Time to have a look at round 15 and see if we can figure out who’s going to win what…
HURRICANES vs FORCE, WELLINGTON, FRI 09:35
I only see one winner here, in a game that doesn’t really mean too much to anyone. Both sides have been pretty poor so far this year, but the Canes should have enough to win this at home. Hurricanes by 10.
Hurricanes – 15. Cory Jane, 14. André Taylor, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Chris Eaton, 8. Victor Vito (Captain), 7. Jack Lam, 6. Faifili Levave, 5. James Broadhurst, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Neemiah Tialata, 2. Dane Coles, 1. John Schwalger
Replacements: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Bryn Evans, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Jayden Hayward, 22. Julian Savea
Force – 15. Cameron Shepherd, 14. Nick Cummins, 13. Patrick Dellit, 12. Rory Sidey, 11. David Smith, 10. James Stannard, 9. Mark Swanepoel, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. David Pocock, 6. Matthew Hodgson, 5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Timothy Fairbrother, 2. Nathan Charles, 1. Kieran Longbottom
Replacements: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Matt Dunning, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Richard Brown, 20. Chris Cottee, 21. Mitch Inman, 22. Alifeleti (Alfi) Mafi
HIGHLANDER vs LIONS, DUNEDIN, SAT 09:35
It would be great if the Lions could record a victory here and knock the Landers back a step or two, but I’m afraid I don’t see it happening. A lot will depend on how quickly Elton Jantjies finds his feet at flyhalf, but I fear the home side will be too composed to concede victory here. Highlanders by 7 or so.
Highlanders – 15. Ben R Smith, 14. Siale Piutau, 13. Kenny Lynn, 12. Shaun Treeby, 11. Kade Poki, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. Alando Soakai, 6. Adam Thomson, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 3. Chris King, 2. Mahonri Schwalger, 1. Jamie MacKintosh (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Nick Crosswell, 19. John Hardie, 20. Aaron Smith, 21. Matt Saunders, 22. Robbie Robinson
Lions – 15. Jaco Taute, 14. Dylan Des Fountain, 13. Doppies la Grange (Captain), 12. Butch James, 11. Deon van Rensburg, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Joshua Strauss, 7. Michael Rhodes, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 4. Wikus van Heerden, 3. Pat Cilliers, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17. Jacobie Adriaanse, 18. Warren Whiteley, 19. Cobus Grobbelaar, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Alwyn Hollenbach, 22. Michael Killian
BRUMBIES vs STORMERS, CANBERRA, SAT 11:40
Third week on tour is always a tricky one for touring saffer teams. That said, the Stormers have some big names back and will be bouyed by their superb comeback win against the Blues last week. The Brumbies are, in a word, shocking this year. Stormers to win by nearly 20.
Brumbies – 15. Pat McCabe, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tyrone Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Matt Giteau (Captain), 9. Josh Valentine, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. Julian Salvi, 6. Mitchell Chapman, 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. Ben Hand, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Jono Owen
Replacements: 16. Anthony Hegarty, 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Peter Kimlin, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Andrew Smith
Stormers – 15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 8. Nick Koster, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (Captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Rynhardt Elstadt, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Wicus Blaauw
Replacements: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Duane Vermeulen, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage / Ricky Januarie, 21. Jean de Villiers, 22. Johann Sadie
SHARKS vs WARATAHS, DURBAN, SAT 17:05
The Sharks have taken a real battering of late and have come out of it with their tails between their legs and an injury list that’s starting to look a little frightening. They’ve made a number of rotational change this week which will probably disrupt their rhythm even further, whereas teh Tahs are looking settled, particularly amongst the halfbacks. Sorry to say it, fans, but I see the Waratahs winning by 5 this week.
