Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
HURRICANES V BLUES
WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington; Friday, March 31, 7.35pm
Blues: Adrian Cashmore, Joeli Vidiri, Iliesa Tanivula, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Mark Robinson; Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Robin Brooke (c), Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Ben Meyer, Walter Little, Eroni Clarke;
Finau Maka, Charles Riechelmann, Nick White, Keven Mealamu.
Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Tama Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Jonah Lomu, Jason O'Halloran, David Holwell, Jason Spice; Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi, Inoke Afeaki, Paul Tito, Campbell Feather, Gordon Slater, Norm Hewitt (c), Mike Edwards. Res: Joggie Viljoen,Tanner Vili, Daryl Lilley; Semo Sititi, Dion Waller, Tama Tuirirangi, Shane Carter.
Referee: Paul Honiss (NZ)
* Cashmore (minor knee surgery) plays his first match since round one and will be out to rediscover his goalkicking prowess. Hurricanes number eight Tiatia (knee injury) plays his first Super 12 match this year so might struggle to last. Lomu returns for Lilley so the Hurricanes have the erratic goalkicking of Holwell. With Kevin Yates suspended, Edwards gets his first start at loosehead prop, and Tito has his first start at lock for Waller. Auckland icon and now Hurricanes assistant coach Bryan Williams will be up against his native franchise, while Blues assistant Frank Oliver faces the franchise he once coached. The Hurricanes have never beaten the Blues.
Bench warmer: Hurricanes coach Graham Mourie revealed he dropped Waller for conceding too many penalties.
CRUSADERS V HIGHLANDERS
Jade Stadium, Christchurch; Saturday, April 1, 7.35pm.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Norm Berryman, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall; Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (c), Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, Greg Feek. Res: Aaron Flynn, Mark Mayerhofler, Aaron Mauger; Dallas Seymour, Steve Lancaster, Con Barrell, Slade McFarland.
Highlanders: Marc Ellis, Jeff Wilson, Rua Tipoki, Romi Ropati/Rico Gear, Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher; Paul Miller,Josh Kronfeld, John Blaikie, Brendon Timmins, Kelvin Middleton, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft. Res: Brett McCormack, Gear/Karl Te Nana,Brendan Laney; Duncan Blaikie, Simon Maling, Joe McDonnell, Tom Willis.
Referee: Steve Walsh jnr (NZ)
* Berryman (knee) is back after his promised return did not eventuate last week. That sees Mayerhofler shunted to the reserves. The Highlanders have lost their captain Taine Randell (groin) but the Southland-bred Miller gets his first Super 12 appearance after being sidelined with a knee problem. Miller, one of the up-and-coming number eights who was even touted as an outside chance for the World Cup, was in the Highlanders last year but never played. Ropati, who injured a hamstring in training, is in slight doubt. The Highlanders hold a 3 - 1 advantage in this local derby, but the week off might be a disadvantage.
Man to watch: Rising star Cribb is sure to be a marked man after his stunning effort against the Stormers.
BRUMBIES V CATS
Bruce Stadium, Canberra; Saturday, April 1, 8pm.
Brumbies: (probable) Andrew Walker, Mark Bartholomeusz, Stirling Mortlock, Joe Roff, Rod Kafer, Stephen Larkahm, George Gregan; Jim Williams, Brett Robinson (c), David Giffin, Justin Harrison, Owen Finegan, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Res: Travis Hall, Craig McMullen, Graeme Bond; George Smith, Troy Jaques, Ben Darwin, Tom Murphy.
Cats: Thinus Delport, Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Dean Hall, Japie Mulder, Louis Koen, Werner Swanepoel; Andre Vos, Andre Venter, Jannes Labuschagne, Johan Ackerman, Johan Erasmus (c), Willie Meyer, Leon Boshoff, Marius Mostert. Res: Jimmy Powell, Mac Masina/Hennie le Roux, Kobus Engelbrecht; Piet Krause, Victor Matfield, Adrian Garvey, Delarey du Preez.
Referee: Colin Hawke (NZ)
* The Brumbies are named today with the only change expected being McMullen for the injured James Holbeck. This is a strange match where the home side has a travel disadvantage. The Brumbies came back from South Africa during the week, while the Cats arrived from New Zealand after narrow defeats against the Highlanders and Hurricanes. Cats coach Laurie Mains has restored Erasmus to the captaincy over Vos. Erasmus preferred to make his return from injury last week without the captaincy burden. The Brumbies will be lifted by their first wins in South Africa. The Cats have yet to win outside South Africa.
Most improved: The Cats are a significantly better side than last year with forwards who make them contenders.
REDS V WARATAHS
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane; Saturday, April 1, 10pm.
