Super rugby reaches round 8 this weekend and the Crusaders still lead the New Zealand Super rugby conference with the Rebels and the Lions leading the Australian and South African Conferences respectively.
The Hurricanes are keeping the Crusaders under pressure for the top spot as they have played one less match but trail by five points. The Rebels and Lions are only separated on points difference.
In our current form rankings which is based upon the last five matches, points scored, matches won and points conceded the Lions have become the form team because they have won their last three matches.
Also new to the top of form guide table are the Blues who have also won their last three matches. The Chiefs are third in the form guide after their back to back wins on the road.
Super rugby form guide
1 Lions – W-L-L-W-W-W – B
2 Blues – L-L-L-W – B – W-W
3 Chiefs – L-L-L-L-D-W-W
4 Crusaders – W-W-W-W-D-L-W
5 Bulls – W-L-W-W – B- L-W
6 Hurricanes – W-L-W-W-D-W-L
7 Rebels – W – B – W-W-L-L-W
8 Waratahs – L-W – B – W-L-W-L
9 Reds – B- L-L-L-W-W-L
10 Stormers – L-W-W – B – W-L-L
11 Sunwolves – L-L-W-L-L-L-W
12 Sharks – W-W-L-L – B – W-L
13 Brumbies – L-W-L-L-W-L – B
14 Highlanders – W-W-L-L-D-L – B
15 Jaguares – L-W-W-L-L – B- L
Highlanders v Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview
The Highlanders have played the Hurricanes 32 times in Super rugby since 1996 and the Highlanders have won 14 matches and lost 18.
The Highlanders 14 wins gives them a record of winning 44% of their matches against the Hurricanes regardless of the venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Dunedin where the teams have met 14 times before. In those 14 matches the Highlanders have won 7 and lost 7.
The Highlanders therefore have a record of winning 50% of their matches at home against the Hurricanes. The average score when these two teams meet in Dunedin is Highlanders 22 Hurricanes 21.
The Highlanders have won their last two matches against the Hurricanes in Dunedin. The Hurricanes last victory in the city was in 2015.
Average score: Highlanders 22 Hurricanes 25
Last five results
Fri, 08 Mar 2019 Highlanders v Hurricanes 22-25 Wellington
Fri, 01 Jun 2018 Highlanders v Hurricanes 30-14 Dunedin
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 Highlanders v Hurricanes 12-29 Wellington
Sat, 18 Mar 2017 Highlanders v Hurricanes 15-41 Wellington
Fri, 27 May 2016 Highlanders v Hurricanes 20-27 Wellington
Highlanders overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 32, Wins 14, Losses 18 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 5 April
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Paul Williams
TMO : Ben Skeen
Teams
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone,2. Liam Coltman,3. Tyrel Lomax,4. Josh Dickson,5. Tom Franklin,6. Shannon Frizell,7. James Lentjes,8. Luke Whitelock (cc),9. Kayne Hammington,10. Marty Banks,11. Tevita Li,12. Teihorangi Walden,13. Richard Buckman,14. Matt Faddes,15. Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon,17. Daniel Lienert-Brown,18. Siate Tokolahi,19. Jackson Hemopo,20. Elliot Dixon,21. Folau Fakatava,22. Josh Ioane,23. Rob Thompson
Hurricanes
15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Jordie Barrett, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Kane Le’aupepe, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Fraser Armstrong
Replacements :16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Liam Mitchell, 21 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22 Finlay Christie, 23 Matt Proctor
Reds v Stormers Super Rugby Preview
The Reds have played the Stormers 19 times in Super rugby since 1998 and they have won 7 matches and lost 12.
The Reds 7 wins gives them a record of winning 37% of their matches against the Stormers.
This weekend the match will be played in Brisbane where the teams have met on 9 occasions. In those 9 matches the Reds have won 5 matches and lost four. This gives them a record of winning 56% of their matches.
The average score when these teams meet in Brisbane is : Reds 24 Stormers 24.
In the last four matches between these two teams they have alternated wins. If the trend continues the Stormers will win this weekend.
