Super rugby returns from the June International break for Round 17 which means that there are just three rounds remaining before the play offs.
Super rugby’s leading team the Crusaders have a bye this weekend which could allow some of their rivals to make up some ground even though they will return next week still leading the standings.
In our current form rankings which is based upon the last five matches, points scored, matches won and points conceded the Crusaders have overtaken the Jaguares and are back on top.
The Crusaders have the longest winning streak as they have won their last nine matches.
The Jaguares have won their last seven matches and are keeping the Lions under pressure in the South African Conference.
Current form ranking
1 Crusaders – V – V – L – L – V – V – V – B – V – V – V – V – V – V – V
2 Jaguares – L – L – L – V – L – V – B – L – V – V – V – V – B – V – V
3 Rebels – V – V – V – L – V – L – B – L – L – L – L – V – B – V – V
4 Highlanders – V – B – V – V – L – L – B – V – V – V – L – V – L – V – V
5 Lions – V – V – V – L – V – L – L – V – B – V – L – L – L – V – V
6 Brumbies – V – L – L – V – B – L – V – L – L – L – B – L – L – V – V
7 Waratahs – V – D – L – V – B – V – V – V – L – B – L – L – V – L – V
8 Sharks – L – B – D – V – L – L – V – L – L – V – B – V – L – V – L
9 Hurricanes – L – V – V – B – V – V – V – V – B – V – V – V – V – L – L
10 Chiefs – L – V – B – V – V – V – V – L – V – B – L – V – L – V – L
11 Sunwolves – L – L – L – L – L – B – L – L – L – L – B – V – V – L – L
12 Stormers – V – L – L – L – V – V – L – L – B – L – V – V – L – L – L
13 Bulls – B – V – L – L – L – L – V – B – V – V – L – L – V – L – L
14 Blues – L – L – V – L – B – L – L – V – L – L – V – L – L – B – L
15 Reds – L – V – V – V – L – B – L – L – L – V – B – L – L – L – L
Blues v Reds Super Rugby Preview
The first Super rugby match this weekend is in Auckland where the Blues host Australian rivals the Queensland Reds at Eden Park.
The Blues have played the Reds 22 times in Super rugby and both teams have won ten, lost ten and drawn two super rugby matches.
This weekend the match will be played in Auckland where the teams have met six times before and in those six matches the Blues have won four lost one and drawn one.
The average score when the Blues host the Reds in Auckland is Blues 26 Reds 25.
This year the Blues have played 13 matches and won 3. They have played 7 matches at home but have yet to win at home.
The Reds have played 13 matches as well but they have won four matches. The Reds have played 7 matches away from home and won one.
Average score: Blues 26 Reds 25
Last five results
Fri, 02 Jun 2017 Blues v Reds 34-29 Apia
Sat, 19 Mar 2016 Blues v Reds 25-25 Brisbane
Fri, 02 May 2014 Blues v Reds 44-14 Auckland
Fri, 26 Apr 2013 Blues v Reds 11-12 Brisbane
Fri, 27 Apr 2012 Blues v Reds 11-23 Auckland
Blues overall record against the Reds
Played 22, Wins 10, Losses 10 , Draws 2
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 29 June
Venue : Eden Park, Auckland
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 1:Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 2:Glen Jackson
TMO : Ben Skeen
Teams
Blues
15. Matt Duffie, 14. Melani Nanai, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Rieko Ioane, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 9. Augustine Pulu © or Sam Nock; 8. Akira Ioane, 7. Blake Gibson, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Matiaha Martin, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 2. James Parsons, 1. Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16. Matt Moulds/Leni Apisai, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Jacob Pierce, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23 TJ Faiane/Tumua Manu.
Reds
1. JP Smith , 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa , 3. Taniela Tupou , 4. Harry Hockings , 5. Kane Douglas , 6. Lukhan Tui , 7. George Smith , 8. Scott Higginbotham (C) 9. Moses Sorovi , 10. Hamish Stewart , 11. Eto Nabuli , 12. Duncan Paia’aua , 13. Samu Kerevi, , 14. Jordan Petaia , 15. Jono Lance
Replacements: 16. Alex Mafi , 17. Harry Hoopert , 18. Ruan Smith , 19. Caleb Timu , 20. Angus Scott-Young , 21. Tate McDermott , 22. Aidan Toua , 23. Filipo Daugunu
Rebels v Waratahs Super Rugby Preview
The second Super rugby match on Friday in Round 17 is between the Rebels and the Waratahs in Melbourne and will be a battle for the top spot in the Australian conference.
