Super Rugby team by team preview round 8

The eighth round of the 2018 Super Rugby tournament kicks off this weekend in Hawkes Bay Napier where the Hurricanes host South Africa’s Sharks from Durban.

This weekend has six matches – like last week – but there is one on Friday and five on Saturday. There are no Sunday matches this weekend.

The Bulls, Rebels and Highlanders have the bye this weekend.

The current form team by virtue of the most consecutive wins is the Hurricanes who have won their last four matches.

Recent Super Rugby form.

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

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Hurricanes v Sharks Super Rugby Preview

The Hurricanes have played the Sharks 19 times in Super Rugby since 1998 and both teams have won nine matches, lost nine matches and drawn one.

The average score across all venues when these two teams meet is Hurricanes 26 Sharks 24.

This weekend the match will be played in Napier and will be the first time that these teams have met at this venue.

The Hurricanes have played the Sharks 10 times on New Zealand soil and in those 10 matches the Hurricanes have won 6, drawn one and lost three.

This gives the Hurricanes a record of winning 60% of their home matches against the Sharks.

The Hurricanes have won their last two matches and after five matches they have won four. The Sharks won their last match and have played six matches won two and drawn one.

The Hurricanes have won the last three matches n New Zealand between these teams.

This week will be the Sharks fourth week on tour and although they were exceptional last week fatigue has to set in some time.

The Bookies have given the Sharks a 22 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Hurricanes should win this by 14.

Average score: Huricanes 26 Sharks 24

Last five results
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 Elim Hurricanes v Sharks 41-0 Wellington
Sat, 07 May 2016 Hurricanes v Sharks 15-32 Durban
Sat, 09 May 2015 Hurricanes v Sharks 32-24 Wellington
Sat, 22 Feb 2014 Hurricanes v Sharks 9-27 Durban
Fri, 06 Apr 2012 Hurricanes v Sharks 42-18 Wellington

Hurricanes overall record against the Sharks
Played 19, Wins 9 , Losses 9, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 6 April
Venue : Hawkes Bay Rugby, Napier
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO : Aaron Paterson

Teams

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett , 14 Julian Savea , 13 Vince Aso , 12 Ngani Laumape , 11. Ben Lam , 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara , 8 Gareth Evans , 7 Sam Henwood , 6 Brad Shields (c) , 5 Sam Lousi , 4 Michael Fatialofa , 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Chris Eves

Replacements : 16 Asafo Aumua , 17 Fraser Armstrong , 18 Ben May , 19 Vaea Fifita , 20 Reed Prinsep , 21 Jamie Booth , 22 Ihaia West , 23 Wes Goosen

Sharks

15. Curwin Bosch , 14. Sbu Nkosi , 13. Lukhanyo Am , 12. Andre Esterhuizen , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 10. Robert du Preez , 9. Louis Schreuder , 8. Tera Mtembu , 7. Jean-Luc du Preez , 6. Philip van der Walt , 5. Stephan Lewies , 4. Ruan Botha (c) , 3. Thomas du Toit , 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle , 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: , 16. Franco Marais , 17. Juan Schoeman , 18. John-Hubert Meyer , 19. Hyron Andrews , 20. Tyler Paul , 21. Cameron Wright , 22. Marius Louw , 23. Kobus van Wyk

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Sunwolves v Waratahs Super Rugby Preview

The Sunwolves and Waratahs have only met once before in Super Rugby and that match was won 12-57 by the Waratahs in Tokyo.

The Waratahs have played five matches this season, won three and drawn one. The Sunwolves have played five matches and have yet to win.

The Bookies have given the Sunwolves a 17 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Waratahs should win this comfortably by 14 points.

