Super Rugby Round 15 Part 1 has five matches. Next week is the first part of Round 16 and then at the end of the month is Super Rugby Round 15 Part 2.
This round has been split into two parts as the teams in the South African group are not playing so only the New Zealand and Australian teams play this weekend. This is all to accommodate the British and Irish Lions tour.
This week there is one match on Friday and there are four matches on Saturday. There are no Sunday matches.
The South African Group teams effectively have the bye.
Here we list the teams as they are released and preview the five upcoming matches.
Blues v Reds Super Rugby Preview
Auckland’s Blues kick off the weekend’s Super Rugby action with a match against Queensland’s Reds in Apia Samoa on Friday.
The match will be the first ever Super Rugby match in Samoa and both teams have selected players with Samoan heritage.
The Blues and Reds have played each other 21 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and the Blues have won 9, lost 10 and there have been two draws.
The last time these teams met the match ended in a draw and was in March 2016 in Brisbane.
Home advantage doesn’t really apply in this match but this year New Zealand teams have played Australian teams in 20 matches. The NZ teams have won all
20 matches.
Average score: Blues 26 Reds 25
Last five results
Sat, 19 Mar 2016 Blues v Reds 25-25 Brisbane
Fri, 02 May 2014 Blues v Reds 44-14 Auckland
Fri, 26 Apr 2013 Blues v Reds 11-12 Brisbane
Fri, 27 Apr 2012 Blues v Reds 11-23 Auckland
Sat, 02 Jul 2011 Semi Blues v Reds 13-30 Brisbane
Blues overall record against the Reds
Played 21, Wins 9 , Losses 10 , Draws 2
Match Officials
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1:Will Houston
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO : Shane McDermott
Teams
Blues
1. Alex Hodgman, 2. James Parsons (c), 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 7.Kara Pryor, 8. Steven Luatua; 9. Sam Nock, 10. Piers Francis, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rene Ranger, 14. Declan O’Donnell, 15. Melani Nanai.
Replacements: 16. Hame Faiva, 17. Sam Prattley, 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19. Akira Ioane, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Billy Guyton, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Jordan Trainor.
Queensland Reds
1. Sef Fa’agase ,2. Andrew Ready ,3. Taniela Tupou,4. Izack Rodda ,5. Lukhan Tui,6. Hendrik Tui ,7. George Smith,8. Scott Higginbotham ,9. James Tuttle,10. Quade Cooper,11. Eto Nabuli ,12. Duncan Paia’aua ,13. Samu Kerevi (C),14. Chris Kuridrani ,15. Karmichael Hunt
Replacements : 16. Alex Mafi,17. Kirwan Sanday,18. Sam Talakai ,19. Kane Douglas,20. Adam Korczyk,21. Caleb Timu ,22. Nick Frisby,23. Jake McIntyre
Crusaders v Highlanders Super Rugby Preview
Super Rugby’s leading team the Crusaders kick off the action on Saturday at home in Christchurch with a match against 2015’s Super rugby champions the Highlanders.
The Crusaders have gone through 13 matches unbeaten while the Highlanders have won their last nine matches. One of these teams is going to lose their winning streak.
The Crusaders have played the Highlanders 30 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and they have won 20 matches and lost ten. There have been no draws.
In the last five matches between the sides the Crusaders have won three and the Highlanders two. The Crusaders have played the Highlanders in Christchurch 14 times and won 11 matches. Ironically the last time the Highlanders visited Christchurch they won 20-25. Later that year they went on to win the title.
Both teams have momentum but the Crusaders have to go into this match as the favourites as they are unbeaten and playing at home.
