Super Rugby Round Four has eight matches with three on Friday and five on Saturday. The Force and Stormers have the bye.
Here we preview the eight upcoming matches this weekend.
Crusaders v Blues Super Rugby Preview
The Crusaders have won their last five matches against the Blues who have not tasted victory over the men from Christchurch since February 2014. Even more worryingly from a Blues perspective is that the Crusaders have hosted the Blues 14 times in Christchurch and they have won 11 matches.
The last nine home matches played on Crusaders home soil have all been won by the Crusaders. The Blues last beat the Crusaders away from home in February 2004 – which was in the Super 12.
Average score: Crusaders 25 Blues 21
Last five results
28 May 2016 Crusaders v Blues 26-21 Auckland
04 Mar 2016 Crusaders v Blues 28-13 Christchurch
06 Jun 2015 Crusaders v Blues 34-11 Auckland
25 Apr 2015 Crusaders v Blues 29-15 Christchurch
05 Jul 2014 Crusaders v Blues 21-13 Christchurch
Crusaders overall record against the Blues
Played 29, Wins 18, Losses 11 , Draws 0
Match : Crusaders v Blues
Date : Friday 17 March 2017
Venue : AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Mabey
Assistant Ref 2:Cam Stone
TMO : Aaron Paterson
Teams
Crusaders:
15 David Havili, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Jed Brown, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Sean Wainui
Blues
1 Pauliasi Manu, 2 James Parsons (C), 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Jerome Kaino, 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 12 George Moala, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Matt Duffie, 15 Michael Collins.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Ihaia West, 23 TJ Faiane.
Rebels v Chiefs Super Rugby Preview
Melbourne’s Rebels have played the Chiefs five times and won just one match. That one victory for the Rebels was in 2015 and was at their Melbourne home AAMI Park. That match was won 16-15 by the Rebels.
While the Chiefs lead the Super Rugby standings this season the Rebels are in last place.
The Rebels have made four changes to the side that were defeated by the Hurricanes in Wellington two weeks ago, with home-grown prop Fereati Sa’aga to be given his run-on debut.
Sefa Naivalu will also make his much-anticipated return on the wing, partnering with childhood friend, Marika Koroibete, as the pair look to inject some venom into the Rebels attack.
Average score: Rebels 18 Chiefs 30
Last five results
21 May 2016 Rebels v Chiefs 15-36 Hamilton
02 May 2015 Rebels v Chiefs 16-15 Melbourne
12 Apr 2014 Rebels v Chiefs 16-22 Hamilton
03 May 2013 Rebels v Chiefs 33-39 Melbourne
05 Mar 2011 Rebels v Chiefs 10-38 Hamilton
Rebels overall record against the Chiefs
Played 5, Wins 1, Losses 4, Draws 0
Match : Rebels v Chiefs
Date : Friday 17 March 2017
Venue : AAMi Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 1:Rohan Hoffmann
Assistant Ref 2:Graham Cooper
TMO : Damien Mitchelmore
Teams
Melbourne Rebels
1. Fereti Sa’aga , 2. James Hanson3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Culum Retallick ,5. Steve Cummins ,6. Jordy Reid ,7. Colby Fainga’a ,8. Amanaki Mafi ,9. Nic Stirzaker (Captain) ,10. Jackson Garden-Bachop ,11. Marika Koroibete ,12. Reece Hodge ,13. Tom English ,14. Sefa Naivalu ,15. Jack Debreczeni ,
Reserves:16. Pat Leafa ,17. Cruze Ah-Nau ,18. Tyrel Lomax ,19. Murray Douglas^* ,20. Jake Schatz ,21. Ben Meehan ,22. Sione Tuipulotu ,23. Ben Volavola ,
^Super Rugby debut
*Rebels debut
Chiefs
1. Kane Hames , 2. Sabastian Siataga , 3. Nepo Laulala , 4. Dominic Bird , 5. Brodie Retallick, 6. Tom Sanders, 7. Sam Cane (co-captain) , 8. Liam Messam , 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10. Damian McKenzie , 11. Solomon Alaimalo**, 12. Stephen Donald , 13. Anton Lienert-Brown , 14. Toni Pulu , 15. Shaun Stevenson
Replacements : 16. Hika Elliot, 17. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi , 18. Atu Moli , 19. Mitchell Brown , 20. Mitchell Karpik, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Aaron Cruden (co-captain) , 23. Johnny Faauli
**denotes Super Rugby debut
Bulls v Sunwolves Super Rugby Preview
Pretoria’s Bulls are sitting in third place in the Africa 1 Conference which is directly above the Sunwolves. Neither team have won a match yet this season and the Bulls are ahead of their Japanese opponent’s on points difference.
