Weekend predictions …

Tank Lanning

Hell of a Friday appetizer to a massive Super Rugby weekend … Chiefs vs Saders was one of the better rugby matches I have watched, and must now be regarded as a dress rehersal for the final. Reds vs Landers was heavy going in the first half, but made for a pretty spicy finish, while the Sharks vs Bulls lives up to all expectations. I underestimated the impact Frans Steyn would have on the Sharks side, but he put Wynand Olivier in the shade big time. Spies was again absent, while Bismarck Du Plessis was truly monstrous both in the set pieces and round the park. Impressive from the Durban boys, and SA now have 3 teams in the top 6!

Today it’s the sneaky little visit to Bloem by the high riding riding (in terms of log position rather than style of rugby played) but injury hit Stormers team that catches the eye … Win, and they are in the mix for a top of the podium finish, lose and they could be playing just to make the top six in their final match against the Rebels! And it’s not as if they were massively convincing last weekend against the lowly Lions …

The S15 log going into Saturday:

FRIDAY, JULY 6

Chiefs v Crusaders, Hamilton – 09:35
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistants: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
TMO: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

Sporting bet will give you evens on the Chiefs, and 4/5 on the Crusaders, making the away side the ever so slight favourites. And I would tend to agree given the return of Carter, Dagg and Reid, expecially as they will be a little bitter after last weekend’s hiccup against the Canes. Cane vs McCaw, Tameifuna vs Franks, Kerr-Barlow vs Ellis and Cruden vs Carter … I am not sure it comes more mouth watering than this as a an appetizer! Get out the office son!

My prediction: Crusaders by 3

Chiefs: 15. Robbie Robinson, 14. Tim Nanai-Williams, 13. Andrew Horrell, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8. Alex Bradley, 7. Sam Cane, 6. Liam Messam, 5. Brodie Retallick, 4. Craig Clarke (Captain), 3. Ben Tameifuna, 2. Mahonri Schwalger, 1. Sona Taumalolo
Bench: 16. Hikawera Elliott, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Romana Graham, 19. Tanerau Latimer, 20. Brendon Leonard, 21. Jackson Willison, 22. Lelia Masaga

Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Adam Whitelock, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (Captain), 6. George Whitelock, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Ben Franks
Bench: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Tom Donnelly, 19. Matt Todd, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tom Taylor, 22. Sean Maitland

—–
Reds v Highlanders, Brisbane – 11:40
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)
Assistants: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)

Sporting bet will give you 1/4 on the Reds, and 3/1 on the Landers, making the home side massive favourites. Who am I to argue?

My prediction: Reds by 9

Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Chris F’Sautia, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Bench: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Radike Samo, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Nick Frisby.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Haskell, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain)
Bench: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Chris King, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Kenny Lynn

—–
Sharks v Bulls, Durban – 19:10
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)
Assistants: Marius Jonker (SA), Tiaan Jonker (SA)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SA)

Sporting bet will give you 9/10 on the Sharks, and evens on the Bulls, making the home side the favourites  by a mosquitoes ball hair. Sans Lambie and Alberts, I would tend to disagree. Michalak is either “Shit or Champagne” so a lot will depend on who turns up, and Steyn partnering Whitehead should make for good viewing. But the Bulls in the first half of their match against the Cheetahs last week were in a league of their own. Clash of the loose forwards is likely to spill some blood … I might have been inclined to start with Deysel …

My prediction: Bulls by 3

Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Tim Whitehead, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak,9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Bench: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Jandre Marais, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Odwa Ndungane

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling
Bench: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Francois Venter

 
SATURDAY, JULY 7
 
Blues v Force, Auckland – 09:35
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistants: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Talk about bottom feeders!! Pat Lam says Nonu has come back from the break looking slim and trim, and keen to play … Unlike Weepu no doubt … But they simply cannot be kuk the whole tournament can they?

My prediction: Blues by 16

Blues: Charles Piutau, Lachie Munro, Francis Saili, Ma’a Nonu, Rene Ranger, Michael Hobbs, Piri Weepu, Luke Braid, Daniel Braid, Steven Luatua, Andrew Van der Heijden, Liaki Moli, Tevita Mailau, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tony Woodcock.
Bench: Tom McCartney, Angus Ta’avao, Chris Lowrey, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Orene Ai’i, Hadleigh Parkes.

