Super Rugby team by team preview round 4

Super rugby reaches round 4 this weekend and after three rounds just two teams remain unbeaten this season. The only two unbeaten teams are the Crusaders and the Rebels.

The Crusaders have played three matches so far and have won all three while the Rebels have played just two as they had a bye in Round two.

As a result the Crusaders lead the overall standings, the Sharks are second and the Rebels are third. Interestingly Crusaders and the Rebels have yet to pick up any bonus points so far this season.

The only other team who have not earned a bonus point is the Stormers who are fourth in the South African Conference.

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Hurricanes v Highlanders Super Rugby Preview

The Hurricanes have played the Highlanders 31 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Hurricanes have won 17 matches and lost 14.

There have been no draws between the sides so the Hurricanes have a record of winning 55% of their matches against the Highlanders.

This weekend the match will be played in Wellington where the teams have met 14 times. In those 14 matches the Hurricanes have won 8 and lost 6.

In percentage terms the Hurricanes have won 57% of their home matches. The average score when these teams meet in Wellington is : Hurricanes 28 Highlanders 22.

Out of the last five matches between the sides the Hurricanes have won three – but all three were at home. The last time the Highlanders won in Wellington was in 2015 when the won the final 14-21.

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

Average score: Hurricanes 25 Highlanders 22

Last five results
Fri, 01 Jun 2018 Hurricanes v Highlanders 14-30 Dunedin
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 Hurricanes v Highlanders 29-12 Wellington
Sat, 18 Mar 2017 Hurricanes v Highlanders 41-15 Wellington
Fri, 27 May 2016 Hurricanes v Highlanders 27-20 Wellington
Sat, 05 Mar 2016 Hurricanes v Highlanders 16-17 Dunedin

Hurricanes overall record against the Highlanders
Played 31, Wins 17 , Losses 14 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 8 March
Venue : Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: Nick Hogan
TMO : Shane McDermott

Teams

Hurrricanes

15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Chris Eves

Replacements : 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Ben May, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Vince Aso

Highlanders

1. Ayden Johnstone,2. Liam Coltman,3. Tyrel Lomax,4. Pari Pari Parkinson,5. Josh Dickson,6. Jackson Hemopo,7. James Lentjes,8. Luke Whitelock (cc),9. Aaron Smith,10. Josh Ioane,11 Tevita Li,12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen,13. Patelesio Tomkinson,14.
Richard Buckman,15. Ben Smith (cc)

Replacements :16. Ash Dixon,17. Daniel Lienert-Brown,18. Josh Iosefa-Scott,19. Tom Franklin,20. Elliot Dixon,21. Kayne Hammington,22. Marty Banks,23. Waisake
Naholo

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Rebels v Brumbies Super Rugby Preview

The Rebels have played the Brumbies 16 times since they joined Super rugby in 2011 and the Rebels have won 7 matches and lost 9.

There have been no draws between the sides so the Rebels have a record of winning 44% of their matches against the Brumbies.

The Rebels have played the Brumbies 8 times in Melbourne and they have won four and lost four.

The average score when the Rebels play the Brumbies in Melbourne is Rebels 19 Brumbies 26.

The Brumbies have lost their last two in Melbourne and have not won in the city since 2016.

The Bookies have given the Brumbies a 6 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Rebels 19 Brumbies 26

Last five results
Fri, 15 Feb 2019 Rebels v Brumbies 34-27 Canberra
Sat, 12 May 2018 Rebels v Brumbies 27-24 Canberra
Fri, 09 Mar 2018 Rebels v Brumbies 33-10 Melbourne
Sat, 03 Jun 2017 Rebels v Brumbies 3-32 Canberra
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Rebels v Brumbies 19-17 Melbourne

Rebels overall record against the Brumbies
Played 16 ,Wins 7 , Losses 9 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 8 March
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 1:Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 2:Graham Cooper
TMO : Ian Smith

Teams

Rebels

1. Matt Gibbon,2. Robbie Abel,3. Sam Talakai,4. Matt Philip,5. Adam Coleman,6. Rob Leota,7. Brad Wilkin,8. Isi Naisarani,9. Will Genia,10. Quade Cooper,11. Marika Koroibete,12. Billy Meakes,13. Tom English,14. Jack Maddocks,15. Dane Haylett-Petty

Replacments : 16. Anaru Rangi,17. Tetera Faulkner,18. Jermaine Ainsley,19. Luke Jones,20. Ross Haylett-Petty,21. Richard Hardwick,22. Michael Ruru,23 Reece Hodge

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Tom Wright, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Tom Cusack, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio

Replacements :16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 James Slipper, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Chance Peni

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Crusaders v Chiefs Super Rugby Preview

The Crusaders have played the Chiefs 33 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Crusaders have won 20 matches or 61% of the clashes.

