Highlanders V Crusaders

The good news for the Crusaders is that they probably can’t play any worse than they did in their opening loss to the Rebels. Their error count was through the roof in a listless display. They have made five changes to the starting side including the return of Israel Dagg while Colin Slade is at 10 with Dan Carter sidelined with a leg injury.

Hard to get a read on the Highlanders who will have seven debutants in the squad for their first outing of the season. It may take the Crusaders another week to get up to pace with the Highlanders to benefit.

Prediction

Crusaders are notorious slow starters, and the Highlanders are playing at home. The bookies have the Crusaders as favourites, but I’m going to tip those from the south in a bruising encounter. Highladers by 4.

HIGHLANDERS: Ben Smith (co-capt), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-capt), John Hardie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Kane Hames, Ma’afu Fia, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Jason Emery, Marty Banks.

CRUSADERS: Israel Dagg, Robbie Fruean, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Johnny McNicholl, Colin Slade, Mitchell Drummond, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd (capt), Richie McCaw, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Billy Guyton, Tom Taylor, Nafi Tuitavake.

Reds V Force

All eyes will be on Reds five-eighth James O’Connor, who makes his first appearance of the season along with fellow big name recruit Adam Thomson. Queensland will be hoping the former golden boy can spark the attack, which was put under immense pressure in their drubbing by the Brumbies.

But the Force are flying high after putting the defending champion Waratahs to the sword in Sydney. They showed plenty in attack against NSW, scoring four tries, and they haven’t lost to the Reds in their last five matches. That could be extended to six.

Getting my weather girl on

This game is no certainty to go ahead, severe tropical cyclone Marcia is baring down the eastern coast line of Australia, and is expected to hit Brisbane right around kick-off on Saturday night. A call on whether or not the game will go ahead will be made at 8am local time in Brisbane (+10 GMT).

Prediction

Recent developments in regards to Karmichael Hunt, the Reds challenge is not only to shake off last week’s thrashing at the hands of the Brumbies, but also to get concerns about their vice-captain out of their heads.

On the other hand the Reds can only play better than they did last week, but the wet weather will play into the hands of the Force, who like to play a tight, forward dominated game. Force by 8.

REDS: James Slipper (capt), Saia Fainga’a, Sam Talakai, Marco Kotze, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, James OConnor, Lachie Turner, Samu Kerevi, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Chris Kuridrani, 15 TBA (likey to be JJ Tuilagi).
Reserves: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Sef Faagase, Tom Murday, Curtis Browning, Nick Frisby, Sam Johnson, Campbell Magnay.

FORCE: Zack Holmes, Luke Morahan, Kyle Godwin, Junior Rasolea, Marcel Brache, Sias Ebersohn, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Chris Alcock, Angus Cottrell, Adam Coleman, Sam Wykes (capt), Tetera Faulkner, Nathan Charles, Francois van Wyk.
Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Oliver Hoskins, Steve Mafi, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Luke Burton, Mitchell Scott.

Stormers V Blues

It’s danger time for the Blues, as they head to the Republic for two weeks after losing their season opener at home against the Chiefs. And it won’t be a toothless Stormers outfit awaiting them either. The men from Cape Town knocked over the much-hyped Bulls last week to get their season off to a flyer.

Springbok and Stormers prop Frans Malherbe makes his return from injury, while Test flanker Siya Kolisi and winger Kobus van Wyk may also make their returns. The Blues have an exciting backline, but they failed to fire last week, and the side conceded more clean breaks, metres and offloads than any team in the comp.

Prediction

The Blues will have it tough in Cape Town. If the Stormers perform the same way they did against the the Bulls last week, the Blues will be up against it. The bookies have the Stormers as a heavy favourite, and so do I. Stormers by 12.

STORMERS: Cheslin Kolbe, Johnny Kotze, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen (capt), Michael Rhodes, Rynhardt Elstadt, Ruan Botha, Jurie van Vuuren, Vincent Koch, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Oli Kebble, Wilco Louw, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones

BLUES: Charles Piutau, Ben Lam, Hamish Northcott, Francis Saili, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (capt), Brendon O’Connor, Steven Luatua, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Angus Ta’avao, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Braid, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Bowden, Lolagi Visinia.

