Rugby: Super 12 Preview - Round 5

Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE

BLUES V WARATAHS

Eden Park, Auckland; Friday, March 24, 7.35pm

Blues: Hayden Taylor, Joeli Vidiri, Iliesa Tanivula, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Mark Robinson, Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Robin Brooke (c),
Troy Flavell, Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Steve Devine, Walter Little, To'o Vaega; Blair Urlich, Charles Riechelmann, Nick White, Keven Mealamu.

Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c), Matt Dowling, Nathan Grey, Christian Warner, Sam Payne, Tiaan Strauss, Phil Waugh, John Welborn, Tom Bowman, Stu Pinkerton, Rod Moore, Brendan Cannon, Cameron Blades. Res: Chris Whitaker, Manny Edmonds, Marc Stcherbina; David Lyons, Michael Brial, Al Baxter, Mark Crick.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)

* Heaps, Collins and Tanivula start but Adrain Cashmore's return from a knee operation is delayed, and Eroni Clarke drops out because of leg and arm injuries. North Harbour loose forward Urlich is set for his first Super 12 appearance. The Waratahs have a new halfback combination of Payne and Warner replacing Whitaker and Edmonds after the shock loss to the Sharks. Former test lock Bowman replaces Peter Besseling (knee injury) and tough loose forward Brial, a former Waratahs captain, joins the reserves. The Waratahs have never beaten the Blues.

Burning question: Will the changed NSW halves pick the Waratahs up after the Sharks defeat?

HURRICANES V CATS

Palmerston North Showgrounds; Saturday, March 25, 7.35pm.

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

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

Referee: Wayne Erickson (A)

* Lilley's goalkicking helps keep him ahead of Fleming with Lomu (broken finger) still missing. With Matua Parkinson the latest loose forward casualty, Afeaki goes to blindside with Tito joining Waller at lock. Cats wing Hall debuts and Mulder returns from a foot injury at inside centre in place of le Roux. Labuschagne joins the forwards in place of Matfield.The Cats are still looking for their first ever win out of South Africa, although coach Laurie Mains disputes the nought out of 18 record saying the team has only existed as the Cats for two years.

Man to watch: The unfashionable O'Halloran must be catching the eye of the All Black selectors

REDS V CHIEFS

Ballymore Oval, Brisbane; Saturday, March 25, 9.35pm

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

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

Referee: Mark Lawrence (SA)

* Miller's return at fullback gives an unknown quantity to the Chiefs, who wasted opportunities against the Hurricanes. Reihana moves to the wing in place of Karauna. Flanker Nick Holten is still missing after injuring his back in training. The Reds should have a significant return of players. Wallabies Cockbain and Herbert are back from injury although checks are still needed on Horan and Latham, who injured a leg sliding into a speaker against the Crusaders. The Chiefs have had two close battles in Brisbane, winning in 1996 and losing two years ago.

Classic comment: Chiefs coach Ross Cooper: "Horan and Herbert are rugby's best centre combination."

BULLS V BRUMBIES

Loftus, Pretoria; Sunday, March 26, 3.10am.

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

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

Referee: Kelvin Deaker (NZ)

* A Bulls lineup was not available but captain Ruben Kruger was not expected to return yet from a foot injury, while Leonard and Nelson have been battling illness. Outside backs Marius Goosen and Chris Kruger are back from injury but may return via the domestic competition. The Bulls' injury problems are minor compared to the controversy surround the Brumbies and the five players alleged to have been involved in drunken incidents this week. But Roff, Kafer, Finegan, Young and Peter Ryan have survived leaving the Brumbies as hot favourites, and they are expected to name an un-changed team.

Big battle: The Bulls need to dominate up front because they could get hammered in the backs.

CRUSADERS V STORMERS

Trafalgar Pk, Nelson; Sunday, March 26, 2.35pm.

Crusaders: (possible) Leon MacDonald, Daryl Gibson, Norm Berryman, Caleb Ralph, Mark Mayerhofler, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (c), Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, Greg Feek. Res: Aaron Flynn, AaronMauger, Afato So'oalo; Dallas Seymour, Steve Lancaster, Con Barrell, Slade McFarland.

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

Referee: Stuart Dickinsn (A)

* The Crusaders have a fully fit squad which means a log jam in the backs, which could see the versatile Gibson go to the wing to make way for Berryman who is returning from a knee injury. Feek is also back from an elbow problem, although there are suggestions he may start from the bench to build match fitness. Coach Robbie Deans names his side today. The Stormers' 17-test centre Brendan Venter is out with a shoulder injury but Fleck is back. His creativity might help improve their woeful tryscoring record.

Man to watch: Mehrtens. His vision and skill will always trouble dour South African sides.

Chris Rattue's picks:

Blues

Hurricanes

Reds

Brumbies

Crusaders

Success this season: 48% (10/21)