PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 16 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, JUNE 1:
HIGHLANDERS v HURRICANES at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 17:35
Head to head: Played 30, Hurricanes 17, Highlanders 13, Draw 0.
Highlanders at home: Played 14, Highlanders 7, Hurricanes 7, Draw 0.
Last clash: Rd 6 2018, Hurricanes 29-12 in Wellington
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.51 Highlanders $2.57
Tip: Hurricanes by 3
SATURDAY, JUNE 2:
BLUES v MELBOURNE REBELS at Eden Park, Auckland, 15:15
Head to head: Played 6, Blues 4, Rebels 2, Draw 0.
Blues at home: Played 3, Blues 3, Rebels 0, Draw 0.
Last clash: Rd 1 2017, Blues 56-18 in Melbourne
The resurgent Rebels have won their past two games following a mid-season slump but have alreways struggled to win outside Australia. The Blues find it almost impossible to beat domestic opposition but are still capable of inspired passages of rugby. Melbourne need a win to stay in contention for the Australian conference title, while the Blues are coming off successive losses and their only three wins have been against overseas teams.
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $1.28 Rebels $3.72
Tip: Blues by 4.
CHIEFS v CRUSADERS at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 17:35
Head to head: Played 32, Crusaders 19, Chiefs 13, Draw 0.
Chiefs at home: Played 17, Crusaders 9, Chiefs 8, Draw 0.
Last clash: Rd 2 2018, Crusaders 45-23 in Christchurch
Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.44 Chiefs $2.80
Tip: Crusaders by 10
QUEENSLAND REDS v NSW WARATAHS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19:45
Head to head: Played 29, Waratahs 15, Reds 13, Draw 1.
Reds at home: Played 15, Reds 7, Waratahs 7, Draw 1.
Last clash: Rd 9 2018, Waratahs 37-16 in Sydney
The Waratahs have won eight straight against the Reds, but past form will count for little. With spots up for grabs in the Wallabies second and back rows there will be plenty of uncompromising forward battles. The Tahs won just one out of four against New Zealand teams but are defending an impeccable record against their Australian conference rivals. Expect the Reds pack to aim up and force a close contest..
Tab Sportsbet: Waratahs $1.45 Reds $2.76
Tip: Waratahs by 5
SUNDAY, JUNE 3:
BRUMBIES V SUNWOLVES at GIO Stadium, Canberra, 16:05
Head to head: Played 2, Brumbies 2, Sunwolves 0, Draw 0.
Brumbies at home: Played 1, Brumbies 1, Sunwolves 0, Draw 0.
Last clash: Rd 2 2018, Brumbies 32-25 in Tokyo
There’s drama in Canberra with the Brumbies looking to defy a request from the Wallabies to rest David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa. Even if those players do sit out, the Brumbies will record back-to-back victories with the Sunwolves set to rest their Japanese players ahead of the international break. Tom Banks, Tevita Kuridrani and Joe Powell have been named in the Wallabies squad but will definitely play for the Brumbies.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $1.01 Sunwolves $19
Tip: Brumbies by 30