Average score: Crusaders 29 Highlanders 21
Last five results
Sat, 04 Mar 2017 Crusaders v Highlanders 30-27 Dunedin
Fri, 13 May 2016 Crusaders v Highlanders 26-34 Dunedin
Sat, 11 Apr 2015 Crusaders v Highlanders 20-25 Christchurch
Sat, 21 Feb 2015 Crusaders v Highlanders 26-20 Dunedin
Sat, 12 Jul 2014 Crusaders v Highlanders 34-8 Christchurch
Crusaders overall record against the Highlanders
Played 30, Wins 20, Losses 10 , Draws 0
Match Officials
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:James Doleman
Assistant Ref 2:Michael Winter
TMO : Glenn Newman
Teams
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody , 2. Codie Taylor , 3. Owen Franks , 4. Luke Romano , 5. Sam Whitelock (C) , 6. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis , 7. Matt Todd (VC) , 8. Jordan Taufua , 9. Mitchell Drummond , 10. Richie Mo’unga , 11. George Bridge , 12. Ryan Crotty (VC) , 13. Jack Goodhue , 14. Seta Tamanivalu , 15. David Havili
Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell , 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Michael Alaalatoa , 19. Quinten Strange , 20. Jed Brown , 21. Bryn Hall , 22. Mitchell Hunt , 23. Israel Dagg
Highlanders
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown , 2. Liam Coltman , 3. Siate Tokolahi , 4. Alex Ainley , 5. Tom Franklin , 6. Gareth Evans , 7. James Lentjes , 8. Luke Whitelock , 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Marty Banks , 11. Richard Buckman , 12. Rob Thompson , 13. Malakai Fekitoa , 14. Waisake Naholo , 15. Ben Smith (CC)
Replacements : 16. Ash Dixon (CC) , 17. Aki Seiuli , 18. Siosuia Halanukonuka , 19. Joe Wheeler , 20. Elliot Dixon , 21. Kayne Hammington , 22. Lima Sopoaga , 23. Matt Faddes
Chiefs v Waratahs Super Rugby Preview
Two time Super Rugby champions the Chiefs are back at home in Hamilton this weekend and they host the Waratahs at Waikato Stadium.
The Chiefs have played the Waratahs 20 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and the Chiefs have won 7 matches and lost 13.
The Chiefs have hosted the Waratahs 7 times in Hamilton and they have won 5 matches and lost two.
The last three matches have all be won by the Wartatahs but the last time these teams met in Hamilton was in 2012 and the Chiefs won 30-13.
This season the Chiefs have played 12 matches, won 9,drawn 1 and lost two. The Waratahs have played 12 matches and won four. .
As mentioned in an earlier preview the New Zealand teams have played 20 matches against Australian teams this year and the NZ teams have yet to lose a match.
Average score: Chiefs 24 Waratahs 28
Last five results
Fri, 27 May 2016 Chiefs v Waratahs 25-45 Sydney
Sat, 31 May 2014 Chiefs v Waratahs 17-33 New Plymouth
Fri, 19 Apr 2013 Chiefs v Waratahs 20-25 Sydney
Sat, 31 Mar 2012 Chiefs v Waratahs 30-13 Hamilton
Fri, 01 Apr 2011 Chiefs v Waratahs 16-23 Sydney
Chiefs overall record against the Waratahs
Played 20, Wins 7 , Losses 13 , Draws 0
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1:Richard Kelly
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Lash
TMO :Ben Skeen
Teams
Chiefs
1. Kane Hames,2. Nathan Harris,3. Nepo Laulala,4. Dominic Bird ,5. Brodie Retallick ,6. Mitchell Brown ,7. Sam Cane (co-captain),8. Liam Messam,9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow ,10. Aaron Cruden (co-captain) ,11. James Lowe ,12. Stephen Donald ,13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Toni Pulu,15. Damian McKenzie
Replacements :16. Liam Polwart**,17. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi ,18. Atu Moli,19. Taleni Seu,20. Mitchell Karpik,21. Jonathan Taumateine ,22. Tim Nanai-Williams ,23. Solomon Alaimalo
**denotes Super Rugby debut
Waratahs
Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Cam Clark, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson.
Replacements : Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Angus Taavao, David McDuling, Jed Holloway, Jack Dempsey , Matt Lucas, Bryce Hegarty.
