Super Rugby Round 4 has one less match this weekend as the teams trot about the globe.
There are always exciting clashes in the southern hemisphere’s (and world’s) premier rugby tournament.
The Chiefs and Stormers are the only unbeaten teams remaining in this year’s competition with three wins from three, leading their respective conferences. At the same time, the Brumbies top the Australian Conference despite losing a match.
Round 4 kicks off with the Crusaders hosting the Highlanders on Friday in Christchurch. Mike Fraser – who has been on 6 Nations duty – will referee his first match of the season.
The first Match on Saturday sees the Melbourne Rebels host the Sharks in Ballarat before the Chiefs face the Brumbies in Hamilton.
We continue down under on the east coast where the Reds host the Sunwolves at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane before we cross to South Africa for the last two games of the round.
First up to Cape Town for the South African Conference clash between the Stormers and second-placed Jaguares, arguably the conference’s best side in what will be a humdinger.
Then finally we head north to Pretoria for the Bulls v Blues.
The Lions, Hurricanes and Waratahs all have a bye.
Here we take a quick look at these matches coming up this weekend.
Crusaders v Highlanders Super Rugby Preview
The Crusaders have played the Highlanders 37 times in Super Rugby since 1996; the Crusaders have won 25 matches, lost 11 times and drawn once.
The ‘Saders 25 wins give them a record of winning 68% of their matches against the ‘Landers regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Christchurch which is home for the Crusaders and the venue where the teams have met 19 times.
In those 19 matches, the Crusaders have won 16 times and lost three. It gives the Crusaders a record of winning 84% of their matches against the Highlanders at home.
Average score when the two teams play in Christchurch: Crusaders 34 Highlanders 20.
The 10-times champions have won the last five matches against the lowly Highlanders at home, and the visitors have not won in the city since 2015.
Average score: Crusaders 29 Highlanders 20
Last five results
Fri, 21 Jun 2019 Crusaders v Highlanders 38-14 Christchurch
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 Crusaders v Highlanders 17-0 Christchurch
Crusaders overall record against the Highlanders
Played 37, Wins 25, Losses 11, Draws 1
Match Officials and details
Date: Friday 21 February
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: James Doleman
TMO: Chris Hart
Teams
Crusaders
15 David Havili (c), 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Tom Sanders, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 George Bower, 19 Ethan Roots, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Michell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Highlanders
15 Michael Collins, 14 Kirisi Kuridrani, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 James Lentjes (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Conan O’Donnell, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Teihorangi Walden, 23 Josh McKay.
Rebels v Sharks Super Rugby Preview
The Melbourne Rebels have played the Sharks seven times in Super Rugby since 2011, the Rebels have won one match, lost five and drawn one.
The Rebels one win from seven gives them a record of winning 14% of their matches against the Sharks regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Ballarat, which is home for the Rebels this weekend but not their regular home of Melbourne.
The Rebels had home advantage over the Sharks three times since 2011, and they have won one and lost two. It gives the Rebels a record of winning 33% of their matches against the Sharks at home.
Average score when Melbourne play the Sharks at home: Rebels 31 Sharks 23.
The hosts won the last match between these sides on Australian soil in 2018.
Average score: Rebels 21 Sharks 28
Last five results
Sat, 23 Mar 2019 Rebels v Sharks 14-28 Durban
Fri, 23 Mar 2018 Rebels v Sharks 46-14 Melbourne
Sat, 22 Apr 2017 Rebels v Sharks 9-9 Durban
Fri, 29 May 2015 Rebels v Sharks 21-25 Durban
Fri, 02 May 2014 Rebels v Sharks 16-22 Melbourne
Rebels overall record against the Sharks
Played 7, Wins 1, Losses 5, Draws 1
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 22 February
Venue: Mars Stadium, VIC
Kick-Off local: 14:45
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 1: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2: James Quinn
TMO: George Ayoub
Teams
Rebels
15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Campbell Magnay, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Michael Wells, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Steven Misa, 1 Matt Gibbon
Replacements: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Angus Cottrell, 21 Rob Leota, 22 Frank Lomani, 23 Tom English.
Sharks
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
Chiefs v Brumbies Super Rugby Preview
The Chiefs have played the Brumbies 26 times in Super Rugby since 1996; the Chiefs have won 11 matches, lost 14 times and drawn once.
The Chiefs 11 wins give them a record of winning 42% of their matches against the Brumbies regardless of venue.
This weekend’s match will be played in Hamilton where the teams have met eight times.
In those eight matches, the Chiefs have won five games and lost three. It gives the New Zealanders a record of winning 63% of their matches against the Aussies at home.
Average score between the two sides in Hamilton: Chiefs 21 Brumbies 21.
The hosts have won the last four matches against the Brumbies in Hamilton; the visitors have not won in the city since 2007.
Average score: Chiefs 24 Brumbies 29
Last five results
Sat, 23 Feb 2019 Chiefs v Brumbies 17-54 Canberra
Sat, 07 Jul 2018 Chiefs v Brumbies 24-19 Hamilton
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Chiefs v Brumbies 28-10 Waikato
Sat, 02 Apr 2016 Chiefs v Brumbies 48-23 Canberra
Fri, 20 Feb 2015 Chiefs v Brumbies 19-17 New Plymouth
Chiefs overall record against the Brumbies
Played 26, Wins 11, Losses 14, Draws 1
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 22 February
Venue: FMG Stadium, Waikato
Kick-Off local: 19:05
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Dan Waenga
TMO: Glenn Newman
Teams
Chiefs
Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Sam McNicol, Aaron Cruden, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice, Atu Moli, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill, Ross Geldenhuys, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitchell Karpik, Lisati Milo-Harris, Kaleb Trask, Quinn Tupaea.
