PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK FOUR (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, March 9:
HIGHLANDERS v STORMERS at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 17:35
Head to head: Played 19, Highlanders 10, Stormers 8, Draw 1
Highlanders at home: Played 9, Highlanders 6, Stormers 2, Draw 1
Last clash: Round 10, 2017, Highlanders 57 bt Stormers 14 in Dunedin
Tab Sportsbet: Highlanders $1.13, Stormers $6.00
Tip: Highlanders by 9
REBELS v BRUMBIES at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 19:45
Head to head: Played 13, Rebels 4, Brumbies 9
Rebels at home: Played 7, Rebels 3, Brumbies 4
Last clash: Round 15, 2017, Brumbies 32 bt Rebels 3 in Canberra
Can the Rebels win three straight for the first time? Their chances took a major hit with the loss of skipper Test lock Adam Coleman with sternum soreness. The Brumbies are stinging after their last-round loss to the undermanned Reds and, with their mantle as the Australian heavyweights under siege, will be up for the contest. With Melbourne able to include three Wallabies including bustling winger Marika Koroibete on to the bench, such is the new-found depth, they should continue on their winning way.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $1.62 Brumbies $2.31
Tip: Rebels by 11
SATURDAY, March 10:
HURRICANES v CRUSADERS at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 17:45
Head to head: Played 32, Hurricanes 11, Crusaders 18, Draw 3
Hurricanes at home: Played 14, Hurricanes 6, Crusaders 6, Draw 2
Last clash: Round 17, 2017: Hurricanes 32 bt Crusaders 22
Tab Sportsbet: Hurricanes $1.86 Crusaders $1.95
Tip: Hurricanes by 4
REDS v BULLS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19:45
Head to head: Played 18 Reds 10, Bulls 8
Reds at home: Played 9, Reds 8, Bulls 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2016, Bulls 41 bt Reds 22 in Pretoria
The youthful Reds proved against the Brumbies they can grind out a win and face another test this week against a Bulls team, coached by former All Blacks and Western Force mentor John Mitchell. The shrewd Kiwi is clearly trying to blend the Bulls’ traditional powerful forward play with a bit more finesse and variety. They had a good win over the Hurricanes but lost to the Lions. The Reds will look to force the issue through their forwards, but will need to be wary of a Bulls outfit who have scored seven tries in two games.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $1.67 Bulls $2.20
Tip: Reds by 4
SUNDAY, March 11:
SHARKS v SUNWOLVES at Kings Park Stadium, Durban, 00:05
Head to head: Played 2, Sharks 2, Sunwolves 0
Sharks at home: Played 1, Sharks 1, Sunwolves 0
Last clash: Round 13, 2017: Sharks 38 bt Sunwolves 17 in Singapore
Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $1.04 Sunwolves $11.00
Tip: Sharks by 13
LIONS v BLUES at Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg, 02:15
Head to head: Played 18, Lions 6, Blues 12
Lions at home: Played 10, Lions 4, Blues 6
Last clash: Round 12, 2016: Lions 43 bt Blues 5 in Johannesburg
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.28, Blues $3.70
Tip: Lions by 7
JAGUARES v NSW WARATAHS at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, 08:40
Head to head: Played 1, Jaguares 1, Waratahs 0
Jaguares at home: Played 0
Last clash: Round 16, 2017: Jaguares 40 bt Waratahs 27 in Sydney
The Waratahs, unbeaten after their first two games, needed a barnstorming finish in both. After struggling in the scrums in each match, they can expect the Jaguares to attack them there, especially as their coach Mario Ledesma knows plenty about props Tom Robertson and Paddy Ryan from his time as an assistant coach at the Tahs. The Jaguares smashed NSW last year in Sydney, but have conceded 81 points in their two losses this season. If NSW can gain parity in the forwards and service their talented backs and deny the Jaguares counter attack ball, they should win.
Tab Sportsbet: Jaguares $2.25 Waratahs $1.65
Tip: Waratahs by 8.
Bye: Chiefs