Sharks v Lions

The Lions came into 2015 with their typical promising signs of change, but in round one they once again failed to back it up with a loss to the Hurricanes. On the other hand the Sharks – who finished third last year – fell to South Africa’s least favoured team the Cheetahs.

However they finished very strongly and it was only a knock-on over the tryline in the 79th minute that cost them a win, so expect the Sharks to dust themselves off and bounce back here. That said, if they do fall to their perennial underachieving countrymen there will be a lot of worried Sharks fans. And rightly so.

Prediction

On paper, you’d have the Sharks in an easy one, but the boot of Marnitz Boshoff may change that. The Lions will have to work for a full 80 in defence to stand a chance. Sharks by 18.

SHARKS: SP Marais, Odwa Ndungane, Waylon Murray, Heimar Williams, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Tera Mtembu, Renaldo Bothma, Marcell Coetzee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lubabalo Mtyanda, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis (capt), Dale Chadwick.
Reserves:Kyle Cooper, Thomas du Toit, Matt Stevens, Marco Wentzel, Jean Deysel, Conrad Hoffmann, Fred Zeilinga, Andre Esterhuizen.

LIONS: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Howard Mnisi, Courtnall Skosan, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (capt), Warwick Tecklenburg, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen.
Reserves: Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe, Julian Redelinghuys, JP du Preez, Ruaan Lerm, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies,  Harold Vorster

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With nine teams still in contention for the finals, most teams find themselves in a must win situation. Over the next two days, we find out who plays on and who goes home.

 Blues Vs. Chiefs

The first of four games with massive finals ramifications. Expect a high-octane affair, the Blues MUST win by at least 38, scoring a minimum of five tries along the way. There will be no holding back by the Blues, they’ll certainly have a tries at all costs mentality. Yet, the Blues will still be knocked out if the Chiefs or the loser of Brumbies v Force jag a bonus point.

The equation for the Chiefs is simple, win. A win will guarantee them finals birth, if they don’t win, they MUST gain two bonus points to have any chance. One bonus point for the Chiefs will not be enough to get ahead of the Hurricanes, who have a far superior for and against (63 vs. 3).

Making life tough for the Blues will be the absence of Luke Braid and Tony Woodcock. The Chiefs have made just one change, with centre Bundee Aki replacing the injured Charlie Ngatai.

The only home game the Blues have lost all year was against the Sharks in North Harbour, and the Blues are yet to drop a game at Eden Park this season. Because of the Blues form in Auckland, I’m tipping them to take it out.

Blues to win by 12 in a highly entertaining match.

 Brumbies Vs. Force

The finals scenario is the same for both these teams, they’re both locked on 40 points and the same amount of wins. The winner of this match will be hot favorites to finish in 4th and secure a home qualifying final.

Even in a losing team, a bonus point should be enough to get the loser through – if my tip in the previous game (Blues v Chiefs) holds true. A losing bonus point will put them equal on points with the Hurricanes (41) but both the Brumbies and the Force have a superior number of wins, and will thus move higher on the table.

Wallabies Matt Toomua and Sam Carter are back for the Brumbies after their last-start loss to the Waratahs – not to mention third-string hooker Josh Mann-Rea. The Force have lost powerful flanker Hugh McMeniman to a one-week suspension for kneeing. In the visitors’ favour is the fact the Brumbies haven’t won a last-round match since 2007, with the Force beating them last year and in 2008.

Even though last round form is against the Brumbies they should still be too strong at home. The Brumbies will no doubt look to secure a win before going for a bonus point, meaning a lot of penalty goals being traded. Because of this, the Force should have an easy-ish time in hunting a losing bonus point.

I’m tipping the Brumbies by 4.

 Bulls Vs. Rebels

One of only two ‘who cares’ matches of the final round. There is little to play for, for these two teams other than pride. Both teams are out of finals contention, but it’s likely the Rebels will be more desperate than the Bulls.