Reds: Chris Latham, Nathan Williams, Daniel Herbert, Damian Smith, Tim Horan, Elton Flatley, Sam Cordingley; Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, Mark Connors, John Eales (c), Matt Cockbain, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Glen Panoho.Res: Jacob Rauluni, Shane Drahm, Rick Nalatu; Mark Murray, Nathan Sharpe, Nic Stiles, Sean Hardman.
Waratahs: Matt Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c), Mark Stcherbina, Nathan Grey, Manny Edmonds, Chris Whitaker; Stu Pinkerton, Phil Waugh, John Welborn, Tom Bowman, David Lyons, Cameron Blades, Brendan Cannon, Jason Reilly. Res: Sam Payne, Christian Warner, Matt Dowling; Tiaan Strauss, Daniel Manu, Rod Moore, Mark Crick.
Referee: Peter Marshall (A)
* The usual heated build-up to this old rivalry includes former Reds test forward Rod McCall claim that NSW players are "big noting impostors." Waratahs captain Little, a former Red, replied: "I believed he (McCall) was better than that." The Reds have Eales back for the first time since he damaged an eye socket in round two, but wing Ben Tune (ankle) is out long term. Checks are needed on Cordingley (shoulder) and Smith (hip). Former Queenslander Reilly makes his Waratahs debut for prop Moore. Halves Whitaker and Edmonds return for Payne and Warner, and Stcherbina and Lyons - in his first start - replace Dowling and Strauss.
Classic comment: Rod McCall - NSW players "think they have a god given right to a Wallaby jersey"
BULLS V SHARKS
Loftus, Pretoria; Sunday, April 2, 1.10am
Bulls:(probable) Hannes Venter, Paul Treu, Eugene Meyer, Marius Goosen, Wynand Lourens, Jannie De Beer, Bennie Nortje; Schutte Bekker, Anton Leonard, Krynauw Otto, Wium Basson, Piet Joubert, Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske (c), Os du Rand. Res: Deon de Kock, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Frikkie Welsh; Peet Arnold, Marius Bosman, Sias Wagner, Jannie Brooks.
Sharks:(probable) Justin Swart, Deon Kayser, Joe Gillingham, Stefan Terblanche, Pieter Muller, Clinton van Rensburg, Craig Davidson; AJ Venter, Warren Brosnihan, John Slade, Albert van den Berg, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nel, Chris Rossouw (c), Ollie le Roux. Res: Chad Alcock, Gaffie du Toit, Ricardo Laubscher; Jacques Greef, Philip Smit, John Smit, Mornay Visser.
Referee: Andy Turner (SA)
* Sharks coach Hugh Reece-Edwards pulled some late selection changes before the win over the Waratahs. He is expected to retain the 24-year-old Clinton van Rensburg ahead of du Toit, whose test and Super 12 future is now regarded at fullback - his preferred position. Venter, Muller and Kayser return from injuries but captain/loose forward Wayne Fyvie is out. Springbok Terblanche moves from the centres to wing because of Muller's return.Bulls captain Ruben Kruger (foot injury) is still missing but will leave with the team next week for their four games in Australasia. Goosman and Lourens return from injury.
Burning question: Can the Sharks carry on from their upset win over the Waratahs a fortnight ago?
CHIEFS V STORMERS
Pukekohe Stadium; Sunday, April 2, 2.35pm.
Chiefs: Bruce Reihana, Roger Randle, George Leaupepe, Damian Karauna, Mark Ranby, Loki Crichton, Rhys Duggan; Isitolo Maka, Glen Marsh, Royce Willis, Glenn Taylor (c), Koula Tukino, Paul Martin, Paul Mitchell, Michael Collins. Res: Danny Lee, Glen Jackson, Keith Lowen; Hare Makiri, Chresten Davis, David Briggs, Greg Smith.
Stormers: (probable) 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: Scott Young (A)
* Crichton gets his first Super 12 start at first five-eighths for Jackson and will goal kick. With Todd Miller unavailable, Randle reverts to fullback. Karauna returns to the wing. Mitchell replaces Smith at hooker, with the Chiefs hoping for better in the lineouts after the Brisbane problems. Briggs has flu so Simon Kerr is on standby. The Stormers may wait until tomorrow to determine if Montgomery (ankle injury) can play. Paulse and Markram cover fullback. Reserve first five-eights van Straaten or Van Zyl can cover the goalkicking for Montgomery.Otherwise the starters and reserves are likely to remain from the Crusaders loss.
Big battle: The loser of this match can probably kiss their fading semifinal chances goodbye.
Chris Rattue's picks:
Blues
Crusaders
Brumbies
Reds
Sharks
Chiefs
Success rate this season: 58%
Rugby: Super 12 Preview - Round 6
Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
HURRICANES V BLUES
WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington; Friday, March 31, 7.35pm
Blues: Adrian Cashmore, Joeli Vidiri, Iliesa Tanivula, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Mark Robinson; Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Robin Brooke (c), Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Ben Meyer, Walter Little, Eroni Clarke;
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