PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 15 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, May 25:
CRUSADERS v HURRICANES at AMI Stadium, Christchurch 17:35
Head to head: Played 33, Crusaders 18, Hurricanes 12, Draw 3
Crusaders at home: Played 18 Crusaders 12, Hurricanes 5, Draw 1
Last clash: Rd 4 2018, Hurricanes 29-19 in Wellington
Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.80 Hurricanes $2.00
Tip: Hurricanes by 15
MELBOURNE REBELS v SUNWOLVES at AAMI Park, Melbourne 19:45
Head to head: Played 2 Rebels 2, Sunwolves 0
Rebels at home: Played 0
Last clash: Rd 3, 2018, Rebels 37-17 in Tokyo
The Rebels run into a resurgent Sunwolves, with the Tokyo team earning back-to-back wins for the first time this season. However with the coach and a number of established players remaining in Japan to prepare for June Tests against Italy and Georgia, they’ve made an extraordinary 14 changes to the line-up that pipped the Stormers. Only match-winner Hayden Parker remains at five-eighth. Melbourne have named Reece Hodge to start there for the first time this season after impressing when he moved to 10 in their last outing against the Brumbies.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $1.07 Sunwolves $8.50
Tip: Rebels by 30
SATURDAY, May 26:
JAGUARES v SHARKS at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, 05:40
Head to head: Played 4, Jaguares 0, Sharks 4
Jaguares at home: Played 2, Jaguares 0, Sharks 2
Last clash: Rd 10, 2017, Sharks 33-25 in Buenos Aires
Tab Sportsbet: Jaguares $1.42, Sharks $2.85
Tip: Jaguares by 10
CHIEFS v NSW WARATAHS at FMG Stadium, Waikato, 17:35
Head to head: Played 21, Chiefs 8 Waratahs 13
Chiefs at home: Played 11, Chiefs 6 Waratahs 5
Last clash: Rd 15, 2017, Chiefs 46-31 in Waikato
After getting the 40-match monkey off Australian rugby’s back with a win over a Kiwi team last round, can the Waratahs back it up? They are in good shape personnel wise, making only one change to the line-up that beat the Highlanders with Nick Phipps regaining the starting halfback jersey. The first meeting between Israel Folau and Brad Weber should be one to watch given the Chiefs halfback was among the first players to publicly criticise Folau for his views.
Tab Sportsbet: Chiefs $1.33 Waratahs $3.30
Tip: Waratahs by 5
QUEENSLAND REDS v HIGHLANDERS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19:45
Head to head: Played 21, Reds 10, Highlanders 11
Reds at home: Played 11, Reds 9 Highlanders 2
Last clash: Rd 17, 2017, Highlanders 40-17 in Dunedin
Thursday’s shock two-month suspension of veteran James Slipper for cocaine use is hardly the preparation the Reds were after. But if the young playing group can navigate that mental hurdle they have enough firepower to make up for the prop’s on-field absence. In a sign of their improving depth, coach Brad Thorn has promoted 19-year-old Harry Hockings for a starting debut, relegating Wallaby Kane Douglas despite him not doing much wrong.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $4.75, Highlanders $1.18
Tip: Highlanders by 10
BULLS v BRUMBIES at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 23:05
Head to head: Played 19, Bulls 7, Brumbies 12
Bulls at home: Played 10, Bulls 6, Brumbies 4
Last clash: Rd 11, 2016, Brumbies 23-6 in Canberra
The Brumbies’ finals hopes are over, but an overseas win would give them significant belief to round out a disappointing campaign. They’ll have to do it without Wallabies lock Rory Arnold, who was suspended for a high hit in last week’s loss against the Lions. The South African conference has been evenly fought all season, but the Bulls shape as a genuine chance to snap a five-game losing streak.
Tab Sportsbet: Bulls $1.28, Brumbies $3.70
Tip: Bulls by 12
SUNDAY, May 27:
STORMERS v LIONS at DHL Newlands, Cape Town, 01.15
Head to head: Played 24, Stormers 15, Lions 8, Draw 1
Stormers at home: Played 11, Stormers 7, Lions 3, Draw 1
Last clash: Rd 8, 2018, Lions 52-31 in Johannesburg
Tab Sportsbet: Stormers $2.45, Lions $1.55
Tip: Lions by 13
Bye: Blues.