Only a win for the Rebels will give them a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon following last weeks loss to the Lions. They’ll have to do so without skipper Scott Higginbotham, who has received a one-game suspension for repeated yellow cards this season.

The Bulls haven’t lost at their high-altitude home all year. They’ll be hurting after last week’s 16-0 loss to the Stormers and will want to avoid finishing the season with three straight defeats.

The Rebels really have had a season to forget, and the Bulls will want to finish on a high, because of this and the Bulls home ground form, I’m tipping the Bulls to win by 14.

What’s your predictions?

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Table as it stands after round 18

Let’s take a look.

Firstly, we should take into consideration how SANZAR separates teams who are locked on the same total points at the end of the season:

1.  Most wins
2. Highest aggregate points difference
3. Most tries
4. Highest aggregate difference between tries scored and tries conceded
5. Toss of the coin

Crusaders possible finishing position: 2nd – 4th

For the Crusaders to keep second place on the table they must win, preferably with a bonus point. If the Sharks get a win, they’ll be on the same points. But they’re only eight behind in terms of for and against.

The big advantage for the Crusaders, if they end up on the same total at the end of the week as the Sharks, the Crusaders are a long way ahead of the Sharks on tries scored. But the only way to guarantee a second place finish, is to get a big win over the Highlanders.

However, if they do lose, they are still guaranteed a home qualifying final.

Sharks possible finishing positions: 2nd – 3rd

The Sharks will realistically need to win convincingly, and with a bonus point against the Stormers to claim second. They are 11 tries behind the Crusaders over the course of the season but are only eight behind on points difference. Because of this, we may see the Sharks break out of the penalty goal mentality this weekend.

The good news for the Sharks is they are that far ahead on the South African conference they can’t possible finish any lower than where they currently are.

Highlanders possible finishing positions: 2nd – 7th

For the Highlanders to finish second, they need to win with a bonus point, and hope neither the Sharks or the Crusaders gain anything out of their last round matches.

While the Highlanders have scored more tries than either the Crusaders or the Sharks, they are too far behind on wins and points for and against to get ahead of either of them, if they end up locked on equal points.

A bonus point of any kind will be enough for the Highlanders to finish in the top six. But if they fail to gain a bonus point in a loss to the Crusaders, and a scenario where the following two things all play out; The loser of the Force v Brumbies match gaining two bonus points, and the Chiefs beat the Blues, they will find themselves out of the top six all together.

Hurricanes possible finishing positions: 6th – 9th

The Hurricanes are in a position that no team ever wants to be in. They have to rely on other results to keep them in the race.

For the Canes to remain in the top six, the need the Blues to beat the Chiefs by no more than 37, while hoping the Chiefs gain no more than one bonus point, max. As well as praying that the loser out of the Brumbies v Force don’t take any bonus points home.

I’m afraid to say, that when I shook the magic 8-ball, it came up “out look, not good” for Hurricanes fans.

Brumbies possible finishing positions: 4th – 9th

The Brumbies are in a good position to claim 4th spot at the end of next week. They’ll only need to get a win against the Force at home and hope the Crusaders beat the Highlanders (which they are strong favorites to do). With the Chiefs being two wins behind the Brumbies, that should be enough for them to claim 4th.

However, if they do lose, they NEED to get a bonus point. Any bonus point will put them ahead of the Hurricanes, but even that may not be enough to keep them in the top six. If they gain two bonus points in a loss to the Force and the Highlanders lose, then that will be enough for the Brumbies to stay in the finals race. If they lose with only one bonus point, then they need to pray the Blues beat the Chiefs.

In the event where the Brumbies draw against the Force, that will also be enough to get them through, and still possibly claim 4th if both the Highlanders and the Chiefs go down.

Force possible finishing positions: 4th – 9th

With the Force and the Brumbies both locked on 40 points and playing each other in the final round, the Force are in the same boat as the Canberrans in terms of possible outcomes.