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Will Miller, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Connal McInerney, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Toni Pulu
Reds v Sunwolves Super Rugby Preview
The Reds have played the Sunwolves five times in Super Rugby since 2016; the Reds have won four matches and lost one.
Queensland’s four wins out of five give them a record of winning 80% of their matches against the Sunwolves regardless of venue.
This weekend’s match will be played in Brisbane which is home for the Reds and the venue where the teams have met three times.
In those three matches played in Brisbane, the Reds have won all three and lost none. It gives the Australians a record of winning 100% of their matches against the Japanse franchise at home.
The average score when Queensland play the Tokyo-based team in Brisbane: Reds 38 Sunwolves 26.
Average score: Reds 35 Sunwolves 34
Last five results
Fri, 03 May 2019 Reds v Sunwolves 32-26 Brisbane
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 Reds v Sunwolves 34-31 Tokyo
Fri, 13 Jul 2018 Reds v Sunwolves 48-27 Brisbane
Sat, 12 May 2018 Reds v Sunwolves 28-63 Tokyo
Sat, 21 May 2016 Reds v Sunwolves 35-25 Brisbane
Reds overall record against the Sunwolves
Played 5, Wins 4, Losses 1, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 22 February
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off local: 18:15
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 2: Aaron Pook
TMO: James Leckie
Teams
Reds
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Henry Speight, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith
Replacements: 16 Ed Craig, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Scott Malolua, 22 Isaac Lucas, 23 Bryce Hegarty
Sunwolves
15 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 14 Siosaia Fifita, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Ben Te’o, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Garth April, 9 Naoto Saito, 8 Jake Schatz (captain), 7 Mitch Jacobson, 6 Kyo Yoshida, 5 Michael Stolberg, 4 Corey Thomas, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Chris Eves
Replacements: 16 Effie Ma’afu, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Kotaro Yatabe, 20 Tevita Tupou, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Keisuke Moriya, 23 Shogo Nakano
Stormers v Jaguares Super Rugby Preview
The Stormers have played the Jaguares six times in Super Rugby since 2016; the Stormers have won four matches and lost twice.
The Stormers’ four wins out of six matches give them a record of winning 67% of their matches against the Jaguares regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Cape Town, which is home for the Stormers and the venue where the teams have met three times.
The South Africans have won all three matches in Cape Town, which gives them a record of winning 100% of their matches against the Jaguares at home.
Average score when the Stormers play the Jaguares in Cape Town: Stormers 32 Jaguares 18.
Average score: Stormers 24 Jaguares 19
Last five results
Sat, 04 May 2019 Stormers v Jaguares 25-30 Buenos Aires
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 Stormers v Jaguares 35-8 Cape Town
Sat, 30 Jun 2018 Stormers v Jaguares 14-25 Buenos Aires
Sat, 17 Feb 2018 Stormers v Jaguares 28-20 Cape Town
Sat, 04 Mar 2017 Stormers v Jaguares 32-25 Cape Town
Stormers’ overall record against the Jaguares
Played 6, Wins 4, Losses 2, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 22 February
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-Off local: 15:05
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 1: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 2: Griffin Colby
TMO: Willie Vos
Teams
Stormers
15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Johan du Toit, 21 Ernst van Rhyn, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis
Jaguares
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Santiago Chocobares, 12 Juan Cruz Mallía, 11 Sebastien Cancelliere, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomás Cubelli (captain) , 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Francisco Gorrison , 5 Lucas Paulos, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Santiago Socino, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chapparro
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Marcos Kremer, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou , 22 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 23 Matias Moroni
Bulls v Blues Super Rugby Preview
The Bulls have played the Blues 19 times in Super Rugby since 1998, the Bulls have won seven matches, lost 11 times and drawn once.
The Bulls seven wins out of 19 matches give them a record of winning 37% of their matches against the Blues regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Pretoria, which is home for the Bulls and the venue where the teams have met seven times.
In those seven matches played on the Highveld, the South Africans have won five games and lost twice. It gives them a record of winning 71% of their matches against the Blues at home.
The three-time Super Rugby champions won the last match against the New Zealanders in Pretoria, but the visitors won the game before that.
Average score when the Bulls play the Blues in Pretoria: Bulls 36 Blues 29.
The Kiwis have not won in the city since 2014; these teams have missed each other in the draw for Loftus Versfeld in recent years.
The Bookies have given the Bulls a 3-point start for this match – click HERE to see the latest odds.
Average score: Bulls 26 Blues 33
Last five results
Fri, 31 May 2019 Bulls v Blues 22-22 Auckland
Sat, 25 Mar 2017 Bulls v Blues 14-38 Auckland
Fri, 15 May 2015 Bulls v Blues 18-23 Auckland
Sat, 08 Mar 2014 Bulls v Blues 38-22 Pretoria
Sun, 10 Mar 2013 Bulls v Blues 28-21 Auckland
Bulls overall record against the Blues
Played 19, Wins 7, Losses 11, Draws 1
Match Officials and details
Date: Saturday 22 February
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-Off local: 17:15
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 1: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Ref 2: Divan Uys
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans
Teams
Bulls
15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Wian Vosloo, 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Gerhard Steenkamp, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ruan Steenkamp 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Blues
15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Tony Lamborn, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Jacob Pierce, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Aaron Carroll, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 TJ Faiane, 23 Matt Duffie