Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
HURRICANES V CRUSADERS
Westpac Trust Stadium, Wellington; Friday, April 7, 7.35pm.
Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Jonah Lomu, Jason O'Halloran, David Holwell, Jason Spice; Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi, Dion Waller, Paul Tito, Inoki Afeaki, Gordon Slater, Norm Hewitt (c), Mike Edwards. Res: Joggie Viljoen, Tanner Vili, Daryl
Lilley; Matua Parkinson, Semo Sititi,Tama Tuirirangi, Shane Carter.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Norm Berryman, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Steve Lancaster, Todd Blackadder (c), Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, Greg Feek. Reserves: Aaron Mauger, Mark Mayerhofler, Aaron Flynn, Dallas Seymour, Chris Jack, Con Barrell, Slade McFarland.
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (NZ)
* Waller returns to the Hurricanes pack after being dropped for conceding penalties. Afeaki reverts to loose forward, replacing Campbell Feather (head knock). The Hurricanes should benefit from Lomu and Tiatia having a game under their belts after unimpressive returns from injury last week. For the second consecutive season, Lancaster replaces the injured Norm Maxwell (shoulder) against the Hurricanes. The promising Jack goes onto the bench. Last year, the Hurricanes ended an 11-game Crusaders winning streak with an 18-all draw. If the Crusaders win tonight, they equal the Blues Super 12 winning streak record of 12, set in 1997.
Needs to shine: Lomu. The Hurricanes have yet to get top value out of the superstar wing.
BRUMBIES V HIGHLANDERS
Bruce Stadium, Canberra; Friday, April 7, 9.35pm.
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, Craig McMullen, Graeme Bond; Ipolito Fenukitau, Troy Jaques, Ben Darwin, Tom Murphy.
Highlanders: Marc Ellis, Jeff Wilson, Rua Tipoki, Karl Te Nana, Pita Alatini, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher; Paul Miller, Josh Kronfeld, John Blaikie, Simon Maling, Kelvin Middleton, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver (c), Carl Hoeft. Res: Brett McCormack, Brendan Laney, Mathew Priscott; Duncan Blaikie, Brendon Timmins, Joe McConnell, Tom Willis.
Referee: Andre Watson (SA)
* The Brumbies are un-changed from the stunning win over the Cats, but are gearing up for what they see as a new beginning to the season. They played South African teams in the last four rounds so now finish against Australian and New Zealand sides, who will contest possession more aggressively. The Highlanders have lost wings Romi Ropati and Rico Gear to injury meaning North Harbour speedster and sevens specialist Karl Te Nana, who had his first match as a replacement last week, gets his first start. Maling starts ahead of Timmins while three-quarter Priscott would make his debut.
Needs to shine: Otago's test front row has yet to dominate opponents this year.
BLUES V STORMERS
Eden Park, Auckland; Saturday, April 8, 7.35pm.
Blues: Adrian Cashmore/Hayden Taylor, Joeli Vidiri, Eroni Clarke, Iliesa Tanivula, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Mark Robinson; Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Charles Riechelmann, Robin Brooke (c), Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Steve Devine, Carlos Spencer, Aisea Tuilevu; Finau Maka, Leo Lafaiali'i, Nick White, Keven Mealamu.
Stormers: Robert Markram, Breyton Paulse, Rob Fleck, Pieter Rossouw, De Wet Barry, Braam van Straaten, Dan van Zyl; Chean Roux, Hendrik Gerber, Wayne Boardman, Hottie Louw, Corne Krige (c), Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Rob Kempson. Res: Dave von Hoesslin, Gus Theron, Wayne Julies; Janneman Brand, Brett Barrett, Morne van der Merwe, Johan van Wyk.
Referee: Wayne Erickson (A)
* Auckland are without one of their best forwards, Troy Flavell (cut lip), and probably their best back, Doug Howlett (shoulder bruising). But Spencer is back, via the bench, for the first time since wrecking his knee at the World Cup. Joining him on a new look backs reserve bench is Steve Devine, returning from injury, and 27-year-old North Harbour wing Aisea Tuilevu who has yet to play Super 12. Veteran centre Clarke takes over from Iliesa Tanivula, who along with Walter Little misses out. Checks are still needed on Cashmore's knee. The Stormers' test fullback Percy Montgomery (ankle)is missing again.
Welcome back: How much game time might Spencer get after a long absence?
REDS V BULLS
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane; Saturday, April 8, 9.35pm.
Reds: Chris Latham/Nathan Williams, Williams/Rick Nalatu, 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, Nalatu; Mark Murray, Nathan Sharpe, Nic Stiles, Sean Hardman.
Bulls: (probable) Hannes Venter, Paul Treu, Eugene Meyer, Marius Goosen, Wynand Lourens, Jannie De Beer, Bennie Norjte; Schutte Bekker, Anton Leomard, Wium Basson, Marius Bosman, Piet Joubert, Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske (c), Os du Randt. Res: Deon de Kock, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Frikkie Welsh; Peet Arnold, Matt Frank, Sias Wagner,Jannie Brooks.
