The Brumbies should come pretty ready off a nicely timed bye even given the recent loss of Lealiifano and Toomua, which prompted talk of the return of the Saint (hands don’t touch him) Larkham but which in fact sees Coleman likely at pivot and Hewat called into the squad from Japan. They had too much all field for the Waratahs their previous, their growing commitment on defence holding the latter try less and now ranking 2nd equal with the Chiefs and behind Stormers for points allowed. They’re 6-4, have an 8 point buffer over the Reds in the AC, but at 1-3 the road will be searching for Hurricane type errors here.
At their first visit under the roof in Dunedin the Hurricanes took time to feel their way about under real pressure in a fast paced go and were probably fortunate to make HT 9-14. The hosts were off an African return and as the Canes began to move they looked more and more likely, going pretty even at the set piece, trading penalties, and riding some luck until a brilliant run from Savea sent them ahead late and him into the AB squad. The defence was as aggressive and unified as any time this season, perhaps made to look so by the tiring host and actually still nye on the league’s worst. It was far from flawless too, all of Perenara, Taylor, Vito and co turning it at times, but they’re back on the edge of the wild card chase. That’s 6-5, the losses to strong teams, but they’ll need a season best from the front row for the home ad to hold here.
Hurricanes by 2

Hosting the Hurricanes the Highlanders started it well competing all areas, finding real pace and space and converting chances. Moments of class from Noakes, Thomson, A Smith, and B Smith got them to HT 14-9 but by then they were slowing a little and in the end they got ground down, unable to stop Savea late. They didn’t get the rulings, were short a few, and tired off the sharp turnaround from Durban. That’s 7-4, 3rd in the NZC a point on the Hurricanes, 8th by the ‘ASAP Power Rankings, 7th in a bunch scrapping for top 6. They’re also 2 straight losses from round 11, the point from which they lost 6 of 7 last season to miss the play offs. They’re a better team than that one but will need improved defence the last quarter here.
One of the best Super sides at understanding its 80 minutes, the Bulls overcame something of a backfooting from the Waratahs at times in Sydney before crashing Kruger over late off a Tahs error to get it. They got troubled at the lineout, were out paced at times, but they can stay in the wrestle and once again Steyn kicked everything offered. The return of Hougaard, real nous and gas, is a huge positive and he’ll come further improved here. That’s 5 straight and while you might suggest they’ve met some soft opponents on tour (Rebels as well) this is not one. They’re No 1 in the SAC, in fact all numbers, and at 2-0 seem more comfortable traveling than in the past. They went down hosting the Highlanders last season and also last time they visited Dunedin in ’09. Both sides are good in tight finishes, in fact 4 of the Bulls last 5 have been by 6 or less, and this looks another.
Bulls by 4

With a late clearance to Woodcock the Blues scrum set them hosting the Lions. They had the best of it throughout via the always honest and skilled efforts of brothers Braid but the usual errors in the rush never allowed them clear, still short on decisive attack plays, notwithstanding a brilliant running try initiated by Weepu which saw Hobbs over. You’d feel for coach Lam but he too makes you wonder…‘you can't underestimate from where we’ve come’, or similar, (that’s semi finalists last year to contenders for last). Sure some of the season’s disappointing pack went hard but bullying the worst side in the league miles away from Joburg seems somehow typical and after Woodcock left and Faumuina (calf) followed they didn’t look quite as brave let alone as effective. They’re long gone in the NZC, and remain a huge chance at the wooden spoon overall, just 2 points ahead of the Lions.
Visiting the Rebels the Crusaders couldn’t find any dominance early, in fact they were often back tracked by multiple phase play but somehow made HT 9 in front courtesy again of Taylor’s goal kicking. They were short on options in hand and when the Rebels threw the whole dart board at them they got pinned. They’re 8 off the Chiefs at 2nd in the NZC and right in the middle of at least a 6 team scrap for 2 wild cards, given either the Bulls or Stormers look to have the 3rd one locked. Although they might have underrated the opponent in that last they’re lacking some plan both going forward and defending but wont come short of urgency here after that. They still hold No 3 by the ‘ASAP Power Rankings’ and while this is a traditionally close go you’d expect to see foot on throat.
Crusaders by 13

