Auckland’s Blues lead the standings after the opening round of Super Rugby Aotearoa but they have a bye this weekend, so the second-placed Crusaders have the opportunity to take the lead.
The same applies for the Chiefs, Hurricanes, and Highlanders though so we are in for an exciting round.
In Australia, after two Rounds of Super Rugby AU the Brumbies (1st) and Reds (2nd) are leading the table but as the Reds have a bye this weekend the Canberra side has the chance to pull away.
The Waratahs are still looking for their first win of the season and this weekend they are at home against the Western Force who is also in the hunt for their first win in 2021.
In a late change to the fixtures, New Zealand Rugby has announced the Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 2 match against the Hurricanes will be delayed by one day in a bid to allow fans to attend the match at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, 6 March, the Crusaders v Hurricanes match will now kick-off at 4.35 pm on Sunday, 7 March.
The new date would allow fans to attend the match, provided New Zealand’s current COVID alert levels do not last more than their scheduled seven days. The Government moved Auckland to level 3 and the rest of New Zealand to level 2 with the restrictions in place until Saturday, 6 March. Super Rugby Aotearoa matches will be played without crowds at level 2.
NSW Waratahs v Western Force Super Rugby AU Preview
The NSW Waratahs have played the Western Force 20 times in Super rugby since 2006, the NSW Waratahs have won 20 matches, lost six times, and drawn once.
The NSW Waratahs 13 wins out of 20 matches gives them a record of winning 65% of their matches against the Western Force regardless of venue.
The average score when the NSW Waratahs play the Western Force is NSW Waratahs 22 Western Force 16.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the NSW Waratahs and they have had home advantage in 9 of the 20 matches.
In those 9 NSW Waratahs home matches, they have won five matches and lost three.
The average score when the NSW Waratahs play the Western Force at home is Waratahs 21 Force 18.
The Waratahs have won four of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Waratahs 23 Western Force 16
Last five results
2016-04-23 Western Force NSW 13 – 49 Waratahs
2017-02-25 NSW Waratahs 19 – 13 Western Force
2017-07-15 Western Force 40 – 11 NSW Waratahs
2020-07-11 NSW Waratahs 23 – 14 Western Force
2020-08-14 Western Force 8 – 28 NSW Waratahs
NSW Waratahs overall record against the Western Force
Played 20, won 13, lost 6, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match: NSW Waratahs v Western Force
Date: Friday 5 March
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off local: 19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Amy Perrett
Assistant Ref 2: Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
Teams
Waratahs
Tetera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Sam Caird, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Tepai Moeroa, Alex Newsome (c), Jack Maddocks, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Replacements: Tom Horton, Sio Tatola, Chris Talakai, Jack Whetton, Jeremy Williams, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly
Western Force
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Fergus Lee-Warner, Tim Anstee, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander (c), Tomas Cubelli, Jake McIntyre, Toni Pulu, Richard Kahui, Tevita Kuridrani, Byron Ralston, Rob Kearney
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Tomas Lezana, Ian Prior, Domingo Miotti, Marcel Brache
Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby AU Preview
The Brumbies have played the Rebels 20 times in Super Rugby since 2011, the Brumbies have won 11 matches, lost nine times, and drawn none.
The Brumbies’ 11 wins out of 20 matches gives them a record of winning 55% of their matches against the Rebels regardless of venue.
The average score when the Brumbies play the Melbourne Rebels is Brumbies 26 Rebels 21.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Brumbies and they have had home advantage in 10 of the 20 matches.
In those 10 Brumbies home matches, they have won seven matches and lost three.
The average score when the Brumbies play the Melbourne Rebels at home is Brumbies 30 Rebels 18.
