Rugby: Super 12 preview - Round 11

Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE

CRUSADERS V WARATAHS

Jade Stadium, Christchurch; Friday, May 05, 7.35 pm.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Mark Robinson, Caleb Ralph, Mark Mayerhofler, Aaron Mauger, Justin Marshall; Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (c), Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, David Hewett. Res: Aaron Flynn, Norm Berryman, Daryl Gibson; Dallas Seymour, Chris Jack, Greg Feek, Slade McFarland.

Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c),Dominic Byrne, Nathan Grey, Christian Warner, Chris Whitaker; Stu Pinkerton, Phil Waugh, John Welborn, Peter Besseling, Dave Lyons, Jason Reilly, Brendan Cannon, Richard Harry. Res: Sam Payne, Manuel Edmonds, Marc Stcherbina; Tiaan Strauss, Michael Brial, Rod Moore, Mark Crick.

Referee: Tappe Henning (SA)

* The Crusaders have lost first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens to a rib injury - the first Super 12 match he will miss in three years. They are hopeful he will be fit for the final round. Test lock Maxwell returns from a month long shoulder injury absence, while Feek and MacDonald are also back. The Waratahs have brought in Pinkerton for Strauss, and falling locking star Bowman is axed - leading to dark threats from his manager about Bowman quitting NSW. The Reds are apparently set to make him an offer. The Crusaders can just about nail a home semifinal with a four-try win - the Waratahs blew their season last week.

Man to watch: Mauger, the incredibly versatile Colts star, gets his first Super 12 start for Mehrtens.

CATS V BLUES

Ellis Park, Johannesburg; Saturday, May 06, 5.15 am.

Cats: (probable) Thinus Delport, Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Janie van der Walt, Japie Mulder, Louis Koen, Werner Swanepoel; Andrew Vos (c), Andre Venter, Jannes Labuschagne, Johan Ackermann, Walter Minnaar, Willie Meyer, Leon Boshoff, Marius Mostert. Res: Jimmy Powell, Doeta Wessels, Dean Hall/Mac Masina; Piet Krause, Victor Matfield, Adrian Garvey, Delarey du Preez.

Blues: Adrian Cashmore, Joeli Vidiri, Iliesa Tanivula, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine; Xavier Rush, Andrew Blowers, Robin Brooke (c), Troy Flavell, Dylan Mika, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Mark Robinson, Orene Ai'i, Eroni Clarke; Finau Maka, Leo Lafaiali'i, David Morgan, Keven Mealamu.

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (A)

* Blues flanker Justin Collins is missing through a groin strain. Blowers switches to openside, while Mika is back from injury. But former All Black forward Charles Riechelmann is still out of action because of the shoulder injury received when stomped by Bull Krynauw Otto - an offence that only brought Otto a judicial yellow card. The Cats have lost captain Johan Erasmus to a calf muscle injury, with the 30-year-old Minnaar - a former Shark - to make his Cats debut.It's the last roll of the dice for the Cats - while a loss could crush the Blues hopes depending on other results.

Welcome back: Mika's added bulk could be valuable against the massive Cats pack.

BRUMBIES V REDS

Bruce Stadium, Canberra; Saturday, May 06, 9.35 pm.

Brumbies: (probable) Andrew Walker, Mark Bartholomeusz, Stirling Mortlock, Joe Roff, Rod Kafer, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (c); Jim Williams, George Smith, Troy Jaques, Radike Samo/Warwick Waugh, Ipolito Fenukitau, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Res: Travis Hall, James Holbeck, Graeme Bond; Peter Ryan, Waugh/Samo, Angus Scott, Tom Murphy.

Reds: Chris Latham, Rick Nalatu, Daniel Herbert, Nathan Williams, Tim Horan, Shane Drahm, Sam Cordingley; Toutai Kefu, Mark Murray, John Eales (c), Mark Connors, Matt Cockbain, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Glen Panoho. Res: Jacob Rauluni, Steve Kefu, Richard Graham; Scott Fava, Nathan Sharpe, Nic Stiles, Sean Hardman.

Referee: Wayne Erickson (A)

* The Brumbies are injury hit in the forwards. Captain and flanker Brett Robinson and test utility Owen Finegan join locks Justin Harrison and David Giffin on the sidelines. Reserve props Simon Ross and Ben Darwin are injured so Scott is called up. The giant Samo, a club wing, is bracketed with former test lock Waugh, who has played for all three Australian Super 12 sides. Waugh rushed back from English club Bath. The Reds have lost first five-eighths Elton Flatley, captain/flanker David Wilson, star wing Ben Tune has confirmed he will not comeback in this Super 12, fellow wing Damian Smith is also out and prop Panoho needs a calf check.

Sorely missed: The Brumbies forward defections must start having an effect on their campaign.

BULLS V HIGHLANDERS

Jan van Riebeeck Stad, Witbank; Sunday, May 07, 1.10 am.

