Super Rugby Round 13 Preview Part 2

The Force look likely to continue their string of defeats when they play the Waratahs in Perth. The Highlanders have made the long trip from Dunedin to Johannesburg to play the ebullient Lions, and at Newlands the Stormers – humbled by the unintimidating Cheetahs last week – host the Brumbies.

Force v Waratahs

The Force caused a major upset by beating the Waratahs in Round 1, but the odds against a repeat shock win are massive. The Force do try so hard to conjure up a victory but they’ve lost 10 in a row, testing the faith of even their most loyal supporters in Perth. The fervent hope that the return of Matt Hodgson from injury would revive their fortunes has, sadly for them, not materialised. The Waratahs have been inconsistent in performance, but have displayed sufficient skill and acumen to show they may just come through in the end as repeat champions. Of course this won’t happen if they implode as they did against the Stormers in Sydney.

Key players:
Matt Hodgson and Ben McCalman for the Force, because they have no others whom the opposition would perceive as particularly threatening. For the Waratahs, Tolu Latu’s lineout throwing-in, and Adam Ashley-Cooper, whose nous and composure add great value on both attack and defence.
 
The big match-ups:
Hodgson vs Michael Hooper at openside. At 9, experienced, accomplished Nick Phipps vs inexperienced rookie Ryan Louwrens. McCalman vs Wycliff Palu, two of the contenders for the Wallaby 8 jersey.

Lions v Highlanders

The Lions may not win every week but they have surpassed expectations in winning six of their 11 games. They don’t have the first-choice Test stars of other unions, but their endeavour to adhere to a positive approach and to play cleverly and with wonderful enthusiasm has been exemplary. The Highlanders have shown more than glimpses of real magic in their attacking play and their seven-try humbling of the Sharks will have given the rest notice that this Otago team intends to be in the frame come the play-offs.

Key players:
For the Highlanders, their magnificent trio of All Black backs, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, plus Lima Sopoaga, who is having a full go at making the All Black squad as a back-up 10 to Dan Carter. For the Lion, Marnitz Boshoff at 10 and Ross Cronje at 9, in puzzling selections ahead of Elton Jantjies and Faf de Klerk (both bench). 

The big match-ups:
Two wings who deserve greater appreciation for their ability and their 2015 form, Patrick Osborne and Ruan Combrinck. Ross Cronje and Andries Coetzee get the chance to assess their abilities against the best – Aaron Smith and Ben Smith.

Stormers v Brumbies

Here’s a potentially tense down-to-the-wire clash, with both teams coming off disappointing performances and determined to regain momentum in their quest to earn a home semi-final. Again last week, the Stormers attacking play was just not good enough, and they remain heavily reliant on the goalkicking boot of Demetri Catrakilis, whom they substituted at halftime in the defeat to the Cheetahs – which cost them big-time. The Brumbies without their injured pair, Matt Toomua at 10 and Nic White at 9, have been a less formidable team, but White is back, which changes the complexion of the encounter. If the Stormers do not improve vastly on their error-ridden Round 12 performance, an away win for the Brumbies is not a farfetched prospect.

Key players:
For the visitors, White at 9, Lealiifano at 10, and David Pocock at openside – one of the most influential players in world rugby. For the Stormers, Catrakilis for his accurate boot, and Damian de Allende – their one constant attacking threat.

The big match-ups:
In the front row, JP Smith vs Frans Malherbe and Ben Alexander vs Steven Kitshoff. At openside, Pocock vs Schalk Burger. Can Robbie Coleman cope with De Allende running at him?