Super Rugby previews Rd.4 AU & Rd.3 Aotearoa

Super Rugby continues this weekend with the fourth round of Super Rugby AU and the third of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

In Australia, the Brumbies have gone top of Super Rugby AU ahead of the Queensland Reds, who they will host this weekend in Canberra. The Reds realistically need a bonus-point win to go top of the standings.

Before the Brumbies vs Reds match, the Western Force take on the Melbourne Rebels in Perth. The Rebels are away from home and still looking for their first win of the season.

In New Zealand, the Crusaders –– who lead the standings of Super Rugby Aotearoa –– host the Chiefs, who are currently in fourth place.

The Crusaders lead the Highlanders by four points in the standings, so the odds are on the defending champions retaining the lead.

The Highlanders play the Blues away in Auckland this weekend. While the Highlanders are second in the standings, the Blues have home advantage in what will be a tough contest.

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Western Force v Rebels Super Rugby AU Preview

The Western Force have played the Melbourne Rebels 15 times in Super Rugby since 2011 and the Force have won four matches and lost 11 times.

The Western Force’s four wins only give them a 27% win-record against the Melbourne Rebels regardless of venue.

The average score when these teams meet is Western Force 15 Melbourne Rebels 24.

This weekend, the Super Rugby AU match will be played at home for the Force –– they have had home advantage in eight of the 15 matches.

In those eight Western Force home Super Rugby matches, they have won twice but lost six.

The average score when the Force plays the Rebels at home is Western Force 24 Melbourne Rebels 24.

The Western Australian side has only won one of the last five meetings between these teams.

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

Average score: Western Force 15 Rebels 24.

Last five results
2016-02-27 Western Force 19-25 Rebels
2016-05-29 Rebels 27-22 Western Force
2017-07-07 Western Force 31-22 Rebels
2020-07-31 Western Force 20-25 Rebels
2020-09-05 Rebels 34 -30 Western Force

Western Force overall record against the Rebels
Played 15, won 4, lost 11, drawn 0

Match Officials and details
Match: Western Force v Melbourne Rebels
Date: Friday 12 March
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Kick-Off local: 17:45
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 1: Reuben Keane
Assistant Ref 2: Brett Cronan
TMO: Kyle Burnett

Teams

Western Force

15 Rob Kearney, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Tevita Kuridrani. 12 Richard Kahui, 11 Marcel Brache, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Brynard Stander (captain), 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Ryan McCauley, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Tom Robertson

Replacements: 16 Jack Winchester, 17 Angus Wagner, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Henry Taefu, 23 Jack McGregor

Melbourne Rebels

15 Tom Pincus, 14 Lachlan Anderson, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Joshua Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Pone Faamausili, 2 James Hanson, 1 Cabous Eloff

Replacements: 16 Ed Craig, 17 Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Robert Leota, 21 Brad Wilkin/Tom Nowlan, 22 James Tuttle, 23 Frank Lomani/Carter

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Brumbies v Reds Super Rugby AU Preview

The Brumbies have played the Queensland Reds 37 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Brumbies have won 27 matches, lost nine times and drawn once.

The Brumbies’ 27 wins give them a record of winning 73% of their matches against the Queensland Reds regardless of venue.

The average score when these sides play is Brumbies 27 Queensland Reds 17.

This weekend, this Super Rugby AU match will be played at home for the Brumbies –– they have had home advantage in 21 of the 37 matches.

In those 21 home Super Rugby matches, the Brumbies have won 18 matches and lost only three.

The average score when the Brumbies play the Queensland Reds at home is Brumbies 32 Reds 17.

The ACT side has won four of the last five meetings between these teams.

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

Average score: Brumbies 27 Reds 17

Last five results
2019-06-15 Brumbies 40 -27 Queensland Reds
2020-01-31 Brumbies 27 -24 Queensland Reds
2020-08-01 Brumbies 22 -20 Queensland Reds
2020-09-05 Queensland Reds 26 -7 Brumbies
2020-09-19 Brumbies 28 -23 Queensland Reds

Brumbies overall record against the Reds
Played 37, won 27, lost 9, drawn x

Match Officials and details
Match: Brumbies v Queensland Reds
Date: Saturday 13 March
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off local: 19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2: Amy Perrett
TMO: James Leckie

Teams

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack (captain), 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Tom Ross, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa

Reds

15 Jock Campbell, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor (captain), 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Dane Zander

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Josh Flook

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Crusaders v Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview

The Crusaders have played the Chiefs 38 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Crusaders have won 23 matches and lost 15 times.

