Rugby: Super 12 Preview - Round 12

Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE

CRUSADERS V BRUMBIES

Jade Stadium, Christchurch; Friday, May 12, 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, Greg Feek. Res: Ben Hurst, Daryl Gibson, Norm Berryman; Dallas Seymour, Chris Jack, Con Barrell, Slade McFarland.

Brumbies: Andrew Walker, Mark Bartholomeusz, Stirling Mortlock, Mitch Hardy, Rod Kafer, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (c); Jim Williams, George Smith, Troy Jaques, Justin Harrison, Ipolito Fenukitau, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Res: Travis Hall, James Holbeck, Damian McInally; Peter Ryan, Radike Samo, Angus Scott, Tom Murphy.

Referee: Andre Watson (SA)

* The two best sides in the Super 12 - with both guaranteed semifinal places - face off, with the prize for the winner being the chance to host the final. The Brumbies have a vastly superior points differential so may only need a bonus point to remain on top. The Crusaders are hard to judge without Andrew Mehrtens, who is missing for a second week with rib damage. Feek returns to the starters while halfback Hurst covers for the injured Aaron Flynn. The Brumbies should have Harrison back from injury, but star back Joe Roff (thigh) is out, with former Wallaby Hardy, a more than handy replacement, called up.

Needs to shine: Mauger battled to fill Mehrtens boots against the Waratahs and will be under greater pressure tonight

WARATAHS V HIGHLANDERS

SFS, Sydney; Friday, May 12, 9.35 pm.

Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c), Matt Dowling , Nathan Grey, Christian Warner, Chris Whitaker; David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Tom Bowman, John Welborn, Stuart Pinkerton, Jason Reilly, Brendan Cannon, Richard Harry. Res: Sam Payne, Manuel Edmonds, Mark Stcherbina; Tiaan Strauss, Peter Besseling, Rod Moore, Mark Crick.

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

Referee: Mark Lawrence (SA)

* Just two competition points will get the Highlanders a semifinal place. Otago have an awful record against NSW - they have never beaten them. The Highlanders hope that test prop Meeuws will return from the hamstring injury which has sidelined him for a couple of weeks. Lock John Blaikie is out because of a head blow, with Timmins replacing him and Vahafolau joining the reserves. The Waratahs have recalled Bowman, who threatened to depart if he kept getting dropped. If the Highlanders fail to get a point, there are four sides who can overtake them.

Most improved: Jeff Wilson suddenly found form last week - was it just a flash in the pan?

BULLS V HURRICANES

Loftus, Pretoria; Saturday, May 13 5.15 am.

Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Brad Fleming, Alama Ieremia, Daryl Lilley. Jason O'Halloran, David Holwell, Jason Spice; Gordon Falcon, Kupu Vanisi, Dion Waller, Paul Tito, Filo Tiatia, Tama Tuirirangi, Norm Hewitt (c), Kevin Yates. Res: Joggie Viljoen, Tanner Vili, Paul Steinmetz; Inoke Afeaki, Campbell Feather/Matua Parkinson, Mike Edwards, Shane Carter.

Bulls: Hannes Venter, Paul Treu, Danie van Schalkwyk, Frikkie Welsh, Eugene Meyer, Jannie de Beer, Deon de Kock; Anton Leonard, Schutte Becker, Krynauw Otto, Wium Basson, Ruben Kruger (c), Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske, Sias Wagner. Res: Joost van der Westhuizen, Jaco van der Westhuysen, Henry Pedro; Piet Joubert, Matt Frank, Os du Randt, Jannie Brooks.

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (A)

* The Bulls are trying to escape becoming the first winless side in a Super 12 season, and showed some encouraging form last week. The Hurricanes are depleted and their scrum was disastrous against the Stormers. Springboks captain Joost van der Westhuizen will play at least 40 minutes, as he comes back from injury, and that changes the Bulls prospects completely. Test prop Os du Randt is also back, via the bench. The Hurricanes will give Falcon his first start since a two-month injury layoff, moving Tiatia to blindside. But they are without Tana Umaga, Gordon Slater (baby watch) and Jonah Lomu (suspended), and prop Mike Edwards is struggling with injury.

Needs to shine: The Hurricanes' scrum has to improve against the big Bulls pack.

REDS V BLUES

Ballymore, Brisbane; Saturday, May 13, 9.35 pm.

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

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

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)

* The Reds will have a remote chance of making the semifinals if the Hurricanes are beaten by the Bulls earlier in the day. The Reds' mood against the Blues may well be determined by whether they are still in the semifinal hunt, although captain Eales is demanding a big effort for coach John Connolly, who may be at the end of his long coaching reign in Queensland. The Blues know that a win gets them into the semifinals. Spencer's dodgy knee is a major worry, while Vidiri has been benched to bring Clarke back into the three-quarters. Collins returns from a one-match injury absence, meaning All Black Dylan Mika misses altogether.

Burning question: Will Spencer last the distance or will Ai'i have to take over.

SHARKS V STORMERS

Absa Stadium, Durban; Sunday, May 14, 1.10 am.

Sharks: Joe Gillingham, Deon Kayser, Stefan Terblanche, Stephen Brink, Pieter Muller, Gaffie du Toit, Chad Alcock; Warren Brosnihan, Wayne Fyvie (c), Mark Andrews, John Slade, AJ Venter, Brent Moyle, Chris Rossouw, Ollie le Roux. Res: Craig Davidson, Clinton van Rensburg, Rodger Smith; Jacques Greeff, Philip Smit, Baksteen Nell, John Smit.

Stormers: 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, Wayne Julies, Robert Markram; Janneman Brand, Brett Barrett, Toks van der Linde, Johan van Wyk.

Referee: Tappe Henning (SA)

* The Sharks have lost their athletic lock Albert van den Berg to a shoulder injury, so "Slugger" Slade joins Andrews in the second row. Stormers captain Krige has a gashed ankle but is almost certain to play, but prop Kempson is in more doubt with a back injury. The Sharks have got a lineup capable of producing results far above their lowly position on the table. But they have little to play for and their coach Hugh Reece-Edwards looks set for the axe after one season. The Stormers may go into the game with a chance of a semifinal place depending on earlier results which might affect their mood..

Classic Comment: Stormers captain Krige: "I think we showed in New Zealand that we are a physical side."

CATS V CHIEFS

Free State Stad, Bloemfontein; Sunday, May 14, 3.10 am.

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

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

Referee: Peter Marshall (A)

* The Cats are on a roll, although their state of mind might be determined by whether they have a semifinal chance come game time. At least if they do, they will know exactly what is required on the points table. The Chiefs were due to name their side overnight. They initially wanted to give regular bench players a run, but with coach Ross Cooper's career and the test prospects of some players on the line, and maybe the fortunes of other New Zealand sides involved, they will want to put their best foot forward, even though their season is long dead. McLeod might be one to get a start, for Leaupepe, and Muir should be in the frame.

Burning question: Will the Cats still have a semifinal chance, or will this be a game of no importance?

Chris Rattue's picks:

Crusaders

Waratahs

Bulls

Reds

Stormers

Cats

Success this season: 63%