Super Rugby team by team preview round 2

The second round in Super rugby kicks off this weekend in Dunedin with the Highlanders hosting the Reds who will be playing their first match of the season as they had a bye last week.

South Africa’s Bulls lead the overall standings after they thumped fellow South African side the Stormers at their home in Pretoria.

The Rebels and the Highlanders are the top Australian and New Zealand teams after one match. The Rebels will almost certainly lose their position this weekend as they have the bye.

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Highlanders v Reds Super Rugby Preview

The Highlanders kicked off their 2019 Super rugby campaign with a 27-30 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton so they already have some confidence and a game behind them.

The Reds on the other hand had to sit out last week as they had the bye which makes this match their first match of the 2019 season.

The Highlanders have played the Reds 22 times in Super rugby and they have won 12 matches and lost ten matches.

The match will be played in Dunedin where the teams have met on ten occasions. In those ten matches the Highlanders have won all but one. The only time that the Reds have won in Dunedin was in 2013.

The last two matches between these teams in Dunedin have both been won by the Highlanders. The average score when these teams meet in Dunedin is : Highlanders 36 Reds 28.

The Bookies have given the Reds an 18 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Highlanders 29 Reds 23

Last five results
Sat, 26 May 2018 Highlanders v Reds 18-15 Brisbane
Fri, 14 Jul 2017 Highlanders v Reds 40-17 Dunedin
Sat, 09 Apr 2016 Highlanders v Reds 27-28 Brisbane
Fri, 27 Feb 2015 Highlanders v Reds 20-13 Dunedin
Fri, 30 May 2014 Highlanders v Reds 31-38 Brisbane

Highlanders overall record against the Reds
Played 22, Wins 12 , Losses 10, Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 22 February
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:James Doleman
TMO : Glenn Newman

Teams

Highlanders

Ayden Johnstone , Liam Coltman , Tyrel Lomax , Jackson Hemopo , Josh Dickson , Shannon Frizell , Dillon Hunt , Luke Whitelock (cc) , Aaron Smith , Josh Ioane , Tevita Li , Teihorangi Walden , Rob Thompson , Waisake Naholo , Ben Smith (cc)

Replacements :Ash Dixon , Daniel Lienert-Brown , Siate Tokolahi , Jack Whetton , Marino Mikaele Tu’u , Kayne Hammington , Marty Banks , Matt Faddes

Reds

1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Izack Rodda (vc) 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto ,6. Angus Scott-Young , 7. Liam Wright, 8. Caleb Timu, 9. Moses Sorovi , 10. Hamish Stewart , 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Samu Kerevi (c) , 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia , 15. Bryce Hegarty.

Replacements : 16. Alex Mafi , 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Ruan Smith, 19.Harry Hockings , 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Duncan Paia’aua, 23. Isaac Lucas.

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Sunwolves v Waratahs Super Rugby Preview

The Sunwolves and the Waratahs both lost their season opening match last week so they will both be keen to pick up a W this weekend.

The Sunwolves have played the Waratahs three times since 2016 and the Waratahs have won all three matches.

These two teams have met twice in Tokyo twice and both of these matches have been won by the Waratahs but with an average score of 20-54.

The Bookies have given the Sunwolves a 21 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Sunwolves 22 Waratahs 61

Last three results
Sat, 07 Jul 2018 Sunwolves v Waratahs 25-77 Sydney
Sat, 07 Apr 2018 Sunwolves v Waratahs 29-50 Tokyo
Sat, 02 Jul 2016 Sunwolves v Waratahs 12-57 Tokyo

Sunwolves overall record against the Waratahs
Played 3, Wins 0, Losses 3 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 23 February
Venue : Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick Off local: 13:15
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 1:Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 2:Shuhei Kubo
TMO : Minoru Fuji

Teams

Sunwolves

15 Jason Emery, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Shane Gates, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Ed Quirk, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Tom Rowe, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Craig Millar (c)

Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Awe Helu, 20 James Moore, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Michael Little, 23 Rikiya Matsuda

Waratahs

1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Curtis Rona, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Karmichael Hunt, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Israel Folau

Replacements 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Rory O’connor, 18. Chris Talakai, 19. Lachlan Swinton, 20. Will Miller, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Mack Mason, 23. Cam Clark/Adam Ashley-Cooper (subject to return to play protocols)

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Crusaders v  Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview

Super rugby champions the Crusaders have played the Hurricanes 35 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Crusaders have won 20 matches.

