Rugby: Super 12 Preview - Round 3

Compiled by PETER JESSUP

CRUSADERS V BLUES

Jade Stadium, Christchurch; Friday, March 10, 7.35pm.

Referee: Kelvin Deaker (NZ)

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Norm Berryman, Caleb Ralph, Mark Mayerhofler, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Todd Blackadder(c), Norm Maxwell, Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, Dave Hewett.

Res: Aaro Flynn, Daryl Gibson, Aaron Mauger; Dallas Seymour, Steve Lancaster, Con barrell, Slade McFarland.

Blues: Hayden Taylor, Joeli Vidiri, Eroni Clarke, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'I, Mark Robinson, Xavier Rush, Finau Maka, Robin Brooke(c), Troy Flavell, Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd, Keven Mealamu, Paul Thomson.

Res: Ben Meyer, Walter Little, Iliesa Tanivula; Justin Collins, Charles Riechelmann, Nick White, James Christian.

* The versatile Gibson is back from injury in the Crusaders reserves, adding some classing options for coach Robbie Deans. But prop Greg Feek is still missing. Auckland have captain Brooke back from injury for his first Super 12 match of the year in place of Riechelmann, Maka starts for Collins and Innes replaces Little in the starters. Hooker Davin Heaps (illness) is still out. Gordon Hunter has stuck with Ai'i at first five-eighths after an erratic showing against the Chiefs. Will the week layoff affect the Crusaders after their scratchy opening win, and can the Blues find more cohesion around Ai'i?

BRUMBIES V SHARKS

Bruce Stadium, Canberra; Friday, March 10, 9.35pm.

Referee: Steve Walsh jnr (NZ)

Brumbies: Andrew Walker, Mark Bartholomeusz, Stirling Mortlock, Joe Roff, Rod Kafer, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Jim Williams, Brett Robinson (c), David Giffin, Justin Harrison, Owen Finegan, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.

Res: Travis Hall, James Holbeck, Graeme Bond; George Smith, Troy Jaques, Ben Darwin, Tom Murphy.

Sharks: Russell Bennett, Ricardo Loubscher, Joe Gillingham, Stefan Terblanche, Pieter Muller, Gaffie du Toit, Chad Alcock, AJ Venter, Warren Brosnihan/Wayne Fyvie, Albert van den Berg, Phillip Smit, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nel, Chris Rossouw (c), Ollie le Roux

Res: Craig Davidson, Clinton van Rensburg, Justin Swart; Gideon Watts/Brosnihan, John Slade, John Smit, Mornay Visser.

* There are conflicting reports on whether Sharks captain/flanker Wayne Fyvie will play on his painful rib injury. Wing Rodger Smith is almost certainly out -- meaning the only other fit player of colour in the squad, Loubscher, must be included to meet quota requirements.The Sharks have been working hard on Loubscher's defence after a shaky opening match against the Hurricanes. An injury to Clinton van Rensburg has probably saved du Toit's place at first five-eighths.The Sharks are also battling a flu problem. The Brumbies, who had a second round bye, have kept the starters who lost to the Blues.

HIGHLANDERS V HURRICANES

Carisbrook, Dunedin; Saturday, March 11, 2.35pm.

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (NZ)

Highlanders: Brendan Laney, Jeff Wilson, Rua Tipoki, Rico Gear, Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Taine Randell (c), Josh Kronfeld, Simon Maling, John Blaikie, KelvinMiddleton, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Joe McDonnell.

Res: Brett McCormack, Romi Ropati, Marc Ellis; Samiu Vaihafolau, Brendon Timmins, Carl Hoeft, Tom Willis.

Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu/Brad Fleming, Alama Ieremia, Tana Umaga, Jason O'Halloran, David Holwell, Jason Spice, Gordon Falcon, Kupu Vanisi, Dion waller, Inoke Afeaki, Campbell Feather, Kevin Yates, Norm Hewitt (c), Gordon Slater.

Res: Joggie Viljoen, Paul Steinmetz, Daryl Lilley; Semo Sititi, Paul Tito, Tama Tuirirangi, Shane Carter.

* Maybe the clash of the season to date. Lomu is rated only 50/50 because of a fractured finger, and the decision on him may be left until close to kickoff. Umaga has been struggling with a hamstring problem but is expected to play. If both were ruled out it would be a good test of Reds coach John Connolly's theory that the Hurricanes are not title material and rely too heavily on the outside backs.

WARATAHS V CATS

SFS, Sydney; Saturday, March 11, 9.35pm

Referee: Colin Hawke (NZ)

Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c), Matt Dowling, Nathan Gray, Manuel Edmonds, Chris Whitaker, Tiaan Strauss, Phil Waugh, John Welborn, Peter Besseling, Stu Pinkerton, Rod Moore, Brendan Cannon, Richard Harry.

Res: Sam Payne, Christian Warner, Marc Stcherbina; Daniel Manu, David Lyons, Cameron Blades, Mark Crick.

Cats: Kobus Engelbrecht, Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Tinus Delport, Mac Masina, Louis Koen, Werner Swanepoel, Andre Vos (c), Andre Venter, Victor Matfield, Jannes Labuschagne, Piet Krause, Willie Meyer, Leon Boshoff, Marius Mostert.

Res: Jimmy Powell, Hennie Le Roux, Jimmy Powell; Torros Pretorius, Johan Ackermann, Pierre Ribbens, Delarey Du Preez.

* The Cats have lost all 16 Super 12 matches outside South Africa by an average score of 17-36. Cats coach Laurie Mains has dropped first five-eighths Le Roux, although Mains preferred to call it "resting" saying he had taken a battering in the first two rounds. And Mains has also met quota requirements by adding coloured back Mac Masina to the lineup alongside Williams. Mains said Masina was chosen because Japie Mulder is injured. "There was no pressure to pick him for any other reason," he said. Grey gets his first match for the Waratahs this season after breaking his thumb.

STORMERS V BULLS

Newlands, Cape Town; Sunday, March 12, 4.10am.

Referee: Andre Watson (SA)

Stormers: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Wayne Julies, Pieter Rossouw, Brendan Venter, Braam van Straaten, Dave von Hoesslin;, Janneman Brand, Corne Krige, Wayne Boardman, Hottie Louw, Tokkie Kasselman, Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Robbie Kempson.

Res: Dan van Zyl, De Wet Barry, Robert Markram; Hendrik Gerber, Julian Barnard, Toks van der Linde, Johan van Wyk.

Bulls: Hannes Venter, Paul Treu, Eugene Meyer, Wim Meyer, Wynand Lourens, Jannie de Beer, Bennie Nortje, Anton Leonard, Piet Joubert, Matt Frank, Krynauw Otto, Russell Nelson, Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske (c), Os du Randt.

* Stormers test lock Selborne Boome is unlikely to play after damaging ribs in training. The need for a lineout boost means Brand will probably start at number eight, with Kasselman moving to the side of the scrum. Test centre Robbie Fleck is sidelined for three weeks with concussion, giving coloured World Cup squad member Julies a start. Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer is threatening all sorts of changes to his outside backs with only wing Wim Meyer expected to survive. Meyer, who has been guarded about his selections, is looking for more creativity to take advantage of his strong forwards and halves.

Chris Rattue's picks:

Blues

Brumbies

Highlanders

Waratahs

Stormers


* Success rate this season: 45%