Rugby: Super 12 Preview - Round 4

Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE

HIGHLANDERS V CATS

Carisbrook, Dunedin; Friday, March 17, 7.35pm

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

Cats: Thinus Delport, Jannie van der Walt, Grant Esterhuizen, Chester Williams, Hennie le Roux, Louis Koen, Werner Swanepoel; Andre Vos (c), Andre Venter, Victor Matfield, Johan Ackermann, Piet Krause, Willie Meyer, Delarey du Preez, Marius Mostert. Res: Jimmy Powell, Mac Masina, Kobus Engelbrecht; Rassie Erasmus, Jannes Labuschange, Pierre Ribbens, Adrian Garvey.

Referee: Scott Young (A)

* Cats coach Laurie Mains returns to his old stamping ground looking to atone for the nightmare against the Waratahs. The Cats' fine loose forward/captain Erasmus makes his first appearance this year via the bench (after a pelvic injury) as does Springbok prop Garvey, the former Shark. Le Roux returns at second rather than first five-eighths for Masina, one of the players who helps meet the coloured player quota. Koen is a must because he covers goalkicker Engelbrecht, who is dropped for Delport at fullback. For the Highlanders, Ellis returns from injury for Laney and Timmins holds off Mailing at lock.

CHIEFS V HURRICANES

Rugby Park, Hamilton; Saturday, March 18, 2.35pm

Chiefs: Bruce Reihana, Roger Randle, George Leaupepe, Damian Karauna, Mark Ranby, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan; Isitolo Maka, Glen Marsh, Glenn Taylor (c), Royce Willis, Koula Tukino, Paul Martin, Paul Mitchell, Michael Collins. Res: Danny Lee, Keith Lowen, Loki Crichton; Hare Makiri, Chresten Davis, David Briggs, Greg Smith.

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

Referee: Colin Hawke (NZ)

* Willis makes his first Super 12 appearance in more than a year because of injury, and Chiefs coach Ross Cooper believes he and the powerful Maka are ready-made for the new tackle ball rule. But flanker Nick Holten's return is delayed so he can build fitness in club rugby. The Hurricanes are injury ravaged. Fleming and Lilley are in for Lomu and Umaga; number eights Filo Tiatia, Gordon Falcon and Semo Sititi are out so Graham Mourie will play his super-quick flankers and move Feather to number eight. NZ Colt loosie Thompson, who has transferred from Manawatu to Taranaki, gets the call-up.

WARATAHS V SHARKS

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney; Saturday, March 18, 9pm

Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c), Matt Dowling, Nathan Grey, 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; David Lyons, Daniel Manu, Cameron Blades, Mark Crick.

Sharks: Justin Swart, Stefan Terblanche, Joe Gillingham, Rodger Smith, Pieter muller, Gaffie du Toit, Craig Davidson; Warren Brosnihan, Wayne Fyvie (c), John Slade, Albert van den Berg, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nel, Chris Rossouw, Ollie le Roux. Res: Chad Alcock, Clinton van Rensburg, Ricardo Laubscher; Jacques Greeff, Philip Smit, John Smit, Mornay Visser.

Referee: Steve Walsh jnr (NZ)

* The once mighty Sharks are the best try scorers amongst the struggling South Africans with seven from three games, but are still winless. Swart returns from a neck problem. The 23-year-old halfback Craig Davidson, who made his Super 12 debut as a substitute against the Brumbies, replaces the strong running Alcock who has made errors. Number eight AJ Venter, who only lasted 10 minutes on a hip injury against the Brumbies, is out but captain Fyvie returns from a rib injury. New loosie Greeff is on the bench. NSW's test prop Richard Harry (calf injury) is doubtful to face le Roux and company.

REDS V CRUSADERS

Ballymore, Brisbane; Saturday, March 18, 11pm

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Afato So'oalo, Daryl Gibson, Caleb Ralph, Mark Maherhofler, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall; Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (c), Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett and David Hewett. Res: Aaron Flynn, Aaron Mauger, Marika Vunibaka; Dallas Seymour, Steve Lancaster, Con Barrell, Slade McFarland.

Reds: Chris Latham, Damian Smith, Daniel Herbert/Ben Tune, Nathan Williams, Tim Horan, Shane Drahm, Sam Cordingley; Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Connors/Mike Mitchell, Connors/Mark Murray, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Glen Panoho. Res: Jacob Rauluni, Elton Flatley, Rick Nalatu; Scott Fava, Mitchell/Murray, Nick Stiles, Sean Hardman.

Referee: Andre Watson (SA)

* The Reds still have captain John Eales and Matt Cockbain out. Horan (ankle) is rated 60/40, but Herbert (calf) is less than 50/50. Coach John Connolly claimed:"It would be one of the great wins if we could pull this one off." Lock Mitchell would make his debut. Crusaders test prop Greg Feek, whose elbow is cured, is now out through illness. Norm Berryman (knee) is rested giving former test man Gibson his first start this year after a wrist problem. Gibson replaced Berryman during the win over the Blues. Livewire wing Afato So'oalo gets his first chance of the year ahead of Vunibaka.

STORMERS V BRUMBIES

Newlands, Cape Town; Sunday, March 19, 3.10am

Stormers: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, de Wet Barry, Pieter Rossouw, Brendan Venter, Robert Markram, Dan van Zyl; Janneman Brand, Hendrik Gerber, Wayne Boardman, Hottie Louw, Corne Krige, Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Rob Kempson. Res: Dave von Hoesslin, Braam van Straaten, Wayne Julies; Chean Roux, Julian Barnard, Toks van der Linde, Johan van Wyk.

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/Ipolito Fenukitau, Troy Jaques, Ben Darwin, Tom Murphy.

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (NZ)

* The Stormers have lost test lock Boome (rib injury) long term. Coach Alan Solomons has revamped his backs in search of attack, with just two tries in three matches. Von Hoesslin and goalkicker van Straaten make way for van Zyl and Markram. It means the Stormers will start with the less reliable goalkicking of Montgomery, while Markram - a wing/fullback in his previous rugby life - must face the brilliant Larkham. Barry replaces Julies at centre. The Brumbies may have Finukitau back from injury. The Brumbies have lost all eight matches in South Africa, the closest being a five point loss to the Sharks last season.

Chris Rattue's picks:

Highlanders

Chiefs

Waratahs

Reds

Brumbies

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