Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
BLUES V HIGHLANDERS
Eden Park, Auckland; Friday, April 14, 7.35pm
Blues: Orene Ai'i, Joeli Vidiri, Iliesa Tanivula, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine; Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Robin Brooke (c), Dylan Mika, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Mark Robinson, Walter Little, Eroni Clarke;
Finau Maka, Charles Riechelmann, Nick White, Keven Mealamu.
Highlanders: Jeff Wilson, Brendan Laney, Romi Ropati, Karl Te Nana, Pita Alatini, Marc Ellis, Byron Kelleher; Paul Miller, Josh Kronfeld, John Blaikie, Simon Maling, Kelvin Middleton, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver (c), Carl Hoeft. Res: Brett McCormack, Rua Tipoki, Mathew Priscott; Samiu Vahafolau, Brendon Timmins, Joe McDonnell, Tom Willis.
Referee: Steve Walsh jnr (NZ)
* Radical backline changes by both sides make this game very unpredictable. Ai'i replaces the injured Adrian Cashmore at fullback and will goalkick. Key back Howlett returns from injury. Spencer starts for the first time since injuring a knee at the World Cup. Tanivula replaces centre Eroni Clarke, who is struggling. Devine, a better option taker, replaces Robinson. Mika and Flavell return from injury. Highlander Ellis goes to first five-eighths for the injured Tony Brown, and Wilson from wing to fullback. Ellis had a couple of tests at first five, with mixed results, during the Laurie Mains years. Ropati returns for Tipoki.
Burning question: Can the Blues backline changes save their Super 12 campaign?
REDS V STORMERS
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane; Friday, April 14, 9.35pm.
Reds: Chris Latham, Damian Smith, Daniel Herbert, Nathan Williams, Tim Horan, Elton Flatley, Sam Cordingley; Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, John Eales (c), Mark Connors, Matt Cockbain, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Glen Panoho. Res: Jacob Rauluni, Shane Drahm, Rick Nalatu; Mark Murray, Nathan Sharpe, Nic Stiles, Sean Hardman.
Stormers: Robert Markram, Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, Pieter Rossouw, De Wet Barry, Braam van Straaten, Dan van Zyl; Chean Roux, Hendrik Gerber, Hottie Louw, Brett Barrett, Corne Krige (c), Cobus Visagie, Charl Marais, Rob Kempson. Res: Dave von Hoesslin, Wayne Julies, Percy Montgomery; Janneman Brand, Julian Barnard, Toks van der Linde, Johan van Wyk.
Referee: Colin Hawke (NZ)
* The Reds have fullback Latham back from injury. They are aiming for 19 points in their final five games and believe that means they must take every bonus point opportunity. The suggestion is they will play a more expansive game from the outset. The Stormers are unsure if Springbok fullback Montgomery, returning from an ankle problem, will be on the bench. The Stormers have already over-achieved on their Australasian tour which takes some pressure off them. Coach Alan Solomons said he always rated the Reds as the hardest game of the season. "They've got half the team which won the World Cup last year," he said.
Welcome back: Latham has been one of the Reds' best this season.
CHIEFS V BULLS
International Stadium, Rotorua; Saturday, April 15, 7.35pm.
Chiefs: Todd Miller, Bruce Reihana, George Leaupepe/Keith Lowen, Roger Randle/Damian Karauna, Mark Ranby, Loki Crichton/Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan; Deon Muir, Glen Marsh, Glenn Taylor (c), Royce Willis, Koula Tukino, Paul Martin, Paul Mitchell, David Briggs. Res: Danny Lee, Hare Makiri, Chresten Davis, Michael Collins, Greg Smith.
Bulls: Marius Goosen, Hannes Venter, Wynand Lourens, Paul Treu, Eugene Meyer, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Deon de Kock; Schutte Bekker, Anton Leonard, Krynauw Otto, Marius Bosman, Ruben Kruger (c), Jaco Espag, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt. Res: Bennie Nortje, Jannie de Beer, Henry Pedro; Piet Joubert, Matt Franck, Sias Wagner, Jannie Brooks.
