Games To Watch:

Chiefs vs Crusaders:

After their sluggish start with a home loss to the Rebels, the Crusaders were able to bounce back and gain a victory over the Highlanders. They will be wanting to keep up the momentum, however this will not be easy against a Chiefs team that has won both of their games so far. Both teams have named powerful packs, and there are some really great matchups, like Ben (swallowed the left side of the buffet) Tameifuna and Wyatt Crockett. The battle of the back rows should be interesting, as the Crusaders will call upon the services of Richie McCaw and Matt Todd to do what they do best at the breakdown, while the Chiefs will doubtless be looking for Sam Cane and Liam Messam to inject a bit of pace as well. Out wide, Sonny Bill Williams returns to the starting XV and he will be facing off with Ryan Crotty, who will be looking to prove a point to the All Black selectors. James Lowe will have his hands full containing the power and pace of Robbie Fruean. These are two sides that are consistently competing at the highest level, and this should be a really close finish, but the Chiefs seem to just have the edge.

Prediction: Chiefs 27- Crusaders 24

Bulls vs Sharks:

If you are a forward and want to watch a true forwards game, this is the match
for you. These are two immensely physical sides that will never back down from each other. The battle in the scrum should be as immense as those taking part in it. Trevor Nyakane and Adriaan Strauss will be wanting to prove their worth against the Du Plessis brothers, as their battle for a starting spot for the national team continues. The Sharks will also have to contend with Victor Matfield, who, despite his age, remains one of the worlds best lineout jumpers. In the backrow, the immense physicality of Marcell Coetzee, and the athleticism of Ryan Kankowski, will give Pierre Spies and his teammates a bit of a headache, but no one is more suited to handle it than the Springbok Number 8. Young Handre Pollard and Patrick Lambie will respark their rivalry for the South African flyhalf spot, although it must be said that Pollard does seem to have some more weapons at his disposal. Andre Esterhuizen and Waylon Murray will have a lot of work to do to keep Jan Serfontein and JJ Engelbrecht under control. Francois Hougaard and Jesse Kriel have real pace on the outside, but so does Odwa Ndungane, setting up what should be a great battle in all parts of the game. In an game that is as physical as this whichever team can get the upper hand in the tight phases will probably take the victory, however, we all know what Pollard and Lambie are capable of, and they could turn this slugfest into a track meet.

Prediction: Sharks 17- Bulls 12

Brumbies vs Rebels:

A lot of people will be wondering if this match should really be included in
the must see matches of the weekend, and they have a fair point. On paper this match will be a one sided affair but, the Rebels proved that they were not the Rebels of old when they went down to Christchurch and beat the Crusaders, and even though they were beaten by the Waratahs last week, there is a sense that this team is not going to lie down and take a beating. The Brumbies do have a clear advantage in the front row, and it is great to see Stephen Moore back on the pitch. The Brumbies use of Rory Arnold, aka shorty, will give them a major advantage in the lineout. The Rebels will have an advantage in the back row however, with Sean McMahon and Scott Higginbotham. These two dynamic and powerful loose forwards could create havoc for the Brumbies. Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani have been in great form, and the Rebels will find them very hard to stop once they start to go forward. Henry Speight and Joe Tomane offer plenty of pace and power and should give the Rebels a lot of headaches in defence. I have no doubt that the Rebels are more than capable of beating the Brumbies in the pack, but, their lack of world class talent outside means that they will really struggle against one of the best backlines in the competition.

Prediction: Brumbies 35- Rebels 21

Players to Watch:

Sonny Bill Williams:

That other league convert, only played one game so far this season, but he
looked really good, setting up a couple of tries in his teams victory over the Blues. Williams will be tested this week by Ryan Crotty, but his superb athleticism may see him through, and his side through as well.

Sean McMahon:

Despite his youth, he plays a remarkably important role in the Rebels set up,
and he is set to be one of the Wallaby greats for the future. Made some massive hits against the Crusaders, and he compliments Scott Higginbotham really well. Will be crucial if the Rebels want to be competitive against the Brumbies.

Aaron Cruden:

Didn’t really have a great 2014. Showed poor form at times, kicking was
inconsistent, and channeled his inner Mike Phillips, by missing a team flight after a late night out. His matchup against Colin Slade is going to be important if he is to hold onto his 10 shirt, especially with young Damian McKenzie breathing down his neck, look for him to try to keep up the momentum and make 2015 a much better year.

Handre Pollard:

The young South African flyhalf is the key to the Bulls long term plans. He
carried the team when they took on the Hurricanes, and largely outshone the ever impressive Beauden Barrett, and while he struggled against the Stormers, you can expect him to bounce back this week.

Will Genia:

When on form, you’d be hard pressed to find a more dangerous scrumhalf than the
little general. Last year, Genia led the Reds to a hard fought victory over the Highlanders in a classic match. If the Reds are to stop the run of poor play, then Genia will need to help them find gaps in the defense, something he can do very well.

How do you think your team will do?

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Stringer in action for Bath earlier this season.

Bath and Ireland Scrum Half Peter Stringer has recently been linked with a move back to Ireland and put into a BLUE jersey. Er… what?!

Bath have previously announced that Stringer would be leaving the professional club after the end of this season. It has now been revealed that Matt O’Connor, Leinster Head Coach, has expressed his interest in signing the 37 year old ex-Munster scrum half.

Without a club for the 2015/16 season, Leinster could pinch 98 Irish capped player and put him in the blue jersey. With Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss likely to be tied up at the start of the season with World Cup duties, this leaves only one scrum half in the Leinster senior team with Pro12 experience – Luke McGrath and another in the academy ranks with Ireland u20 experience – Nick McCarthy.

Speaking Earlier on in the Leinster press conference, O’Connor indicated that they are in the market for an experienced 9 in the likelihood that they will be caught short at the start of the season, and Mr. Stringer looks like a great option.

We’re probably in a position where we might lose two nines for the World Cup, going on current [Ireland] ranking. So anyone who comes onto the market is of interest to us. 

I think he [Stringer] is doing a great job for Bath. I think he’s been very good for them and if it was a World Cup slot, or whatever, well then it might be an opportunity for us. 

The idea of a Munster icon putting on the jersey of a rival province may sit badly with Munster fans, but for the sake of Irelands future, it might be the smart move. At Leinster, he could give invaluable experience to up and coming nines McGrath and McCarthy.

If Carlsberg did facial expressions….

At the same time, O’Connor also mentioned Irish Scrumhalf James Hart, who has been tearing it up on the French scene in the blue and red jersey of Grenoble. After failing to pick up an academy contract with Leinster, he moved to France, and under the tutelage of Bernard Jackman, has become a real contender for the 9 jersey. However, Hart is contracted to the alpine province until 2017.

James is a good player doing a good job for Grenoble. All those guys, especially the Irish-qualified ones, are of interest to us.

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