Second up on tour off what was quite a spirited and calculated effort visiting the Chiefs the Lions looked flat, unsuited by the heavy conditions, and unable to compete in the tight visiting the Blues. When they did make the odd break and got to the zone they popped it and only similar on attack from the Blues, albeit the Lions persistent scrapping, kept it close enough on the board until the last minute when they allowed L Braid across. They had one binned (van Rensburg - cynical foul) making it more difficult but at a long last in the SAC and last overall on the ladder, albeit just 2 points behind the Blues, they’re under the microscope at home off field. They’re 9 losses straight since round 1 and you couldn’t have them here in a match up they lost hosting last season.
As ruptured as the Reds were by the Chiefs’ run 1st half at Suncorp (falling off 20 odd tackles) they found some cohesion towards the end of it and in the 2nd rolled past an 8 point deficit to get it comfortably. It was built on a return to quality go forward, multiple phases from the eight, and early shut down. By the end it was host doing the carving with Genia, Gill, and Higginbotham founding it. They’ve returned a number of internationals up to speed now and although still 8 points off the Brumbies in the AC they’ll have them concerned along with others in the wild card chase.
Reds by 11

Desperate to apply some pressure on the wild card race the Cheetahs came running it visiting the Stormers but found breaching that swarming defence a task and infringed to often in range. They continued similar in the 2nd down 16 but much tighter and after le Roux latched a full field intercept the margin was 2 with 13 minutes left but the home side held. They’re not only enterprising but one of the real triers in the league and might be in a very different position with some luck, 6 of their losses having come by 7 or less, 4 by 3 or less. They’re 10th by the ‘ASAP Power Rankings’ and a sniff at the 6 if they get them all from here.
Although their defence was tested the 1st quarter hosting Force, the Sharks held, and got to HT ahead 14. After that their powerful non fuss rugby allowed some venture and they ran up 50 on 6 try scorers, Mvovo (2). They’ve been overshadowed some by the Bulls and Stormers in the SAC but that performance suggest they’re well in the race for the 6 (their current position), albeit top 5 by the ‘ASAP Power Rankings’. They’re nearly exclusively at home from here too but this is one is tough. They got it by 5 in Bloemfontein last season but the Cheetahs are improved further and hungry. Countering that the narrow losses will be taxing them and the season itself testing their youthful depth. Its extremely close but the ‘Ratings; indicate the Sharks bring the experience to tip the home ad.
Sharks by 1

Hosting the Bulls the Waratahs came without Polatu-Nau but returning key men, Elsom and Horne (invaluable defence and attack), and matched the Bulls in a lead swapping go but looked up late. They got some useful attacking moments from Barnes, Ashley-Cooper, Pakalani and Pretorious, but were never safe and critically timed mistakes never allowed them a break (Munn all but calling time on himself, a binning after a warning). In the end they got outstayed by a typically dour Bulls 80 minutes. Coach Foley seemed to focus on 1 or 2 moments late following a lineout turnover;’ then we didn't deliver the ball well at the scrum and that was the moment they got across; ‘or similar, but the reality is they needed more points when they had some advantage much earlier. They lost Palu and Robinson (injuries-underdetermined) and overall the outlook is grim. They’re down to 9th by the ‘Power Rankings’, 11th overall on the table, and losing touch in the AC. They’d need them all from here to be a WC chance and they’re probably a risk next week visiting the Cheetahs, let alone here in a match up in which they were hammered by over 20 twice last season.
The Stormers benefited vicariously from the Cheetahs attempts to impose on them early as the visitors run and charge regularly ended getting turned and as they locked them in their own half infringements got paid by Grant. By the time Etzebeth had crossed he’d kicked 3 and it was 16-0 only just past the quarter. They continued in control if down a level and were held scoreless from there, the lack of a BP sending them a point behind the Bulls in the SAC but pretty much dusted for a wild card. The defence remains easily the league’s tightest and while you might wonder about their attack options, that was an impressive 2nd half from the Cheetahs and you’d expect to see some heel from Aplon, Pietersen, and de Jongh here.
Stormers by 13

The Rebels turned a 9 point HT deficit hosting the Crusaders to get up finishing 3 tries to 1 (Phippsx2 and Mortlock). They’ve played upbeat all season but put an abrasive and organised defence on the Crusaders backed by top class multiple phases through the pack. It resulted in 18 unanswered 2nd half and a more valuable scalp than the blue one they got earlier. They’re 3-7, up to 13th all numbers and ahead of the opponent here. They’re also unbeaten in Perth and last week’s form would make that figure 2-0. Whether they can put 2 together is the query.
After a reasonable start which saw Force stay with the Sharks the 1st quarter they got lessoned in basic disciplined rugby. Once they were broken they spent most of the 2nd half following the Sharks around the paddock defending poorly, albeit looking pretty fatigued. The tour has done them no favours and they’re 2-9, 5 losses straight, bottom of the AC, and 14th by the ‘ASAP Power Rankings’. They’d have chalked this up on the pre season board but it’ll all be about how they bounce off the long return now. As new as it is, its becoming a real derby this, currently 2-1 the Rebels by an aggregate margin of 2 points. Last week’s defence wouldn’t hold the Rebels, but Force have what’s left of a face to save, Pocock won’t lie down, and the ‘Ratings; indicate the home ad holds.
Force by 4