An exciting finish to the end of the Super Rugby AU regular season is in store for this weekend’s ANZAC round as there are two teams in the running for place in the finals.
Just two points separate the Force and the Rebels who are both chasing a crucial win that will book them a position in the finals.
In Super Rugby Aotearoa there are two rounds remaining including this weekend and the Chiefs and the Blues are in a battle to meet the Crusaders who look to have all but sealed their place in the final on May 8.
The Chiefs and the Blues meet next weekend but to remain in the hunt they need to keep winning this weekend.
Western Force v Queensland Reds Super Rugby AU Preview
The Western Force have played the Queensland Reds 21 times in Super rugby since 2006 and the Western Force have won 9 matches, lost 11 times and drawn once.
The Western Force’s 9 wins out of 21 matches gives them a record of winning 43% of their matches against the Queensland Reds regardless of venue.
The average score when the Western Force play the Queensland Reds is : Western Force 21 Queensland Reds 24.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Western Force and they have had home advantage in 9 of the 21 matches.
In those 9 Western Force home matches they have won 5 matches and lost 3.
The average score when the Western Force play the Queensland Reds at home is : Western Force 25 Queensland Reds 21.
The Queensland Reds have won three of the last five meetings between these teams.
The Bookies have given the Force a 9 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Average score: Western Force 21 Queensland Reds 24.
Last five results
2017-03-02 Western Force 26-19 Queensland Reds
2017-05-26 Queensland Reds 26-40 Western Force
2020-07-17 Queensland Reds 31 – 24 Western Force
2020-08-21 Western Force 5 – 57 Queensland Reds
2021-03-20 Queensland Reds 26 – 19 Western Force
Western Force overall record against the Queensland Reds
Played 21, won 9, lost 11, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match : Western Force v Queensland Reds
Date : Friday 23 April
Venue : HBF Park, Perth
Kick Off local: 17:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 2:Reuben Keane
TMO : Brett Cronan
Teams
Western Force
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Greg Holmes, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Tim Anstee, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, Jordan Olowofela, Kyle Godwin (c), Tevita Kuridrani, Toni Pulu, Rob Kearney
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ian Prior, Richard Kahui, Jack McGregor
Queensland Reds
Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright (c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Bryce Hegarty
Replacements: Alex Mafi, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Josh Flook, Ilaisa Droasese
NSW Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby AU Preview
The Waratahs have played the Rebels 21 times in Super rugby since 2011 and the Waratahs have won 16 matches, lost 5 times and drawn none.
The Waratahs 16 wins out of 21 matches gives them a record of winning 76% of their matches against the Rebels regardless of venue.
The average score when the Waratahs play the Rebels is : Waratahs 29 Rebels 21.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Waratahs and they have had home advantage in 10 of the 21 matches.
In those 10 Waratahs home matches they have won 8 matches and lost 2.
The average score when the Waratahs play the Rebels at home is : Waratahs 29 Rebels 20.
The Rebels have won four of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Waratahs 29 Rebels 21.
Last five results
2019-05-31 Rebels 15 – 20 NSW Waratahs
2020-02-14 Rebels 24 – 10 NSW Waratahs
2020-07-24 NSW Waratahs 10 – 29 Rebels
2020-08-29 Rebels 32 – 38 NSW Waratahs
2021-03-19 Rebels 33 – 14 NSW Waratahs
NSW Waratahs overall record against the Melbourne Rebels
Played 21, won 16, lost 5, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match : NSW Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels
Date : Saturday 24 April
Venue : Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Amy Perrett
Assistant Ref 2:Brett Cronan
TMO : James Leckie
Teams
NSW Waratahs
Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Max Douglas, Lachlan Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, James Ramm, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome, Jack Maddocks
Replacements: Joe Cotton, Tetera Faulkner, Darcy Breen, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wood, Charlie Gamble, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed
Melbourne Rebels
Cameron Orr, Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Rob Leota, Ross Haylett-Petty, Michael Wells, Brad Wilkin, Isi Naisarani, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Campbell Magnay, Stacey Ili, Frank Lomani, Tom Pincus
Replacements: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa’amausili, Steve Cummins, Richard Hardwick, Josh Kemeny, Carter Gordon, George Worth
Chiefs v Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Chiefs have played the Hurricanes 39 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Chiefs have won 16 matches, lost 21 times and drawn twice.
The Chiefs 16 wins out of 39 matches gives them a record of winning 41% of their matches against the Hurricanes regardless of venue.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Hurricanes is : Chiefs 22 Hurricanes 24.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Chiefs and they have had home advantage in 18 of the 39 matches.
In those 18 Chiefs home matches they have won 9 matches and lost 7 (drawn 2).
The average score when the Chiefs play the Hurricanes at home is : Chiefs 23 Hurricanes 20.
The Chiefs have won three of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Chiefs 22 Hurricanes 24.
Last five results
2019-04-27 Hurricanes 47 – 19 Chiefs
2020-03-13 Chiefs 24 – 27 Hurricanes
2020-07-05 Chiefs 18 – 25 Hurricanes
2020-08-08 Hurricanes 31 – 18 Chiefs
2021-03-20 Hurricanes 29 – 35 Chiefs
Chiefs overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 39, won 16, lost 21, drawn 2
Match Officials and details
Match : Chiefs v Hurricanes
Date : FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Venue : Friday 23 April
Kick Off local: 19:05
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Fraser
TMO : Glenn Newmann
Teams
Chiefs
Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross.
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Oliver Norris, Sione Mafileo, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Rameka Poihipi, Chase Tiatia
Hurricanes
Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Ruben Love, Luke Campbell, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Xavier Numia.
Replacements:Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Brayden Iose, Cam Roigard, Billy Proctor.
Crusaders v Blues Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Crusaders have played the Blues 38 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Crusaders have won 26 matches, lost 11 times and drawn once.
The Crusaders 26 wins out of 38 matches gives them a record of winning 68% of their matches against the Blues regardless of venue.
The average score when the Crusaders play the Blues is : Crusaders 26 Blues 20.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Crusaders and they have had home advantage in 18 of the 38 matches.
In those 18 Crusaders home matches they have won 15 matches and lost 3.
The average score when the Crusaders play the Blues at home is : Crusaders 30 Blues 18.
The Crusaders have the last 13 matches between these teams as the Blues have not beaten the Christchurch side since February 2014.
The Bookies have given the Blues a 7 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Average score: Crusaders 26 Blues 20.
Last five results 2019-02-16 Blues 22 – 24 Crusaders
2019-05-25 Crusaders 19 – 11 Blues
2020-02-14 Blues 8 – 25 Crusaders
2020-07-11 Crusaders 26 – 15 Blues
2021-03-21 Blues 27 – 43 Crusaders
Crusaders overall record against the Blues
Played 38, won 26, lost 11, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match : Crusaders v Blues
Date : Sunday 25 April
Venue : Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 15:35
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 1:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:Paul Williams
TMO : Chris Hart
Teams
Crusaders
1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (VC), 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Scott Barrett (C), 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Sione Havili Talitui, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge , 12. David Havili (VC), 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Mitchell Dunshea, 20. Tom Sanders, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Dallas McLeod, 23. Manasa Mataele,
Blues
15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane ©, 12 Tanielu Tele’a, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii ©, 6 Blake Gibson, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Replacements:16 Soane Vikena, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Taine Plumtree, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Otere Black, 23 AJ Lam.