Referee: Andrew Cole (A)
* Muir is almost certain to get his first game of this Super 12 season for the injured Isitolo Maka. Miller is back at fullback, while there are injury doubts over Leaupepe and Crichton. The Bulls gave a team to the Herald with Springbok de Beer starting, but subsequent reports through South Africa say van der Westhuyzen will play. De Kock also replaces Nortje as the Bulls look for backline sparkle. Test lock Otto returns after a week's absence. About the only thing going worse in South African sport than the Bulls is Hansie Cronje. They've had two wins in their last 23 games.
Burning question: Can the Chiefs get rid of their death wish?
WARATAHS V BRUMBIES
SFS, Sydney; Saturday, April 15, 9.35pm.
Waratahs: Matthew Burke, Scott Staniforth, Jason Little, Dominic Byrne, Nathan Grey, Christian Warner, Chris Whitaker; Tiaan Strauss, Phil Waugh, John Welborn, Tom Bowman, David Lyons, Jason Reilly, Brendan Cannon, Richard Harry. Res: Sam Payne, Manuel Edmonds, Mark Stecherbina; Stu Pinkerton, Michael Brial, Rod Moore, Mark Crick.
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/James Holbeck, Graeme Bond; Ipolito Fenukitau, Troy Jaques, Simon Ross, Tom Murphy.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (A)
* The Brumbies have been belted by 44 - 10 and 32 - 7 in their previous Super 12 games in Sydney when they were favoured. But it would be a big upset if they were to lose this one, especially by a big score. The Waratahs showed a lot of character but were still fairly average in beating the Chiefs. They have dropped reserve wing Matt Dowling for poor defence and his replacement, Dominic Byrne - a former Australian schoolboy and Colt - goes into the starting line up on debut. The Brumbies are hoping that reserve back Holbeck is fit after a calf muscle problem.
Burning question: Can the Brumbies shake of their big brother complex in Sydney?
SHARKS V CRUSADERS
ABSA Stadium, Durban; Sunday, April 16, 1.10am.
Sharks: (probable) Justin Swart, Deon Kayser, Joe Gillingham, Stefan Terblanche, Pieter Muller, Clinton van Rensburg, Craig Davidson; AJ Venter, Wayne Fyvie (c), Mark Andrews, John Slade, Charl van Rensburg, Baksteen Nel, Vorster Venter, Ollie le Roux. Res: Chad Alcock, Gaffie du Toit, Ricardo Laubscher; Warren Brosnihan, Jaques Greeff, John Smit, Mornay Visser.
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Daryl Gibson, Caleb Ralph, Mark Mayerhofler, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall; Dallas Seymour, Scott Robertson, Steve Lancaster, Todd Blackadder(c) Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammet, David Hewett. Res: Aaron Flynn, Aaron Mauger, Norm Berryman: Ron Cribb, Chris Jack, Con Barrell, Slade McFarland.
Referee: Scott Young (A)
* The Sharks have forward injury problems. Both top line hookers Chris Rossouw and Mornay Visser could be out meaning Vorster Venter - who conceded three tightheads in his 10 minutes on the field against the Cats - may start. Albert van den Berg has a rib problem so Slade is the only truly fit lock. Andrews may only last half a game after working back from a long injury layoff. Greeff, a number eight who has played some games at lock for Eastern Province, is likely to come on for Andrews.
Chris Rattue's picks:
Blues
Reds
Chiefs
Brumbies
Crusaders
Success so far this season: 53%
Rugby: Super 12 preview - Round 8
Compiled by CHRIS RATTUE
BLUES V HIGHLANDERS
Eden Park, Auckland; Friday, April 14, 7.35pm
Blues: Orene Ai'i, Joeli Vidiri, Iliesa Tanivula, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine; Xavier Rush, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Robin Brooke (c), Dylan Mika, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps, Paul Thomson. Res: Mark Robinson, Walter Little, Eroni Clarke;
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