The Crusaders’ 23 wins give them a record of winning 61% of their matches against the Chiefs regardless of venue.

The average score when the two Kiwi teams meet is Crusaders 27 Chiefs 21.

This weekend, the Super Rugby Aotearoa match will be played at home for the Crusaders –– they have had home advantage in 17 of the 38 matches.

In those 17 Crusaders home Super Rugby matches, they have won 12 matches and lost just five.

The average score when the Crusaders play the Chiefs at home is the Crusaders 30 Chiefs 19.

The Christchurch team has won three of the last five meetings between these teams including the last two.

The Bookies have given the Chiefs a 16 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Crusaders 27 Chiefs 21

Last five results
2019-03-09 Crusaders 57 – 28 Chiefs
2019-06-01 Chiefs 40 -27 Crusaders
2020-02-08 Chiefs 25 -15 Chiefs
2020-06-28 Crusaders 18 – 13Chiefs
2020-08-01 Chiefs 19 -32 Crusaders

Crusaders overall record against the Chiefs
Played 38, won 23, lost 15, drawn 0

Match Officials and details
Match: Crusaders v Chiefs
Date:  Saturday 13 March
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Ref 1: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Paul Williams

Teams

Crusaders

1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (VC) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett (C) 5. Samuel Whitelock 6. Sione Havili Talitui 7. Tom Christie 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku 12. David Havili (VC) 13. Jack Goodhue 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan

Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister 17. Joe Moody 18. Fletcher Newell 19. Mitchell Dunshea 20. Whetukamokamo Douglas 21. Bryn Hall 22. Fergus Burke 23. Dallas McLeod

Chiefs

Reuben O’Neill , Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao , Tupou Vaa’i , Josh Lord, Mitchell Brown ,Sam Cane ,(cc) Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, (cc) Bryn Gatland ,Etene Nanai-Seturo , Quinn Tupaea , Sean Wainui , Shaun Stevenson ,Damian McKenzie.

Replacements: Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross , Sione Mafileo , Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi , Anton Lienert-Brown , Chase Tiatia.

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Blues v Highlanders Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview

The Blues have played the Highlanders 35 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Blues have won 19 matches and lost 16 times.

The Blues’ 19 wins give them a record of winning 54% of their matches against the Highlanders regardless of venue.

The average score when these franchises meet is Blues 26 Highlanders 23.

This weekend, this Super Rugby Aotearoa match will be played at home for the Blues –– they have had home advantage in 18 of the 35 matches.

In those 18 Blues home Super Rugby matches, they have won 13 matches and lost five.

The average score when the Blues play the Highlanders at home is Blues 28 Highlanders 22.

The Auckland side has won three of the last five meetings between these teams and both of the last two.

The Bookies have given the Highlanders a 9 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Blues 26 Highlanders 23.

Last five results
2018-02-23 Highlanders 41 -34 Blues
2018-04-20 Blues 16 -34 Highlanders
2019-03-22 Blues 33 -26 Highlanders
2019-04-20 Highlanders 24 -12 Blues
2020-06-27 Blues 27 -24 Highlanders
2020-08-02 Highlanders 21 -32 Blues

Blues overall record against the Highlanders
Played 35, won 19, lost 16, drawn 0

Match Officials and details
Match: Blues v Highlanders
Date: Sunday 14 March
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-Off local: 15:35
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: Paul Williams

Teams

Blues

15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5.Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (C), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Luteru Tolai, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 James Lay, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tom Robinson, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Tanielu Tele’a, 23 Emoni Narawa.

Highlanders

1. Ethan De Groot 2. Liam Coltman 3. Siate Tokolahi 4. Josh Dickson 5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 6. Shannon Frizell 7. James Lentjes 8. Hugh Renton 9. Aaron Smith (cc) 10. Josh Ioane 11 Jona Nareki 12. Patelesio Tomkinson 13. Michael Collins 14. Ngatugnane Punivai 15. Connor Garden-Bachop

Replacements: 16. Ash Dixon (cc) 17. Josh Hohneck 18. Jeff Thwaites 19. Bryn Evans 20. Marino Mikaele Tu’u 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Mitch Hunt 23. Billy Harmon

 

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