Super Rugby team by team preview round 9

The Hurricanes and the Chiefs kick off this weekend’s Super Rugby matches in Wellington and both teams have won their last five Super Rugby matches in a row.

The Hurricanes and the Chiefs are the two form teams currently as they share the longest current winning streak. The Crusaders and Waratahs are next best with three wins in a row.

The Sunwolves are still last and without a win and they host the Blues who have one win from six matches. The Sunwolves v Blues on Saturday is the battle for last place as they are placed 15th and 14th.

Recent form

1 Lions – W- W- W- L- W- L- L- W
2 Crusaders – W- W- L- L- W- W- W
3 Hurricanes – L- W- W- B- W- W- W
4 Chiefs – L- W- B- W- W- W- W
5 Rebels – W- W- W- L- W- L- B
6 Waratahs – W – D- L- W- B- W- W
7 Highlanders – W- B- W- W- L- L- B
8 Brumbies – W- L- L- W- B- L- W
9 Sharks – L- B – D- W- L- L- W- L
10 Reds – L- W- W- W- L- B- L
11 Stormers – W- L- L- L- W- W- L- L
12 Bulls – B- W- L- L- L- L- W- B
13 Jaguares – L- L- L- W- L- W- B- L
14 Blues – L- L- W- L- B- L- L
15 Sunwolves – L- L- L- L- L- B- L

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Hurricanes v Chiefs Super Rugby Preview

The Hurricanes host the Chiefs on Friday in Wellington and will be looking to end a two match losing streak to the Hamilton side who they have not beaten since 2016.

Last year in 2017 the Hurricanes and Chiefs met twice and the Chiefs won both matches – one in Wellington and one in Hamilton.

Overall the Hurricanes have played the Chiefs 30 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and the Hurricanes have won 15 matches and lost 14. There was one draw.

The Hurricanes have played the Chiefs 14 times in Wellington and they have won 10 matches and lost four. The Chiefs won on their last visit to Wellington. The teams met in the Semis in 2016 but in the regular season the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes so they have won two out of three recent matches in the city.

The average score when the Hurricanes play the Chiefs in Wellington is Hurricanes 28 Chiefs 20.

This season the Hurricanes have played six matches and lost one. The Hurricanes have played three matches at home and they are unbeaten in Wellington.

The Chiefs have also played six matches and won five. They have played three matches away from home and have won two.

The Bookies have given the Chiefs an 11 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. With home advantage the Hurricanes should win this by 8.

Average score: Hurricanes 23 Chiefs 22

Last five results
Fri, 09 Jun 2017 Hurricanes v Chiefs 14-17 Wellington
Fri, 10 Mar 2017 Hurricanes v Chiefs 18-26 Waikato
Sat, 30 Jul 2016 Semi Hurricanes v Chiefs 25-9 Wellington
Sat, 23 Apr 2016 Hurricanes v Chiefs 27-28 Wellington
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Hurricanes v Chiefs 21-13 New Plymouth

Hurricanes overall record against the Chiefs
Played 30, Wins 15, Losses 14, Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Friday 13 April
Venue : Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Cam Stone
TMO : Glenn Newman

Teams

Hurricanes

15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Sam Henwood, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Toby Smith

Replacements : 16 James O’Reilly, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Michael Fatialofa,20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen

Chiefs

1.Aidan Ross ,2. Nathan Harris ,3. Angus Ta’avao-Matau ,4. Brodie Retallick ,5. Tyler Ardron / Michael Allardice ,6. Lachlan Boshier ,7. Sam Cane (co-captain) , Taleni Seu ,9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi ,10. Damian McKenzie / Marty McKenzie, 11. Solomon Alaimalo ,12. Johnny Faauli ,13. Anton Lienert-Brown ,14. Sean Wainui,15. Charlie Ngatai (co-captain) ,

Replacements : 16. Liam Polwart ,17. Karl Tu’inukuafe ,18. Jeff Thwaites ,19. Luke Jacobson ,20. Liam Messam ,21. Jonathan Taumateine , 22. Marty McKenzie / Tiaan Falcon ,23. Alex Nankivell

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Sunwolves v Blues Super Rugby Preview

The Sunwolves have only played the Blues once in Super Rugby and that match was won 48-21 by the Sunwolves – with a bonus point.

The Sunwolves are placed last this season and with a points differential of -129 they are almost double the next worst on this statistic.

The Blues have only won one match this season but they have pushed some big teams close in recent weeks. Their 14th place is a little misleading as they have mostly played teams in the top half.

The Blues lost heavily on their last visit, this season they are on the edge of finding form. With a little more confidence they could find themselves moving up the standings rapidly.

