PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 19 (all times AEST):
FRIDAY, JULY 13:
CHIEFS v HURRICANES at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 31, Hurricanes 16, Chiefs 14, Draw 1
Chiefs at home: Played 14, Chiefs 8, Hurricanes 5, Draw 1
Last clash: Round 9, 2018, Hurricanes 25-13 in Wellington.
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.53 Chiefs $2.50
Tip: Chiefs by 3
QUEENSLAND REDS v SUNWOLVES at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7.45pm
Head to head: Played 2, Reds 1, Sunwolves 1
Reds at home: Played 1, Reds 1, Rebels 0
Last clash: Round 13, 2018, Sunwolves 63-28 in Tokyo.
The improving Sunwolves walloped the Reds earlier this season, but Queensland are coming off a good win over finals contenders Melbourne Rebels. A victory would give the Reds back-to- back wins for the first time since round five and a 6-10 record, their most successful season since 2013 and provide further vindication of coach Brad Thorn’s focus on youth.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $1.25 Sunwolves $4
Tip: Reds by 11
SATURDAY, JULY 14:
HIGHLANDERS V REBELS at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 3.15pm
Head to head: Played 6, Highlanders 5, Rebels 1
Highlanders at home: Played 3, Highlanders 3, Rebels 0
Last clash: Round 6, 2017, Highlanders 51-12 in Dunedin
The Rebels’ wheels have wobbled within sight of their first possible finals appearance. They need victory to ensure a post-season but to do so must overcome a Highlanders side who – like them – are coming off two straight losses. A Melbourne team missing Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman must also adapt quickly to the “perfect” under-roof conditions, where the Highlanders are notoriously tough to beat.
Tab Sportsbet: Highlanders $1.21 Rebels $4.50
Tip: Highlanders by 13
CRUSADERS V BLUES at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 5.35pm
Head to head: Played 31, Crusaders 20, Blues 11
Crusaders at home: Played 15, Crusaders 12, Blues 3
Last clash: Round 14, 2018, Crusaders 32-24 in Auckland.
Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.14 Blues $5.75
Tip: Crusaders by 20
WARATAHS V BRUMBIES at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7.45pm
Head to head: Played 31, Waratahs 17, Brumbies 14
Waratahs at home: Played 17, Waratahs 13, Brumbies 4
Last clash: Round 7, 2018, Waratahs 24-17 in Canberra.
A fourth straight win would wrap up second spot overall for the unchanged Australian conference-winning Tahs, who are chasing a historic home and away sweep of their intra-conference rivals. They will face a stern test from an improving Brumbies outfit, whose faint finals hopes could be extinguished by kickoff, The Brumbies have Test prop Scott Sio back from injury and the 208cm lock duo of twin brothers Rory and Richie Arnold starting a Super Rugby game together for the first time time.
Tab: Sportsbet: Waratahs $1.44 Brumbies $2.80
Tip: Waratahs by eight
LIONS v BULLS at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, 11.05pm
Head to head: Played 24, Bulls 14, Lions 10
Lions at home: Played 11, Bulls 6, Lions 5
Last clash: Round 3, 2018, Lions 49-35 in Pretoria.
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.27 Bulls $3.80
Tip: Lions by 8
SUNDAY, JULY 15
SHARKS v JAGUARES at Kings Park Stadium, Durban, 1.15am
Head to head: Played 5, Sharks 4, Jaguares 1
Sharks at home: Played 2, Sharks 2, Jaguares 0
Last clash: Round 15 2018, Jaguares 29-13 in Buenos Aires.
Tab: Sharks $1.50 Jaguares $2.60
Tip: Sharks by 7.
Bye: Stormers