Force: 15 Alfie Mafi, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Will Tupou, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Ben Seymour, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Lachlan McCaffery, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Bench: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Ollie Atkins, 19 Anare Koliavu, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kyle Godwin, 22 Patrick Dellit.

—–
Waratahs v Brumbies, Sydney – 11:40
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistants: Andrew Lees (Australia), Julian Pritchard (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

Sporting bet will give you evens on the Tahs, and 3/4 on the Brumbies, yet again making the away side the ever so slight favourites in what is a seriously tough weekend to call … I have been burnt by the Michale Hooper inspired Brumbies so many times, you would have thought that I might have learnt my lesson. But the Tahs are at home, and look good on paper after the long break they have had …

My prediction: Tahs by 2

Waratahs: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Bench: 16 Josh Mann-Rae, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Tom Carter, 22 Tom Kingston

Brumbies: 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Jesse Mogg, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander
Bench: 16 Anthony Hegaty, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Leon Power, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Tevita Kuridrani, 22 Cam Crawford.
 
—–
Cheetahs v Stormers, Bloemfontein – 15:00
Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)
Assistants: Sindile Mayende (SA), Reuben Rossouw (SA),
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (SA)

Sporting bet will give you 3/1 on the Cheetahs, and 1/3 on the Stormers, making the Cape side the favourites by quite a stretch. Probably fair odds, but if the Cheetahs of the second half last weekend pitch up against the Stormers of last weekend, the home side will take it by plenty! But Flu had smashed the Stormers last week, forcing some last minute changes. I do not see them suddenly embracing sideline to sideline gay abandon, but it looks a better balanced 22, and their strong defence should eventually wear down an exciting but limited Cheetahs side. Put aside a six pack for the Brussow vs Kolisi head to head, while Ebersohn vs De Jongh should also be pretty special. But WP Nel vs young Steven Kitshoff is the head to head for the purists!

My prediction: Stormers by 9
 
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Cameron Jacobs, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Pieter van Zyl, 8 Justin Downey, 7 Lappies Labuschagné, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Andries Ferreira/George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Bench: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 George Earle/Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Philip Snyman

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Rynardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Quinn Roux, 19 Don Armand, 20 Louis Schrueder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever
 
—–
Lions v Rebels, Johannesburg – 17:05
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Assistants: Jaco Peyper (SA), Stefan Breytenbach (SA)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (SA)

Sporting bet will give you 3/10 on the Lions, and 100/30 on the Rebels, making them one of the very few who have not completely given up on the Lions. I disagree.

My prediction: Rebels by 7

Lions: 15 James Kamana, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Butch James, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Bench: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Ruaan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 JR Esterhuizen, 22 Ruan Combrinck

Rebels: Julian Huxley, Mark Gerrard, Mitch Inman, Stirling Mortlock (c), Cooper Vuna, James Hilgendorf, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Hugh Perrett, Tim Davidson, Al Campbell, Cadeyrn Neville, Jono Owen, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson.
Bench:Adam Freier, Paul Alo-Emile, Hugh Pyle,  Luke Jones, Richard Kingi, Lachlan Mitchell, Lloyd Johannson.

…. And just in case you really have an extremely quiet weekend planned, the 1st Division Currie Cup fixtures and match officials …

Fri 06 July:
 
19h00 – Border vs Valke at Buffalo Stadium, East London
Referee: Jason Jaftha
Assistants: Christie du Preez, Loyiso Bosman
Assessor: Banks Yantolo

19h00 – EP Kings vs SWD at NMB Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: Rasta Rashivenga
Assistants: Lusanda Jam, Linston Manuels
TMO: Johan Greeff

Sat 07 July
 
Pumas vs Boland at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Ben Crouse
Assistants: Marius van der Westhuizen, Pieter de Villiers
Assessor: Pierre Oelofse

Griffons vs Leopards at North West Stadium, Welkom
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Assistants: Pieter Janse van Vuuren, François de Bruin
Assessor: Gerrit Coetzer