Super 14: Round 12 preview

Yahoo!Xtra Sport / Neil Reid - April 30, 2009, 10:32 pm

Nine teams go into round 12 of the Rebel Sport Super 14 with mathematical hopes remaining of making it into the late-May play-offs.

By the end of the weekend, that number could almost half, as crunch-time in the competition has arrived.

The play-off aspirations of the Highlanders, Crusaders and Blues could be over following action this weekend.

And week 12 also gives New Zealand's best performing franchises, the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, great chances to cement their spots in the top-four ahead of the final two weeks of round-robin play.

Here is how week 12 of the Super 14 shapes up:

FRIDAY

Hurricanes v Blues

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 7.35pm (New Zealand Time)

Referee: Chris Pollock

On the basis of the respective form of both sides last weekend, the opening match of week 12 should be a one-horse race. Add in the horror injury toll and on-field "attitude" lapses from the Blues, and the Hurricanes are the biggest of favourites ahead of the clash at Westpac Stadium. This is one game where Hurricanes fans will be hoping the franchise's unofficial motto of 'Expect the unexpected', does not come true.

The Hurricanes were outstanding in their showing against the Brumbies last weekend. It was a performance the much-fancied side had been threatening to unleash, finally clicking into gear as the Brumbies' run of emotion-based winning ways came to a shuddering halt.

In contrast, the Blues were just awful in their capitulation to the Reds in the opening 55 minutes of their loss to the Reds. While the Pat Lam-coached side fought back in the final 25 minutes, the damage ultimately had already been done. The result was costly also on the injury front; the Blues have now lost loose forwards Justin Collins, Josh Blackie and Chris Lowrey, while All Black lock Anthony Boric is also out for up to 10 weeks with a broken toe.

The confidence among the Hurricanes, and coach Colin Cooper's desire to retain a winning combination, has seen Alby Mathewson retained at halfback. It is a decision which sees All Black halfback Piri Weepu again benched after returning to full fitness.

Last year: Blues 19-Hurricanes 17

Round 11 results: Hurricanes 56-Brumbies 7, Blues 24-Reds 31

Hurricanes: 15 Tamati Ellison, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So'oialo (c), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush,3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Api Naikatini, Piri Weepu, Jason Kawau, Robert Fruean.

Blues: 15 Rudi Wulf, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Jay Williams, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Dean Budd, Peter Saili, Grayson Hart, Michael Hobbs, Paul Williams.

SATURDAY

Lions v Crusaders

Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 1am (NZT)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has said it is make or break time in his side's Super 14 defence when they take on the Lions in Johannesburg in the second match of the round. But their hopes have taken a hit following the sidelining of inspirational captain and openside flanker Richie McCaw with concussion.

They will come up against a Lions line-up who will be glad to be home after a testing road-trip. The Lions are also out to repair some badly damaged pride following their hammering at the hands of the Western Force in Perth.

Blackadder has chosen to retain Stephen Brett at first-five, having previously considered moving fullback Leon MacDonald into the troublesome No 10 spot. The acid will be on Brett kicking-wise, with the Lions having one of the longer kicking games in the tournament via their pivot Andre Pretorius. The Crusaders' midfield defence is also set for a hefty examination with the Lions set to again unleash Springbok hopeful Jacque Fourie in the No 13 jersey.

If the Crusaders lose in Johnannesburg, they are likely to be playing just for pride in their final two round-robin clashes of the season.

Last year: Crusaders 31-Lions 6

Round 11 results: Lions 14-Force 55, Crusaders 13-Cheetahs 20

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Andre Pretorius, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Ernst Joubert, 6 Baywatch Grobbelaar (c)/ Johan van Deventer, 5 Jannes Labuschagne, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: Hans van Dyk, Gert Muller, Gerhard Mostert, Robert Kruger, Chris Jonck, Earl Rose, Michael Killian.

Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Colin Slade, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Kieran Read (c), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Dan Perrin, Bronson Murray, Ross Filipo, Michael Paterson, Kahn Fotuali'i, Adam Whitelock, Hamish Gard.

Cheetahs v Waratahs

Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 3.05am (NZT)

Referee: Marius Jonker

The Cheetahs may sit at the bottom of the points table, but the opening match of the Waratahs' South African tour has all the makings of a potential boil-over. The Cheetahs have beaten both the Sharks and Crusaders, as well as pushing the Chiefs close, in the past three weeks. While woeful tourists, the Cheetahs are a whole different proposition when playing at home.

Despite starting the season strongly, the wheels have again fallen off the Tahs' challenge. The presence of Al Baxter in the front-row is a pleasing selection for coach Chris Hickey. However, their midfield sticks out as a potential weakness. Kurtley Beale, unwanted in his preferred position of first-five, and Timana Tahu will line-up in the No 12 and 13 jerseys respectively. Neither has shone defensively this season.

The Waratahs travelled to South Africa with stinging criticism aimed their way, including comments from critics of the franchise's top-brass claiming they would be in the top-four had Ewen McKenzie still been coach. The criticism will increase further if the side falters on the road over the next three weeks.

Last year: Waratahs 23-Cheetahs 19

Round 11 results: Cheetahs 20-Crusaders 13, Waratahs had the bye

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Corne Uys/Piet van Zyl, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Hendro Scholtz, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Wayne van Heerden, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez. Reserves: Richardt Strauss, WP Nel, Nico Breedt, Kabamba Floors, Sarel Pretorius, Piet van Zyl/JW Jonker, Fabian Juries.

Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Peter Playford, 13 Timana Tahu, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Chris Thomson, Luke Doherty, Luke Burgess, Sam Norton-Knight, Tom Carter.

Reds v Brumbies

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 9.40pm (NZT)

Referee: Ian Smith

The Brumbies are one of the nine teams who remain in the play-off hunt, although their hopes are mathematical. A loss to the Reds in Brisbane and they can also start planning for next year.

The Reds have been a total 'Jekyll and Hyde' proposition in 2009. Last weekend they again showed what they are capable of, beating the Blues in Albany after going into the match as massive underdogs.

Former Highlander Ezra Taylor will also continue his push towards possible Wallaby selection, having made a good impression across the Tasman in his debut season for the Reds.

Last year: Brumbies 43-Reds 11

Round 11 results: Reds 31-Blues 24, Brumbies 7-Hurricanes 56

Reds: 15 Mark McLinden, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Brando Va'aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Poutasi Luafutu, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Jack Kennedy, Adam Byrnes, Scott Higginbotham, Ben Lucas, Charlie Fetoai, Anthony Faingaa.

Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Stirling Mortlock, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander. Reserves: Huia Edmonds, Nic Henderson, Sitaleki Timani, Henry Vanderglas, Joshua Holmes, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Francis Fainifo.

SUNDAY

Sharks v Highlanders

Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban

Kick-off: 1am (NZT)

Referee: Phillip Bosch

The Highlanders couldn't be posed with a tougher proposition to kick-off their three-match road-trip on the weekend. The Sharks are hell-bent on kick-starting their push to cement a top-four spot after having the competition bye last weekend.

The Sharks were the competition high-flyers for the first half of the season, before suffering losses to the Cheetahs and Crusaders on their return to South Africa after a successful Australasian tour. The bye came at a good time, giving coach John Plumtree a chance to review what was going wrong, as well as allowing his walking wounded an extra week to recover.

The Highlanders flew out to South Africa following last weekend's disappointing loss to the Stormers at Carisbrook, their final round-robin match of the year at home. They are among the nine teams who still have a hope of making the semis. However, theirs is the slimmest of mathematical hopes.

Last year: Sharks 19-Highlanders 17

Round 11 results: Sharks had the bye, Highlanders 11-Stormers 18

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Riaan Swanepoel, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (c)/Albert van den Berg, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Deon Carstens, Jannie du Plessis, Albert van den Berg/Johan Snyman, Keegan Daniel, Charl McLeod, Monty Dumond, Andries Strauss.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Daniel Bowden, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Mathew Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 George Naoupu/Stevem Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Clint Newland, 2 David Hall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Josh Bekhuis, Steven Setephano/Tim Boys, Sean Romans, Johnny Leota, Kendrick Lynn.

Bulls v Western Force

Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 3.05am (NZT)

Referee: Stuart Dickinson

The Western Force have never made the play-offs since their inception for the 2006 Super 14. And a win over the Bulls in Pretoria would continue to keep their aim of tasting semifinal footy this season alive.

Against them will be a Bulls side who showed just how formidable their pack can be in last weekend's win over the Chiefs. With most of their Springbok stars now starting to hit form, victory in Pretoria will be a huge challenge for the John Mitchell-coached form. Road-trips have never been the most successful of times for the Force. However, the 2009 draw has done them a favour, with just two matches in Africa before they head home for their final round-robin clash against the Highlanders.

Last year: Force 15-Bulls 14

Round 11 results: Bulls 33-Chiefs 27, Force 55-Lions 14

Bulls:15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana; 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuun, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Rayno Gerber, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, JP Nel.

Western Force:15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, AJ Whalley, Gareth Hardy, Tom Hockings, Tamaiti Horua, Josh Tatupu, Haig Sare.

Stormers v Chiefs

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Kick-off: 5.10am (NZT)

Referee: James Leckie

The Stormers are the final assignment for the Chiefs in South Africa before they can return to New Zealand for their final two matches of the round-robin. Last weekend's loss to the Bulls cost them top spot on the points table, dropping back to third place at the end of round 11.

The Stormers will be glad to be home after a torrid Australasian road-trip. While they managed to win their final match on the road, against the Highlanders, the result came at a cost. Springbok lock Andries Bekker has joined the Stormers' sizeable casualty ward with a serious rib injury, an injury which might force him out of the Boks' upcoming test series against the British and Irish Lions.

The Chiefs welcome back former All Black Sosene Anesi for Sunday morning's clash. Coach Ian Foster has also brought back hooker Aled de Malmanche in place of season-ending All Black tourist Hikawera Elliot. Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui and Stephen Donald have all been cleared to play after suffering injuries in the loss to the Bulls.

A win over the Stormers would set the Chiefs up ideally for the final two matches of the round-robin campaign. On their return they face both the Hurricanes and Brumbies in Hamilton.

Last year: Stormers 35-Chiefs 26

Round 11 results: Stormers 18-Highlanders 11, Chiefs 27-Bulls 33

Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Dylan des Fountain, 12 Peter Grant, 11 Sireli Naqelevuki, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Luke Watson, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 AJ Venter, 4 Hilton Lobberts, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller. Reserves: Schalk Brits, Wicus Blaauw, Martin Muller, Pieter Louw, Ricky Januarie, Morgan Newman, Tiger Bax.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Sosene Anesi, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Toby Lynn, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo, Kevin O'Neill, Tanerau Latimer, David Bason, Mike Delany, Tim Mikkelson.