Super Rugby Round 14 Preview Part 1

The Bulls start their Australasian tour in Auckland with an ideal opportunity to take the lead in the SA conference, the woeful, underachieving Reds aim at redemption in Brisbane when they host the spirited Rebels, who play close to the maximum of their potential, and then we have the much anticipated clash of the two teams well ahead of the rest on the log, the Hurricanes and Chiefs.

Blues v Bulls

The Bulls have lost their last seven games in Australasia, but they are possible SA conference winners and  thus automatic semi-finalists, while the Blues remain near the bottom of the log with 10 defeats in 12 matches. The Bulls play more creative rugby than most of their Northern Transvaal and Bulls predecessors and score impressive tries, while the Blues appear to lack coaching, leadership, and direction. The Bulls have a wonderful opportunity to start their tour with a win, but the Blues must surely be hurting from defeats and criticism and be desperate to restore lost pride.

Key players:
For the Blues, blindside flank Akira Ioane, who displays urgency and dynamism some teammates lack, outside centre Francis Saili, who provides attacking creativity, and Ihaia West, for his accurate goalkicking. For the Bulls, the excitement on attack comes primarily from Jesse Kriel, Francois Hougaard, and Jan Serfontein.

The big match-ups:
At 8, Steven Luatua vs Pierre Spies. In the scrums, Tony Woodcock vs Marcel van der Merwe. At 9, Jamison Gibson-Park vs Rudy Paige – each trying to prove he can perform with aplomb at Super level.

Reds v Rebels

The Reds now have John Connolly to guide and mentor their coaches and players. It was not a moment too soon to get expert help in, but whether they’d have been wiser to rather just bring in a new head coach, replacing Richard Graham, to try to resolve their crisis, is a moot point. They do have many excellent players, including some who could be Wallaby stars at the World Cup, but team performances do not reflect the players’ talents. The Rebels, in contrast, play with astute strategy and tactics and with passion, clearly expertly guided by coach Tony McGahan and captain Scott Higginbotham.

Key players:
Debutant Jake McIntyre, another new Reds 10. James O’Connor is at 15 this week, Karmichael Hunt now at 13. For the Rebels, two key players return from injury, blindside flank Sean McMahon and outside centre Tamati Ellison. Jack Debreczeni is emerging as a star at 10, while Jordy Reid has been a revelation at openside.

The big match-ups:
McIntyre vs Debreczeni. Experienced Wallaby 9 Will Genia vs feisty, increasingly assertive Nic Stirzaker. McMahon and Reid vs Reds accomplished pair, Liam Gill and Adam Thomson.

Hurricanes v Chiefs

The controversial conference system distorts log positions, but in any merit system, the Chiefs 38 points would place them second behind the Hurricanes (on 48), and not fourth behind teams on 34 and 33 points. These are the two top teams up to now in Super Rugby 2015 and Saturday’s game could be a humdinger – one of the games of the competition. Both teams play with real skill and can execute expertly, which means we could see a clever tactical battle and a few spectacular tries.

Key players:
The prodigiously talented 20 year old, Damian McKenzie, New Zealand’s 2014 Age group Player of the Year, gets a start at 10 for the Chiefs. Hosea Gear is back on the wing. Their flanks Sam Cane and Liam Messam have been consistently outstanding. For the Hurricanes, James Marshall’s performance at 10, as stand-in for the injured, highly influential Beauden Barrett, will be key. Julian Savea and TJ Perenara are back after resting last week.

The big match-ups:
A classic clash at 12 – Ma’a Nonu vs Sonny Bill Williams. At 10, Marshall vs McKenzie. The openside flanks – Cane up against Ardie Savea.