Sharks – 15. Louis Ludik, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Stefan Terblanche, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Conrad Hoffmann, 8. Keegan Daniel, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. John Smit (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Tendai Mtawarira, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Gerhard Mostert, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22. Riaan Swanepoel
Waratahs – 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. Lachlan Turner, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Tom Carter, 11. Sosene Anesi, 10. Berrick Barnes, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Ben Mowen, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 4. Dean Mumm (Captain), 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Pat O`Connor, 19. Hugh Perrett, 20. Brendan McKibbin, 21. Daniel Halangahu, 22. Afa Pakalani
BULLS vs CHEETAHS, PRETORIA, SAT 19:10
This one is going to be a duzi, with neither side likely to stand back an inch for the other. Expect close to two tons of prime saffer beef on either side to batter away non-stop for close to 90 minutes. Both sides have form on their side and have built up a head of steam. The Bulls have more to lose, though and will want this more. Hence, the home side will win by 6.
Bulls – 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Akona Ndungane, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (Captain), 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16. Gary Botha, 17. Rossouw De Klerk, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Danie Rossouw, 20. Dustin Jinka, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Cheetahs – 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Snyman, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Corné Uys, 11. Riaan Smit, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 7. Ashley Johnson, 6. Kabamba Floors, 5. Martin Muller, 4. Francois (FS) Uys, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 1. Coenie Oosthuizen
Replacements: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Izak van der Westhuizen, 19. Johan Wessels, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Hennie Daniller
REDS vs CRUSADERS, BRISBANE, SUN 08:10
This is the huge game of the weekend and one which could really go either way. Both sides are on top of their respective games and pushing hard to top the log. I have a funny feeling, though, that the Crusaders will produce one of those memorable performances this time around to topple the Reds, even though the latter are at home. Crusaders by 5, I reckon, but don’t bet on it!
Reds – TBA
Crusaders – 15. Tom Marshall, 14. Brent Ward, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Willi Heinz, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (Captain), 6. George Whitelock, 5. Chris Jack, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16. David Hall / Quentin MacDonald, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Joe Wheeler / Matt Todd, 20. Steve Kenneth Alfeld, 21. Matthew Berquist, 22. Ryan Crotty
Tweet
Rob predicting a Sharks loss. 😯 😯 😯
What is the world coming to ❓ ❓
Are you also worried about the Sharks selections Rob?
Prediction of Barbarians vs England match?
@Rob Never thought you would back the Tahs for this game but I understand your logic. Lets hope that you are wrong though. A lot of team take a loss like ours against the Bulls as a moerse wakeup call to come out on top. Other than that I have made the same calls.
‘m so far behind in SB I might as well take a couple of chances.
Go Cheetah’s!
Go Reds!
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : I think some selections are brave and right… but sometimes brave selections take time to pay off at the cost of some losses as they settle in.
@Viking (Comment 4) : man, do I ever hope I’m wrong
@robdylan (Comment 6) :
That’s if they are allowed time to settle in.
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : Me too…so I went WILD!!
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : I am sure they will pay off this weekend. Will give the team some extra spirit for the game and knock those Tahs off the log.
Haha Rob didn’t expect you to call a Sharks loss but I’m going with the same call.
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : Hey, you should have thrown a Lion into the pack there as well. I have a funny feeling about that game… 😕
@Ben (Comment 11) : Are you putting your own interests above those of the Sharks? You should be ashamed 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : yes exactly
I’m tired of super bru I’m in the middle pack I just pick whoever now,and I’m picking a sharks loss 2
@robdylan (Comment 7) : me to me to
@Poisy (Comment 15) : terrible, I can not do that, never…. Never
@franshark (Comment 17) : I am with you franshark. The guys are gonna experience another crappy SB and blame that on the Sharks as well.
Ha great this sad sack glass half empty girl came on to get some positive thoughts by the glass half full journalists and now find my glass is empty 🙁
I see the okes on Reunion are backing the Sharks to win this weekend. Hope they know their stuff….
@Ben (Comment 20) : they just hate the Waratahs…they never back them, they were beside themselves when the tahs lost to the cheetahs.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : I almost spat my coffee out… That must’ve been a hard call to make bud. But I cannot judge you – however I think The Sharks are going to sneak this win in a closely contested ugly affair. That or they hit their straps and come good – but The Sharks to win. This is not an emotional response – but I have a feeling that we will win… Should we lose – I guess we will have much to discuss over the next week….
@Megatron (Comment 21) : i get the impression that they like the Sharks and tend to give them benefit of the doubt quite often.