So far in round 18, we’ve seen the Chiefs keep their season alive and the Hurricanes left on the brink. With some big games still to come, all is still to play for.
Crusaders v Blues
The Crusaders have well and truly wheeled out the heavy artillery for what looms as another blockbuster Kiwi derby.
The Cantabs are never more menacing than when they “welcome” their arch-rivals to Christchurch and have returned Dan Carter, Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg and Nemani Nadolo to their starting side for the occasion.
The Blues, coming off a six-try blitz of the Force, have put fit-again fullback Charles Piutau on the wing, with the irrepressible Lolagi Visinia holding on to the No.15 jersey after a dominant performance against the Force.
Both sides have knocked over an average of almost 30 points a game this season, and Friday night’s match could well see a basketball score with both sides treating the match as an eliminator. It’s a crucial match for both teams as a loss will end the Blues’ reignited finals hopes while the Crusaders must win to stay in the hunt for a top-two finish.
The Crusaders at home have been almost unstoppable this season, only racking up a loss to the Sharks at home. The Blues away form has been inconsistent to put it gently, the Aucklanders have only picked up one away win in 2014, coming last week at the expense of the Force.
Because of this we’re tipping the Crusaders to get the win in a high scoring, entertaining encounter. ‘Saders by 12.
Force v Reds
There will be of emotion surrounding this match as it looks likely this will be the Honey Badgers’ last home Super Rugby game for a while. We can expect a big crowd to turn out to farewell one of the most loved in the west.
While the Reds have little to play for, it’s fair to say they will relish the chance to play the role of spoilers in this one. The Force are in must-win territory when they host the Reds.
The Force have become Queensland’s bogey side by upsetting them with niggle and muscle at the breakdown for three upset wins and a draw from their last four meetings. Now with the WA side needing a win to stay in the finals hunt, the Reds have ramped up the pressure.
Queensland have six regular starting backs on the sidelines but their pack continues to thrive in the set-pieces. The loss of prop Greg Holmes is a blow, as well as defensive linchpin Ant Fainga’a. The Force will miss big-kicking five-eighth Sias Ebersohn and star halfback Alby Mathewson but will have Honey Badger Nick Cummins back.
There is no way the Force could possibly play as poor as they did last week and this is a must win for the Force to keep their title hopes alive.
Because of that, we’re tipping the Force in a close one. Force by 4.
Stormers v Bulls
The Stormers haven’t played the most enterprising style of rugby in 2014, but they do offer a miserly defence, and will make life hard for the visiting Bulls.
The side from Pretoria will need to build off the back of their impressive set-piece, and chip away at the scoreboard if they are to take home the points.
The Stormers will wish the competition had started two months later. Dead last after nine rounds, the injury-hit Cape Town outfit have won five of their last seven, including a last-start upset of the Sharks. They’re still missing skipper Jean de Villiers but have star duo Schalk Burger and Gio Aplon back. The kick-happy Bulls stuffed their finals chances with their upset loss to the Lions.
This game is one for the purists, the Bulls are yet to win away from Pretoria this year, which has ultimately been their downfall, because of that, we expect the Stormers to add to the Bulls’ heart-ache.
We tip the Stormers by 8.
Cheetahs v Sharks
The Sharks dropped the ball in their loss to the Stormers before the June break. It cost them their spot at the top. The Sharks must beat the Cheetahs to keep the pressure on the Waratahs in the race for top spot on the ladder.
Jake White knows all too well the importance of finishing in the top two. His 2013 Brumbies lost the grand final after tripping up in the last round to finish third. He’ll have his eyes set on the cellar-dweller Cheetahs for a juicy five points.
It won’t be easy, however, with the Cheetahs at home and bringing back eight Springboks, including Willie le Roux, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen and Johan Goosen.
The Cheetahs have a potent attacks but a leeky defense, because of that we expect the Sharks to come away with the points.
We tip the Sharks by 15.
