PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 18 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, JULY 6:
CRUSADERS v HIGHLANDERS at Wyatt Crockett Stadium, Christchurch, 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 33, Crusaders 22, Highlanders 11.
Crusaders at home: Played 17, Crusaders 13, Highlanders 4.
Last clash: Round 5, 2018, Highlanders 25-17 in Dunedin.
Tab: Crusaders $1.27 Highlanders $3.80
Tip: Crusaders by 12
QUEENSLAND REDS v MELBOURNE REBELS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7.45pm
Head to head: Played 14, Reds 9, Rebels 5.
Reds at home: Played 6, Reds 4 Rebels 2.
Last clash: Round 2, 2018, Rebels 45-19 in Melbourne.
The Rebels have the motivation of trying to make the playoffs and will fancy their chances against a Reds side who have lost their last five and won just one of their last ten. Melbourne welcome back Wallabies, Tetera Faulkner, Marika Koroibete and Richard Hardwick. The Reds will be bolstered by the return of Test forwards Izack Rodda and Caleb Timu but could struggle for backline thrust without injured centre Samu Kerevi.
Tab: Rebels $1.55 Reds $2.45
Tip: Rebels by 8
SATURDAY, JULY 7:
CHIEFS v BRUMBIES at FMG Stadium, Hamilton, 3.15pm
Head to head: Played 24, Chiefs 17, Brumbies 13.
Chiefs at home: Played 11, Chiefs 7, Brumbies 4.
Last clash: Round 17, 2017, Chiefs 28-10 in Hamilton
The Brumbies need a fourth straight win for the first time since 2016 to keep their faint play-off hopes alive. Toppling the Chiefs in Hamilton has been a tall order historically. They’ll need to be as clinical as ever but also unfurl some of the bright attacking moments that marked last week’s upset of the Hurricanes. Props Props Nic Mayhew and Allan Alaalatoa have been restored to the run-on side.
Tab Chiefs $1.13 Brumbies $6
Tip: Chiefs by 15
HURRICANES V BLUES at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 7.35pm
Head to head: Played 29, Hurricanes 14, Blues 14, Draw 1.
Hurricanes at home: Played 13, Hurricanes 6, Blues 6, Draw 1.
Last clash: Round 13, 2018, Hurricanes 36-15 in Auckland.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.17 Blues $5.00
Tip: Hurricanes by 11
WARATAHS V SUNWOLVES at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7.45pm
Head to head: Played 2, Waratahs 2, Sunwolves 0.
Waratahs at home: Played 0.
Last clash: Round 8, 2018, Waratahs 50-29 in Tokyo.
Expect plenty of points and fast paced play as two exponents of the ball in hand game go head-to-head. The playoff chasing Waratahs have averaged most points per game and the Sunwolves have averaged most points conceded per match. The return of fullback Israel Folau will add more zip to the Tahs and make life more difficult for the improving Sunwolves, who have won three of their last five games after losing their first nine.
Tab: Sportsbet: Waratahs $1.10 Sunwolves $7.00
Tip: Waratahs by 19
BULLS v JAGUARES at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 11.05pm
Head to head: Played 3, Jaguares 2, Bulls 1.
Bulls at home: Played 1, Bulls 1, Jaguares 0.
Last clash: Round 14, 2018, Jaguares 54-24 in Buenos Aires.
Tab: Bulls $1.70 Jaguares $2.15.
Tip: Jaguares by 3
SUNDAY, JULY 8
STORMERS V SHARKS at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, 1.15am
Head to head: Played 27, Sharks 15, Stormers 12.
Stormers at home: Played 13, Stormers 7, Sharks 6.
Last clash: Round 10 2018, Sharks 24-17 in Durban
Tab: Stormers $1.80 Sharks $2
Tip: Stormers by 2.
Bye: Lions
