Scotty Donaldson looks at the great matches in Super Rugby Round 14. This round will be a tough one with some key games. Who are you picking?
The Super Rugby 2012 competition is reaching a crucial stage with Round 14 featuring three matches between teams directly involved in the playoffs and most matches harder to pick than a broken nose! The Chiefs vs Bulls, Brumbies vs Reds and the Sharks vs Stormers have a direct impact on who will make the Top Six. I wonder if the Reds can afford to drop their Round 14 clash with the Brumbies? There are only two rounds left before the international test match window and five weeks left in the Round Robin section of the competition. With so many mouthwatering clashes, Round 14 looks destined to be one of the toughest to pick in recent weeks.
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Game One - Chiefs vs Bulls
This match sees the top ranked New Zealand side host the second ranked South African side in a match which has massive implications for the Top Six rankings. Both of these teams would really benefit from a win in this match which would push them one step closer to hosting a final match.
The Chiefs are coming off the bye, and will miss All Blacks centre Richard Kahui, while the Bulls will be hurting after losing to the Highlanders. The Chiefs will be at their cheapest value since they are coming off the bye, so players like Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Cruden are worth a shot. The popular bargain Juandre Kruger won't be playing this match.
Players to buy - Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam, Aaron Cruden, Pierre Spies, Hika Elliot.
Bargains - Brodie Retallick, Jackson Willison, CJ Stander.
My pick - Chiefs by 7.
Game Two - Hurricanes vs Rebels
One month ago before Danny Cipriani left the Rebels and James O'Connor got injured, this match would have been an easy pick with the Hurricanes the hot favourites. Since then ironically, their performances have improved thanks mainly to the movement of Kurtley Beale into first five eighth which has seen the Rebels overtake the Waratahs into tenth spot and third Australian team. The Hurricanes should have done better against the Brumbies and this match should be a close one. The home team will miss Cory Jane. The Rebels locks are high scoring bargains usually.
Players to buy - Victor Vito, Kurtley Beale.
Bargains - Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles, Andre Taylor, Julian Savea, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle.
My pick - Hurricanes by 3.
Game Three - Blues vs Highlanders
The Blues were embarrassed by the Crusaders last week and given their massive injury toll they will struggle against the Highlanders. The Highlanders are still in the hunt following their gutsy win over the Bulls, but do struggle to win away from home, especially in Auckland. The Blues have benched their All Blacks, while the Highlanders haven't been named yet, but look to the Highlanders to use this match to rest players.
Players to buy - Adam Thomson, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore.
Bargains - Gareth Anscombe, Francis Saili, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison (if named).
My pick Highlanders by 10.
Game Four - Brumbies vs Reds
This clash could decide who wins the Australian conference with the Brumbies close to cementing the top spot, but the Reds are starting to come into some good form which makes this match difficult to pick. The Reds haven't finalised their team, while the Brumbies are the surprise package of the Australian conference and the performance of Zac Holmes at first five eighth against the Hurricanes last week must be encouraging. I am picking the home team to win.
Players to buy - Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Digby Ioane, Scott Higginbotham.
Bargains - Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen, Zack Holmes, Sam Carter, Joe Tomani.
My pick Brumbies by 3.
Game Five - Force vs Lions
The Force will go into this match as hot favourites given how poor the Lions are this season. The Force will be annoyed to have dropped their game to the Rebels last week. This game will hardly draw a large spectator audience, but the Force will be wanting to finish the season strongly in an attempt to avoid being the bottom Australian team.
Players to buy - Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock.
Bargains - Nathan Charles, Nick Cummins, Jaco Taute, Elton Jantjies.
My pick - Force by 10.
Game Six - Cheetahs vs Waratahs
The Cheetahs are the masters of the narrow defeats, but can they finally win a close one as they battle the Waratahs? This match could go either way, but I like the Cheetahs style of play and would love it if they beat the Waratahs who are struggling this season. These teams are sitting in 11th and 12th places. The Waratahs are battling with injuries which may see Dave Dennis have to play lock, while Rocky Elsom could be out with injury. Wallaby winger Drew Mitchell could be back. The Waratahs haven't been named yet.
Players to buy - Adriaan Strauss, Ashley Johnson, Tatafu Polatu-Nau, Wycliff Palu.
Bargains - Willie Le Roux, Tom Kingston.
My pick - Cheetahs by 3.
Game Seven - Sharks vs Stormers
This match is such a crucial fixture with the desperate Sharks circling as the table topping Stormers arrive in Durban. The Sharks have hit a rich vein of form recently and a win here would confirm their spot in the Top Six heading into the break. Patrick Lambie will be starting at fullback for the Sharks, while Gio Aplon will wear the Stormers Number 15 jersey. This match promises to be another beauty.
Players to buy - Bismarck Du Plessis, Keegan Daniel, Patrick Lambie, Tiaan Libenberg.
Bargains - Eben Etzebeth, Marcell Coetzee, Siya Kolisi.
My pick - Stormers by 3.
Super Rugby Round 14 has plenty of mouthwatering clashes. Who do you think will dominate? Have your say!
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/super-rugby-round-14-so-difficult-to.html
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