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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 16 Preview 16 views
28 June 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson looks at Super Rugby Round 16 and what to look out for!
Richie McCaw will be forced to play at Number Eight this week. How will this affect your www.testrugby.com team?
Super
Rugby 2012 is reaching an exciting climax and I must admit that while I
was sceptical of the June International test rugby window arriving at
the business end of the Super Rugby competition, that it has refreshed
me and I am ready to hit the Super Rugby finals at pace. The main area
of interest will be how much the gruelling June test matches took out of
players with injuries and how it has changed the momentum of the teams?
It looks like plenty of the top dogs will be missing from action for
Round 16 including Eben Etzebeth, Dan Carter, Victor Vito, Cory Jane and
Kieran Read, while others like Andrew Hore and Aaron Cruden may have to
be managed back into action.
Lets recap. There are nine teams
capable of making the Top Six finals with the Brumbies sitting on fifth
spot, but in actual fact they are third because they are the top
Australian team. There are heaps of matches involving teams from within
the Top Six race which means that a win would not only give a team a
boost, but also stop their rivals getting to the Top Six. Who do you
think will make the Top Six?
Standings
Team P W D L Points
1Chiefs 13 11 0 2 58
2Stormers 13 11 0 2 54
3Crusaders 13 9 0 4 51
4Bulls 13 8 0 5 49
5Brumbies 13 8 0 5 49
6Hurricanes 14 8 0 6 45
7Sharks 14 8 0 6 45
8Highlanders 14 9 0 5 44
9Reds 13 8 0 5 44
10Cheetahs 13 5 0 8 36
11Waratahs 14 4 0 10 30
12Rebels 13 4 0 9 29
13Force 13 3 0 10 27
14Lions 13 2 0 11 20
15Blues 14 2 0 12 19
Super Rugby Round 16
There
are plenty of matches in Round 16 which involve both sides still in the
hunt for Top Six playoff spots. These matches are in the New Zealand
conference with the Highlanders vs Chiefs and Crusaders vs Hurricanes,
with plenty of crucial matches next week. The Sharks, Waratahs and
Blues have the bye this week, while you want to be only looking to
purchase players who will be involved in the Top Six finals series from
now on!
For updated Super Rugby Round 16 team lists named go to the following link
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-teams-round-one.html
Game One - Highlanders vs Chiefs
The
Highlanders will be looking for their second win of the season against
the Chiefs when they meet in Dunedin. The Chiefs will be hell-bent on
revenge and will be hoping that their stars have got through the June
International test matches successfully. I think the Highlanders will
probably be fresher with less players involved in the Ireland tests, but
I think the Chiefs will probably be too dangerous given the impressive
form of the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam and Aaron Cruden.
They will have to work for it against an honest Highlanders side.
Players to watch - Aaron Cruden, Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam.
Bargain - Chris Noakes, Brodie Retallick.
My pick - Chiefs by 3
Game Two - Rebels vs Reds
This
match has potential banana skin written all over it for the Reds. The
Rebels could well have James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale playing for them
and they will need some more Will Genia magic to get them home. I
think the Reds should do it, but they won't win by much. Team lists not
available yet.
Players to watch - Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Scott Higginbotham.
Bargains - Caderyn Neville, Hugh Pyle.
My pick - Reds by 7.
Game Three - Crusaders vs Hurricanes
The
Crusaders will miss Dan Carter, Israel Dagg and Kieran Read but should
be too strong in the tight forwards for the young Hurricanes. There are
some great one on one clashes, but I think the Crusaders will have too
much muscle for a Hurricanes team without Victor Vito and Cory Jane.
This match is crucial with the Crusaders on 51 points and the Hurricanes
on 45. I think this could be a blowout as the Crusaders will be
looking to peak at the right end of the season.
Players to watch - Robbie Fruean, Richie McCaw (Number Eight), Sam Whitelock, Corey Flynn, Julian Savea.
Bargains - Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles and Tom Taylor.
My pick - Crusaders by 12.
Game Four - Force vs Brumbies
The
Force are playing for pride but will be tough to beat at home for the
Brumbies. The Brumbies need to keep winning to keep the Reds at bay and
claim the top Australian spot in the playoffs. They should be able to
win, although it will be closer than expected. Neither team has been
named yet.
Players to watch - David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe, Stephen Moore.
Bargains - Zack Holmes.
My pick - Brumbies by 6.
Game Five - Stormers vs Lions
This
match on paper between the second top and second bottom sides should be
a walk in the park for the hosts, but the Lions have nothing to lose
and it seems that the Stormers only win by low margins at home due to
conditions. The Lions no longer have coach John Mitchell, but this
could help their game!
Players to watch - Andries Bekker, Tiaan Libenberg, Peter Grant.
Bargains - Siya Kolisi.
My pick - Stormers by 10.
Game Six - Bulls vs Cheetahs
The
Bulls need to win and hope the Stormers slip up. The Cheetahs have
made nine changes and it leaves you wondering what sort of outfit will
turn out for them? The Bulls can blitz teams, but I think the Cheetahs
will put up a fight. Pierre Spies is coming into some form!
Players to watch - Pierre Spies, Morne Steyn, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Adriaan Strauss, Heinrich Brussouw.
Bargains - Willie Le Roux.
Who are you picking for Super Rugby Round 16 glory? Who will make the Top Six finals?
Have your say
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/06/super-rugby-round-16-preview-finals.html
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