The Bulls have played the Sunwolves twice so far in Super Rugby and the Blues have won both matches. On their last visit to Loftus Versfeld the Sunwolves were beaten by a 47 point margin.
Average score: Bulls 40 Sunwolves 15
Last two results
09 Jul 2016 Bulls v Sunwolves 50-3 Pretoria
26 Mar 2016 Bulls v Sunwolves 30-27 Singapore
Bulls overall record against the Sunwolves
Played 2 , Wins 2, Losses 0 , Draws 0
Match : Bulls v Sunwolves
Date : Friday 17 March 2017
Venue : Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick Off local: 19:00
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2:Stuart Berry
TMO :Willie Vos
Teams
Bulls
Warrick Gelant,Travis Ismaiel ,Jan Serfontein,Burger Odendaal , Jamba Ulengo,Handré Pollard (c), Piet van Zyl ,Hanro Liebenberg,Renaldo Bothma, Ruan Steenkamp ,Lood
de Jager , Jason Jenkins,Trevor Nyakane , Edgar Marutlulle , Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboko, Jacobie Adriaanse, RG Snyman,Jannes Kirsten, Ivan van Zyl, Tian Schoeman,Jesse Kriel
Sunwolves
15 Shota Emi, 14 Takaaki Nakazuru, 13 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 12 Timothy Lafaele, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Hayden Cripps, 9 Keisuke Uchida, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Shumei Matsuhashi, 6 Ed Quirk (c), 5 Uwe Helu, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Yasuo Yamaji, 2 Yusuke Niwai, 1 Koki Yamamoto
Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Masataka Mikami, 18 Heiichiro Ito, 19 Liaki Moli, 20 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Jumpei Ogura, 23 Ryohei Yamanaka
Hurricanes vs Highlanders Super Rugby Preview
The Hurricanes and Highlanders have played each other 28 times in Super Rugby since 1996 and the Hurricanes have won 54 % of the matches. On home soil the Hurricanes have played the Highlanders 14 times and won 8 matches and lost six.
This gives the Hurricanes a record of winning 57% of their home matches against the Highlanders. However out of the last seven matches in Wellington the Hurricanes have won five.
Average score: Hurricanes 24 Highlanders 22
Last five results
27 May 2016 Hurricanes v Highlanders 27-20 Wellington
05 Mar 2016 Hurricanes v Highlanders 16-17 Dunedin
04 Jul 2015 Final Hurricanes v Highlanders 14-21 Wellington
05 Jun 2015 Hurricanes v Highlanders 56-20 Wellington
20 Mar 2015 Hurricanes v Highlanders 20-13 Dunedin
Hurricanes overall record against the Highlanders
Played 28, Wins 15, Losses 13 , Draws 0
Match : Hurricanes v Highlanders
Date : Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Venue : Saturday 18 March 2017
Kick Off local: 19:35 local
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2: Richard Kelly
TMO : Shane McDermott
Teams
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso , 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (vc), 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Chris Eves
Replacements : Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Sam Lousi, Reed Prinsep, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Wes Goosen.
Highlanders
Daniel Lienert-Brown , Liam Coltman , Siate Tokolahi , Joe Wheeler , Tom Franklin , Elliot Dixon , Dillon Hunt , Luke Whitelock , Aaron Smith , Fletcher Smith , Tevita Li , Rob Thompson , Malakai Fekitoa , Richard Buckman , Ben Smith ( c )
Replacements : Sekonia Pole , Aki Seiuli , Guy Millar , Jackson Hemopo , Gareth Evans , Kayne Hammington , Marty Banks , Matt Faddes
Waratahs vs Brumbies Super Rugby Preview
The last two matches between these two teams have been won by the Brumbies. Overall the Waratahs have played the Brumbies 29 times since 1996 and they have won 16 matches or 55%.