The only difference is, if they draw with the Brumbies, without gaining a four-try bonus point, the Force couldn’t possibly take 4th.

Chiefs possible finishing positions: 4th – 9th

The Chiefs pretty much need to win to keep their title defense alive. Any win will be enough to get them into the top six, but a bonus point victory, while hoping the loser of the Brumbies v Force game don’t gain a bonus point, and at the same time, if the Highlanders lose to the Crusaders, we will see the Chiefs finish 4th and secure a home qualifying final.

If the Chiefs do go down against the Blues, they’ll need to take two bonus points out of the match, as well as praying the loser of the Brumbies v Force only gain one bonus point, max. In that scenario, the Chiefs will finish 6th. Same result if they draw with the Blues.

Lastly, I’m only mentioning this to cover all bases, this is the most improbable outcome of all the hypothetical situations I have, and will cover; If the Chiefs draw with a bonus point, and the Brumbies and Force draw without a bonus point, as well as the Highlanders losing, in that scenario, the Chiefs would finish 4th.

Blues possible finishing position: 6th – 9th

There is no more than one situation where the Blues can make the play-offs. They need to win BIG, and with a bonus point.

They’ll need to beat the Chiefs by at least 38 points, as well as praying the loser out of the Brumbies v Force don’t gain any bonus points out of their match.
If the Brumbies, Force or Chiefs gain a bonus point in a losing match, their season will be over.

RBP’s prediction

How do we think the table will finish up I hear you ask? Well, I’m glad you asked.

1. Waratahs
2. Crusaders
3. Sharks
4. Brumbies
5. Highlanders
6. Force
7. Hurricanes
8. Blues
9. Chiefs

What’s your final table predictions?

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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.

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Hurricanes Vs Crusaders

The Hurricanes have proven themselves to be one of the most entertaining teams in this years competition in an up and down, roller coaster ride of a season. But it will all be for nothing if they can’t manage to get on top of the conference leading Crusaders today.

With the Chiefs and a last-round bye to follow, victory is essential. They’ve taken a hit with skipper Conrad Smith (broken thumb) sidelined until the play-offs.

The Crusaders are also without their inspirational captain as Richie McCaw is nursing broken ribs. The third-placed visitors are also without giant winger Nemani Nadolo but have big guns Dan Carter and Kieran Read set to make long-awaited returns from the bench.

While we think the Hurricanes will have the edge in the back line, the Crusaders should to too strong up front where it counts. The Crusaders’ defense has been impressive this season where as the Hurricanes’ has been near non existent at times.

We’re tipping the Crusaders in a close one.

Waratahs Vs Brumbies 

Victory today for the Waratahs will see the end of the Sharks reign, looking down on the rest of the competition from high aloft the table.

The Brumbies have won just twice in Sydney but must overcome an horrific injury toll to make it a third. Last year’s runners up must do without Stephen Moore, Sam Carter, Matt Toomua and Pat McCabe while the Waratahs have the luxury of using Wallabies starter Will Skelton off the bench.

For the Brumbies, no.12 fill-in Andrew Smith is in his run-on doubt. Moore’s loss is huge with Laurie Fisher forced to convert Irish prop Ruaidhri Murphy into a hooker.

In contrast, the star-studded Tahs look the real deal. Despite a three-week break, their momentum has continued with NSW’s big guns carrying their form through the Wallabies’ series whitewash over France.

Three straight wins over the Brumbies, Highlanders and Reds will ensure a home semi-final and, if they are good enough, grand final.

If this was a full strength Brumbies line-up playing today, this would be a hugely difficult game to predict. However, it’s not. With the lack of star players, we can expect the Brumbies to resort to their go to game plan – territory and capitalizing on mistakes.

The Brumbies defense will have to be at it’s best to stand a chance today. However, the Tahs playing at home should be too strong. We predict the Waratahs to win with a 10-15 point margin.

Force Vs Blues 

John Kirwan will be delighted to have all six of his All Blacks returning for a tough trip to Perth on Saturday night as the Aucklanders look to keep their faint play-offs alive against a side who won’t hand the ball over lightly.

