PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 17 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, JUNE 29:
BLUES v QUEENSLAND REDS at Eden Park, Auckland, 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 22, Blues 10, Reds 10, Draw 2.
Blues at home: Played 10, Blues 7, Reds 2, Draw 1.
Last clash: Round 15, 2017, Blues 34-29 in Apia
Both underperforming teams want to end losing streaks that sunk their playoff hopes well before the international break. The Reds have lost eight of their past nine but are boosted by the form of their young brigade, who played with energy for the Wallabies. The Blues want to ensure veteran flanker Jerome Kaino’s last game at Eden Park isn’t a fizzer.
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $1.21 Reds $4.50
Tip: Blues by 2
MELBOURNE REBELS v NSW WARATAHS at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm
Head to head: Played 14, Rebels 2, Waratahs 12
Rebels at home: Played 6, Rebels 1 Waratahs 5
Last clash: Round 5, 2018, Waratahs 51-27 in Sydney
Just one point separates these teams in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table Aussie conference clash. The Rebels have the harder run home so their season really hangs on this result. Both teams have lost key players to injuries, with Rebels general Will Genia out with a broken arm and Tahs skipper Michael Hooper sidelined with a hamstring injury. Melbourne are used to playing without Genia, who previously had a knee injury, while Hooper is a massive loss after, amazingly, missing only 53 minutes of play in his 93 games since joining NSW in 2013.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $2.10 Waratahs $1.75
Tip: Rebels by 9
SATURDAY, JUNE 30:
HIGHLANDERS v CHIEFS at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 30, Highlanders 13, Chiefs 17
Highlanders at home: Played 15, Highlanders 7, Chiefs 8
Last clash: Round 7, 2018, Chiefs 27-22 in Hamilton
Tab Sportsbet: Highlanders $1.53, Chiefs $2.50
Tip: Chiefs by 3
BRUMBIES V HURRICANES at GIO Stadium, Canberra, 7.45pm
Head to head: Played 24, Brumbies 13, Hurricanes 11
Brumbies at home: Played 13, Brumbies 18, Hurricanes 5
Last clash: Elimination final 2017, Hurricanes 35-16 in Canberra
It’s now or never for the Brumbies if they want to be a chance of featuring in this year’s finals. Win their remaining three games and they’re a slight chance to get there. But it starts with a difficult assignment at home against the Hurricanes, which gets harder with star prop Allan Alaalatoa, co-captain Sam Carter and the versatile Lachlan McCaffrey. The Hurricanes sit second in the New Zealand conference with a 10-3 record. The Brumbies last win against a Kiwi team came in round one, 2016.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $4.00 Hurricanes $1.25
Tip: Hurricanes by 7
SUNWOLVES v BULLS at Singapore National Stadium, 9.55pm
Head to head: Played 4, Sunwolves 1, Bulls 3.
Sunwolves at home: Played 2, Sunwolves 1 Bulls 1
Last clash: Round 7, 2017, Sunwolves 21-20 in Tokyo
Tab Sportsbet: Sunwolves $2.95 Bulls $1.40
Tip: Bulls by 10
SUNDAY, July 1
SHARKS v LIONS at Kings Park Stadium, 1.15am
Head to head: Played 20, Sharks 10, Lions 9. Draw 1.
Sharks at home: Played 9, Sharks 7, Lions 2.
Last clash: Round 1, 2018, Lions 26-19 in Johannesburg
Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $2.60 Lions $1.50
Tip: Lions by 5
JAGUARES v STORMERS at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, 3.40am
Head to head: Played 3, Jaguares 0, Stormers 3
Jaguares at home: Played 1, Jaguares 0, Stormers 1
Last clash: Round 1 2018, Stormers 28-20 in Cape Town
Tab Sportsbet: Jaguares $1.40 Stormers $2.95
Tip: Jaguares by 4
Bye: Crusaders