The Bookies have given the Sunwolves a 20 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Blues should win this with a bonus point by 15.

Average score: Sunwolves 48 Blues 21

Last result
Sat, 15 Jul 2017 Sunwolves v Blues 48-21 Tokyo

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

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 14 April
Venue : Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick Off local: 12:05
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1: Shuhei Kubo
Assistant Ref 2:Tasuku Kawahara
TMO : Minoru Fuji

Teams

Sunwolves

15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Semisi Masirewa, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Michael Little, 11 Lomano Lemeki, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Yutaka Nagare (captain), 8 Kazuki Himeno, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 James Moore, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Craig Millar

Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadse, 17 Shintaro Ishihara, 18 Nikoloz Khatiashvili, 19 Wimpie van der Walt, 20 Willie Britz, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 William Tupou

Blues

1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Jimmy Tupou, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Matt Duffie, 12. Rieko Ioane, 13. Orbyn Leger, 14. Jordan Hyland,15. Michael Collins.

Replacements: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Ben Neenee, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. TJ Faiane

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Rebels v Jaguares Super Rugby Preview

The Rebels have only played the Jaguares once before in Super Rugby and that match was last year and in Melbourne.

In that match, the Rebels lost to the Jaguares 29-32 at AAMI Stadium.

This year the Rebels have played six matches and won four which has made them the top team in the Australian Super Rugby conference. They have played four
matches at home and won three.

The Jaguares have played seven matches so far and they have won two. They have also played two matches away from home and have yet to win outside of Argentina.

The Bookies have given the Jaguares a 12 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Rebels should win this by 9 points or more.

Average score: Rebels 29 Jaguares 32

Last result
Fri, 14 Jul 2017 Rebels v Jaguares 29-32 Melbourne

Rebels overall record against the Jaguares
Played 1, Wins 0, Losses 1, Draws 0

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 14 April
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 15:15
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1:Will Houston
Assistant Ref 2:Graham Cooper
TMO :Damien Mitchelmore

Teams

Rebels

Tetera Faulkner , Anaru Rangi , Sam Talakai , Geoff Parling , Adam Coleman , Ross Haylett-Petty , Richard Hardwick , Amanaki Mafi , Will Genia , Jack Debreczeni , Marika Koroibete , Billy Meakes , Tom English , Jack Maddocks , Dane Haylett-Petty

Replacements : Jordan Uelese , Ben Daley , Jermaine Ainsley , Matt Philip , Colby Fainga’a , Lopeti Timani , Michael Ruru , Sefa Naivalu

Jaguares

15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Sebastian Cancelliere, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta

Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Javier Manuel Diaz, 18 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Joaquin Tuculet

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Highlanders v Brumbies Super Rugby Preview

The Highlanders host the Brumbies in this clash and they will be hoping for a third successive victory over the Canberra based Super Rugby franchise.

The Highlanders have played the Brumbies 22 times in Super Rugby and they have won 10 matches and lost 12. This gives them a record of winning 46% of their matches against the Brumbies.

This weekend the match will be played in Dunedin where the teams have met on 7 occasions. In those 7 matches the Highlanders have won 4 and lost three. Crucially the last three matches in Dunedin have all been won by the Brumbies. In recent times these matches have been played at Invercargill and the last time these teams met in Dunedin was in 2013.

As a result of the Brumbies winning the last three matches in Dunedin the Highlanders have not won at home in Dunedin against the Brumbies since 2005!

This season the Highlanders have played 5 matches and won three. They have played three matches at home and have yet to lose at home.

The Brumbies have played six matches to date and they have won three matches and lost three. The Brumbies have played three matches away from home and won just one (against the Sunwolves in Tokyo.)

The average score when the Highlanders play the Brumbies in Dunedin is Highlanders 21 Brumbies 21.

The Bookies have given the Brumbies a 17 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Highlanders at home should win this by 12 or more. 

Average score: Highlanders 20 Brumbies 26

Last five results
Sat, 25 Mar 2017 Highlanders v Brumbies 18-13 Canberra
Fri, 22 Jul 2016 Elim Highlanders v Brumbies 15-9 Canberra
Sat, 30 Apr 2016 Highlanders v Brumbies 23-10 Invercargill
Fri, 24 Apr 2015 Highlanders v Brumbies 18-31 Canberra
Fri, 12 Apr 2013 Highlanders v Brumbies 19-30 Dunedin

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

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 14 April
Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2: James Doleman
TMO : Glenn Newman

