Thursday, 19 April 2018:
PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 10 (all times AEST)
FRIDAY, April 20
BLUES v HIGHLANDERS at Eden Park, Auckland, 17:35
Head to head: Played 30, Blues 16, Highlanders 14 Blues at home: Played 15, Blues 11, Highlanders 4 Last clash: Rd 2, 2018, Highlanders 41-34 in Dunedin Tab Sportsbet: Blues $3.15, Highlanders $1.38 Tip: Highlanders by 10
NSW WARATAHS v LIONS at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 19:45
Head to head: Played 17, Waratahs 14, Lions 3 Waratahs at home: Played Waratahs 9, Lions 0 Last clash: Rd 2, 2017, Lions 55-36 in Johannesburg An enticing match as the two conference leaders go head-to-head. The Waratahs have got into a nice rhythm and are chasing a fifth straight win - their best start to a season in 12 years - with the chance to build a healthy lead on the chasing Rebels. The Lions smashed the Stormers last round and won't roll over easily although are missing skipper Warren Whiteley, who was a late withdrawal from the tour with a knee injury.
Tab Sportsbet: Waratahs $1.70, Lions $2.20
Tip: Lions by 5
SATURDAY, April 21
CRUSADERS v SUNWOLVES at Rugby League Park, Christchurch, 17:35
Head to head: Played 1, Crusaders 1, Sunwolves 0 Crusaders at home: Played 1, Crusaders 1, Sunwolves 0 Last clash: Rd 8, 2017, Crusaders 50-3 in Christchurch Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.01, Sunwolves $41 Tip: Crusaders by 44
QUEENSLAND REDS v CHIEFS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19:45
Head to head: Played 21, Reds 10, Chiefs 11 Reds at home: Played 10, Reds 5, Chiefs 5 Last clash: Rd 11, 2017, Chiefs 46-17 in New Plymouth
Is this the week that an Australian side finally knocks off a Kiwi opponent for this first time in almost two years? While the Reds struggled against the Tahs, the Chiefs also come into the match off the back of a loss. Queensland have bustling prop Taniela Tupou back from a shoulder injury while the Chiefs are down in big men. Evergreen flanker George Smith has been named on the bench and while his entry is unlikely to be enough for a win, it should give the Reds some poise under pressure.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $5.75, Chiefs $1.13
Tip: Chiefs by 20
BULLS v MELBOURNE REBELS at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 23:05
Head to head: Played 5, Bulls 4, Rebels 1 Bulls at home: Played 3, 5, Bulls 3, Rebels 0 Last clash: Round 2, 2016, Bulls 45-25 in Pretoria
At the start of the season the Rebels would have fancied their chances of cracking their first win in South Africa. But coming off two losses and missing star halfback Will Genia their prospects have soured. Doesn't help that the home side have come good to win their last two games, with fullback Warrick Gelant collecting a hat-trick last round. Expect a close tussle but the home side to make it three in a row and the Rebels to continue their quest for a breakthrough victory.
Tab Sportsbet: Bulls $1.28, Rebels $3.70
Tip: Bulls by 7
SUNDAY, April 22
SHARKS v STORMERS at Kings Park Stadium, Durban, 01:15
Head to head: Played 26, Sharks 14, Stormers 12 Sharks at home: Played 13, Sharks 8, Stormers 5 Last clash: Round 14, 2017, Sharks 22-10 in Durban Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $1.67, Stormers $2.20 Tip: Sharks by 10
BRUMBIES v JAGUARES at GIO Stadium, Canberra, 16:05
Head to head: Played 1, Brumbies, Jaguares 0 Brumbies at home: first meeting Last clash: Round 14, 2017, Brumbies 39-15 in Buenos Aires The Jaguares have their tails up after coming from behind to beat the Rebels in Melbourne last round. Hard to believe but the Jaguares have never lost on Australian soil in their three outings. The Brumbies are hopeful of getting skipper Sam Carter back, who has been sidelined for over a month after a head knock, as a valuable addition to the set piece, while Wallabies flyer Henry Speight is a chance to return from a knee injury for his 100th Super Rugby game.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $1.48, Jaguares $2.65
Tip: Brumbies by 11
Bye: Hurricanes