The Blues have a tough run to the finish line, and will need to rediscover their mojo on the road if they are to have a chance.

The Force may be seventh on the standings but with three teams ahead having byes, their destiny is in their own hands; two wins out of three likely enough for a maiden finals berth. Victory over the Blues will be crucial to that equation.

Michael Foley welcomes back key trio Alby Mathewson, Hugh McMeniman and Marcel Brache for a tough clash with the inconsistent Aucklanders.  The Blues have put big flanker Steven Luatua back into their back-row and boast a talent-laden backline the Force will be hard pressed to contain. Young gun Ihaia West has kept his spot at no.10.

The Blues are yet to win away from home this season, and we can’t see that trend changing tonight. While at times the Force seem like they’re struggling, they always manage to find a way to hold on.

Because of that, we predict the Force to win in with a 10 point margin.

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Matt Hodgson, Force captain

Our last Super Rugby highlight’s package before the international break.

Waratahs secure their spot at the top of the Australian conference with a win over the Chiefs, Crusaders roll on with a big win over the Force. Pretty much ever team at the bottom of the table picks up a win and the Sharks jeopardize their hopes of a home grand final.

When Super Rugby starts up again on June 27, there are some big matches which will shape the top six.

Tahs have two tough matches coming up against the Brumbies and the Highlanders, but have home ground advantage for both.

Crusaders play Hurricanes, Highlanders and Blues. Highlanders don’t have it much easier with the Chiefs on top of the other games already mentioned. Hurricanes also play the Chiefs and have a bye in the final round.

The Force play at home to the Blues and Reds before a tough final game away to the Brumbies. And on top of the games mentioned, the Brumbies still have a round 18 bye to come.

The Sharks have a bye and two away games to the Cheetahs and Stormers, and they can’t afford to drop either of them if they still harbour hopes of hosting the grand final.

There are some mouth-watering, action packed rounds still to come. But, here are the highlights from round 16. Enjoy.

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Super Rugby’s most successful teams

The South African conference is looking pretty straight forward, The Sharks are bound to top the lot in Africa and secure a home final. But what are the chances of the Bulls? They are sitting only two points out of a wild card spot.

A bye this weekend, and another bye still to come isn’t going to help their cause, so theoretically, the Bulls only have four rounds left to put their stamp on the competition. The big advantage for them is all their touring is done and dusted for 2014. But, they still have some very tough games coming up.

The Australian conference is looking tighter, three teams still in contention. The Brumbies, Force and Waratahs still in with a shot of making the top six, and even finishing on top of the table overall. The Force, being this years bolters.

The Waratahs need to develop more consistency to make themselves a threat. Unable to secure back-to-back wins since their win against the Reds on March 1.

But lets not forget the Brumbies, they have played one more game than the Force an the Waratahs. With only a three point lead at the top of the Australian conference, their bye round has the potential to make all the difference.

New Zealand, where do we start? All five teams in their conference are still very much alive. But with 10 ‘local derby’ matches still ahead of them, they are set to cannibalize each other’s chances.

Because of this, New Zealand being able to get more than two teams into the top six is unlikely. They are the tightest conference in this years competition, and that means it’s going to cost them places in the finals.

The Chiefs have started to cough and splatter, the Hurricanes arguably have the toughest matches to close out the home and away part of the season. The Highlanders struggling to win away from home and the Blues with a bye still to come, can’t afford to drop many more games.

To pick a conference winner in New Zealand, you could almost place all five teams names on a board, put a blindfold on and throw a dart.

So what matches are still to come? Where will the points go?

Predicted conference tables. Bonus points taken into consideration

The Bulls have it tough, two byes still to come and a couple of tough matches against the Sharks and the Brumbies. The Bulls have their backs to the wall. I can only see the Bulls gaining two wins in the final six rounds.

The Bumbies with a bye, and a tough away game to the Waratahs ahead, should still pick up four wins. The Force are a chance to actually top the Australian conference, a hard battle ahead against the Crusaders in Christchurch, and a home match against the Blues, as well as a final round match-up against the Brumbies, we still see them picking up victories in four of the final six rounds.

