Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
HIGHLANDERS V SHARKS
Carisbrook, Dunedin; Friday, March 03, 7.35pm.
Referee: Andrew Cole (A)
Highlanders: Marc Ellis, Jeff Wilson, Rua Tipoki, Romi Ropati, Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Taine Randell(c), Josh Kronfeld, Simon Maling, John Blaikie, Kelvin Middleton, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Joe McDonnell. Res: Brett McCormack, Rico Gear, Brendan Laney; Samiu Vahafolau, Brendon Timmins, Carl Hoeft, Tom Willis.
Sharks: Justin Swart, Rodger Smith, Trevor Halstead, Stefan Terblanche, Pieter Muller, Gaffie du Toit, Chad Alcock, AJ Venter, Warren Brosnihan, Albert van den Berg, Philip Smit, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nel, Chris Rossouw(c), Ollie le Roux. Res: Craig Davidson, Clinton van Rensburg, Ricardo Loubscher; Gideon Watts, John Slade, John Smit, Mornay Visser.
* The Sharks have lost injured captain/loose forward Wayne Fyvie, with tough Springbok hooker Rossouw returning from injury in place of Visser and taking the leadership. He is expected to fire up the Sharks pack. Coach Hugh Reece-Edwards offered the captaincy to le Roux, but he declined saying it would affect his game. Brosnihan replaces Fyvie at flanker. Sevens star Smith takes over from Loubscher, who had defensive problems against the Hurricanes. Power scrummager Nel replaces Moyle. The Highlanders did not expect to have Hoeft (calf injury) available, but the All Black prop has made an unlikely recovery so is on the bench.
HURRICANES V REDS
Rugby Park, New Plymouth; Saturday, March 04, 7.35pm.
Referee: Andy Turner (SA)
Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Jonah Lomu, Jason O'Halloran, David Holwell, Jason Spice, Gordon Falcon, Kupu Vanisi, Dion Waller, Inoke Afeaki, Campbell Feather, Gordon Slater, Norm Hewitt(c), Kevin Yates. Res: Joggie Viljoen, Tanner Vili, Brad Fleming; Semo Sititi, Paul Tito, Mike Edwards/Tony Penn, Shane Carter.
Reds: Chris Latham, Damien Smith, Daniel Herbert, Nathan Williams, Tim Horan, Elton Flatley, Sam Cordingley, Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, John Eales(c), Nathan Sharpe, Mark Connors, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley/Sean Hardman, Glen Panoho. Res: Jacob Rauluni, Shane Drahm, Rick Nalatu; Scott Fava, Mark Murray, Nic Stiles, Hardman/Tim Tavalea.
* The great Horan returns from injury for the Reds but Foley is in doubt through injury, and they are still without Matt Cockbain, Ben Tune, Dan Crowley and Nathan Spooner. Coach John Connolly has dropped first five-eighths Drahm and moved Flatley into the pivot role from second five-eighths. Flatley has plenty of experience there and is rated a strong defender. Hurricanes prop Edwards (calf muscle) is in doubt. Vili and Fleming replace Darryl Lilley and Paul Steinmetz in the reserves. The Hurricanes have lost two of four matches in New Plymouth, including by three points against the Chiefs last season.
CATS V STORMERS
Ellis Park, Johannesburg; Sunday, March 05, 4.10am.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)
Cats: Kobus Englebrecht, Chester Williams, Japie Mulder, Thinus Delport, Grant Esterhuizen, Hennie Le Roux, Werner Swanepoel, Andre Vos(c), Andre Venter, Victor Matfield Jannes Labuschagne, Piet Krause, Willie Meyer, Leon Boshoff, Marius Mostert. Res: Jimmy Powell, Jannie van der Walt, Louis Koen; Torros Pretorius, Johan Ackerman, Pierre Ribbens, Delarey du Preez.
