Super Rugby team by team preview quarter-final round

After eighteen weeks of Super rugby and 120 matches, we are finally at the knock out stage of the tournament and we now know who the top eight teams are in 2019.

New Zealand have four Super rugby teams, South Africa have two and Australia and Argentina both have one in the playoffs.

In our current form rankings which is based upon the last five matches, points scored, points conceded and matches won the top eight teams are coincidentally the 8 teams that have made the playoffs.

All 8 teams are hitting form at the right time. The Jaguares top the form rankings as they have won their last five matches. The Brumbies have an even more impressive run as they have won their last six matches but had a bye in the middle of that run which is why the Jaguares took the top spot.

Super rugby form rankings

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

---

Crusaders v Highlanders Super Rugby Preview

The Crusaders have played the Highlanders 36 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Crusaders have won 24 matches, lost 11 times and drawn once.

The Crusaders 24 wins out of 36 matches gives them a record of winning 67% of their matches against the Highlanders regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Christchurch which is home for the Crusaders and the city in which the teams have met 18 times.

In those 18 matches played in Christchurch, the Crusaders have won 15 matches and lost 3. This gives the Crusaders a record of winning 53% of their matches against the Highlanders at home.

The average score when the Crusaders play the Highlanders in Christchurch is : Crusaders 33 Highlanders 20.

The Crusaders have won the last four matches against the Highlanders in Christchurch and the Highlanders have not won in the city since 2015.

The Crusaders have played three elimination matches in Christchurch against
the Highlanders and they have won all three.

The Bookies have given the Highlanders a 15 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Crusaders 28 Highlanders 20

Last five results
Fri, 12 Apr 2019 Crusaders v Highlanders 43-17 Christchurch
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 Crusaders v Highlanders 0-0 Dunedin
Fri, 06 Jul 2018 Crusaders v Highlanders 45-22 Christchurch
Sat, 17 Mar 2018 Crusaders v Highlanders 17-25 Dunedin
Sat, 22 Jul 2017 Elim Crusaders v Highlanders 17-0 Christchurch

Crusaders overall record against the Highlanders
Played 36, Wins 24, Losses 11, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date: Fri 21 June
Venue: Orangetheory (AMI) Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 19.35
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 2: Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Ben Skeen

Teams

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetu Douglas, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Sio Tomkinson, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (co-captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 1 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Josh Dickson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Elliot Dixon

---

Jaguares v Chiefs Super Rugby Preview

The Jaguares have played the Chiefs 3 times in Super rugby since 2016 and the Jaguares have won 1 match and lost 2.

The Jaguares 1 win from 3 matches gives them a record of winning 33% of their matches against the Chiefs regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Buenos Aires which is home for the Jaguares and the venue where the teams have met twice before.

In those 2 matches played in Buenos Aires, the Jaguares were beaten on both occasions. The Chiefs are therefore unbeaten in Buenos Aires.

The average score when the Jaguares play the Chiefs in Buenos Aires is : Jaguares 25 Chiefs 26.

The Jaguares and Chiefs played earlier this season and the Chiefs won 30-27 – in Buenos Aires.

The Bookies have given the Chiefs a 4 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Jaguares 25 Chiefs 26

Last three results
Sat, 30 Mar 2019 Jaguares v Chiefs 27-30 Buenos Aires
Fri, 04 May 2018 Jaguares v Chiefs 23-19 Rotorua
Sat, 19 Mar 2016 Jaguares v Chiefs 26-30 Buenos Aires

Jaguares overall record against the Chiefs
Played 3 , Wins 1, Losses 2 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Fri 21 June
Venue : Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick Off local: 19.05
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Federico Anselmi
TMO : Santiago Borsani

Teams

Jaguares

15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (captain), 11 Matias Moroni, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Mayco Vivas

Replacements : 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Tomas Lezana, 20 Francisco Gorrissen, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Santiago Carreras

Chiefs

1. Atu Moli , 2. Nathan Harris ,3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Brodie Retallick , 5. Tyler Ardron , 6. Lachlan Boshier, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Pita Gus Sowakula , 9. Brad Weber , 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Sean Wainui , 12. Anton Lienert-Brown , 13. Tumua Manu, 14. Shaun Stevenson , 15. Solomon Alaimalo

Replacements : 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Aidan Ross , 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Jesse Parete, 20. Mitchell Jacobson , 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi , 22. Marty McKenzie , 23. Alex Nankivell/Ataata Moeakiola

---

Hurricanes v Bulls Super Rugby Preview

The Hurricanes have played the Bulls 19 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Hurricanes have won 10 matches, lost 9 times and drawn none.