The Waratahs have hosted the Brumbies 16 times in Sydney and won 13 matches. The last match played in Sydney between the teams was won by the Brumbies but the four prior to that were all won by the Waratahs.
The Brumbies lead the Australian Super Rugby Conference with one win and two losses while the Waratahs are fourth and have also won one and lost two.
The Waratahs and the Brumbies will play for the Dan Vickerman Cup on Saturday in honour of the Wallabies lock who passed away last month. Vickerman played for both clubs during his playing career.
The Waratahs will have three Super Rugby centurions run out on Saturday evening with Nick Phipps, Sekope Kepu and Michael Hooper all earning their 100th Super Rugby Cap.
Michael Hooper will become the youngest player to reach this milestone in Super Rugby’s history, at just 25 years and 140 days.
Wallabies backrower, Scott Fardy will return to the starting XV for the Brumbies having been rested last week.
Average score: Waratahs 22 Brumbies 23
Last five results
16 Apr 2016 Waratahs v Brumbies 20-26 Sydney
04 Mar 2016Waratahs v Brumbies 15-32 Canberra
01 May 2015 Waratahs v Brumbies 13-10 Canberra
22 Mar 2015 Waratahs v Brumbies 28-13 Sydney
26 Jul 2014 Semi Waratahs v Brumbies 26-8 Sydney
Waratahs overall record against the Brumbies
Played 29 , Wins 16, Losses 13, Draws 0
Match : Waratahs v Brumbies
Date : Saturday 18 March 2017
Venue : Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick Off local: 19:45
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2:Will Houston
TMO : Ian Smith
Teams
Waratahs
Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Irae Simone, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley/Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (c), Jack Dempsey, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson
Replacements: Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, David McDuling, Ned Hanigan, Michael Wells, Jake Gordon, Hegarty/David Horwitz
Brumbies
Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Nigel Ah Wong, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Lolo Fakaosilea, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (c), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben Alexander
Replacements: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Blake Enever, Ben Hyne, De Wet Roos, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andrew Smith
Sharks v Kings Super Rugby Preview
The Sharks lead the Africa 2 Super Rugby Conference and have won two of their three matches. In the same conference the Kings are in fourth place with one win and two losses.
The Sharks have played the Kings four times in Super Rugby and they have won all four. The Kings have never beaten a fellow South African side.
Average score: Sharks 44 Kings 8
Last four results
21 May 2016 Sharks v Kings 53-0 Durban
27 Feb 2016 Sharks v Kings 43-8 Port Elizabeth
13 Jul 2013 Sharks v Kings 58-13 Durban
09 Mar 2013 Sharks v Kings 21-12 Port Elizabeth
Sharks overall record against the Kings
Played 4 , Wins 4 , Losses 0, Draws 0
Match : Sharks v Kings
Date : Saturday 18 March 2017
Venue : Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
Kick Off local: 19:30
Referee: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 1:Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Ref 2:Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO : Shaun Veldsman
Teams
Sharks
15. Curwin Bosch , 14. Kobus van Wyk , 13. Lukhanyo Am , 12. Andre Esterhuizen , 11. Odwa Ndungane , 10. Benhard Janse van Rensburg , 9. Cobus Reinach , 8. Tera Mtembu (c) , 7. Jean-Luc du Preez , 6. Jacques Vermeulen , 5. Ruan Botha , 4. Stephan Lewies , 3. Lourens Adriaanse , 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle , 1. Thomas du Toit
Replacements:16. Stephan Coetzee , 17. Juan Schoeman , 18. John-Hubert Meyer , 19. Etienne Oosthuizen , 20. Daniel du Preez , 21. Michael Claassens , 22. Jeremy Ward , 23. Garth April
Southern Kings
15. Masixole Banda,14. Makazole Mapimpi,13. Berton Klaasen,12. Waylon Murray,11. Alshaun Bock,10. Lionel Cronje (v/c),9. Louis Schreuder,8. Ruaan Lerm,7. Andisa Ntsila,6. Chris Cloete,5. Wilhelm van der Sluys,4. Irne Herbst,3. Ross Geldenhuys,2. Michael Willemse,1. Schalk Ferreira (capt)
Replacements: 16. Kurt Haupt, 17. Schalk van der Merwe, 18. Justin Forwood, 19. Tyler Paul, 20. Stefan Willemse, 21. Johan Steyn, 22. Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 23. Johann Trom
Lions v Reds Super Rugby Preview
The last two matches between the Lions and the Reds have been won by the Lions. The three prior to that were all won by the Reds. Overall they have played each other 17 times in Super Rugby and the Lions have won five matches.
