Welcome to Super Round!
Five games at Christchurch's new One NZ Stadium across three days, including three huge trans-Tasman derbies -- what more could you ask for!
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[Note: all odds correct 11am 15/4]
Friday, April 24
Crusaders vs. NSW Waratahs
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand 5:05pm (AEST)
Crusaders: Johnny McNicholl, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Dom Gardiner, Tahlor Cahill, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Finlay Brewis. Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Johnny Lee, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Dallas McLeod
Waratahs: Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Joey Walton, Lawson Creighton, Sid Harvey, Jack Debreczeni, Jake Gordon; Pete Samu, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Miles Amatosero, Matt Philip, Siosifa Amone, Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea. Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Tom Lambert, Dan Botha, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
Officials: Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe; Damon Murphy TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: Crusaders coach Rob Penney has stunned the competition by switching boom centre Leicester Fainga'anuku for this historic opening clash at One NZ Stadium. The hosts are meanwhile boosted by the return of All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor and prop Fletcher Newell. The Waratahs have moved Max Jorgensen to fullback, while also switching their entire front-row. They'll be keen to spoil what will be a special moment for Christchurch, but it's hard to see them getting anywhere near the Crusaders here. Crusaders by 22.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders: $1.11, -16.5 $1.90; Waratahs: $4.60, +14.5 $1.87
Saturday, April 25
Hurricanes vs. Brumbies
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand 3:05pm (AEST)
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Fehi Fineanganogo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Warner Dearns, Caleb Delaney, Tevita Mafileo, Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Ereatara Enari, Jone Rava, Josh Gray
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Kaden Pritchard, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Breen, Toby McPherson, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Ollie Sapsford.
Officials: Referee: Paul Williams; Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner, Angus Mabey; TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: The first of two cracking trans-Tasman clashes; can the Brumbies collect a clean sweep of NZ franchises in an historic first? They'll certainly want to play a lot better than they did against the Drua last week, but there is no doubting the Brumbies have found the recipe to beat New Zealand opposition. The Canes will however be stinging from their Super Point defeat by the Chiefs and, expecting this one to go deep into the second half, have stacked their bench. Look for the Brumbies to make a game of this, but the Kiwi sweep looks set to elude them. Hurricanes by 10.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes: $1.17, -14.5 $1.87; Hurricanes: $4.60, +14.5 $1.87
Blues vs. Queensland Reds
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand 5:35pm (AEST)
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Kade Banks, AJ Lam, Pita Ahki, Cole Forbes, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali'i, Anton Segner, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Marcel Renata, Bradley Slater, Ben Ake. Replacements: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Xavi Taele
Reds: Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Kalani Thomas; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard.
Officials: Referee: James Doleman Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle; Damon Murphy TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: The Blues almost, well, blew it last week. And coach Vern Cotter can't have been happy about the 40 points they shipped to the Highlanders. The Reds should meanwhile be fresh after the Round 10 bye, and really need to win this one if they remain serious about a home quarterfinal. The Reds have tasted success in New Zealand under Les Kiss, boasting wins over the Crusaders, Chiefs and Highlanders in recent years, so the neutral venue will hold few fears. But if the Blues get back to somewhere near their best, their power game should see them home. Blues by 7.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Blues: $1.28, -9.5 $1.90; Reds: $3.40, +9.5 $1.85
Sunday, April 26
Highlanders vs. Moana Pasifika
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand 12:00pm (AEST)
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jonah Lowe, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (capt), Xavier Tito-Harris, Cam Millar; Adam Lennox, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Oliver Haig, Tomas Lavanini, Mitch Dunshea, Saula Ma'u, Soane Vikena, Ethan de Groot (co-capt) Replacements: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Angus Ta'avao, Te Kamaka Howden, Hugh Renton, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson.
Pasifika: William Havili, Tuna Tuitama, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Latu, Glen Vaihu, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine; Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Semisi Paea, Miracle Faiilagi (capt), Jimmy Tupou, Allan Craig, Chris Apoua, Millennium Sanerivi, Abraham Pole. Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Tom Savage, Ola Tauelangi, Augustine Pulu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Israel Leota.
Officials: Referee: Todd Petrie; Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: Moana Pasifika were brave in defeat against the Waratahs last week, just 48 hours after they were told the team's current owners couldn't push on into next season. That uncertainty continues to hang over their heads, but it still feels like they have an upset in them before their season, and maybe their existence, is up. The Highlanders have lost a couple of key troops in Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki, but they have the superior pack and the competition's best scrum. There might be some wobbles, but the Highlanders can't afford to lose this if they want to play finals football. Highlanders by 12.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Highlanders: $1.90, -18.5 $1.09; Pasifika: $6.50, +18.5 $1.85
Chiefs vs. Fijian Drua
One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand 2:30pm (AEST)
Chiefs: Isaac Hutchinson, Leroy Carter, Kyle Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Sinkinson, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Wallace Sititi, Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa'i (capt), Josh Lord, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Jared Profitt. Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Benét Kumeroa, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Michael Loft, Xavier Roe, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Lalakai Foketi.
Drua: Ilaisa Droasese, Taniela Rakuro, Maika Tuitubou, Virimi Vakatawa, Manasa Mataele, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani (co-c); Isoa Tuwai, Kitione Salawa, Etonia Waqa, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Isoa Nasilasila, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Inia Tabuavou
Officials: Referee: Jordan Way; Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner; Ben O'Keeffe; TMO: Brett Cronan
Prediction: The Drua created history last week with their first win over the Brumbies in Canberra, producing their best performance since their Round 3 win over the Hurricanes. But this is a step up against the ladder leaders once more and they are still to beat a New Zealand franchise on home soil. The Chiefs appear to have built into the season nicely, improving dramatically since a couple of patchy performances earlier in the season. The Drua's joy will be shortliver. Chiefs by 28.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Chiefs: $1.03, -23.5 $1.87; Drua: $10, +23.5 $1.87