The Tahs still have some very tight and crucial matches ahead, with most of their remaining big games being played at home, this is an advantage shouldn’t be underestimated. The RBP crystal ball indicates the Waratahs should get five wins in their last six – if they can develop some form of consistency.

Now, to pick a conference winner in New Zealand, you could almost place all five teams names on a board, put a blindfold on and throw a dart. However, lets put some level of thought into it.

The Chiefs have had a mortgage on the number one spot in New Zealand pretty much all year, but, with a bye this round, and only two home game to come. Their run home is looking rocky. In New Zealand, we’re seeing more often than not this year, the team with the home ground advantage is the team generally picking up the win. Because of that, we can only see the Chiefs gaining two victories in the last six rounds.

Predicted overall table. We went under the assumption in NZ, that the home team will get the win (impossible to pick the winner in NZ)

The Crusaders have been the form team in New Zealand in recent weeks. Big wins over the Reds in Brisbane, and the Brumbies at home has really shot them right up to the pointy end of the table. And we think they’ll pick up four wins in the remaining rounds.

The Canes have a tough, tough draw to finish off with, five ‘local derby’ matches and a bye, nothing is for certain. However, we expect the Canes to finish off the year with three wins.

The Highlanders has been pretty close to invincible at home, but, their away form is inconsistent. And with a majority of their last six matches being away, we can only see the southern cuzzies gaining two more victories.

And the Blues, like the ‘Landers, their home form has been phenomenal, it’s how they play away from home which has cost them. With a bye this weekend, we can only see the Blues picking up three more wins to close out the season.

This is RBP’s predictions, what is yours?

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The match is being pitched as Jake White’s return to Canberra, but surely it should be billed as the grand final preview? This is where one of the teams can claim early bragging rights and a psychological edge for a potential grand final match-up.

The Sharks hopes have received a set-back over the last two rounds when they were dumped 34-18 on their home ground by the eighth-placed Highlanders during the 11th round. And in round 12, had an unconvincing 22-16 win over the 11th placed Rebels.

The Sharks hold on to a precarious five point lead at the top of the table, with the Brumbies and Chiefs closely nipping on their heals. The Sharks’ lengthy reign in first place now looks shaky with three games left on their four-match trip to New Zealand and Australia, where they still have the Brumbies, Crusaders and Blues yet to play.

The Highlanders delivered the Sharks’ first home loss of the season, ending their run of five wins at Kings Park and making more significant their apparent vulnerability in away games.

Three-time champions the Bulls may provide an object lesson to the Sharks in their recent tour to Australia and New Zealand. The Pretoria-based Bulls lost all four matches on their Australian tour, making a severe dent to their finals hopes and confidence – which was apparent on their return to home against the Lions last weekend.

Where as the Brumbies have this match at home against the Sharks, they then travel to South Africa where they play this seasons strugglers, the Stormers and Cheetahs. Where the Sharks next three games looks anything but straight forward, the Brumbies run home looks relatively easy.

Standings in the New Zealand conference have been shaken up in the last two weeks, with the back-to-back champions dropping from the top spot, only to reclaim it last weekend. With the Blues gaining a victory against the Reds, Crusaders over the Brumbies, the Chiefs over the Lions, and the Hurricanes falling to the Waratahs in arguably the best match so far this season, the race for top spot in the Shakey Isles is too close to call. All five Kiwi teams are with-in a bonus point win of each other.

The Highlanders and Hurricanes have rushed into playoffs contention with recent wins, though the Chiefs — hard-hit by injuries — have struggled with three losses, two draws and two wins in their last seven games.

In the South African conference, there is little doubt over who will take the top spot, the Sharks are still in first place but there is an 11-point gap back to the Bulls in 10th.

The title race has really heated up, and based on current form, and with fixtures to come, at this stage, the Brumbies have become the Rugby Banter Page’s tip to take out the title in 2014.

Who do you think will win?

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