Super Rugby Round 12 Preview Part 1

The two heavyweight clashes of Round 12 are those between the Brumbies and Waratahs in Canberra and the Hurricanes and Crusaders in Wellington. The Sharks aim at redemption, the Blues and Force at credibility, and in Gauteng the Lions travel up the highway to take on the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Highlanders v Sharks

Unwisely resting their three superstars simultaneously in Round 11, the Highlanders were well beaten by the Brumbies. The trio are back, which means the Highlanders are again capable of beating any team. The Sharks have had a horrible 2015 – in games, in the boardroom, on the coaching field, and in disciplinary hearings. Miserable results overseas could mean heads will roll.

Both teams need to play well and secure a convincing win to revive the confidence that they do indeed have a winning formula.

Key players: Bismarck du Plessis, back after suspension but relinquishing the captaincy and out to redeem himself. Fred Zeilinga and André Esterhuizen, who need to prove they have more to offer than they’ve shown hitherto.  For the Highlanders, the three players around whom their success is built, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, and Aaron Smith, back from the injudicious decision to rest them all last week.

The big match-ups: Cobus Reinach vs Aaron Smith at 9. JP Pietersen vs Malakai Fekitoa at 13. At fullback, the aging Odwa Ndungane vs the absolute class of Ben Smith.

Brumbies v Waratahs

This going to be huge. In their first-leg clash the Waratahs out-thought and out-played the Brumbies. Are the Brumbies too canny to be caught out similarly again? Can the Waratahs repeat that winning formula? These are two astutely coached teams, with Michael Cheika up against his new Wallaby assistant coach Stephen Larkham.

Glen Jackson is the referee for this clash of the Australian giants, which is good news because he is one of the few Super Rugby referees who has earned the confidence of players and coaches, amidst the inaccuracy and inconsistency of many of his colleagues.

Key players: Openside David Pocock for the Brumbies. Openside Michael Hooper for the Waratahs. Goalkickers Christian Lealiifano and Bernard Foley.

The big match-up: The big one – one of the most anticipated clashes of the Super Rugby season: Pocock vs Hooper. With Richie McCaw sometimes on All Black break, and on apparent mini-sabbatical at times even when he is actually on the field, right now these are the two preeminent openside flanks in Super Rugby, and probably in world rugby. And at hooker, Tatafu Polota-Nau vs Stephen Moore.

Blues v Force

It’s a basement clash, with the bottom of the log Blues hosting second from bottom Force. The Blues have lost 11 of their last 12 matches, with their solitary win a fortuitous victory smuggled by virtue of a late penalty decision. This record comes despite their having plenty of talented players. How few people outside of the Auckland hierarchy believe Sir John Kirwan should still be there as head coach?

The Force try hard with limited talent in their player pool, are well coached, and have been unlucky to lose a couple of games. Both these teams need a win way beyond desperately.

Key players: For the Blues, the two players who maintain high standards while surrounded by mediocrity and underachievers – Charles Piutau at 15 and Jerome Kaino at 8. Plus the impressive rookie blindside flank Akira Ioane. For the Force, scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens in his starting debut, and Matt Hodgson, who adds great value as skipper and openside flank. 

The big match-ups: Aging but ultra-wily All Black veteran Jimmy Cowan vs rookie Louwrens at 9. Hodgson vs Brendon O’Connor at openside.

Hurricanes v Crusaders

Here’s a Super Rugby game expected to be of Test match quality. At their best, both of these teams could go through to a final and win the competition, but the Hurricanes showed against the Waratahs they are vulnerable and the Crusaders performances have varied between superb and so lamentably ordinary.

Chris Boyd and John Plumtree are doing an excellent job coaching the Hurricanes. How secure is Todd Blackadder’s position as Crusaders coach? Surely if the team continues to deliver so inconsistently, the Canterbury bosses must ask whether a change would be a good idea.

Key players: Andy Ellis is back at 9 for the Crusaders, which always represents a significant upgrade for them.  Loosehead Wyatt Crockett, in his 150^th game for the Crusaders, which his teammates want to make special for him. For the Hurricanes, their magnificent 11 to 14, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, and Cory Jane.

The big match-ups: At 12, Dan Carter, keen to show he still has what it takes, up against Nonu, who has been superb in 2015. At 10, the two prime contenders to be Carter’s back-up as All Black 10, Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett.