks v Reds 35-20 Durban
Fri, 10 May 2013 Sharks v Reds 17-32 Brisbane
Sat, 21 Jul 2012 Elim Sharks v Reds 30-17 Brisbane

Sharks overall record against the Reds
Played 19 , Wins 9 , Losses 10, Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 19 April
Venue : Kings Park , Durban
Kick Off local: 15:05
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 1:Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2:Jaco Peyper
TMO :Marius Jonker

Teams

Sharks

15. Curwin Bosch, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Kobus van Wyk, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder (c), 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jacques Vermeulen, 6. Philip van der Walt, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Beast Mtawarira

Replacements : 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Tyler Paul, 20. Jean-Luc du Preez, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Aphelele Fassi

Reds

15 Hamish Stewart, 14 Sefa Naivalu , 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Jack Hardy, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Harry Hoopert

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Jock Campbell

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Highlanders v Blues Super Rugby Preview

The Highlanders have played the Blues 32 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Highlanders have won 15 matches, drawn none and lost 17 times.

The Highlanders 15 wins out of 32 matches gives them a record of winning 47% of their matches against the Blues regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Dunedin which is home for the Highlanders and the venue where the teams have met 15 times.

In those 15 matches played in Dunedin the Highlanders have won 10 matches and lost 5. This gives the Highlanders a record of winning 67% of their matches against the Blues at home.

The average score when the Highlanders play the Blues in Dunedin is : Highlanders 24 Blues 23.

The Highlanders have won the last six matches against the Blues in Dunedin and the Blues have not won in the city since 2011. This suggests the Blues do not like playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium as they had a much better record at the House of Pain.

The Bookies have given the Blues a 3 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Highlanders 23 Blues 26

Last five results
Fri, 22 Mar 2019 Highlanders v Blues 26-33 Auckland
Fri, 20 Apr 2018 Highlanders v Blues 34-16 Auckland
Fri, 23 Feb 2018 Highlanders v Blues 41-34 Dunedin
Sat, 08 Apr 2017 Highlanders v Blues 26-20 Dunedin
Sat, 11 Mar 2017 Highlanders v Blues 16-12 Auckland

Highlanders overall record against the Blues
Played 32 , Wins 15, Losses 17 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date :Saturday 20 April
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:James Doleman
TMO : Shane McDermott

Teams

Highlanders

Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman, Tyrel Lomax, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Tevita Li, Teihorangi Walden, Patelesio Tomkinson, Matt Faddes, Ben Smith (CC)

Replacments : Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Luke Whitelock (CC), Aaron Smith, Bryn Gatland, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.

Blues

15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Matt Duffie.

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Waratahs v Rebels Super Rugby Preview

The Waratahs have played the Rebels 15 times in Super rugby since 2011 and the Waratahs have won 13 matches, drawn none and lost twice.

The Waratahs 13 wins out of 15 matches gives them a record of winning 87% of their matches against the Rebels regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Sydney which is home for the Waratahs and the venue where the teams have met 8 times.

In those 8 matches played in Sydney the Waratahs have won 7 matches and lost 1. This gives the Waratahs a record of winning 88% of their matches against the Rebels at home.

The average score when the Waratahs play the Rebels in Sydney is : Waratahs 32 Rebels 19.

The Rebels only victory over the Waratahs in Sydney happened in 2016. Since then the Waratahs have enjoyed back to back wins at home against the Rebels.

The Bookies have given the Waratahs a 2 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Waratahs 33 Rebels 19

Last five results
Fri, 29 Jun 2018 Waratahs v Rebels 31-26 Melbourne
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 Waratahs v Rebels 51-27 Sydney
Sun, 21 May 2017 Waratahs v Rebels 50-23 Sydney
Fri, 24 Mar 2017 Waratahs v Rebels 32-25 Melbourne
Sun, 03 Apr 2016 Waratahs v Rebels 17-21 Sydney

Waratahs overall record against the Rebels
Played 15, Wins 13, Losses 2 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 20 April
Venue : Sydney Cricket Ground
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2:Jordan Way
TMO :James Leckie

Teams

Waratahs

15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes.

Replacements:16 Andrew Tuala, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Will Miller, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Curtis Rona

Rebels

1. Matt Gibbon,2. Anaru Rangi,3. Jermaine Ainsley,4. Matt Philip,5. Adam Coleman,6. Luke Jones,7. Richard Hardwick,8. Isi Naisarani,9. Will Genia,10. Quade Cooper,11. Marika Koroibete,12. Billy Meakes,13. Tom English (c),14. Jack Maddocks,15. Reece Hodge

Replacements:16. Hugh Roach,17. Tetera Faulkner,18. Sam Talakai,19. Ross Haylett-Petty,20. Rob Leota,21. Michael Ruru,22. Campbell Magnay,23. Sione Tuipulotu

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Stormers v Brumbies Super Rugby Preview

The Stormers have played the Brumbies 19 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Stormers have won 6 matches, drawn 1 and lost 12 times.

The Stormers 6 wins out of 19 matches gives them a record of winning 32% of their matches against the Brumbies regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Cape Town which is home for the Stormers and the venue where the teams have met 11 times.

In those 11 matches played in Cape Town the Stormers have won 5 matches, drawn 1 and lost 5. This gives the Stormers a record of winning 45% of their matches against the Brumbies at home.

The average score when the Stormers play the Brumbies in Cape Town is : Stormers 22 Brumbies 22.

In the last three matches between these teams played in Cape Town the Stormers have won two and lost one. The teams have alternated wins through these last three matches.

If this alternating wins continues this weekend the Brumbies will win.

The Bookies have given the Brumbies an 8 point start for this Match – click  HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Stormers 20 Brumbies 24

Last five results
Sat, 19 Mar 2016 Stormers v Brumbies 31-11 Cape Town
Sat, 20 Jun 2015 Elim Stormers v Brumbies 19-39 Cape Town
Sat, 09 May 2015 Stormers v Brumbies 25-24 Cape Town
Sat, 22 Mar 2014 Stormers v Brumbies 15-25 Canberra
Sat, 23 Mar 2013 Stormers v Brumbies 35-22 Cape Town

Stormers overall record against the Brumbies
Played 19, Wins 6 , Losses 12, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 20 April
Venue : Newlands, Cape Town
Kick Off local: 15:05
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1:Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2:Federico Anselmi
TMO : Marius Jonker

Teams

Stormers

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Josh Stander, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Kobus van Dyk, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Ernst van Rhyn, 5 Cobus Wiese, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c)

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Johan du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Justin Phillips, 22 JJ Engelbrecht, 23 Seabelo Senatla

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Tom Wright, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (c), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Tom Cusack, 5 Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 James Slipper, 18 Les Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Murray Douglas, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Andy Muirhead

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