Average score: Reds 23 Stormers 25
Last five results
Sat, 24 Mar 2018 Reds v Stormers 19-25 Cape Town
Sat, 23 Apr 2016 Reds v Stormers 22-40 Cape Town
Sat, 29 Mar 2014 Reds v Stormers 22-17 Brisbane
Sat, 25 May 2013 Reds v Stormers 15-20 Cape Town
Fri, 20 Apr 2012 Reds v Stormers 13-23 Brisbane
Reds overall record against the Stormers
Played 19 , Wins 7, Losses 12 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 5 April
Venue : Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick Off local: 19:00
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 1:AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 2: Nic Berry
TMO : James Leckie
Teams
Reds
15 Hamish Stewart, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Sefa Naivalu, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Jack Hardy, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas
Stormers
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Justin Phillips, 8 Jaco Coetzee, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Corne Fourie
Replacements:16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 SP Marais
Lions v Sharks Super Rugby Preview
The Lions have played the Sharks 29 times in Super rugby since 1998 and the Lions have won 10 matches and drawn 2.
The Lions 10 Super rugby victories gives them a record of winning 35% of their matches against the Sharks regardless of venue.
This weekend the match will be played in Johannesburg which is where the teams have met on 13 occasions.
In those 13 matches the Lions have won 6, drawn 1 and lost 6. This gives the Lions a record of winning 46% of their matches against the Sharks at home. Technically the Lions also have a record of not losing 50% of their matches to the Sharks due to the draw.
The average score when the Lions play the Sharks at home in Johannesburg is : Lions 24 Sharks 26.
The Sharks have not won in Johannesburg since 2014 and the Lions have won the last five matches at home against the Sharks.
Average score: Lions 21 Sharks 27
Last five results
Sat, 30 Jun 2018 Lions v Sharks 24-31 Durban
Sat, 17 Feb 2018 Lions v Sharks 26-19 Johannesburg
Sat, 22 Jul 2017 Elim Lions v Sharks 23-21 Johannesburg
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Lions v Sharks 27-10 Durban
Sat, 01 Apr 2017 Lions v Sharks 34-29 Johannesburg
Lions overall record against the Sharks
Played 29, Wins 10 , Losses 17, Draws 2
Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 5 April
Venue : Emirates Airlines (Ellis) Park, Johannesburg
Kick Off local: 19:10
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 2:Brendon Pickerill
TMO :Willie Vos
Teams
Lions
Andries Coetzee; Tyrone Green, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Lionel Mapoe, Courtnall Skosan; Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje; Ruan Vermaak, Cyle Brink, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Rhyno Herbst, Carlu Sadie, Malcolm Marx (c), Sti Sithole.
Replacments : Jan-Henning Campher, Nathan McBeth, Frans van Wyk, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Stephan Lewies, Nic Groom, Hacjivah Dayimani, Sylvian Mahuza/Wandisile
Simelane
Sharks
15. Curwin Bosch, 14. Lwazi Mvovo, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Robert du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder (c), 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jacques Vermeulen, 6. Luke Stringer, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. JJ van der Mescht, 20. Philip van der Walt, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Kobus van Wyk, 23. Aphelele Fassi
Crusaders v Brumbies Super Rugby Preview
The Crusaders have played the Brumbies 25 times in Super rugby since 1996 and they have won 17 matches and lost 8.
The Crusaders 17 wins over the Brumbies gives them a record of winning 68% of their matches against the Brumbies regardless of the venue.
This weekend the match between these teams will be played in Christchurch where the teams have met 10 times.
In those 10 Christchurch Super rugby matches the Crusaders have won 8 and lost 2 which gives them a record of winnning 80% of their home matches against the Brumbies.
The average score when these teams meet in Christchurch is : Crusaders 29 Brumbies 18.
The Brumbies won the first two matches in Christchurch (1996 and 2000) and since then the Crusaders have won next 8 matches. Therefore the Brumbies have not won in Christchurch since 2000.
Average score: Crusaders 29 Brumbies 22
Last five results
Sat, 28 Apr 2018 Crusaders v Brumbies 21-8 Canberra
Sat, 25 Feb 2017 Crusaders v Brumbies 17-13 Christchurch
Sun, 24 Apr 2016 Crusaders v Brumbies 40-14 Canberra
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Crusaders v Brumbies 37-24 Canberra
Sat, 03 May 2014 Crusaders v Brumbies 40-20 Christchurch
Crusaders overall record against the Brumbies
Played 25 , Wins 17 , Losses 8 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 6 April
Venue : AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 2:Paul Williams
TMO :Ben Skeen
Teams
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Faingaanuku
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Sam Carter, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Andy Muirhead
Blues v Waratahs Super Rugby Preview
The Blues have played the Waratahs 23 times in Super rugby since 1996 and they have won 15 matches and lost 8.