The Hurricanes have won 12 matches and the teams have drawn three times in the 35 matches.

This weekend the match will be played in Christchurch where the teams have met in 20 matches. In those 20 matches the Crusaders have won 14 matches, lost five and drawn one.

The average score when these teams meet in Christchurch is : Crusaders 27 Hurricanes 19.

The last three matches between these teams in Christchurch have all been won by the Crusaders. The last Hurricanes victory in the city was in 2016 – the year the Hurricanes won their first title.

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

Average score: Crusaders 26 Hurricanes 20

Last five results
Sat, 28 Jul 2018 Semi Crusaders v Hurricanes 30-12 Christchurch
Fri, 25 May 2018 Crusaders v Hurricanes 24-13 Christchurch
Sat, 10 Mar 2018 Crusaders v Hurricanes 19-29 Wellington
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Crusaders v Hurricanes 22-31 Wellington
Sat, 13 May 2017 Crusaders v Hurricanes 20-12 Christchurch

Crusaders overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 35 , Wins 20 , Losses 12 , Draws 3

Match Officials and details
Date :Saturday 23 February
Venue : AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1:Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 2: Nick Briant
TMO :Glenn Newman

Teams

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody

Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Chris Eves

Replacments: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Ben May, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Sam Henwood, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Ngani Laumape

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Brumbies v Chiefs Super Rugby Preview

Both the Brumbies and the Chiefs lost their Super rugby season opening matches last weekend so they will both be hoping for their first win of the season.

The Brumbies have played the Chiefs 25 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Brumbies have won 13 matches in the period.

Overall the Brumbies have lost 11 matches of the 35 and drawn once.

This weekend the match will be played in Canberra which is where the teams have met on 13 occasions. In those 13 matches the Brumbies have won 9, lost three and drawn one.

The average score in the 13 matches between these teams for matches in Canberra is : Brumbies 33 Chiefs 26.

The Chiefs won in the last match played in Canberra but the four before that were all won by the Brumbies.

The Bookies have given the Brumbies an 8 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Brumbies 28 Chiefs 24

Last five results
Sat, 07 Jul 2018 Brumbies v Chiefs 19-24 Hamilton
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Brumbies v Chiefs 10-28 Waikato
Sat, 02 Apr 2016 Brumbies v Chiefs 23-48 Canberra
Fri, 20 Feb 2015 Brumbies v Chiefs 17-19 New Plymouth
Sat, 19 Jul 2014 (Elim) Brumbies v Chiefs 32-30
Canberra

Brumbies overall record against the Chiefs
Played 25 , Wins 13, Losses 11, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 23 February
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2:Graham Cooper
TMO : Ian Smith

Teams

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Chance Peni, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Peter Samu, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Tom Wright

Chiefs

1. Aidan Ross ,2. Nathan Harris ,3. Nepo Laulala ,4. Brodie Retallick ©,5. Michael Allardice ,6. Mitchell Brown,7. Lachlan Boshier ,8. Tyler Ardron ,9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi,10. Damian McKenzie,11. Etene Nanai-Seturo ,12. Anton Lienert-Brown ,13. Tumua Manu ,14. Ataata Moeakiola ,15. Shaun Stevenson ,

Replacements :16. Samisoni Taukei’aho ,17. Tevita Mafileo,18. Sosefo Kautai ,19. Taleni Seu,20. Mitchell Karpik,21. Jonathan Taumateine,22. Orbyn Leger ,23. Bailyn Sullivan

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Sharks v Blues Super Rugby Preview

The Sharks have played the Blues 20 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Sharks have won 15 matches and lost five.

There have been no draws between the teams and the overall average score when these teams meet – regardless of venue is : Sharks 27 Blues 22.

The Sharks 15 matches gives them a record of winning 75% of their matches against the Blues.

This weekend’s match will be played in Durban where the teams have met ten times. In those ten matches the Sharks have won 8 matches and lost two.

The average score when these teams meet in Durban is : Sharks 25 Blues 18.

