Weekend predictions

Nothing balanced about this weekend as all 5 SA sides hit the turf on Saturday. Sharks and Kings the banana peels for Bulls and Cheetahs … All the teams, times, refs and predictions …

Tank Lanning

Try find a way to eyeball Chiefs and Saders on Friday morning, but then Friday evening is all about gathering pink tickets my friends … Ballet, opera, cheese and whine with the neighbours, you just got to do it I am afraid … Because Saturday is Kings vs Cheetahs at a pub, Stormers while the fire burns down at home (perhaps an Oepsie or four at half time) and then Sharks vs Bulls on a full belly while throwing tjoppie bones and beer cans at Kaplan and Joubert!

Friday 24 May

09:35 Chiefs vs Crusaders, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Bloody early in the weekend for a “Cracker alert”, but this is pretty much unmissable! Saders off a proper schooling of the Blues, while the Chiefs edged the Canes. Sure everyone else will be eyeballing Cruden vs Carter or Kerr-Barlow vs Ellis, but for me it will be Crockett vs the human battle ship Tameifuna that will have me salivating. Robbie Fruean will be looking to do some damamge when unleashed from the bench, as will Lelia Masaga. Would not be that surprised to see Chiefs win, but going Saders.

My prediction: Crusaders by 7

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant Leven, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Bench: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Dan Waenga, 22 Lelia Masaga.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Bench: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Dominic Bird, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Robbie Fruean, 22 Telusa Veianu.

11:40 Rebels vs Waratahs, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Referee: Garratt Williamson (NZL)

Can’t promise to watch this, but the Tahs have definitely livened up the whole Aussie scene this year. They scrum like machines, have one of the best fetchers in the world and a fullback is pulling a SBW on the rugby world. Beautiful!

My prediction: Tahs by 12

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom English, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Lachlan Mitchell, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson

Bench: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Cadeyrn Neville, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Kimami Sitauti

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Matt Lucas, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson

Bench: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Will Skelton, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Rob Horne, 22 Tom Kingston

Saturday 25 May

09:35 Blues vs Brumbies, Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Lourens vd Merwe (RSA)

Bookies have no idea and the SuperBru community seem to be backing the Blues. And while the Brumbies have been on the wrong side of the scoreboard in a few games recently, and are away to a side that can do proper damage on their day, losing Luatua is a big blow to the home side. The Blues still have that ability to implode, while Jake has turned the Brumbies into a much more consistent side. Colby Faingaa exciting while Auelua and Rathbone should make a difference off the bench.

My prediction: Brumbies by 3

Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, George Moala, Chris Noakes, Piri Weepu; Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Brendon O’Connor, Ali Williams (c), Culum Retallick, Angus Ta’avao/ Sam Prattley, Keven Mealamu, Tim Perry.

Bench: James Parsons, Sam Prattley/Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Anthony Boric, Kane Barrett, Jamison Gibson-Park, Baden Kerr, Jackson Willison.

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joseph Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Colby Faingaa, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio

Bench: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Jordan Smiler, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Clyde Rathbone

11:40 Force vs Highlanders, NIB Stadium, Perth
Referee: Andrew Lees (AUS)

Big time bottom feeders … Get to the gym or go watch your local school side play.

My prediction: Highlanders by 3 (Yep, my stab at the upset …)

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Patrick Dellit, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Matt Hodgson (captain), 5 Sam Wykes, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Pek Cowan

Bench: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Rory Walton, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Junior Rasolea, 22 Sam Norton-Knight

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Jason Emery, Tamati Ellison, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Mose Tuiali’i, John Hardie, TJ Ioane, Josh Bekhuis, Brad Thorn (captain), Ma’afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Tony Woodcock.

Bench: Andrew Hore, Bronson Murray, Joe Wheeler, Elliot Dixon, Fumiaki Tanaka, Colin Slade, Tino Nemani/Trent Renata

15:00 Kings vs Cheetahs, NMB Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: Stuart Berry
AR: Sindile Mayende, Christie du Preez
TMO: Johann Meuwessen

Marais back at 15, and Strauss at 12, while Engelbrecht is back via the bench. This is pretty much as strong as the Kings get, and playing at home, they will be feisty! Benjamin ahead of Rhule is a biggie … Naka says Rhule’s defence has been shaky. Benjamin probably deserves a start. Lappies vs Luke will empty a few coolerboxes, especially given that the former is now in the Bok squad. Piet van Zyl has been sensational, and I just do not see the Kings having enough on defence to handle Ebersohn, Sadie and Le Roux …

My prediction: Cheetahs by 9

Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Siyanda Grey, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Luke Watson (captain), 6 Wimpie van der Walt, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Steve Sykes, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Bench: 16 Virgile Lacombe, 17 Grant Kemp, 18 Rynier Bernado, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Shane Gates, 22 George Whitehead.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Bench: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Rynhardt Landman, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Raymond Rhule.

17:05 Stormers vs Reds, Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Jaco Peyper (RSA)
AR: Quinton Immelman (RSA), Marc van Zyl (RSA)
T.M.O: Shaun Veldsman (RSA)

Seems a “Panic mechanic” has paid a visit to the blue and white … How else would one describe the selection of Marius Coetzer? A monumental injury list sees a much changed side take on the Reds, but with the pressure now off given that they are no longer contenders, we might just see De Villiers’ men unleash. But I just can’t see them ridding themselves of this dreaded mistake disease that seems to have infested the side. And the Reds just simply cannot be as bad as they were against the Cheetahs last week …

My prediction: Reds by 7

Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jean de Villiers (captain), 12. Damien de Allende, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Don Armand, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Eben Etzebeth, 4. Gerbrandt Grobler, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 16. Martin Bezuidenhout, 17. Chris Heiberg, 17. Marius Coetzer, 18. Rohan Kitshoff, 19.Dewldt Duwenhage, 21. Gary van Aswegen, 22. Gerhard van den Heever

Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons , 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Bench: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Ed O’Donoghue, 19 Eddie Quirk, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Ben Lucas, 22 Ben Tapuai.

19:10 Sharks vs Bulls, Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA)
AR: Craig Joubert (RSA), Reuben Rossouw (RSA)
T.M.O: Deon van Blommestein (RSA)

How is this for a banana peel? Sharks in all sorts of trouble that sees Piet Lindeque team up with the flat nosed Meyer Bosman at centre and only 2 backs on the bench (mainly because they do not have any more)! Bulls on fire and the team carrying the nation’s hopes, but they seemed to have got their first and second team props mixed up with Kruger initially selected to try and tame the Beast – which was bad call from Ludeke. But seemingly after reading this (ha ha), he released a statement saying there had been a mixup and that Kirsten will indeed be starting! They also have Olivier back at centre while Serfontein nurses a niggle – not ideal. Steyn vs Lambie a spicy little side show, as is the battle of the looseforwards. Sharks to spoil the party? I would not be that surprised. Bookies very nervous …

My prediction: Bulls by 5

Sharks: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Piet Lindeque, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (captain), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Kyle Cooper, 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Bench: 16. Monde Hadebe, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Jandre Marais, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Tera Mtembu, 21. Tian Meyer, 22. Sean Robinson

Bulls: 15 Jürgen Visser , 14 Akona Ndungane , 13 JJ Engelbrecht , 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling

Bench: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché /Jan Serfontein, 22 Lionel Mapoe