In Johannesburg the teams have met nine times and the Lions have won 2, drawn one and lost six matches. Between 2000 and 2011 the Reds went through six matches undefeated by the Lions on South African soil. The Reds have however lost their last two matches on South African soil.
The Reds best performance this season was last week when they lost to the Crusaders and the Lions arguably delivered their worst performance last week against the Jaguares. Prior to that though the Lions thumped the Waratahs.
This match will be the first time these two sides have played since 2015.
Average score: Lions 21 Reds 27
Last five results
27 Mar 2015 Lions v Reds 18-17 Brisbane
22 Mar 2014 Lions v Reds 23-20 Johannesburg
19 May 2012 Lions v Reds 20-34 Brisbane
02 Apr 2011 Lions v Reds 25-30 Johannesburg
10 Apr 2010 Lions v Reds 26-41 Johannesburg
Lions overall record against the Reds
Played 17 , Wins 5 , Losses 11 , Draws 1
Match : Lions v Reds
Date : Saturday 18 March 2017
Venue : Emirates Airlines Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick Off local: 17:15
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Jamie Nutbrown
Assistant Ref 2:Stuart Berry
TMO :Willie Vos
Teams
Lions
1. Jacques van Rooyen, 2. Malcolm Marx , 3. Ruan Dreyer , 4. Andries Ferreira , 5. Franco Mostert, 6. Jaco Kriel , 7. Ruan Ackermann , 8. Warren Whiteley , 9. Faf de Klerk, 10. Elton Jantjies, 11. Courtnall Skosan , 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg , 13. Lionel Mapoe , 14. Madosh Tambwe 15. Andries Coetzee
Replacements : 16. Robbie Coetzee, 17. Dylan Smith , 18. Johannes Jonker , 19. Lourens Erasmus , 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Ross Cronje , 22. Jaco vd Walt
Reds
1. James Slipper (C) , 2. Andrew Ready , 3. Sam Talakai , 4. Rob Simmons , 5. Kane Douglas , 6. Hendrik Tui , 7. George Smith , 8. Scott Higginbotham , 9. Nick Frisby , 10. Quade Cooper , 11. Eto Nabuli , 12. Duncan Paia’aua , 13. Samu Kerevi , 14. Izaia Perese , 15. Karmichael Hunt
Replacements : 16. Stephen Moore , 17. Markus Vanzati , 18. Taniela Tupou , 19. Lukhan Tui , 20. Adam Korczyk , 21. James Tuttle , 22. Jake McIntyre , 23. Chris Kuridrani
Jaguares v Cheetahs Super Rugby Preview
The Jaguares have made a much improved start to the 2016 season and have won two of their three matches. They have already shown that they are tough to beat at home while the Cheetahs are known to struggle away from home.
The Jaguares and Cheetahs have met just once before in Super Rugby and that was last year in Bloemfontein when the Cheetahs edged the South Americans 34-33.
Average score: Jaguares 34 Cheetahs 33
Last result
26 Feb 2016 Jaguares v Cheetahs 34-33 Bloemfontein
Jaguares overall record against the Cheetahs
Played 1, Wins 1, Losses 0 , Draws 0
Match : Jaguares v Cheetahs
Date : Saturday 18 March 2017
Venue : Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Kick Off local: 16:40
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Ref 1: Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Pablo Deluca
TMO : Santiago Borsani
Teams
Jaguares
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Felipe Arregui, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Santiago García Botta
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Ignacio Larrague, 21 Javier Ortega Desio, 22 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Bautista Ezcurra
Cheetahs
Danie Mienie , Elandré Huggett , Tom Botha , Armandt Koster , Francois Uys , Henco Venter , Oupa Mohoje , Niell Jordaan , Tian Meyer (c ) , Niel Marais , Ruan van Rensburg , Clinton Swart , Michael van der Spuy , Ryno Benjamin , Clayton Blommetjies
Replacements : Joseph Dweba , Charles Marais , Johan Coetzee , Carl Wegner , Paul Schoeman , William Small-Smith / Boom Prinsloo , Shaun Venter , Fred Zeilinga