Last result
Sat, 02 Jul 2016 Sunwolves v Waratahs 12-57 Tokyo

Sunwolves overall record against the Waratahs
Played 1 , Wins 0 , Losses 1, Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 7 April
Venue : Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick Off local: 14:15
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Shuhei Kubo
Assistant Ref 2:Tasuku Kawahara
TMO : Minoru Fuji

Teams

Sunwolves

15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Lomano Lemeki, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Michael Little, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Yutaka Nagare (captain), 8 Kazuki Himeno, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 5 Sam Wykes, 4 James Moore, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Craig Millar

Replacements :16 Jaba Bregvadse, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Nikoloz Khatiashvili, 19 Wimpie van der Walt, 20 Edward Quirk, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Hosea Saumaki

Waratahs

1. Tom Robertson, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Ned Hanigan, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Will Miller , 7. Michael Hooper (c) 8. Michael Wells, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Bernard Foley (vc) 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Curtis Rona, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Bryce Hegarty,

Replacements : 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jed Holloway , 21. Mitchell Short, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Cameron Clark

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Chiefs v Blues Super Rugby Preview

The Chiefs and the Blues played each other 20 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and the Chiefs have won 18 matches, lost ten and drawn one.

The average score when the Chiefs play the Blues is Chiefs 26 Blues 22.

This weekend the match will be played in Hamilton where the teams have met nine times. In those 9 matches thee Chiefs have won five and lost four.

This gives the Chiefs a record of winning 56% of their matches at home against the Blues.

This season the Chiefs have played five matches, won four and lost one. The Blues have played five matches, won one and lost four.

The Chiefs are the second best current form team as they have the second longest running winning streak at three weeks.

The Blues have not beaten a New Zealand team in their last 13 attempts.

The Bookies have given the Blues a 9 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Chiefs should win this by 10 points.

Average score: Chiefs 26 Blues 22

Last five results
Fri, 02 Mar 2018 Chiefs v Blues 27-21 Auckland
Fri, 26 May 2017 Chiefs v Blues 16-16 Auckland
Fri, 03 Mar 2017 Chiefs v Blues 41-26 Waikato
Fri, 08 Apr 2016 Chiefs v Blues 29-23 Hamilton
Sat, 04 Apr 2015 8 Chiefs v Blues 23-16 Hamilton

Chiefs overall record against the Blues
Played 29 , Wins 18, Losses 10 , Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 7 April
Venue : Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: Glen Jackson
TMO : Aaron Paterson

Teams

Chiefs

1. Aidan Ross 2. Nathan Harris 3. Angus Ta’avao 4. Brodie Retallick 5. Tyler Ardron 6. Lachlan Boshier 7. Sam Cane (cc) 8. Pita Gus Sowakula 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 10. Damian McKenzie ,11. Sean Wainui ,12. Johnny Faauli , 13. Anton Lienert-Brown , 14. Toni Pulu ,15. Solomon Alaimalo,

Replacements : 16. Liam Polwart , 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe , 18. Jeff Thwaites , 19. Luke Jacobson ,20. Liam Messam , 21. Jonathan Taumateine ,22. Charlie Ngatai , (cc) 23. Marty McKenzie

Blues

1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. George Moala, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Matt Duffie/Jordan Hyland,15. Michael Collins.

Replacements: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Orbyn Leger.

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Brumbies v Reds Super Rugby Preview

The Brumbies have played the Reds 30 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and they have won 22 matches, drawn one and lost seven.

The average score when the Brumbies and Reds play is Brumbies 28 Reds 15.

This weekend the match will be played in Canberra where the teams have met 16 times. In those 16 matches the Brumbies have won 13 matches and lost three.

This gives the Brumbies a record of winning 81% of their home matches against the Reds.

The last two matches between these teams were both won by the Reds. Both of these matches were in Brisbane. Their last meeting was in March 2018.

This season the Brumbies have played five matches, won two and lost three. The Reds have also played five matches but they have won three and lost two.

The Bookies have given the Reds a 5 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets

Average score: Brumbies 28 Reds 15

Last five results
Fri, 02 Mar 2018 Brumbies v Reds 10-18 Brisbane
Fri, 07 Jul 2017 Brumbies v Reds 15-16 Brisbane
Sat, 08 Apr 2017 Brumbies v Reds 43-10 Canberra
Fri, 01 Jul 2016 Brumbies v Reds 43-24 Canberra
Sat, 14 Mar 2015 Brumbies v Reds 29-0 Brisbane

Brumbies overall record against the Reds
Played 30 , Wins 22 , Losses 7, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 7 April
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:James Leckie
TMO : George Ayoub

Teams

Brumbies

15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Chance Peni, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Matt Lucas, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. David Pocock, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 5. Rory Arnold, 4. Blake Enever, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Folau Faingaa, 1. Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Sam Carter, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Joe Powell, 22. Kyle Godwin, 23. James Verity-Amm.