Stormers: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, Pieter Rossouw, Brendan Venter, Braam van Straaten, Dave von Hoesslin, Tokkie Kasselman, Hendrik Gerber, Hottie Louw, Selborne Boome, Corne Krige(c), Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson. Res: Dan van Zyl, Robert Markram, Wayne Julies; Chean Roux, Wayne Boardman, Toks van der Linde, Johan van Wyk.
* Cats coach Laurie Mains and the Stormers' Alan Solomons have named unchanged lineups after opening round victories. The Stormers made much of their black strip last year as a rallying point for fans but are in white for this match so as not to clash with the Cats' dark blue. The Cats have had the edge in the past two seasons when they have met in the final round. They thrashed the Stormers at Ellis Park in 1998 despite finishing last, and pipped the semifinalist Stormers by two points at Cape Town last year.
BULLS V WARATAHS
Loftus, Pretoria; Sunday, March 05, 6.15am.
Referee: Steve Walsh jnr (NZ)
Bulls: (Possible) Jorrie Kruger, Wim Meyer, Chris Kruger, Marius Goosen, Tiaan Joubert, Jannie de Beer, Benny Nortje, Anton Leonard, Schutte Bekker, Krynauw Otto, Wium Basson, Russell Nelson, Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske(c), Os du Randt.
Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little(c), Matt Dowling, Christian Warner, Manuel Edmonds, Chris Whitaker, Tiaan Strauss, Phil Waugh, Peter Besseling, John Welborn, Stu Pinkerton, Rod Moore, Brendan Cannon, Richard Harry. Res: Sam Payne, Marc Stcherbina, Duncan McRae; David Lyons, Daniel Manu, Cameron Blades, Mark Crick.
* Wallaby star Burke is battling a groin strain, with McRae on standby. The Waratahs have moved to strengthen their scrum with former Brumbie Moore replacing Blades at tighthead where he will confront du Randt. First five-eighths/fullback Warner replaces Stcherbina at second five-eighths with Nathan Gray still absent. Bulls captain Ruben Kruger (broken foot bone)is out for weeks. Drotske will lead, with Nelson expected to start. Halfback Stanley Raubenheimer may drop out after failing against the Cats. Fullback Kruger is the most doubtful among a long Bulls injury list which includes de Beer and du Randt.
BLUES V CHIEFS
North Harbour Stadium, Albany; Sunday, March 05, 2.35pm.
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (NZ)
Blues: Hayden Taylor, Joeli Vidiri, Eroni Clarke, Doug Howlett, Walter Little, Orene Ai'i, Mark Robinson, Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Charles Riechelmann, Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd(c), Keven Mealamu, Paul Thomson. Res: Ben Meyer, Iliesa Tanivula, Craig Innes; Finau Maka, Leo Lafaiali'i, Nick White, James Christian.
Chiefs: Bruce Reihana, Damian Karauna, George Leaupepe, Roger Randle, Mark Ranby, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan, Isitolo Maka, Glen Marsh, Glenn Taylor(c), Chresten Davis, Koula Tukino, Paul Martin, Paul Mitchell, Michael Collins. Res: Danny Lee, Keith Lowen, Loki Crichton; Hare Makiri, Mark Cooksley, David Briggs, Greg Smith.
* The Blues have lost goalkicking fullback Adrian Cashmore (knee operation) for a couple of games, bringing in Northland's Taylor who will take the kicks. Blues coach Gordon Hunter does not want to saddle young pivot Orene Ai'i with the goalkicking duties. Taylor kicks up to 40 metres, so the Blues will "kick for touch" from further out. The Blues have re-worked their midfield backs, with Little and Clarke replacing Innes and Tanivula. Hooker Heaps is out with illness. The Chiefs have Bruce Reihana back from injury. He replaces Crichton at fullback.
CHRIS RATTUE'S PICKS:
Highlanders
Reds
Stormers
Waratahs
Blues
Success ratte this season: 50%
Rugby: Super 12 - Round 2 Preview
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