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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super Rugby Round 15 - Bulls vs Stormers 17 views
31 May 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Super Rugby Round 15 looks easier to pick than Round 14, with the Bulls vs Stormers looks to be the match of the round. Scotty Donaldson previews the Super Rugby Round 15.
Super Rugby Round 15 is the calm before the storm with the fireworks of the June internationals with the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks all hosting overseas teams. Super Rugby takes a break over the next three weeks, but www.testrugby.com managers need to be careful with the Cheetahs, Force and Reds having the bye and many players at risk over the next three weeks of getting injured playing test match rugby. The Blues, Sharks and Waratahs have the bye following the break.
Round 15 looks easier to pick than Round 14, but there are still a few mouth-watering matches. The Bulls host the Stormers in the match of the round and the 100th Super Rugby match this season, while the Crusaders play the Highlanders in the only other match which affects two teams in the running for the Top Six playoffs. The Hurricanes vs Waratahs is probably the other tough match to pick, but these pale in comparison to the difficulty of Super Rugby Round 14 picks. I think if you are looking for some excellent point scorers, then buy some good backs from the Sharks and Chiefs this week. They should win comfortably.
For Super Rugby Round 15 teams see the team lists below.
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-teams-round-one.html
Game 1 - Crusaders vs Highlanders
The Crusaders are coming back refreshed from the bye and should be too strong for the stoic Highlanders. Both teams are fielding strong teams for this match with both teams getting their Number Eights back for this match. The matchups are huge for this grudge match which will see these two South Island teams lock horns this week before joining forces for the All Blacks and South Island next week. It is a strange situation.
The Crusaders will be tough to beat at home, but the Highlanders have beaten the Crusaders this season and this match is a local derby. The battle at the breakdown will be interesting with the Highlanders fielding two borderline openside flankers and no real scavenger against Richie McCaw. The Crusaders probably have a slight edge in the tight five, but while the Highlanders haven't been too convincing in recent weeks, they have an uncanny knack of scoring tries. The likes of Hosea Gear, Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith will be a good test for the Crusaders backline division. Kieran Read, Andrew Hore, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thomson and Dan Carter will be some of the players to watch in this game.
My pick - Crusaders by 3.
Game 2 - Rebels vs Brumbies
Both of these teams lost last week in contrasting matches. The Brumbies have too much to play for in this match and the Rebels will struggle without the injured Kurtley Beale. The Brumbies should win well this week and need a bonus point to give them a buffer over the Reds who automatically pick up the four points having the bye. The Brumbies Zack Holmes is an absolute bargain for managers and will kick goals, while Joe Tomane, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen and Michael Hooper are decent options. The Rebels locks have been excellent value for money.
My pick - Brumbies by 12.
Game 3 - Blues vs Chiefs
The Blues have been awful this season while the Chiefs have been amazing and you would think that the Chiefs would be huge favourites going into this match. They should win, but it can be difficult if there is too much pressure on you to thrash the opposition. The Blues welcome back Rene Ranger, but he will be hard pressed to do much against a team which is gelling as well as the Chiefs are. The Chiefs should win but it won't be a cricket score. Aaron Cruden and Sonny Bill Williams are must haves in your teams. Young Brodie Retallick is a bargain.
My pick - Chiefs by 15.
Game 4 - Waratahs vs Hurricanes
The Waratahs have been disappointing this season and it would be a big effort for them to beat the exciting Hurricanes team who seem to be hitting their straps in recent weeks. The Hurricanes are playing a great attacking game which the Waratahs will do well to contain. Last week the Hurricanes backline ran rampant and you would be a fool not to pick one of them in your outside backs or the excitingly cheap Beauden Barrett in your team. Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sitaleki Timani, Dave Dennis and Wycliff Palu could be a great option for managers.
My pick - Hurricanes by 3.
Game 5 - Lions vs Sharks
These teams are yet to be named, but the Lions most dangerous player (not CJ Van Der Linde) but Jaco Taute will be seriously missed. The in-form Sharks should win this match easily, with plenty of options for managers of www.testrugby.com teams. I would recommend one of the Sharks loose forwards especially Marcell Coetzee and Keegan Daniel, hooker Bismarck du Plessis and Patrick Lambie.
My pick - Sharks by 16.
Game 6 - Bulls vs Stormers
The best match has been saved until last with the two South African heavyweights going into battle. One of these two great sides will lose two matches in a row (unless this match ends in a draw). I think the Stormers mounting injury toll in the loose forwards could be taking its toll and the Bulls will love being back at home after a mixed bag in Australia and New Zealand. Tiaan Liebenberg is the turnover king and a good tight forward option for managers, while Siya Kolisi is a bargain. The Stormers will be without the giant Andries Bekker and seem to have lost some momentum. The Bulls will rely on Morne Steyn's boot and the forward exchanges in this match should be amazing. This will be a tight encounter.
My pick - Bulls by 3.
Super Rugby Round 15 Players to buy
Here is a list of players who I would expect to play well this weekend.
Aaron Cruden, Liam Messam, Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs)
Patrick Lambie, Bismarck du Plessis, Keegan Daniel (Sharks)
Andrew Hore, Adam Thomson (Highlanders)
Kieran Read, Corey Flynn, Sam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Dan Carter (Crusaders)
Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen (Brumbies)
Dave Dennis (Waratahs)
Victor Vito (Hurricanes)
Bargains
Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor (Hurricanes)
Marcell Coetzee (Sharks)
Joe Tomane, Zack Holmes (Brumbies)
Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs)
Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville (Rebels)
Who do you think will win Super Rugby Round 15 matches? Who are the players to watch?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/super-rugby-round-15-preview-bulls-vs.html
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Tags:
Super Rugby Round 15, Stormers, Bulls
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