Reds

1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda , 5. Kane Douglas , 6. Caleb Timu, 7. Adam Korczyk , 8. Scott Higginbotham (C) , 9. Ben Lucas, 10. Jono Lance, 11. Eto Nabuli, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia , 14. Filipo Daugunu , 15. Aidan Toua

Replacements : 16. Alex Mafi , 17. JP Smith , 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Lukhan Tui , 20. Liam Wright , 21. James Tuttle , 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Jordan Petaia

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Lions v Stormers Super Rugby Preview

The Lions have played the Stormers 23 times in Super Rugby since 1998 and the Lions have won 7 matches, lost 15 and drawn one.

The average score across all venues when the Lions play the Stormers is Lions 20 Stormers 24.

This weekend the match will be played in Johannesburg where the teams have met 12 times. In those 12 matches the Lions have won four matches and lost 8. In the last four Johannesburg matches the teams have alternated wins.

The average score when the Lions play the Stormers in Johannesburg is Lions 22 Stormers 23.

This season the Lions have played seven matches, won four and lost three. The Stormers have played seven as well but they have won three and lost four.

The Stormers lost their last match but the Lions have lost their last two matches.

The Bookies have given the Stormers an 8 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Lions should win this by 8.

Average score: Lions 20 Stormers 24

Last five results
15 Apr 2017 Lions v Stormers 29-16 Cape Town
16 Apr 2016 Lions v Stormers 29-22 Johannesburg
06 Jun 2015 Lions v Stormers 19-19 Cape Town
28 Feb 2015 Lions v Stormers 19-22 Johannesburg
19 Apr 2014 Lions v Stormers 3-18 Cape Town

Lions overall record against the Stormers
Played 23 , Wins 7, Losses 15, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 7 April
Venue : Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 2:AJ Jacobs
TMO : Willie Vos

Teams

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Madosh Tandwe, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert (captain), 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith

Replacements:16 Corne Fourie, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuuren, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Sylvian Mahuza

Stormers

15 SP Marais, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Kobus van Dyk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Jaco Coetzee, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Craig Barr

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Jaguares v Crusaders Super Rugby Preview

The Jaguares have only played the Crusaders once and that match was won 32-15 by the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The Jaguares had a bye last week so they will be well rested while the Crusaders played the Lions in Johannesburg and had to fly to Argentina for this match. Fatigue will no doubt be a factor.

This season the Jaguares have played six matches, won two and lost four. The Crusaders have played six, won four and lost two.

The Bookies have given the Jaguares a 16 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Crusaders should win this by 5.

Last result
Jaguares 15 Crusaders 32

Jaguares record against the Crusaders
Fri, 15 Apr 2016 Jaguares v Crusaders 15-32 Christchurch

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 7 April
Venue : Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires 
Kick Off local: 18:40
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 1: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 2:Pablo Deluca
TMO :Santiago Borsani

Teams

Jaguares

15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta

Replacements:16 Julian Montoya, 17 Felipe Arregui, 18 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 23 Ramiro Moyano

Crusaders

1. Tim Perry , 2. Codie Taylor , 3. Michael Alaalatoa , 4. Luke Romano , 5. Sam Whitelock (C) , 6. Tom Sanders , 7. Matt Todd (VC) , 8. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis , 9. Bryn Hall , 10. Mitchell Hunt , 11. George Bridge , 12. Ryan Crotty (VC) , 13. Tim Bateman , 14. Manasa Mataele , 15. David Havili

Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell ,17. Donald Brighouse,18. Chris King,19. Quinten Strange, 20. Pete Samu,21. Mitchell Drummond,22. Mike Delany,23. Braydon Ennor

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