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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 7 Team and Player Guide 7 views
27 March 2014 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson previews Super Rugby Round 7 including the players and teams to pick.
Super Rugby Round 6 featured all wins for home teams, will that continue?
Super Rugby Round 7 starts with two local derbies with the Crusaders hosting the Hurricanes and the Rebels playing the Brumbies. There is a second New Zealand conference derby between the Blues and Highlanders on Saturday night while the Reds return from South Africa to host the Stormers, while the Chiefs and Waratahs start their tours of duty in South Africa against the Bulls and Sharks. The Sharks vs Waratahs game is my Game of the Round, although the Bulls vs Chiefs will also be exciting.
There are only six matches in Super Rugby Round 7 with the Lions, Force and Cheetahs taking a well-deserved break. This has ramifications for fantasy rugby managers with players like Willie Le Roux, Nathan Charles and Marnitz Boshoff not playing this weekend. The good news is that these players will drop in value so you can buy them again for Super Rugby Round 8.
Managers need to be weary of players who are injured, suspended or being rotated and check the team lists before making any selections. Blade Thomson from the Hurricanes is back and a steal in www.testrugby.com, while Israel Folau who is a popular player is injured.
For further analysis go to
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/02/buy-super-rugby-tips-newsletters-get.html
For Super Rugby Round 7 Team Lists go to
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-2013.html
Crusaders vs Hurricanes
The Crusaders host the Hurricanes in a local Super Rugby Round 7 derby on Friday night in Christchurch. Both teams have had far from convincing starts to 2014 sitting 11th and 12th on the overall Super Rugby table. It is interesting to contrast these teams in 2014. The Crusaders have great defence but have struggled on attack, while the Hurricanes have the opposite problem.
The biggest talking point is the return from injury of Tim Bateman and Blade Thomson for the Hurricanes. The Crusaders have been back on the winning bandwagon this season and have just done enough to win their last two matches over the Stormers and Rebels, although it will be interesting to see how they go, coming off the bye.
My pick – Crusaders
Players to watch – Dane Coles has been playing well in www.testrugby.com while the Hurricanes backs will fancy their chances of scoring some tries, so Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett and Conrad Smith are options. Keep your eye on Blade Thomson who is listed as a lock.
The Crusaders have their usual quality players in Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read but since they don’t score many tries then their players don’t excel at www.testrugby.com
Rebels vs Brumbies
The only Australian conference local derby features Australian conference teams the Rebels and Brumbies. These matches are always difficult to pick, but the Brumbies should win well even on the road. The Rebels have been disappointing after they showed so much promise pre-season and in their first up win over the Cheetahs and could push the Brumbies closer than anticipated.
The Brumbies had an ugly first up loss to the Reds, but have since looked good under new coaches Stephen Larkham and Lawrie Fisher.
My pick - Brumbies
Players to watch: Jesse Mogg, Ben Mowen, Stephen Moore are options for the Brumbies, while Scott Fardy and Robbie Coleman are great value. Coleman has a knack of scoring tries. For the Rebels only Scott Higginbotham is worth a mention here.
Blues vs Highlanders
Both of these teams are coming off high scoring wins in Round 6 and both teams have already played in 2014. Both teams will have to raise the bar on defence if they are to secure a victory here to stay ahead of the Crusaders and Hurricanes in the New Zealand conference.
John Kirwan has included returning stars Jerome Kaino and Ma’a Nonu. Simon Hickey starts at Number 10, while Jamie Joseph has given Ged Robinson a start at hooker.
The Blues should win this one at home. The loss of Piri Weepu may inspire the Blues to win for his sake after he suffered a mini stroke.
My pick – Blues
Players to watch: This game should feature plenty of tries and so players who usually score well in www.testrugby.com like Simon Hickey, Charles Piutau, Luke Braid and Frank Halai are worth buying. While it will be interesting to see how Maá Nonu and Jerome Kaino go. The Highlanders have some great value players like Malakai Fekitoa and Joe Wheeler, while Ben Smith and Nasi Manu are quality players.
Reds vs Stormers
The Reds return from an unsuccessful trip to South Africa to face the waiting Stormers in Brisbane. The Reds are still sitting handily placed in the Australian conference with Quade Cooper almost single handedly getting them home against the Lions last week. He is the key to victory in this match. The Stormers are struggling on the road in 2014 and were comfortably beaten by the Brumbies last week. They have made some changes to their squad in an attempt to get back on track in 2014. See the team lists above to confirm the starting line-ups, but watch for Juan De Jongh in the midfield and the return of Deon Fourie to hooker. The Stormers have good defence and this may keep the score down, but expect the Reds to sneak home at home.
My pick – Reds
Players to watch in www.testrugby.com – For the Reds, Quade Cooper was on fire last week. While hooker James Hanson usually makes an impact.
Jean De Villiers, Deon Fourie and Duane Vermeulen are good points-scorers for the Stormers while Damian De Allende is a bargain. Don’t expect a high scoring game!
Bulls vs Chiefs
Both of these teams are going well in 2014 sitting fifth and sixth overall, but a win here is crucial here in order to clear the chasing pack. The Bulls start slowly in 2014, but with the help of Victor Matfield are on a winning streak. They even bet the Sharks last week. The Chiefs lost a disappointing game to the Force last week and will be looking to defy history if they are to win in South Africa which is something no overseas team has done in 2014.
*The Chiefs have made eight changes to their team, so check their line up. They have an amazing ability to get the best out of players that other teams have overlooked.
My pick: Bulls
Players to watch – www.testrugby.com – For the resurgent Bulls watch for Jacques-Louis Potgieter while there are some bargains in this Bulls team including Jurgen Visser, Jacques du Plessis, Paul Willemse and Callie Visagie.
The Chiefs haven’t been named but Liam Messam will be up for the challenge against the Bulls, while Aaron Cruden is always a good option for the Chiefs. There could be some bargains in this game with young Tasman Makos talents Tom Marshall good value after outstanding ITM Cup form last season.. Anton Lenient-Brown is one to watch.
Sharks vs Waratahs
Both of these teams have started off Super Rugby 2014 promisingly. The Sharks sit at the top of the South African conference and lead overall, while the Waratahs are in the Top Six. The massive Sharks pack is thriving under Bismarck du Plessis and new coach Jake White although their loss to the Bulls will have damaged their pride and has probably come at a bad time for the Waratahs who may face a backlash. The Waratahs will have their work cut-out for them as winning in South Africa for overseas teams hasn’t happened this season and they will have to do it without one of their genuine stars in Israel Folau. It will be interesting to see how Kurtley Beale and the Waratahs forward pack go under immense pressure in this game. What a way for Wycliff Palu to raise his 100th cap.
My pick - Sharks
Players to watch: The Sharks haven’t been named but players like Bismarck du Plessis, Lwazi Mvovo and the Sharks loose forwards are consistent points scorers. The Waratahs players have set the world on fire in www.testrugby.com , but may struggle without Israel Folau, although Kurtley Beale, Wycliff Palu and Bernard Foley may be worth considering.
*Sell Patrick Lambie as he is injured.
Who are you picking to win Super 15 Rugby Round 7 matches?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/03/super-15-rugby-round-7-preview.html
In the Super Rugby Tips SuperBru conference, Olec won the yellow cap to take the lead in Super Rugby 6 tied with Gecko. Can they continue their great form to retain their spots at the top of the table?
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