The Hurricanes 10 wins out of 19 matches gives them a record of winning 53% of their matches against the Bulls regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Wellington which is home for the Hurricanes and the venue where the teams have met 6 times.

In those 6 matches played in Wellington, the Hurricanes have won 3 matches and lost 3. This gives the Hurricanes a record of winning 50% of their matches against the Bulls at home.

The average score when the Hurricanes play the Bulls in Wellington is : Hurricanes 21 Bulls 22.

In the last four matches played in Wellington between these teams they have alternated victories. The Hurricanes won the last match and that was back in 2014.

The last time these teams met was last year in 2018 and the Bulls won 21-19 in Pretoria.

The Bookies have given the Bulls a 14 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Hurricanes 25 Bulls 25

Last five results
Sat, 24 Feb 2018 Hurricanes v Bulls 19-21 Pretoria
Sat, 27 May 2017 Hurricanes v Bulls 34-20 Pretoria
Fri, 20 Feb 2015 Hurricanes v Bulls 17-13 Pretoria
Sat, 05 Apr 2014 Hurricanes v Bulls 25-20 Wellington
Sat, 04 May 2013 Hurricanes v Bulls 14-48 Pretoria

Hurricanes overall record against the Bulls
Played 19, Wins 10, Losses 9, Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Sat 22 June
Venue : Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick Off local: 19.35
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Brendon Pickerill
TMO :Glenn Newman

Teams

Hurricanes

15.Jordie Barrett 14 Wes Goosen 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen 12 Ngani Laumape 11 Ben Lam 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Gareth Evans 7 Ardie Savea 6 Reed Prinsep 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere 4 James Blackwell 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles (c) 1 Toby Smith

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua 17 Fraser Armstrong 18 Ben May or Alex Fidow 19 Kane Le’aupepe 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi 21 Richard Judd or Finlay Christie 22 James Marshall 23 Salesi Rayasi

Bulls

15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Johnny Kotze, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Handré Pollard (captain), 9. Andre Warner, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Hanro Liebenberg, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. RG Snyman, 4. Jason Jenkins, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka

Replacements:: 16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Ruan Steenkamp, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Divan Rossouw

---

Brumbies v Sharks Super Rugby Preview

The Brumbies have played the Sharks 20 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Brumbies have won 9 matches, lost 11 times and drawn none.

The Brumbies 20 wins out of 30 matches gives them a record of winning 55% of their matches against the Sharks regardless of venue.

This weekend the match will be played in Canberra which is home for the Brumbies and the venue where the teams have met 12 times.

In those 12 matches played in Canberra, the Brumbies have won 9 matches and lost 3. This gives the Brumbies a record of winning 75% of their matches against the Sharks at home.

The average score when the Brumbies play the Sharks in Canberra is : Brumbies 29 Sharks 20.

These teams have alternated wins in Canberra since 2010. In the last five matches, the Brumbies have won three and lost two.

The Bookies have given the Sharks a 7 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Brumbies 25 Sharks 21

Last five results
Sat, 17 Mar 2018 Brumbies v Sharks 24-17 Canberra
Sat, 04 Mar 2017 Brumbies v Sharks 22-27 Canberra
Sat, 10 May 2014 Brumbies v Sharks 16-9 Canberra
Sat, 16 Mar 2013 Brumbies v Sharks 29-10 Durban
Sat, 31 Mar 2012 Brumbies v Sharks 26-29 Canberra

Brumbies overall record against the Sharks
Played 20 , Wins 11, Losses 9 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Sat 22 June
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local: 20.05
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2:Graham Cooper
TMO : James Leckie

Teams

Brumbies

Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Jahrome Brown, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 Tom Wright.

Sharks

15. Curwin Bosch 14. Sbu Nkosi 13. Lukhanyo Am 12. Andre Esterhuizen 11. Makazole Mapimpi 10. Robert du Preez 9. Louis Schreuder (c) 8. Daniel du Preez 7. Tyler Paul 6. Jacques Vermeulen 5. Hyron Andrews 4. Ruben van Heerden 3. Coenie Oosthuizen 2. Kerron van Vuuren 1. Mzamo Majola

Replacements 16. Cullen Collopy 17. Juan Schoeman 18. Thomas du Toit 19. Gideon Koegelenberg 20. Luke Stringer 21. Cameron Wright 22. Jeremy Ward 23. Rhyno Smith