There have been no draws between the sides and Crusaders have lost 13 of the 33 matches.

This weekend the match will be played in Christchurch where the teams have met on 12 occasions. In those 12 matches the Crusaders have won 8 and lost
four.

That gives the Crusaders a record of winning 67% of their home matches in Christchurch against the Chiefs. The average score when these teams meet in Christchurch is : Crusaders 31 Chiefs 19.

The Crusaders have won the last two matches against the Chiefs at home and the last time the Chiefs won in the city was in 2016.

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

Average score: Crusaders 26 Chiefs 21

Last two results
Sat, 02 Jun 2018 Crusaders v Chiefs 34-20 Hamilton
Sat, 24 Feb 2018 Crusaders v Chiefs 45-23 Christchurch
Sat, 29 Jul 2017 Semi Crusaders v Chiefs 27-13 Christchurch
Fri, 19 May 2017 Crusaders v Chiefs 31-24 Suva
Fri, 01 Jul 2016 Crusaders v Chiefs 13-23 Suva

Crusaders overall record against the Chiefs
Played 33 ,Wins 20 , Losses 13 ,Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 9 March
Venue : AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2:Nick Hogan
TMO :Shane McDermott

Teams

Crusaders

15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty (c), 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ere Enari, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody

Replacements : 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Harry Allan, 18 George Bower, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 David Havili

Chiefs

15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick (c), 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Alex Nankivell

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Blues v Sunwolves Super Rugby Preview

The Blues have played the Sunwolves just twice in Super rugby since the Japanese side joined the tournament in 2016.

The Blues have won one and lost one. Both matches between the teams were played in Tokyo so this will be the first time that they will be meeting on New Zealand soil.

The average score when these teams meet is Blues 22 Sunwolves 29.

The Blues have yet to win a match this season and will be returning home for this match from a trip to South Africa and Argentina.

The Sunwolves were already in New Zealand this week after beating the Chiefs in Hamilton.

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

Average score: Blues 22 Sunwolves 29

Last two results
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 Blues v Sunwolves 24-10 Tokyo
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Blues v Sunwolves 21-48 Tokyo

Blues overall record against the Sunwolves
Played 2 ,Wins 1, Losses 1, Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 9 March
Venue : North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1: James Munro
Assistant Ref 2: Dan Waenga
TMO :Glenn Newman

Teams

Blues

15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tanielu Tele’a, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Sonny Bill Williams (c), 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Augustine Pulu; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Lua Li, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Otere Black, 23 Levi Aumua.

Sunwolves

15 Semisi Masirewa, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Michael Little (c), 11 Jamie Henry, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 James Moore, 4 Tom Rowe, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Pauliasi Manu

Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Alex Woonton, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Phil Burleigh

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Waratahs v Reds Super Rugby Preview

The Waratahs have played the Reds 30 times in Super rugby and they have won 16 matches and drawn one.

That means the Waratahs have lost 13 matches. The Waratahs have won 53% of their matches against the Reds.

This weekend the match will be played in Sydney where the teams have met 14 times before. The Waratahs have won 8 of these matches or 57% of the clashes.

The average score when the Waratahs play the Reds in Sydney is : Waratahs 24 Reds 16.

The Waratahs have won their last four matches in Sydney against the Reds who have not won in the city since 2013.

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

Average score: Waratahs 22 Reds 19

Last five results
Sat, 02 Jun 2018 Waratahs v Reds 52-41 Brisbane
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 Waratahs v Reds 37-16 Sydney
Sat, 29 Apr 2017 Waratahs v Reds 29-26 Brisbane
Sun, 27 Mar 2016 Waratahs v Reds 15-13 Brisbane
Sat, 27 Feb 2016 Waratahs v Reds 30-10 Sydney

Waratahs overall record against the Reds
Played 30,Wins 16, Losses 13,Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 9 March
Venue : Sydney Cricket Ground
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 2:Amy Perrett
TMO :James Leckie

Teams

Waratahs

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

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Lachlan Swinton, 20 Will Miller, 21 Mitch Short, 22 Mack Mason, 23 Alex Newsome

Reds

15 Isaac Lucas, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi (c), 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith

Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hooper, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Caleb Timu, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Jack Hardy.

