PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY WEEK 2 (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, Feb 3:
HIGHLANDERS v BLUES at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 17:35
Head to head: Played 29, Highlanders 13, Blues 16
Highlanders at home: Played 14, Highlanders 9, Blues 5
Last clash: Round 7, 2017, Highlanders 16 bt Blues 20 in Dunedin.
Tab Sportsbet: Highlanders $1.35 Blues $3.20
Tip: Highlanders by 5
REBELS v REDS at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 19:45
Head to head: Played 13, Rebels 4, Reds 9
Rebels at home: Played 7, Rebels 2, Reds 5
Last clash: Round 12, 2017, Reds 29 bt Rebels 24 in Melbourne
The season opener marks a new era for both teams, and the outlook couldn’t be more different for them. The Rebels are coming off a horror one-win season but have built up an enviable array of talent on the books after picking up 12 players cut adrift from the Western Force, as well as the country’s best halfback Will Genia. Expectations are high, but they could take time to gel. The Reds will also have a fresh look about them with coach Brad Thorn putting his faith in Queensland’s next generation of talent. Results for them aren’t quite as important at this stage as just having a red-hot go.
Tab Sportsbet: Rebels $1.45 Reds $2.75
Tip: Rebels by 10
SATURDAY, Feb 24:
SUNWOLVES v BRUMBIES at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo, 15:15
Head to head: Played 1, Sunwolves 0, Brumbies 1
Sunwolves at home: Played 0
Last clash: Round 14, 2016, Brumbies 66 bt Sunwolves 5 in Canberra
These teams have only met once with the Brumbies big winners but they should find this a tougher contest. Former Highlanders mentor Tony Brown has taken over the coaching reins with Japan skipper Michael Leitch among their recruits. Japan rugby are desperate to see some improvements with the World Cup looming in 2019. Wallabies playmaker Christian Lealiifano returns from major illness for the Brumbies, who will look to improve their attack with a match against the Sunwolves the ideal way to test the waters.
Tab Sportsbet: Sunwolves $7.00, Brumbies $1.10
Tip: Brumbies by 13
CRUSADERS v CHIEFS at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, 17:35
Head to head: Played 31, Crusaders 18 Chiefs 13
Crusaders at home: Played 14, Crusaders 9, Chiefs 5
Last clash: Semi-final, 2017, Crusaders 27 bt Chiefs 13 in Christchurch
Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.36 Chiefs $3.15
Tip: Crusaders by 10
NSW WARATAHS v STORMERS at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 19:45
Head to head: Played 19, Waratahs 8, Stormers 10, Draw 1
Waratahs at home: Played 8, Waratahs 4, Stormers 4
Last clash: Round 10, 2016: Waratahs 32 bt Stormers 30 in Cape Town
After two-straight seasons of missing the finals and a particularly bad 2017 campaign, the Tahs are optimistic a new year and some fresh faces will spark a change of fortunes. The return of Kurtley Beale and the acquisition of fellow Wallabies Rob Simmons and Curtis Rona will add some more polish. They will be tested by a Stormers side who already have an opening-round win on the board and have speed to burn out wide as well as forward grunt. The Tahs’ ability to win ball and for playmakers Beale and Bernard Foley to spark their talented backs will be critical to their prospects.
Tab Sportsbet: Waratahs $1.25, Stormers $3.20
Tip: Waratahs by 8
SUNDAY, Feb 25:
LIONS V JAGUARES at Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg, 12:05am
Head to head: Played 4, Lions 2, Jaguares 2
Lions at home: Played 2, Lions 2, Jaguares 0
Last clash: Round 9, 2017: Lions 24 bt Jaguares 21 in Johannesburg.
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.13, Jaguares $6.00
Tip: Lions by 5
BULLS v HURRICANES, at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 02:15
Head to head: Played 18, Bulls 8, Hurricanes 10
Bulls at home: Played 10, Bulls 4, Hurricanes 6
Last clash: Round 14, 2017: Hurricanes 34 bt Bulls 20 in Pretoria
Tab Sportsbet: Bulls $6.00 Hurricanes $1.13
Tip: Hurricanes by 8
Bye: Sharks
