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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super Rugby 2013 Round 2 - Who Will Win? 25 views
21 February 2013 by The Swede Eaters
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With so many derby matches, it is so difficult to predict the winners of Super Rugby Round 2 fixtures. Who do you think will win? Scotty Donaldson sheds some light on players and teams to back!
Super Rugby 2013 Round 2 is sure to be a cracker with last weekend's Australian conference only matches barely enough to whet the appetite. There are seven matches in Super Rugby 2013 Round 2 and despite being a tipster of some repute, several of these matches are tough to call. The early rounds are often tight with local derby matches and all teams are relatively fresh before the lack of depth of some squads is exposed.
Which match are you looking forward to the most? Who do you think will win?
Here are the Super Rugby Round 2 2013 team lists
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-2013.html
Highlanders vs Chiefs
The Super Rugby 2013 action kicks off in Dunedin at the flash new Forsyth Barr Stadium infront of a packed crowd of students back from the University holidays. The Highlanders have been bolstered by the old All Blacks stars like Tony Woodcock and Ma'a Nonu to add some experience to their team. This match will be a typical tussle between the galant Highlanders who play with plenty of mongrel and the Super Rugby 2012 champions. Both teams are missing players, with All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore suspended and fellow All Blacks Tamati Ellison and Brad Thorn also missing. The Chiefs have been hit by a backline especially ravaged by injuries and when you consider that they won't have gamebreakers like Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Sona Taumalolo, Robbie Robinson and Andrew Horrell then they may struggle. In saying this, they have some exciting young players who excelled at ITM Cup level like Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe and Tim Nanai-Williams who will keep the Highlanders on their toes. The battle between the Number 9s will be awesome, while John Hardie must rise to the challenge of All Black Sam Cane and get to the breakdowns or else the Highlanders may not see much possession. The Highlanders need to get back to nailing their set pieces like they always used to, this will enable Ben Smith and new skipper Hosea Gear a chance to cut loose at the back.
Players to watch - Aaron Cruden, Liam Messam, Lima Sopoaga, Ma'a Nonu, Brodie Retallick, Joe Wheeler, Hosea Gear.
My pick - Highlanders by 5
Rebels vs Brumbies
Both of these teams won last week and so they are fighting for the top of the table in the Australian conference. The Brumbies were the more impressive side last week and should win, but the Rebels have that handful of stars who will make life tough for the visitors. This game also threatens to be quite close, although I think if the impressive Jesse Mogg has anything to do with it, then the Brumbies should win. There are plenty of options for fantasy rugby www.testrugby.com points including James O'Connor, Hugh Pyle, Scott Higginbotham, Jesse Mogg and Stephen Moore. Mogg is especially useful if he is kicking goals.
Players to watch - Stephen Moore, Hugh Pyle, James O'Connor, Scott Higginbotham and Jesse Mogg.
My pick - Brumbies by 7.
Bulls vs Stormers
The battle between two traditional heavyweights the Bulls and the Stormers will be a great match. The Stormers are the most fancied South African side, up against the Bulls team which has lost some of the players which made it such a great side in the past. The Stormers will be missing Schalk Burger, but should be too strong for the Bulls. The Bulls offer limited attack and both teams have massive forward packs, so this will be a tight match.
Players to watch - Deon Fourie, Jaco Taute, Siya Kolisi, Elton Jantjies, Bryan Habana, Juandre Kruger, Morne Steyn, Pierre Spies.
My pick - Stormers by 5.
Hurricanes vs Blues
Interestingly, the Blues start Saturday night's game against a team which was in a similar position to them last year. This is year two of the new era for the Hurricanes against the Blues who are in the first year of a new cycle. The Hurricanes were one of the best attacking teams last season, while the Blues have plenty of gamebreakers. The Hurricanes are favourites for this game, but the Blues have had a promising preseason and so this game could be high scoring. Watch for some bargains in the Blues, while the Hurricanes players like Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett, Victor Vito, Julian Savea and Andre Taylor could score plenty of points.
My pick - The Hurricanes by 7.
Players to watch - Julian Savea, Andre Taylor, Conrad Smith, Beauden Barrett, Alapati Leiua, Dane Coles, Victor Vito, Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Francis Saili, Steven Luatua, Keven Mealamu.
Reds vs Waratahs
The Reds were disappointing last week and will be missing James Horwill and Will Genia. These local derbies are tough encounters and it will be interesting to see the new look Waratahs playing a new brand of rugby. The Waratahs will have more potential than in the past with the performance of Israel Folau a talking point. I think the Reds will miss the direction of Genia and Horwill and so far Quade Cooper hasn't done anything to suggest that he can fill their leadership shoes.
My pick - Waratahs by 2.
Players to watch - Sitaleki Timani, Drew Mitchell, Israel Folau, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Digby Ioane, Saia Faingaa.
Cheetahs vs Sharks
The Cheetahs are always entertaining with their attacking style of play but their defence has let them down in recent seasons. The Sharks should win this game given that they are one of the favourites for the overall title, but derby matches can provide the underdogs with the incentive they need. The Cheetahs have enough quality players to keep the Sharks honest. Bismarck du Plessis is usually a fantasy rugby stud and so be careful who you are picking! With the Cheetahs ability to score tries, there are often some bargain priced players capable of scoring points.
My pick - Sharks by 7.
Players to watch - Adriaan Strauss, Johan Goosen, Lappies Labuchagne, Craig Burden, Marcell Coetzee, JP Pietersen, Patrick Lambie, Franc Steyn.
Kings vs Force
This is probably the best chance the Kings have for victory. The Force are the other rank outsider in the competition and this game is being played in South Africa. The Kings have had to draw on players from far and wide in an attempt to have a competitive team. Given their recent results, the only thing they are favourites for is the wooden spoon. I think some of their players might get decent points because they are forced to work extra hard in defence. The Force are yet to be named so double check the team.
My pick - Force by 7.
Players to watch - Luke Watson, Bandise Maku, Ronnie Cooke, Alf Mafi, Nick Cummins (if playing), Angus Cottrell.
Who are you picking to win Super Rugby 2013 Round 2?
Have your say!
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2013/02/super-rugby-2013-round-2-bring-it-on.html
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