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Lions v Jaguares Super Rugby Preview

The Lions have played the Jaguares 8 times in Super rugby and the most recent of these matches was last month in Buenos Aires.

In the 8 matches between these teams the Lions have won 5 and lost three.

This weekend the match will be played in Johannesburg where the teams have met four times. The Lions have won all four matches between the sides.

The average score when the Lions play the Jaguares is : Lions 41 Jaguares 24.

The Lions are unbeaten at home by the Jaguares.

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

Average score: Lions 34 Jaguares 29

Last five results
Sat, 16 Feb 2019 Lions v Jaguares 25-16 Buenos Aires
Sat, 21 Jul 2018 Elim Lions v Jaguares 40-23 Johannesburg
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 Lions v Jaguares 35-49 Buenos Aires
Sat, 24 Feb 2018 Lions v Jaguares 47-27 Johannesburg
Fri, 21 Apr 2017 Lions v Jaguares 24-21Johannesburg

Lions overall record against the Jaguares
Played 8 ,Wins 5 ,Losses 3 , Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 9 March
Venue : Emirates Airlines (Ellis) Park, Johannesburg
Kick Off local: 15:05
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 1:Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Ref 2:Griffin Colby
TMO :Willie Vos

Teams

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Franco Naude, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcom Marx (captain), 1 Dylan Smith

Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 James Venter, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Gianni Lombard/Tyrone Green

Jaguares

15 Joaquin Tuculet (captain), 14  Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Juan Pablo Zeiss

Replacements: 16 Gaspar Baldunciel, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Tomas Lavanini, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Juan Cruz Mallia, 23 Matias Orlando

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Bulls v Sharks Super Rugby Preview

The Bulls have played the Sharks 28 times in Super rugby and the Bulls have won 17 matches and drawn two.

The Bulls have therefore lost 9 of the 17 matches between the sides.

In percentage terms the Bulls have won 61% of their matches against the Sharks.

This weekend the Bulls will have home advantage as the match will be in Pretoria where the teams have met 17 times.

In those 17 home matches the Bulls have won 8, drawn two and lost 4.

This means that the Bulls have won 57% of their home matches against the Sharks.

The average score when the Bulls play the Sharks in Pretoria is : Bulls 22 Sharks 22

The Bookies have given the Sharks a 5 point start for this Match – click HERE to see the latest odds.

Average score: Bulls 21 Sharks 21

Last five results
Sat, 12 May 2018 Bulls v Sharks 39-33 Pretoria
Sat, 14 Apr 2018 Bulls v Sharks 40-10 Durban
Sat, 01 Jul 2017 Bulls v Sharks 30-17 Durban
Fri, 18 Mar 2016 Bulls v Sharks 16-16 Pretoria
Sat, 18 Apr 2015 Bulls v Sharks 17-10 Durban

Bulls overall record against the Sharks
Played 28 ,Wins 17 , Losses 9, Draws 2

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 9 March
Venue : Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 1:Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 2:Divan Uys
TMO : Christie du Preez

Teams

Bulls

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Dylan Sage, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard (captain), 9 Ivan van Zyl 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Tim Agaba, 6 Jannes Kirsten, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Hanro Liebenberg, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw

Sharks
15. Rhyno Smith,14. Sbu Nkosi,13. Lukhanyo Am,12. Jeremy Ward,11. Makazole Mapimpi,10. Robert du Preez,9. Louis Schreuder (c),8. Daniel du Preez,7. Jacques Vermeulen,6. Wian Vosloo,5. Hyron Andrews,4. Gideon Koegelenberg,3. Coenie Oosthuizen,2. Akker van der Merwe,1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements :16. Fezokhule ‘Fez’ Mbatha,17. Juan Schoeman,18. Thomas du Toit,19. Ruben van Heerden ,20. Phepsi Buthelezi,, 21. Grant Williams,22. Andre Esterhuizen,23. Curwin Bosch

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