The Rebels first ever Super rugby match was in 2011 and was against the Waratahs. They lost 0-43 at home in Melbourne. The Rebels have now played the Waratahs 14 times and they have won two.
That means that the Waratahs have won 12 out of 14 matches between the sides which gives the Rebels a record of winning 14% of their matches against the
Sydney club.
These teams have met 6 times in Melbourne and the Rebels and won one and lost five. The average score when the Rebels play the Waratahs in Melbourne is Rebels 19 Waratahs 35.
This season the Rebels have played 13 matches and won 7. They have played 7 matches at home and won four.
The Waratahs have played 13 matches and they to have won 7 but they have also earned a draw. Away from home the Waratahs have played 7 matches and won three – and the one draw.
Average score: Rebels 19 Waratahs 33
Last five results
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 Rebels v Waratahs 27-51 Sydney
Sun, 21 May 2017 Rebels v Waratahs 23-50 Sydney
Fri, 24 Mar 2017 Rebels v Waratahs 25-32 Melbourne
Sun, 03 Apr 2016 Rebels v Waratahs 21-17 Sydney
Sat, 25 Apr 2015 Rebels v Waratahs 16-18 Sydney
Rebels overall record against the Waratahs
Played 14, Wins 2 , Losses 12, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 29 June
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 2:Jordan way
TMO : Damien Mitchelmore
Teams
Rebels
1. Ben Daley, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Geoff Parling (v/c), 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Colby Fainga’a, 8. Amanaki Mafi, 9. Michael Ruru, 10. Reece Hodge, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English (capt.), 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Replacements : 16. Nathan Charles, 17. Fereti Sa’aga, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Ross Haylett-Petty, 20. Lopeti Timani, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Sefa Naivalu
Waratahs
15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (captain), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements : 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Alex Newsome
Highlanders v Chiefs Super Rugby Preview
The first Super rugby match on Saturday is in Suva Fiji and is between the Highlanders and the Chiefs with the Highlanders being the “home” team.
While the Highlanders will be the home side this match will be their third in Suva as they played the Crusaders in Fiji in 2016 and 2017 so the Chiefs will be considerably more “at home” and familiar with the facilities.
The Highlanders have played the Chiefs 30 times in Super rugby and they have won 13 matches and lost 17.
The teams have never met in Fiji for a Super rugby match so there is no guide on form at the venue. The Chiefs have played in Suva twice and they have won one and lost one.
This season the Highlanders have played 13 matches and they have won 9 and lost four. Away from home the Highlanders have played 7 and won three.
The Chiefs have played 13 matches in 2018 and they have won 8 and lost five. The Chiefs have played 7 matches away from home and won four.
Average score: Highlanders 22 Chiefs 22
Last five results
Fri, 30 Mar 2018 Highlanders v Chiefs 22-27 Hamilton
Fri, 24 Feb 2017Highlanders v Chiefs 15-24 Dunedin
Sat, 16 Jul 2016 Highlanders v Chiefs 25-15 Dunedin
Sat, 07 May 2016 Highlanders v Chiefs 26-13 Hamilton
Sat, 20 Jun 2015 Elim Highlanders v Chiefs 24-14 Dunedin
Highlanders overall record against the Chiefs
Played 30 , Wins 13 , Losses 17 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 30 June
Venue : ANZ National Stadium, Suva, Fiji
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Jamie Nutbrown
Assistant Ref 2:James Doleman
TMO : Shane McDermott
Teams
Highlanders
Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ash Dixon (cc), Siate Tokolahi, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Elliot Dixon, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Tevita Li, Teihorangi Walden, Rob Thompson, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements : Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Ainley, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Richard Buckman
Chiefs
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe , 2. Liam Polwart, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Michael Allardice, 5. Tyler Ardron , 6. Luke Jacobson, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Liam Messam , 9. Brad Weber , 10. Damian McKenzie , 11. Sean Wainui , 12. Charlie Ngatai , 13. Anton Lienert-Brown , 14. Toni Pulu , 15. Solomon Alaimalo,
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho , 17. Sam Prattley, 18. Jeff Thwaites , 19. Jesse Parete, 20. Mitch Karpik , 21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi , 22. Marty McKenzie, 23. Shaun Stevenson
Brumbies v Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview
The second Super rugby match on Saturday is in Canberra where the Brumbies host the Hurricanes who have so far accumulated the second highest number of points this season.