Brumbies v Rebels Super Rugby Preview
Australia’s top Super Rugby team the Brumbies host Melbourne’s Rebels in an all Australian Super Rugby derby in this match.
This is a match of contrasting form as the Brumbies top the Australian Conference and the Rebels are at the bottom. In the overall standings the Rebels are in
17th place.
The Brumbies have played the Rebels 12 times in Super Rugby since 2011 and the Brumbies have won 8 matches and lost 4.
The two teams have met five times in Canberra and the Brumbies have won four out of the five matches. The average score when the Brumbies play the Rebels in Canberra is 31-13 to the Brumbies.
Average score: Brumbies 27 Rebels 17
Last five results
Sat, 15 Apr 2017 Brumbies v Rebels 17-19 Melbourne
Fri, 13 May 2016 Brumbies v Rebels 30-22 Melbourne
Sat, 18 Apr 2015 Brumbies v Rebels 8-13 Canberra
Sat, 28 Feb 2015 Brumbies v Rebels 20-15 Melbourne
Sat, 31 May 2014 Brumbies v Rebels 37-10 Canberra
Brumbies overall record against the Rebels
Played 12, Wins 8 , Losses 4 , Draws 0
Match Officials
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 1: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2:James Leckie
TMO : Ian Smith
Teams
Brumbies
15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Aidan Toua, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Nic Mayhew.
Replacements :16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Andrew Muirhead, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.
Rebels
1. Toby Smith , 2. James Hanson , 3. Tyrel Lomax , 4. Steve Cummins , 5. Lopeti Timani , 6. Hugh Sinclair , 7. Colby Fainga’a , 8. Amanaki Mafi , 9. Nic Stirzaker (Captain) , 10. Ben Volavola , 11. Marika Koroibete , 12. Mitch Inman , 13. Tom English , 14. Sefa Naivalu , 15. Reece Hodge?
Replacements : 16. Siliva Siliva , 17. Cruze Ah-Nau , 18. Laurie Weeks , 19. Culum Retallick , 20. Will Miller , 21. Ben Meehan , 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop , 23. Jonah Placid
Force v Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview
The final Super Rugby match this weekend is in Perth where the Western Force host the current champion Hurricanes.
The Force have played the Hurricanes 10 times in Super Rugby since 2006 and the Force have won one match.
That one Force victory was in 2007 and since then the Hurricanes have won 8 matches in a row against the Hurricanes regardless of where the match was played.
After 20 Super Rugby matches between Australian and New Zealand teams this year no Australian team has won a match.
Average score: Western Force 16 Hurricanes 33
Last five results
Fri, 18 Mar 2016 Force v Hurricanes 6-41 Palmerston North
Fri, 27 Feb 2015 Force v Hurricanes 13-42 Perth
Fri, 19 Apr 2013 Force v Hurricanes 16-22 Wellington
Fri, 09 Mar 2012 Force v Hurricanes 19-46 Perth
Fri, 27 May 2011 Force v Hurricanes 28-34 Palmerston North
Force’s overall record against the Hurricanes
Played 10, Wins 1 , Losses 9 , Draws 0
Match Officials
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Assistant Ref 1:Graham Cooper
Assistant Ref 2:Jordan Way
TMO : Damien Mitchelmore
Teams
Force
Francois van Wyk , Heath Tessmann , Jermaine Ainsley , Matt Philip , Adam Coleman , Ross Haylett-Petty , Matt Hodgson (C) , Isi Naisarani , Michael Ruru , Peter Grant , Alex Newsome , Bill Meakes , Curtis Rona , James Verity-Amm , Dane Haylett-Petty , Reserves
Tatafu Polota-Nau , Pek Cowan , Tetera Faulkner , Richie Arnold , Richard Hardwick , Mitchell Short , Luke Burton , Marcel Brache
Hurricanes
Jordie Barrett, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (c), Brad Shields, Callum Gibbins, Reed Prinsep, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila.
Replacements: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Mark Abbott, Ardie Savea, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Nehe Milner-Skudder