Referee: Paul Honiss (NZ)
* The Reds have fullback Latham (hamstring) in doubt, which places pressure on the outside backs because Wallaby Ben Tune is still injured. But the Reds are gathering momentum after a stack of injuries hit them early in the season. The Bulls have lost Springbok lock Krynauw Otto for one game due to unspecified personal reasons. Inspirational captain Kruger (chipped ankle bone) and inside centre Lourens (hamstring) are in slight doubt.The Bulls have an unenviable record of great consistency - they have scored just one try in each of their five matches. And they've yet to score more than 20 points in a match.
Sorely missed: Some flair in the Bulls lineup
SHARKS V CATS
ABSA Stadium, Durban; Sunday, April 9, 3.10am.
Sharks: (probable) Justin Swart, Deon Kayser, Joe Gillingham, Stefan Terblanche, Pieter Muller, Clinton van Rensburg, Craig Davidson; AJ Venter, Wayne Fyvie (c), John Slade, Albert van den Berg, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nel, Mornay Visser, Ollie le Roux. Res: Chad Alcock, Gaffie du Toit, Ricardo Laubscher; Warren Brosnihan, Philip Smit, John Smit, Vorster Venter.
Cats: (probable) Thinus Delport, Chester Williams, Grant Esterhuizen, Dean Hall, Japie Mulder, Louis Koen, Werner Swanepoel; Andre Vos, Andrew Venter, Jannes Labuschagne, Johan Ackerman, Johan Erasmus (c), Willie Meyer, Leon Boshoff, Adrian Garvey. Res: Jimmy Powell, Mac Masina/Hennie le Roux, Kobus Engelbrecht; Piet Krause, Victor Matfield, Marius Mostert, Delarey du Preez.
Referee: Tappe Henning (SA)
* The Sharks hope captain Fyvie and test lock Andrews, who has yet to play this year because of a knee injury, will return. But hooker Chris Rossouw is out. Neither Andrews or Fyvie is likely to last the distance but coach Hugh Reece-Edwards wants them involved early. They must come through a scrum training session before being included. Cats captain Johan Erasmus said his side had bounced back well from the massive Brumbies defeat, especially as they can look forward to their final four games at home. Hooker Boshoff survives after being given a yellow card by the judicial committee for elbowing the Brumbies' Joe Roff.
Captain fantastic: Sharks coach Reece-Edwards says he needs Fyvie's leadership.
CHIEFS V WARATAHS
Rugby Park, Hamilton; Sunday, April 9, 2.35pm.
Chiefs: Damian Karauna, Roger Randle, George Leaupepe, Bruce Reihana, Mark Ranby, Loki Crichton, Rhys Duggan; Isitolo Maka, Glen Marsh, Royce Willis, Glenn Taylor (c), Koula Tukino, Paul Martin, Paul Mitchell, David Briggs. Res: Danny Lee/Ben Willis, Glen Jackson, Keith Lowen; Hare Makiri, Chresten Davis, Simon Kerr, Greg Smith.
Waratahs: Matthew Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little (c), Mark Stcherbina, Nathan Grey, Christian Warner, Chris Whitaker; Tiaan Strauss, Phil Waugh, John Welborn, Tom Bowman, David Lyons, Rod Moore, Brendan Cannon, Jason Reilly. Res: Sam Payne, Manny Edmonds, Matt Dowling; Stu Pinkerton, Michael Brial, Al Baxter, Mark Crick.
Referee: Carl Spannenberg (SA)
* Chiefs coach Ross Cooper has switched Karauna and Randle, Crichton gets his second start ahead of Jackson, and Ranby returns from injury. Prop Briggs gets his first Super 12 start, with Michael Collins dropped and Aussie Kerr joining the bench. The Waratahs have prop problems with Richard Harry (calf) still out and Cameron Blades (ankle)the latest defection. Moore,who was once chased by the Chiefs, gets a start. Warner replaces Edmonds, who wasted possession against the Reds, at first five-eighths. Brial fills in for Daniel Manu (Achilles). A loss would severely dent the Waratahs semifinal prospects.
Welcome back: The Chiefs will want to feed off Ranby's enthusiasm.
Chris Rattue's picks:
Crusaders
Brumbies
Blues
Reds
Sharks
Chiefs
Success rate this season: 59%
Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
HURRICANES V CRUSADERS
Westpac Trust Stadium, Wellington; Friday, April 7, 7.35pm.
Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Jonah Lomu, Jason O'Halloran, David Holwell, Jason Spice; Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi, Dion Waller, Paul Tito, Inoki Afeaki, Gordon Slater, Norm Hewitt (c), Mike Edwards. Res: Joggie Viljoen, Tanner Vili, Daryl
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