Australia’s Super Rugby teams face the very real prospect of another winless season against their New Zealand counterparts.
The Reds face a monumental task of attempting to grab a win against the Hurricanes after a dismal loss to the Sunwolves last round. The Japanese side will be looking for their second win of the season when they come up against the Stormers. in Hong Kong
The Waratahs put in a first-class performance against the Crusaders and will be looking to go one step further and get the win against the Highlanders.
The Sharks will be looking to make life difficult for the Chiefs and the Lions will clash with the Brumbies. Jaguares will fancy their chances of grabbing another win when they host the Bulls at Estadio José Amalfitani.
The Hurricanes will be on the hunt for another bonus point win when they host the Reds at the Cake Tin in Wellington. The Reds by their own admission were appalling in their loss to the Sunwolves in Tokyo and the loss serves as a sombre reminder of the improvement needed from Australia’s Super Rugby teams.
In their only game against Australian opposition, this season the Hurricanes smashed the Rebels 50-19 in Melbourne and the Reds only last week because the first team to lose to the Sunwolves in Tokyo 63-28.
Brad Thorn will be hoping for improvement as the Hurricanes will be heavy favourites at home to inflict another loss on the Queensland side. I’m back the Hurricanes to beat the line in a comfortable win for the home team.
The Sunwolves host the Stormers in Hong Kong and will be looking to continue their good form after notching their first win of the season against the Reds in Japan.
The Japanese side continues to show improvement and the Sunwolves will be looking to improve their record against the South African sides.
The Sunwolves have won a single game against sides from South Africa and they’ll be confident against a Stormers side that lost six games on the road this season.
The Stormers should be able to get the job done against the Sunwolves but I wouldn’t put it past the Japanese side of causing another upset for the second week in succession.
The Crusaders were lucky to get out of jail last week against the Waratahs, with the Kiwi side pushing the envelope with match officials.
While Aussie Super Rugby fans will complain over a few key decisions in the match you have to credit to the Super Rugby Champs.
The Crusaders found another gear to come back from a 29-0 deficit to record a memorable win and remind Australia of their place in the Super Rugby order.
The Crusaders will be confident of keeping the Blues at the bottom of the New Zealand Conference. The Blues have failed to cash in their opportunities in their five defeats to local sides and they’ve also been on the end of losses to the Sharks and Jaguares.
While the Blues improved to cover the line against the Hurricanes last week, the Crusaders should be able to find another gear against a Kiwi side that has struggled against local opposition.
The Waratahs will feel another opportunity slipped through their fingers last week after their heartbreaking loss to the Crusaders. NSW have lost two close games to New Zealand opposition and while some will complain about the lack of assistance from match officials, the Waratahs simply need to find that killer instinct and finish off their opposition.
The Highlanders sit in third spot in the New Zealand Conference and will be looking to take advantage of a Waratah’s side that has lost two close games.
The Hurricanes put in an outstanding performance to hold off a fightback from the Lions last round to record a 12-point victory.
The Highlanders will be out to continue Australia’s barren run against New Zealand and you wouldn’t put it past the Highlanders to steal a win in the last few minutes in Sydney.
The Sharks were on the end of a six-point loss to the Bulls last week while the Chiefs were able to grind out a win a six-point win against the Stormers.
The Chiefs will be wanting to challenge for a top-two finish in the NZ Conference and will need to find a way to grind out another win on the road, without their stars. With a All Blacks national camp on the cards this weekend, the Chiefs could potentially be without a number of their best players.
While their performance may not have been pretty last week, the Chiefs may struggle to notch consecutive wins on the road and the Sharks should be able to take advantage to record a tough win.
The Brumbies will be out to bounce back from a disappointing performance against the Rebels last week. The loss last week sees the Brumbies fall to fourth in the Australian Conference, one-point behind the Queensland Reds.
The Brumbies simply failed to take their chances against an enthusiastic Rebels side and the Brumbies face a tough road trip starting with the Lions.
The South Africans were on the end of a loss to the Highlanders and will be wanting to get back on the winner’s board in front of their home fans. The Lions will be too good at home for the Aussie side and they should be able to run out easy winners and beat the line.
Jaguares have shown some real improvement this season and the South American side have won their last four games to sit in second place behind the Lions in the South African conference.
The South Americans have played some positive rugby under ex-Wallabies Assistant Coach Mario Ledesma. Jaguares had a bye last round but grabbed a win against the Chiefs in round twelve.
The Bulls will not be getting themselves after getting the win last week against the Sharks. John Mitchell’s side have struggled for consistency this season and the South Americans will grab the win at home.