Bulls: (probable) Jorrie Kruger/Casper Steyn, Paul Treu, Danie van Schalwyk, Frikkie Welsh, Eugene Meyer, Jannie de Beer, Joost van der Westhuizen (c); Anton Leonard, Piet Joubert, Krynauw Otto, Wium Basson, Ruben Kruger, Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske, Sias Wagner. Res: Deon de Kock, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Henry Pedro; Schutte Bekker, Matt Franck, Johan Human, Janie Brooks.

Highlanders: (probable) Jeff Wilson, Marc Ellis, Romi Ropati, Rua Tipoki, Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher; Taine Randell (c), Josh Kronfeld, John Blaikie, Simon Maling, Kelvin Middleton, Carl Hoeft, Anton Oliver, Joe McDonnell. Res: Brett McCormack, Karl Te Nana, Brendan Laney; Paul Miller, Brendon Timmins, Carl Hayman, Tom Willis.

Referee: Peter Marshall (A)

* Springboks captain Joost van der Westhuizen has been cleared by South Africa's medical team for a comeback after wrecking his knee in the World Cup. Some reports suggest van der Westhuizen may only be good for about 20 minutes this week. But test prop Os du Randt is still missing. There are predicted changes in the Bulls including the return of Steyn and van Schalwyk from long term injuries, and Bekker and Meyer from short layoffs. The Highlanders are still expected to be without test prop Kees Meeuws, while Tipoki and Maling may replace Te Nana and Timmins.

Burning question: Van der Westhuizen can inspire the Bulls. Will he be the same player after major surgery?

SHARKS V CHIEFS

ABSA Stadium, Durban; Sunday, May 07, 3.10 am.

Sharks: (probable) Joe Gillingham, Deon Kayser, Stefan Terblanche, Justin Swart, Pieter Muller, Gaffie du Toit, Chad Alcock; AJ Venter, Warren Brosnihan, Mark Andrews(c)/John Slade, Albert van den Berg, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nell, John Smit, Ollie le Roux. Res: Craig Davidson, Clinton van Rensburg, Rodger Smith; Jacques Greeff, John Slade, Brent Moyle, Chris Rossouw.

Chiefs: (probable)Todd Miller, James Kerr, George Leaupepe, Bruce Reihana, Mark Ranby, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan; Isitolo Maka, Glen Marsh, Royce Willis, Glen Taylor (c), Koula Tukino, Paul Martin, Paul Mitchell, David Briggs. Res: Danny Lee, Loki Crichton, Scott McLeod; Hare Makiri, Chresten Davis, Michael Collins, Greg Smith.

Referee: Scott Young (A)

* The non-event game of the round, with both sides eliminated from the title race. The only Shark in doubt is lock Andrews, who is given a 50-50 chance of playing because of an elbow injury.In the only likely change to the team which lost to the Blues, AJ Venter - who has recovered from a minor nose operation - should return for Jacques Greeff. Coach Hugh Reece-Edwards says the team wants to restore their fans' faith.

Classic comment: Reece-Edwards - "It hurt when some of the crowd booed us last week. It showed how passionate they are."

STORMERS V HURRICANES

Norwich Park, Newlands; Monday, May 08, 1.10am.

Stormers: (probable) Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, Pieter Rossouw, De Wet Barry, Braam van Straaten, Dan van Zyl; Chean Roux, Hendrik Gerber, Hottie Louw, Selborne Boome, Corne Krige (c), Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson. Res: Dave von Hoesslin, Brendan Venter, Robert Markram; Janneman Brand, Brett Barrett, Toks van der Linde, Johan van Wyk.

Hurricanes: (probable) Christian Cullen, Daryl Lilley, Alama Ieremia, Brad Fleming, Jason O'Halloran (c), David Holwell, Jason Spice; Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi, Dion Waller, Inoke Afeaki, Campbell Feather, Tama Tuirirangi, Shane Carter, Kevin Yates. Res: Joggie Viljoen, Paul Steinmetz, Mepi Faoagali; Gordon Falcon, Paul Tito, Tony Coughlan, Daniel Smith.

Referee: Andrew Cole (A)

* The Hurricanes are shaky with star wing Tana Umaga and prop Gordon Slater in New Zealand for childbirth, Jonah Lomu suspended and captain/hooker Norm Hewitt (calf)in major doubt. Hooker Smith, midfield back Faoagali (Taranaki), ex-Blues prop Tony Coughlan, and loosie Semo Sititi are called up. The good news is that O'Halloran has recovered from concussion, and Falcon is fit again after damaging a shoulder in round three. And the Hurricanes have shown great courage under fire this year. The Stormers have been rocked by an attempted rape charge against Kempson - coach Alan Solomons has yet to say if he will pick the test prop who has kept training.

Burning question: Extended paternity leave. Does it have a place in professional sport?

Chris Rattue's picks:

Crusaders

Cats

Reds

Highlanders

Sharks

Stormers

Success rate this season: 63%