Super Rugby AU has reached the eighth round of the tournament, and after this weekend, there is just one more round of the regular season before the finals.
The New Zealand teams started a week later than their Australian counterparts, so they are in round seven this weekend, but both tournaments will finish on the same weekend as the NZ sides do not have a Qualifying Final round.
The Crusaders and Blues lead the standings in Super Rugby Aotearoa, in Australia, the Queensland Reds and Brumbies are pulling away from the pack.
The Reds host the Brumbies this weekend on Saturday, and the Canberra side could overtake their Queensland rivals with a bonus-point win this weekend.
The Crusaders will be looking to bounce back from their upset loss to the Highlanders, who themselves are up against a resurgent Chiefs side.
The Blues and the NSW Waratahs have the weekend off with the bye.
Melbourne Rebels v Western Force Super Rugby AU Preview
The Melbourne Rebels have played the Western Force 16 times in Super rugby since 2011, the Rebels have won 12 matches, lost 4 times, with no draws.
The Rebels’ 12 wins give them a record of winning 69% of their matches against the Western Force regardless of venue.
The average score when the Melbourne Rebels play the Western Force is Rebels 24 Force 23.
This weekend, the match will be played at home for the Rebels; they have had home advantage in seven of the 16 matches.
In those seven Rebels home matches, they have won five matches and lost two.
The average score when Melbourne plays the Western Force at home is Rebels 25 Force 23.
The Rebels have won four of the last five meetings between these teams – the last three matches have been won by the Rebels.
Average score: Rebels 24 Western Force 23
Last five results
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
2021-03-12 Western Force 7 – 10 Rebels
Melbourne Rebels overall record against the Western Force
Played 16, won 12, lost 4, drawn 0
Match Officials and details
Match: Melbourne Rebels v Western Force
Date: Friday 9 April
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off local: 19:45
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1: Amy Perrett
Assistant Ref 2: James Quinn
TMO: James Leckie
Teams
Melbourne Rebels
15 Reece Hodge, 14 Frank Lomani, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Lewis Holland, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Robert Leota, 3 Pone Fa’amausili, 2 James Hanson, 1 Cabous Eloff
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Steven Cummins, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Tom Pincus, 23 Jeral Skelton
Western Force
15 Jack McGregor, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin (captain), 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Tomás Lezana, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Jack Winchester, 18 Angus Wagner, 19 Kieran Longbottom, 20 Ryan McCauley, 21 Tim Anstee, 22 Brynard Stander, 23 Ian Prior
Queensland Reds v Brumbies Super Rugby AU Preview
The Queensland Reds have played the Brumbies 38 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Reds have won 10 matches, lost 27 times, and drawn once.
The Reds’ 10 wins out of 38 matches gives them a record of winning 29% of their matches against the Brumbies regardless of venue.
The average score when the Queensland Reds play the Brumbies is Reds 18 Brumbies 27.
This weekend, the match will be played at home for the Queensland Reds; they have had home advantage in 16 of the 38 matches.
In those 16 Queensland home matches, they have won six matches and lost nine.
The average score when the Queensland Reds play the Brumbies at home is Reds 17 Brumbies 21.
The Brumbies have won three of the last five meetings between these teams.
The Bookies have given the Reds a 4 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Average score: Queensland Reds 18 Brumbies 27.
Last five results
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
2021-03-13 Brumbies 38 – 40 Queensland Reds
Queensland Reds overall record against the Brumbies
Played 38, won 10, lost 27, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match: Queensland Reds v Brumbies
Date: Saturday 10 April
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off local: 19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2: Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
Teams
Queensland Reds
15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Jock Campbell, 10 James O’Connor (captain), 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Feao Fotuaika
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Richie Asiata, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Seru Uru, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Josh Flook, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Nick Frost, 20 James Tucker, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Mack Hansen
Highlanders v Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Highlanders have played the Chiefs 42 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Highlanders have won 12 matches, lost 29 times, and drawn once.
The Highlanders’ 12 wins give them a record of winning 29% of their matches against the Chiefs regardless of venue.
The average score when the Landers play the Chiefs is Highlanders 19 Chiefs 29.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Highlanders; they have had home advantage in 19 of the 42 matches.
In those 19 Highlanders’ home matches, they have won seven matches and lost 11.
The average score when the Highlanders play the Chiefs in Otago is Highlanders 19 Chiefs 25.
The Chiefs have won four of the last five meetings between these teams. The other result in the last five ended in a draw, so the Highlanders have not lost to the Chiefs since June 2018.
Average score: Highlanders 19 Chiefs 29.
Last five results
2019-02-15 Chiefs 27 – 30 Highlanders
2019-05-04 Highlanders 31 – 31 Chiefs Draw
2020-06-13 Highlanders 28 – 27 Chiefs
2020-07-19 Chiefs 31 – 33Highlanders
2021-03-05 Chiefs 23 – 39 Highlanders
Highlanders overall record against the Chiefs
Played 42, won 12, lost 29, drawn 1
Match Officials and details
Match: Highlanders v Chiefs
Date: Saturday 10 April
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off local: 19:05
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Chris Hart
Teams
Highlanders
Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngatungane Punivai, Patelesio Tomkinson, Scott Gregory, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith, Kazuki Himeno, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Billy Harmon, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Hugh Renton.
Chiefs
Aidan Ross , Samisoni Taukei’aho , Angus Ta’avao , Tupou Vaa’i , Naitoa Ah Kuoi , Mitchell Brown , Kaylum Boshier , Luke Jacobson , Brad Weber (c), Kaleb Trask , Etene Nanai-Seturo , Quinn Tupaea , Anton Lienert-Brown , Jonah Lowe , Damian McKenzie
Replacements: Bradley Slater , Ollie Norris, Joe Apikotoa , Samipeni Finau , Pita Gus Sowakula , Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi , Alex Nankivell , Shaun Stevenson
Hurricanes v Crusaders Super Rugby Aotearoa Preview
The Hurricanes have played the Crusaders 41 times in Super Rugby since 1996, the Hurricanes have won 13 matches, lost 25 times, and drawn three times.
The Hurricanes’ 13 wins give them a record of winning 32% of their matches against the Crusaders regardless of venue.
The average score when the Hurricanes play the Crusaders is Hurricanes 20 Crusaders 27.
This weekend the match will be played at home for the Hurricanes; they have had home advantage in 17 of the 41 matches.
In those 17 Hurricanes home matches, they have won seven matches and lost nine (+1 draw).
The average score when the Canes play the Saders at home is Hurricanes 20 Crusaders 26.
The Crusaders have won four of the last five meetings between these teams.
Average score: Hurricanes 20 Crusaders 27
Last five results
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
2021-03-07 Crusaders 33 – 16 Hurricanes
Hurricanes overall record against the Crusaders
Played 41, won 13, lost 25, drawn 3
Match Officials and details
Match: Hurricanes v Crusaders
Date: Sunday 11 April
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off local: 15:35
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Glenn Newman
Teams
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Luke Campbell, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Jordie Barrett,
Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Tevita Mafileo,18. Alex Fidow, 19. Scott Scrafton, 20. Vaea Fifita,21. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22. Jonathan Taumateine, 23. Billy Proctor
Crusaders
Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Replacements:Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Michael Alaalatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Mitch Drummond, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku.