The Brumbies have played the Hurricanes 24 times in Super rugby and they have won 13 matches and lost 11.
In Canberra these teams have met 13 times and the Brumbies have won 8 matches and lost five. The Hurricanes won on their last visit to Canberra.
This season the Brumbies have played 13 matches and they have won 5. The Brumbies have played 7 matches at home in Canberra and they have won three.
The Hurricanes have also played 13 matches so far this season and they have won 10. The Hurricanes have played 6 matches away from home and they have won three.
Average score: Brumbies 26 Hurricanes 27
Last five results
Fri, 21 Jul 2017 Elim Brumbies v Hurricanes 16-35 Canberra
Fri, 21 Apr 2017 Brumbies v Hurricanes 21-56 Napier
Fri, 26 Feb 2016 Brumbies v Hurricanes 52-10 Canberra
Sat, 27 Jun 2015 Semi Brumbies v Hurricanes 9-29 Wellington
Fri, 07 Mar 2014 Brumbies v Hurricanes 29-21 Wellington
Brumbies overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 24 , Wins 13 , Losses 11, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 30 June
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1:Will Houston
Assistant Ref 2: James Leckie
TMO : Ian Smith
Teams
Brumbies
Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Andy Muirhead, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Tom Cusack, Blake Enever, Rory Arnold, Ben Alexander, Folau Faingaa, Scott Sio.
Replacements : Connal McInerney, Nic Mayhew, Les Leuluaialii-Makin, Richie Arnold, Darcy Swain, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Lausii Taliauli.
Hurricanes
15 Nehe Milner-Skudder , 14 Julian Savea , 13 Jordie Barrett , 12 Ngani Laumape , 11 Ben Lam , 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop , 9 TJ Perenara (c) , 8 Gareth Evans , 7 Sam Henwood , 6 Reed Prinsep , 5 Sam Lousi , 4 Michael Fatialofa , 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Toby Smith
Replacements : 16 James O’Reilly , 17 Chris Eves , 18 Marcel Renata , 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere , 20 Blade Thomson , 21 Jamie Booth , 22 Ihaia West , 23 Wes Goosen
Sunwolves v Bulls Super Rugby Preview
Super rugby moves to Singapore for the third match on Saturday where Japan’s Sunwolves host South Africa’s Bulls from Pretoria.
The Sunwolves have played the Bulls four times in Super rugby since they joined in 2016 and they have won one.
The last match between the sides was won by the Sunwolves and was last year in Tokyo when Japanese side won 21-20.
The Sunwolves have played the Bulls just once before in Singapore and that match was won 27-30 by the Bulls.
The Sunwolves have played 13 matches this season and they have won two. The Sunwolves have played 7 matches at home and won two. They have played one match this season in Singapore and the Rebels won that one.
The Bulls have played 13 matches in 2018 and won 5. They have played 6 matches away from home and won one.
