Waratahs v Highlanders

Waratahs fans are really starting to believe that this could be the year that they finally get their hands on the trophy. Michael Cheika’s side are firing on all cylinders, and lead the comp not only in the overall standings, but also in carries, metres and passes.

With playmaker Bernard Foley in career-best form, NSW are on a five-match winning streak. The loss of captain Dave Dennis looks unlikely to derail their campaign but canny replacement Stephen Hoiles has a big job ensuring the lineout remains under control.

The Tahs haven’t lost to the Highlanders at home since 2007 but this South Island team continue to surprise, highlighted by last week’s win over the Chiefs to move equal on points with the Crusaders.

The Highlanders have been impressive at home this year, but their away form has been patchy. They’ll need to be at their best to topple the Tahs today. Sopoaga, the Smith’s and Fekitoa all need to fire to stand a chance.

This will be a battle of two talented backlines, and the battles of Beale v Fekitoa and B Smith v Folau will be ones to relish.

Momentum is with the Tahs at the moment, with the added incentive to finish on top and the possibility of the home grand final should prove enough for Tahs to hold on.

I’m tipping the Tahs in a high scoring, entertaining match, Tahs by 8.

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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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One match on tonight that will be pivotal in deciding what the ultimate shape of the final six will be.

Chiefs v Hurricanes

It’s crunch time for both these teams today, a loss here will be the end of the road for one. While the Canes be without Conrad Smith, Alapati Leiua, Andre Taylor and Victor Vito, it’s the fitness of rake Dane Coles (calf) who the Canes are sweating over amid a hooker crisis.

Winning will be made even more difficult by the fact the Chiefs’ destiny remains in their own hands. Despite losing their last three, including a 37-point hiding by the Canes, the defending champions can still sneak into the finals with two wins.

I’m tipping the Chiefs, as long as they can get their wayward lineout together and keep the penalty count low.

Chiefs by 8

Lions v Rebels

Only die hard Lions and Rebels fans will really care about the outcome of this dead rubber. Although in the cellar, both proud teams should come out firing as the loser could very well end up with the dreaded wooden-spoon.

Expect Rebels hooker and Japanese international Shota Horie to be full of confidence after re-signing earlier this week. That said, the Lions have surprised all by winning four of their six home games this season. And those two losses were to the conference-leading Sharks and Crusaders.

The Rebels are yet to win outside Australia and Rebels coach Tony McGahan blasted his side for their “soft” performance against the Reds. The Rebels have made four changes for the clash and they’ll need to harden up quickly and keep their discipline to have any chance.

I’m tipping the Lions to get there on the boot of Boshoff, Lions by 6.

Good luck, good tipping!

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