Super 14: Round 14 preview

Yahoo!Xtra Sport / Neil Reid - May 15, 2009, 1:22 am

The make-up of the Rebel Sport Super 14 semifinals won't be known until full-time is blown in the final match of round-robin play; Sunday morning's Sharks/Bulls clash in Durban.

Seven teams go into the final week of round-robin play with a chance remaining of making the top four, although some are mathematical at best.

And the tournament planners could not have done better with the make-up of the 2009 draw, with four crucial matches set to decide just who will play who.

The weekend kicks off with the Chiefs/Brumbies clash in Hamilton.

The Crusaders and Hurricanes will then look to secure places in the top four with clashes against the Blues and Reds respectively on Saturday night.

Then follows Sunday's monumental clash in Durban.

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

FRIDAY

Chiefs v Brumbies

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 7.35pm (New Zealand time)

Referee: Stuart Dickinson

Play this weekend will kick-off with two of the success stories of 2009. The Chiefs are the form team at this stage of the competition, turning around a horror start to the season to be on the verge of a first-ever home semi.

Against them is a Brumbies team who have shown outstanding courage and unity in the face of true tragedy (the death of Shawn Mackay) and a terrible injury toll. In terms of the latter, they have shown the Blues than success can still be found despite injuries.

The Chiefs will again have a bumper crowd on hand for their second successive home clash to wrap up round-robin play. They will also have their strongest selection on hand, with All Black hopeful Brendon Leonard rejoining the side after being sidelined by a sternum injury.

Confidence might be high in the Brumbies after last weekend's Blues' belting, but their defence will have to be at its best to police the free-scoring Chiefs. The Waikato-based side is the third most prolific try-scoring outfit in the competition at present with 42, half of which have been scored in their five previous home games.

Last year: Chiefs 42-Brumbies 28

Round 13 results: Chiefs 16-Hurricanes 8, Brumbies 37-Blues 15

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

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Clyde Rathbone, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Julian Salvi, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore/Huia Edmonds, 1 Ben Alexander. Reserves: Huia Edmonds/John Ulugia, Salesi Ma'afu, Sitaleki Timani, Henry Vanderglas, Joshua Holmes, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Sanualio Afeaki.

SATURDAY

Lions v Waratahs

Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 6.10am (NZT)

Referee: Marius Jonker

The Waratahs venture to the ground that was formerly known as Ellis Park bidding to win three in a row on South African soil for the first time. More importantly, a three-peat of wins, especially if it is achieved with a try-scoring bonus point, could open up an opportunity for the Tahs to participate in the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

The Waratahs have twice previously won both matches on a Super 12 tour of South Africa; beating the Stormers and Bulls away in 2002, and the Cats and Sharks 12 months later. Success against the Lions would bring a first clean sweep of the Super 14 era, with their Super 14 record in the Republic currently sitting at four wins, four losses and a draw since 2006.

The Lions too should be well motivated. Last weekend's come-from-behind 27-22 win over the Highlanders was their fourth success of the campaign, with Australian sides the Brumbies and the Queensland Reds among their previous victims. A win over the Tahs would allow the Lions, who wound up last in 2008, to emulate the five wins that were gathered by the 2007 side. Eugene Eloff's team have won three from six at home this year, but were competitive in all three losses, losing to the Bulls by seven, the Hurricanes by six and the Crusaders by 12.

Last year: Waratahs 26-Lions 3

Round 13 results: Lions 27-Highlanders 22, Wartahs 16-Sharks 12

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Andre Pretorius (c), 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Robert Kruger, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Lawrence Sephaka. Reserves: Hans van Dyk, JC Janse van Rensburg, Ernst Joubert, Todd Clever, Chris Jonck, Earl Rose, Walter Venter.

Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Peter Playford, 13 Timana Tahu, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 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, Brett Sheehan, Sam Norton-Knight, Tom Carter.

Blues v Crusaders

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Kick-off: 7.35pm (NZT)

Referee: Bryce Lawrence

The Blues appear ripe for the picking for the Crusaders, with a win needed to keep the defending champion red and blacks in the running for the semis. The Blues were dealt a further blow on the injury front on Friday morning when veteran flanker Justin Collins was ruled out with an ongoing head injury, affectively ending his Super Rugby career.

The 2009 season has been a year for the Blues to forget. They have spoken all week of how pride will be a major driving force to ensure they can finish on a high and claim what appears an unlikely win over the Crusaders. While they have a core of experience who are fit for their season finale, too many of their rookies are making mistakes when placed under pressure.

The Crusaders were also dealt a blow on the injury front for the match, with All Black lock Brad Thorn scratched with a hamstring injury. However, locking partner Isaac Ross has been passed fit after injuring a knee last weekend. The Crusaders have been a team on the rise on the points table over the past month, but questions still remain whether they have been flattered by the poor quality of recent opponents including the Lions, Reds and a Sharks team on a slide.

Last year: Crusaders 26-Blues 22

Round 13 results: Blues 15-Brumbies 37, Crusaders 32-Reds 12

Blues: 15 Rudi Wulf, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Peter Saili, 5 Kurtis Haiu, 4 Jay Williams, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Dean Budd, Andrew van der Heijden, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jamie Helleur, 22 Paul Williams.

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

Reds v Hurricanes

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 9.40pm (NZT)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

The Hurricanes will have to be on form to ensure they don't slip up against the Reds. While the Brisbane-based franchise has under-performed again in 2009, the likes of the Sharks and Blues can testify what happens if this side is taken lightly.