Average score: Sunwolves 18 Bulls 34
Last five results
Sat, 08 Apr 2017 Sunwolves v Bulls 21-20 Tokyo
Fri, 17 Mar 2017 Sunwolves v Bulls 21-34 Pretoria
Sat, 09 Jul 2016 Sunwolves v Bulls 3-50 Pretoria
Sat, 26 Mar 2016 Sunwolves v Bulls 27-30 Singapore
Sunwolves overall record against the Bulls
Played 4 , Wins 1, Losses 3 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 30 June
Venue : Singapore National Stadium, Singapore
Kick Off local: 19:55
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1:Shuhei Kubo
Assistant Ref 2: Tasuku Kawahara
TMO : Minoru Fuji
Teams
Sunwolves
15 Gerhard van den Heever, 14 Semisi Masirewa, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Michael Little, 11 Akihito Yamada, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Willie Britz, 5 Uwe Helu, 4 James Moore, 3 Takuma Asahara, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Craig Milla
Replacements: 16 Yusuke Niwai, 17 Shintaro Ishihara, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Grant Hattingh, 20 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Ryoto Nakamura
Bulls
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Jamba Ulengo , 13 Jesse Kriel , 12 Johnny Kotze, 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Handre Pollard (captain), 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements :16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Morne Smith, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Nic de Jager, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Dries Swanepoel
Sharks v Lions Super Rugby Preview
The penultimate Super rugby match this weekend will be in Durban where the Sharks will host South African conference leaders the Lions.
The Sharks have played the Lions 28 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Sharks have won 16 matches and drawn two.
The Sharks and Lions have met 13 times in Durban and the Sharks have won 10 matches. The average score when the Sharks play the Lions in Durban is : Sharks 27 Lions 21.
This season the Sharks have played 13 matches and won 5 and drawn one. The Sharks have played 6 matches at home and won four and drawn one.
The Lions have also played 14 matches in 2018 and they have won 8 and lost six. The Lions have played 7 matches away from home in 2018 and won three.
The Lions have won the last seven matches between these two sides including the last two in Durban. The last time the Sharks beat the Lions was in February 2015.
Average score: Sharks 27 Lions 21
Last five results
Sat, 17 Feb 2018 Sharks v Lions 19-26 Johannesburg
Sat, 22 Jul 2017 Elim Sharks v Lions 21-23 Johannesburg
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Sharks v Lions 10-27 Durban
Sat, 01 Apr 2017 Sharks v Lions 29-34 Johannesburg
Sat, 02 Jul 2016 Sharks v Lions 10-37 Johannesburg
Sharks overall record against the Lions
Played 28 , Wins 16 , Losses 10 , Draws 2
Match Officials and details
Date :Saturday 30 June
Venue : Kings Park , Durban
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 2: Stuart Berry
TMO :Marius Jonker
Teams
Sharks
15. Curwin Bosch, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Cameron Wright, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Philip van der Walt, 5. Ruan Botha (c), 4. Tyler Paul, 3. Thomas du Toit, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 1. Tendai Mtawarira,
Replacements , 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Jacques Vermeulen, 21. Louis Schreuder, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Lwazi Mvovo
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19, Lourens Erasmus, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Marnus Schoeman, 22 Nic Groom, 23 Courtnall Skosan
Jaguares v Stormers Super Rugby Preview
The final Super rugby match in round 17 this weekend is in Buenos Aires where the Jaguares host South Africa’s Stormers from Cape Town.
The Jaguares have played the Stormers just three times in Super rugby and they have yet to win a match.
The Jaguares have only played the Stormers once before in Buenos Aires and that match was won 8-13 by the Stormers.
This season the Jaguares have played 13 matches and won 8. They have played 7 matches at home in Buenos Aires and won four.
The Stormers have played 14 matches in 2018 and they have won five. The Stormers have played 7 matches away from home and they have yet to secure a win away from home.
The Jaguares had a bit of a shaky start to the 2018 season but they went on tour and found form and have won their last six matches.
Average score: Jaguares 18 Stormers 24
Last three results
Sat, 17 Feb 2018 Jaguares v Stormers 20-28 Cape Town
Sat, 04 Mar 2017 Jaguares v Stormers 25-32 Cape Town
Sat, 26 Mar 2016 Jaguares v Stormers 8-13 Buenos Aires
Jaguares overall record against the Stormers
Played 3 , Wins 0, Losses 3, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date :Saturday 30 June
Venue : Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Kick Off local: 16:40
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Pablo Deluca
Assistant Ref 2:Jose Covassi
TMO :Santiago Borsani
Teams
Jaguares
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta
Replacements :16 Diego Fortuny, 17 Javier Diaz, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Joaquin Diaz Bonila, 23 Matias Moron
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Craig Barry, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Jan de Klerk, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements :16 Ramone Samuels, 17 JC Janse van Rensberg, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 EW Viljoen