The Blues 15 wins over the Waratahs give them a record of winning 65% of their matches against the Waratahs regardless of the venue.
This weekend the match between these two teams will be played in Auckland which is where the teams have met 10 times.
In those 10 Auckland matches the Blues have won 9 and lost one. The Waratahs beat the Blues in 2009 so the Blues have won 90% of their matches against the Waratahs.
The average score when the Blues play the Waratahs in Auckland is : Blues 32 Waratahs 21.
The Blues have won the last four matches between the sides in Auckland.
Average score: Blues 27 Waratahs 25
Last five results
Sat, 05 May 2018 Blues v Waratahs 24-21 Sydney
Sat, 06 May 2017 Blues v Waratahs 40-33 Sydney
Fri, 15 Jul 2016 Blues v Waratahs 34-28 Auckland
Sat, 28 Mar 2015 Blues v Waratahs 11-23 Sydney
Fri, 25 Apr 2014 Blues v Waratahs 21-13 Auckland
Blues overall record against the Waratahs
Played 23, Wins 15 , Losses 8, Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 6 April
Venue : Eden Park, Auckland
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Glen Jackson
TMO : Glenn Newman
Teams
Blues
15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson (co-captain), 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (co-captain), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Michael Collins
Waratahs
15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes
Replacements: 16 Andrew Tuala, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Lachlan Swinton, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Kurtley Beale, 23 Lalakai Foketi
Rebels v Sunwolves Super Rugby Preview
The Rebels have played the Sunwolves just three times in Super rugby since they both joined the tournament in 2016.
In those three Super rugby matches the Rebels have been the winner in all matches.
This weekend the match will be played in Melbourne where the teams have met just once before. The Rebels won that match 40-13.
Average score: Rebels 37 Sunwolves 13
Last three results
Fri, 25 May 2018 Rebels v Sunwolves 40-13 Melbourne
Sat, 03 Mar 2018 Rebels v Sunwolves 37-17 Singapore
Sat, 19 Mar 2016 Rebels v Sunwolves 35-9 Tokyo
Rebels overall record against the Sunwolves
Played 3 , Wins 3, Losses 0 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 6 April
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 2:Marius van der Westhuizen
TMO : Ian Smith
Teams
Rebels
15 Reece Hodge, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Angus Cottrell (captain), 6 Luke Jones, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner
Replacements:16 Hugh Roach, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Semisi Tupou
Sunwolves
15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Harumichi Tatekawa, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Keito Shigeno, 8 Hendrik Tui, 7 Dan Pryor (captain), 6 Ben Gunter, 5 Luke Thompson, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Jaba Bregavadze, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Grant Hattingh, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Takuya Yamasawa, 23 Josh Timu
Bulls v Jaguares Super Rugby Preview
The Bulls have played the Jaguares 5 times in Super rugby since the South American side joined Super rugby in 2016.
In those five Super rugby matches the Blues have won 2 and lost three matches. This means the Bulls have won 40% of their matches against the Jaguares.
This weekend the match will be played in Pretoria where the teams have met just twice before. In those two Pretoria matches the Bulls have been the winner so they have never lost to the Jaguares at home.
The average score when these teams meet in Pretoria is : Bulls 34 Jaguares 24.
Neither of these teams has beaten the other away from home.
Average score: Bulls 23 Jaguares 31
Last five results
Sat, 23 Feb 2019 Bulls v Jaguares 12-27 Buenos Aires
Sat, 07 Jul 2018 Bulls v Jaguares 43-34 Pretoria
Sat, 19 May 2018 Bulls v Jaguares 24-54 Buenos Aires
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Bulls v Jaguares 26-13 Pretoria
Sat, 02 Jul 2016 Bulls v Jaguares 11-29 Buenos Aires
Bulls overall record against the Jaguares
Played 5 , Wins 2, Losses 3 , Draws 0
Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 6 April
Venue : Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick Off local: 15:05
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Fraser
TMO : Willie Vos
Teams
Bulls
15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Dylan Sage, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jade Stighling, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hanro Liebenberg 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Corniel Els, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 JT Jackson, 23 Cornal Hendricks
Jaguares
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente (captain), 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Marcos Kremer, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Tomas Lavanini, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Joaquin Tuculet