Teams

Highlanders

1. Daniel Lienert-Brown,2. Liam Coltman,3. Siate Tokolahi,4. Jackson Hemopo,5. Tom Franklin,6. Shannon Frizell,7. Dillon Hunt,8. Luke Whitelock,9. Aaron Smith,10. Lima Sopoaga,11. Tevita Li,12. Teihorangi Walden,13. Rob Thompson,14. Waisake Naholo,15. Ben Smith (cc)

Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon (cc),17. Aki Seiuli,18. Kalolo Tuiloma,19. Alex Ainley,20. Elliot Dixon,21. Kayne Hammington,22. Fletcher Smith,23. Matt Faddes

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 James Dargaville, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano (co-captain), 11 Chance Peni, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Matt Lucas, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock, 6 Tom Cusack, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Sam Carter (co-captain), 20 Michael Oakman-Hunt, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Kyle Godwin, 23 Andrew Smith

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Waratahs v Reds Super Rugby Preview

The Waratahs host the Reds in the penultimate match this weekend and the Waratahs will be looking to extend their winning streak against the Queenslanders to 8 straight wins.

The Waratahs have played the Reds 28 times in Super Rugby and they have won 14 matches, lost 13 and drawn one.

This weekend the match will take place in Sydney where the teams have met 13 times and they have won 7 matches and lost 6. This gives the Waratahs a record of winning 54% of their matches against the Reds.

The average score when the Waratahs play the Reds in Sydney is Waratahs 23 Reds 16.

This season the Waratahs have played six matches and won four. At home in Sydney they have played two and won two.

The Reds have played six matches and won three. Away from home the Reds have played four and won one (against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires).

This weekend’s match will be in Sydney but it will be at the SCG (It was moved due to the A-League’s Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory match at Allianz Stadium). It will be the first QLD vs NSW rugby clash at the venue since 1983.

The Bookies have given the Reds a 10 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Waratahs 

Average score: Waratahs 21 Reds 18

Last five results
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
Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Waratahs v Reds 31-5 Sydney
Sat, 07 Mar 2015 Waratahs v Reds 23-5 Brisbane

Waratahs overall record against the Reds
Played 28, Wins 14 , Losses 13 , Draws 1

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 14 April
Venue : Sydney Cricket Ground
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 2: James Leckie
TMO : George Ayoub

Teams

Waratahs

15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Will Miller, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson

Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jed Holloway, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Cameron Clark

Reds

1. James Slipper (C) , 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Ruan Smith (run-on debut) , 4. Izack Rodda , 5. Kane Douglas, 6. Lukhan Tui , 7. Liam Wright , 8. Caleb Timu, 9. James Tuttle, 10. Jono Lance, 11. Izaia Perese, 12. Samu Kerevi , 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia , 14. Filipo Daugunu , 15. Aidan Toua

Replacements : 16. Alex Mafi , 17. JP Smith, 18. Sef Fa’agase , 19. Adam Korczyk , 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Jordan Petaia

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Sharks v Bulls Super Rugby Preview

The final Super Rugby match of Round 9 this weekend is in Durban South Africa where the Sharks have returned from a tour of New Zealand where they impressed but also fell short at the death last week.

The Sharks have played the Bulls 26 times in Super Rugby and they have won 9 matches and lost 15. There have been two draws between the sides. These results give the Sharks a record of winning 35% of their matches against the Bulls.

This weekend the match will be played in Durban where the teams have met 13 times. In those 13 matches the Sharks have won 5 matches and lost 8. This is a record of wininng 39% of their home matches against the Bulls.

The average score when the Sharks play the Bulls in Durban is Sharks 22 Bulls 18.

This season the Sharks have played 7 matches and won two and drawn one. At home they have played two matches and won one and drawn one.

The Bulls have played six matches and won two. The Bulls have played three matches away from home and lost all three.

The Bookies have given the Bulls a 6 point start for this Match – with an offer of up to $100 in Bonus bets. The Sharks should win this by 10.  

Average score: Sharks 21 Bulls 20

Last five results
Sat, 01 Jul 2017 Sharks v Bulls 17-30 Durban
Fri, 18 Mar 2016 Sharks v Bulls 16-16 Pretoria
Sat, 18 Apr 2015 Sharks v Bulls 10-17 Durban
Sat, 28 Feb 2015 Sharks v Bulls 35-43 Pretoria
Sat, 22 Mar 2014 Sharks v Bulls 19-23 Pretoria

Sharks overall record against the Bulls
Played 26 ,Wins 9, Losses 15 , Draws 2

Match Officials and details
Date : Saturday 14 April
Venue : Kings Park , Durban
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 1:AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 2:Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO :Marius Jonker

Teams

Sharks

15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Tyler Paul, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk.

Bulls

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Duncan Mathews

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