The Rebels have won three of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Brumbies 26 Melbourne Rebels 21
Last five results
2019-02-15 Brumbies 27 – 34 Rebels
2019-03-08 Rebels 29 – 26 Brumbies
2020-02-07 Brumbies 39 – 26 Rebels
2020-07-04 Brumbies 31 – 23 Rebels
2020-08-07 Rebels 30 – 12 Brumbies
Brumbies overall record against the Melbourne Rebels
Played 20, won 11, lost 9, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels
Date: Saturday 6 March
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off local: 19:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1: Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2: Nic Berry
TMO: Brett Cronan
Teams
Brumbies
Scott Sio, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Mack Hansen, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, James Tucker*, Tom Cusack, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Solomone Kata
Melbourne Rebels
Cabous Eloff, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Ross Haylett-Petty, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Stacey Ili, Lachlan Anderson, Tom Pincus
Replacements: Ed Craig, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Lucio Sordoni, Steve Cummins, Rob Leota, James Tuttle/Brad Wilkin/Tom Nowlan (TBC), Frank Lomani, Glen Vaihu
Chiefs v Highlanders Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Chiefs have played the Highlanders 35 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Chiefs have won 18 matches, lost 16 times, and drawn once.
The Chiefs’ 18 wins out of 35 matches gives them a record of winning 51 % of their matches against the Highlanders regardless of venue.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Highlanders is Chiefs 24 Highlanders 23.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Chiefs and they have had home advantage in 17 of the 35 matches.
In those 17 Chiefs home matches, they have won nine matches and lost eight.
The average score when the Chiefs play the Highlanders at home is Chiefs 24 Highlanders 21.
The Highlanders have won both of the last two matches between these teams in Super rugby Aotearoa.
Average score: Chiefs Highlanders
Last two results in Super rugby Aotearoa
2020-06-13 Highlanders 28 – 27 Chiefs
2020-07-19 Chiefs 31 – 33 Highlanders
Chiefs overall record against the Highlanders
Played 35, won 18, lost 16, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match: Chiefs v Highlanders
Date: Friday 5 March
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: James Doleman
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
Teams
Chiefs
Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (co-c), Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Sione Mafileo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill
Replacements: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta’avao, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Xavier Roe, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson
Highlanders
Mitch Hunt, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngantungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Folau Fakatava, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Jack Regan, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-c), Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Liam Squire, Aaron Smith (co-c), Solomon Alaimalo, Hugh Renton
Crusaders v Hurricanes Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Crusaders have played the Hurricanes 40 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Crusaders have won 24 matches, lost 13 times, and drawn three.
The Crusaders’ 24 wins out of 40 matches gives them a record of winning 60% of their matches against the Hurricanes regardless of venue.
The average score when the Crusaders play the Hurricanes is Crusaders 27 Hurricanes 20.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Crusaders and they have had home advantage in 23 of the 40 matches.
In those 23 home matches, the Crusaders have won 16 matches and lost six.
The average score when the Crusaders play the Hurricanes at home is Crusaders 28 Hurricanes 20.
The Hurricanes won the last match between these teams but the Crusaders have won four of the last five meetings.
Average score: Crusaders 27 Hurricanes 20
Last five results
2019-02-23 Crusaders 38 – 22 Hurricanes
2019-03-29 Hurricanes 8 – 32 Crusaders
2019-06-29 Crusaders 30 – 26 Hurricanes
2020-06-21 Hurricanes 25 – 39 Crusaders
2020-07-25 Crusaders 32 – 34 Hurricanes
Crusaders overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 40, won 24, lost 13, drawn 3
Match Officials and details
Match: Crusaders v Hurricanes
Date: Sunday 7 March
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off local: 16:35
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: James Doleman
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
Teams
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor (VC) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett (C) 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Ethan Blackadder 7. Tom Christie 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Jack Goodhue 14. Sevu Reece 15. David Havili (VC)
Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. George Bower 18. Fletcher Newell 19. Quinten Strange 20. Sione Havili Talitui 21. Bryn Hall 22. Fergus Burke 23. Will Jordan
Hurricanes
1: Fraser Armstrong 2: Asafo Aumua 3: Tyrel Lomax 4: James Blackwell 5: Isaia Walker-Leaware 6: Reed Prinsep 7: Du’Plessis Kirifi 8: Ardie Savea (c) 9: Jonathan Taumateine 10: Jackson Garden-Bachop 11: Julian Savea 12: Ngani Laumape 13: Peter Umaga-Jensen 14: Wes Goosen 15: Jordie Barrett
Replacements Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Luke Campbell, Billy Proctor, Salesi Rayasi
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