News - AU Rugby
Super Rugby Round 6 Preview: line-ups, team news, tips
ESPN staff
March 29, 2016
© Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The Chiefs' visit to Canberra to battle the Brumbies headlines Round 6 of Super Rugby. Catch up with all the latest team news, odds and tips below.
Friday, April 1
Highlanders vs. Force, Forysth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
The Highlanders have won their last seven matches at home, their longest streak since they won 13 straight home matches from the opening week of 2000 until Round 3, 2002.
Line-ups
Highlanders: TBA
Force: TBA
Team News
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Greg Growden's verdict: It's a no-brainer. We saw how hopeless the Force were last week -- the Highlanders will win this one by heaps.
UBET verdict: The Highlanders have won four in a row, including the last two in Australia while the Force are the lowest scoring side in the competition. Ironically, the Force have been a 'bogey side' for the Highlanders having won six of the last seven meetings; but on current form a big win to the Highlanders is expected.
Lions vs. Crusaders, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
Nemani Nadolo has made 10 offloads so far this season for the Crusaders, no player in the competition has made more.
Line-ups
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies/Marnitz Boshoff, Faf de Klerk; Warren Whiteley (c), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira/Lourens Erasmus, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith. Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Corné Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink, Dillon Smit, Jaco van der Walt, Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Crusaders: TBA
Team News
The Lions welcome back workhorse Warwick Tecklenburg this week while the Joburg side have been forced to bracket two players together at both fly-half and lock. If the in-form Elton Jantjies fails to shake off a wrist injury then Marnitz Boshoff will slot in at No.10, likely coinciding with a change in tactics.
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Greg Growden's verdict: That was a big win for the Crusaders in Durban last week and while this will be tougher up at altitude, I'm tipping them by three.
UBET verdict: The Crusaders travel to Joburg having won 11 of last 12 against the Lions, including five of six at this ground. While the stats say a win to the travelling side, there is very little separating them in the betting with the Crusaders slight $1.80 favourites.
© Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Enter your tips for Super Rugby Round 6
Saturday April 2
Blues vs. Jaguares, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
The Blues have won three and drawn one of their last five matches against teams from outside of New Zealand.
Line-ups
Blues: TBA
Jaguares: Ramiro Moyano, Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Manuel Montero, Santiago G. Iglesias, Martin Landajo; Leonardo Senatore, Rodrigo Baez, Tomas Lezana, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Ramiro Herrera, Julian Montoya, Roberto Tejerizo. Replacements: Facundo Bosch, Santiago Garcia Botta, Enrique Pieretto, Juan Cruz Guillemain, Pablo Matera, Gonzalo Bertranou, Nicolas Sanchez, Joaquin Paz.
Team News
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Jaguares fly-half Nicolas Sanchez has paid the price for some inconsistent displays with Santiago Iglesias given the chance to start against the Blues. Elsewhere, there are also starting call-ups for Ramiro Herrera (prop), Guido Petti (lock) and a new back three of Ramiro Moyano, Emiliano Boffelli and Manuel Montero.
Greg Growden's verdict: The Jags have been close the last couple of weeks but they are just lacking a little bit of finishing. I think their first foray into New Zealand will be too tough of an ask; it's the Blues by 10 here.
UBET verdict: The Jaguares fly to NZ having lost two home games when favourites. Both sides have been winless since the opening round, but UBET customers think this will be a win to the Blues at $1.50.
© Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Brumbies vs. Chiefs, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
The Chiefs have won their last three matches away from home and a fourth straight road win would equal their second longest streak in club history (2007), just one behind the club record (five wins -2011-12).
Line-ups
Brumbies: ...
Chiefs: ...
Team News
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Greg Growden's verdict: The travel and off-field carry-on will test the Brumbies' resolve here, but I also think the Chiefs have more quality at their disposal. I like the Chiefs by four.
UBET verdict: Top Aussie conference team take on top NZ conference team. The Brumbies are favourites as they are at home, and while seven of the last eight between the pair have been decided by seven points or less, the home side have won seven of those matches.
Enter your tips for Super Rugby Round 6
Kings vs. Sunwolves, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
The Sunwolves have conceded eight tries on the opening phase of opposition possession, only the Kings (9) have conceded more.
Line-ups
Kings: TBA
Sunwolves: TBA
Team News
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Greg Growden's verdict: I know many people will be tipping the draw here but I'm going to go for the Sunwolves. I do like one thing about the Sunwolves though -- their jersey!
UBET verdict: It's the battle of the 'cellar dwellers' here. Both have lost all four matches this season, and while the Kings have a far worse record as far as scores go, they have played much stronger sides compared to the Sunwolves. Tricky game but the Kings are slight favourites here.
Bulls vs. Cheetahs, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
The Bulls have conceded only one of their 11 tries in the first half of games this season, the fewest of any team in the competition; the Cheetahs have conceded the joint most in that time (12).
Line-ups
Bulls: ...
Cheetahs: ...
Team News
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Greg Growden's verdict: I've had a late change of heart here and I'm going to tip the Cheetahs. Here's your upset.
UBET verdict: The Cheetahs upset the Bulls in Pretoria last year, winning 42-29. On that occasion the Bulls were $1.10 favourites, and a similar quote this time around at $1.20. One thing to consider is the Bulls' journey home from Singapore and while the betting suggests they will win, the Cheetahs could be competitive.
Sunday April 3
Waratahs vs. Rebels, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Key Stat (Opta Stats)
The Waratahs average more points per game against the Rebels (31.8) than against any other team in the Australasian Group.
Line-ups
Waratahs: TBA
Rebels: TBA
Team News
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Greg Growden's verdict: The Waratahs' scrum is terrible but they did look a better side with Bernard Foley back at No.10. They should have too much class for a Rebels outfit struggling after a poor loss to the Highlanders.
UBET verdict: The Waratahs have beaten the Rebels in all five matches played in Sydney, and the Rebels come into this game having only scored a penalty against the Highlanders last week. Form says the Waratahs should be too good; the prices say that, and the early money agrees.
© ESPN staff
Super Rugby Round 6 Preview: line-ups, team news, tips
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