Super Rugby Round 18 Preview Part 1

The Blues have one last chance to add a little lustre to a sadly lacklustre season, the Force one last chance to earn a rare victory, and the Brumbies will have a go at their outside chance of securing a home semi-final. With the Hurricanes having won the NZ conference, the Chiefs cannot improve their log position on the conference system.

Blues v Highlanders

Will this be Sir John Kirwan’s swansong as Blues coach? The divided Auckland boardroom members have been even weaker performers than the Blues team has been, and the team’s underperformance has been woeful. They do have a talented squad and losing 12 of 15 games reflects a horrendous season. The Highlanders, in contrast, have been excellent in their standards of performance and have received much commendation for their style of play. Jamie Joseph has brought out the best in his squad, in stark contrast to Kirwan’s miserable tenure at the Blues.

Key players:
For the Blues, Keven Mealamu, playing his 175^th and last-ever Super Rugbygame, Charles Piutau, back from injury at fullback, plus Brendon O'Connor and George Moala, two of the few Blues players to improve their reputations despite the franchise chaos. Ben Smith and Aaron Smith are back from All Black rest, which entirely changes the challenge posed by the Highlanders. Waisake Naholo is a constant threat out wide.

The big match-ups:
Wings, Naholo vs Melani Nanai and Patrick Osborne vs Ben Lam. At openside, O’Connor vs John Hardie. Two All Blacks at 15, Ben Smith vs Piutau.

Rebels v Force

The Rebels and Force deserve acclamation for organisation and effort, but they have fewer wins than the planning and commitment of their campaigns warrant. The Rebels have won 7 of 15 to lie 10^th on the log, but the paucity of Force wins is a reflection of the lack of players needed to constitute five really competitive teams in the Australian conference. For both teams, this game provides the opportunity to end on a high, and for some players a last big-stage chance to show Michael Cheika and his assistant coaches that they should be in the frame for Wallaby selection.

Key players:
For the Force, Angus Cottrell, at 8 to replace injured Ben McCalman, who has been one of very few Force stars. Locks Steve Mafi and Sam Wykes – the latter in his 87^th and last game for the Force. Scott Higginbotham in his final game for the Rebels before he heads to Japan. Blindside flank Sean McMahon, who plays to high standards every week. 

The big match-ups:
Locks Mafi and Wykes vs Lopeti Timani and Luke Jones. At outside centre, Marcel Brache could have a tough afternoon containing Dom Shipperley. Scrumhalves Nic Stirzaker vs Alby Mathewson.

Brumbies v Crusaders

The Brumbies have won 9 games out of 15 and the Crusaders 8, but the Brumbies could still earn a home semi-final, while for the Crusaders it amounts to an unsuccessful season – finishing 4^th out of 5 in the NZ conference, ahead only of the debacle that is the Blues. The Brumbies have Matt Toomua back from injury – though he plays off the bench – which once he gets onto the pitch, will boost the Brumbies performance substantially. His return will give them a more realistic shot at making an impact in the playoffs. The Crusaders took an upward leap in performance after reinstalling Richie McCaw as openside and captain, and Dan Carter at 10, after modest contributions by each of them earlier in the campaign. Kieran Read returns as 8 and captain this week.

Key players:
McCaw, Carter, and the potent Nemani Nadolo for the Crusaders. For the Brumbies, Toomua, when he comes on as sub, their threats out wide Henry Speight and Tevita Kuridrani, and the consistently brilliant David Pocock at openside.

The big match-ups:
The biggest openside clash possible on planet Earth: McCaw vs Pocock. Plus clashes between Nadolo vs Speight and Kuridrani vs Ryan Crotty.

Chiefs v Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have 62 log points after 13 wins. The next-best performing teams are the Chiefs and Highlanders, each with 10 wins and 48 log points. These three NZ teams will end in the top six, with the Hurricanes assured of a home semi-final, and the Chiefs and Highlanders playing in the qualifiers next weekend. However, this clash will not be a reflection of a possible rematch during the play-offs as the incentives and pressures will be entirely different, and the Hurricanes are taking the opportunity to offer rest to a few frontline players.

Key players:
Sonny Bill Williams, who returns at 12 for the Chiefs, with some ground to make up on Ma’a Nonu for the All Black 12 jersey, and Michael Leitch, switching from 8 to openside, replacing the rested Sam Cane. With Nonu and Beauden Barrett not playing for the Hurricanes, Rey Lee-Lo at 12, and James Marshall at 10. Also, Nehe Milner-Skudder back at 15 and Cory Jane back from injury at 14.

The big match-ups:
Sonny Bill vs Lee-Lo. Julian Savea vs Bryce Heem. At 5 lock, Brodie Retallick vs Mark Abbott.