The Reds will be doubly dangerous on Saturday night with the return of the smart kicking game from Berrick Barnes at first-five. Captain James Horwill is also back at lock, providing some needed beef to the Reds' engine room.

On paper the Hurricanes are a much better side than the Reds. Featuring four All Blacks in the back-line, and a further six in the pack, the Canes are in need of a win to guarantee their place in the semifinals, earlier slipping up in last weekend's clash against the Chiefs.

A win would lock up a fifth semifinal appearance in seven years under Colin Cooper's coaching.

Last year: Hurricanes 24-Reds 18

Round 13 results: Reds 12-Crusaders 32, Hurricanes 8-Chiefs 18

Reds: 15 Mark McLinden, 14 Brando Va'aulu, 13 Charlie Fetoai, 12 Quade Cooper, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Tasi Luafutu/Andrew Shaw, 6 Ezra Taylor, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Daley. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Greg Holmes, Adam Byrnes, Scott Higginbotham, Richard Kingi, Anthony Faingaa, Anthony Sauer.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 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, Karl Lowe, Alby Mathewson, Jason Kawau, Zac Guildford.

Western Force v Highlanders

Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth

Kick-off: 11.45pm (NZT)

Referee: Nathan Pearce

With championship advancement now beyond both of them, the focus will be on the farewells, as the Force returns from South Africa to host the Highlanders in their final tie of the season. With last weekend's one-point loss to the Stormers in Cape Town extinguishing the Force's faint semifinal lifeline, this match will now be the last in Western Australian colours for a number of distinguished performers including flyhalf Matt Giteau, fullback Drew Mitchell, winger Scott Staniforth, halfback Josh Valentine and hooker Tai McIsaac amongst the confirmed departees. There are other Force players off contract who are yet to reveal their futures.

It is still possible that a final weekend win for the Force would push the side up to seventh on this year's championship ladder; thereby tying the previous best finish the franchise has achieved, two years ago. To do that, the Force must get by a Highlanders side that, prior to last season, had won a match on Australian soil in each of the previous four years.

The Highlanders will bid to avoid finishing what has been a competitive campaign by registering their fifth straight loss. Currently 10th, the Highlanders can climb no higher, but they could be overtaken by both the Lions and the Stormers should they lose. The Highlanders lost their first six to start last year's campaign, where they wound up finishing 11th.

Last year: Force 38-Reds 26

Round 13 results: Force 24-Stormers 25, Highlanders 22-Lions 27

Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Josh Tatupu, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine; 8 Tamaiti Horua, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 AJ Whalley, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Troy Takiari, Tom Hockings, Richard Stanford, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, Haig Sare.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 George Naoupu, 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, Sean Romans, Jayden Hayward/Matthew Berquist, Kendrick Lynn.

SUNDAY

Cheetahs v Stormers

Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 2am (NZT)

Referee: Garratt Williamson

The late intercept try scored by Bryan Habana at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday did more than just take the Bulls to the top of the competition table thanks to their 29-20 victory. It also condemned the Cheetahs to their first wooden spoon, removing any mathematical possibility that the men from Free State could over-take the Reds.

Even so, the Cheetahs will not lack for motivation as their former coach, Rassie Erasmus, brings his highly-touted but under-achieving Stormers to Bloemfontein. Erasmus guided the Cheetahs to respective 10th and 11th-placed finishes on their first two seasons back in Super Rugby prior to being lured to the Western Cape, where he took the Stormers to within a bonus point of a semifinal position last term. Unfortunately this season has been anything but plain sailing for Erasmus and his team, with last weekend's one-pointer against the Western Force being just the fourth win achieved by the side.

The Stormers currently sit 12th on the log, and will endure their worst ever finish, beating the 11th placing achieved in 2006, if they are unable to improve their standing over the final weekend.

Last year: Stormers 34-Cheetahs 22

Round 13 results: Cheetahs 20-Bulls 29, Stormers 25-24

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 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, Gerrie Odendaal, JW Jonker, Fabian Juries.

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

Sharks v Bulls

Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban

Kick-off: 4.05pm (NZT)

Referee: Craig Joubert

Seven weeks ago, the Sharks arrived home from their tour having won five of the opening six, and seemingly on track to build up an impregnable position at the top of the championship table. Three losses on South African soil has changed all that. Now, the Sharks need to beat the currently top-of-the-table Bulls, while having other final weekend results falling their way, just to repeat last year's semifinal appearance.

The last six weeks have seen the Sharks pick up just five competition points, although the bonus gained from last weekend's 12-16 loss to the Waratahs could still get them into the semifinals if they can bag a rare home win over the Bulls. The Sharks have beaten the Bulls just twice at home in the Super Rugby round robin since 2001 but it proved a good omen; on both occasions, in 2001 and then again in 2007 the Sharks went on to make the tournament final. Ominously for the Durban faithful, these are the only two instances where the home side has won this clash in the last eight years, with the Sharks winning by 14 at Loftus last year, while Bryan Habana scored the late winner for the Bulls at the Shark Tank in the 2007 final.

Last weekend's loss to the Waratahs was the Sharks' second at home from six this year, but these have been the only two defeats the side has sustained in Durban from 12 since it lost that final to the Bulls. As well as eliminating the Sharks, a win would also allow the Bulls to set a new record for the most wins by the franchise in a single championship round, eclipsing the nine wins Heyneke Meyer's team gathered in 2007 en-route to a second-placed finish from the round-robin.

Last year: Sharks 29-Bulls 15

Round 13 results: Sharks 12-Waratahs 16, Bulls 29-Cheetahs 20

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

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 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 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuun, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Rayno Gerber, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, Jaco Pretorius.