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

Average score: Sharks 27 Blues 22

Last five results
Sat, 31 Mar 2018 Sharks v Blues 63-40 Auckland
Sat, 16 Apr 2016 Sharks v Blues 18-23 Auckland
Fri, 23 May 2014 Sharks v Blues 29-23 Albany
Sat, 29 Jun 2013 Sharks v Blues 22-20 Durban
Fri, 13 Apr 2012 Sharks v Blues 29-23 Auckland

Sharks overall record against the Blues
Played 20 , Wins 15 , Losses 5 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 23 February
Venue : Kings Park , Durban
Kick Off local: 15:05
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Ref 2:Griffon Colby
TMO : Marius Jonker

Teams

Sharks

15. Aphelele Fassi 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. Ruan Botha 4. Hyron Andrews 3. Coenie Oosthuizen 2. Akker van der Merwe 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements 16. Kerron van Vuuren 17. Juan Schoeman 18. Thomas du Toit 19. Gideon Koegelenberg 20. Phepsi Buthelezi 21. Cameron Wright 22. Jeremy Ward 23. Curwin Bosch

Blues

15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Matt Matich, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Tanielu Tele’a.

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Stormers v Lions Super Rugby Preview

The Stormers have played the Lions 25 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Stormers have won 15 matches.

Out of the 25 matches the Stormers have won 15, lost 9 and there has been one draw. That draw was in 2015. Since then the Lions have not lost to the Stormers – at home or away.

This weekend the match will be played in Cape Town which is home for the Stormers and where the teams have met 12 times.

In those 12 matches the Stormers have won 7, lost four and drawn one. The average score when these teams met in Cape Town is : Stormers 25 Lions 19.

The Lions have won the last four matches between these teams. Two of the last four matches were in Cape Town which means that the Stormers have not beaten the Lions at home since April 2014.

The Bookies have given the Stormers an 8 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Stormers 24 Lions 22

Last five results
Sat, 26 May 2018 Stormers v Lions 23-26 Cape Town
Sat, 07 Apr 2018 Stormers v Lions 31-52 Johannesburg
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Stormers v Lions 16-29 Cape Town
Sat, 16 Apr 2016 Stormers v Lions 22-29 Johannesburg
Sat, 06 Jun 2015 Stormers v Lions 19-19 Cape Town

Stormers overall record against the Lions
Played 25 , Wins 15, Losses 9 , Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 23 February
Venue : Newlands, Cape Town
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 1: Divan Uys
Assistant Ref 2:Aimee Barrat-Theron
TMO :Christie du Preez

Teams

Stormers

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 SP Marais, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ali Vermaak

Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Jaco Coetzee, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Dan du Plessis

Lions

Andries Coetzee; Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan; Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom; Warren Whiteley ©, Kwagga Smith, Marnus Schoeman, Stephan Lewies, Marvin Orie, Carlu Sadie, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith.

Replacements: Pieter Jansen, Sti Sithole, Jacobie Adriaanse, Rhyno Herbst, Hacjivah Dayimani, Gianni Lombard, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sylvian Mahuza.

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Jaguares v Bulls Super Rugby Preview

The Jaguares reached the play offs last season but they were beaten last weekend at home by the Lions for the first time.

The Bulls kicked off their 2019 Super rugby campaign with an impressive 40-3 victory at Loftus Versfeld.

The Jaguares and the Bulls have played each other four times in super rugby since 2016 and both teams have won two and lost two.

When these teams have played each other in the past whoever was playing at home won the match so home advantage has been key in these games.

This weekend the match will be played in Buenos Aires where the average score for matches between these teams is : Jaguares 42 Bulls 18.

The Bookies have given the Jaguares a 2 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Jaguares 32 Bulls 26

Last five results
Sat, 07 Jul 2018 Jaguares v Bulls 34-43 Pretoria
Sat, 19 May 2018 Jaguares v Bulls 54-24 Buenos Aires
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Jaguares v Bulls 13-26 Pretoria
Sat, 02 Jul 2016 Jaguares v Bulls 29-11 Buenos Aires

Jaguares overall record against the Bulls
Played 4 , Wins 2 , Losses 2 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 23 February
Venue : Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick Off local: 18:40
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Fraser
TMO : Santiago Borsani

Teams

Jaguares

15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Javier Ortego 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 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Juan Cruz Mallia, 23 Matias Moroni

Bulls

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Lood de Jager (captain), 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Dylan
Sage

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