Round 6 of the Super Rugby season is highlighted by several key match-ups between teams of similar form and ladder positioning.
The in-form Highlanders host the rampant Hurricanes in the weekend opener, while a grudge-match between fierce rivals the Waratahs and Brumbies completes the six-match round.
Having all suffered defeat in Round 5, the Reds, Stormers and Blues have byes this weekend.
Highlanders vs Hurricanes
A New Zealand provincial fixture between the in-form Highlanders and Hurricanes opens Round 6 of the Super Rugby season, slated for 4:35pm AEST at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. The Canes are yet to taste anything but success this season having secured four comfortable wins over teams from all conferences. While unable to account for fierce South Island rivals the Crusaders in Round 2, the Highlanders have posted impressive, well-fought wins over the three most recent Super Rugby champions over the last few weeks and have proven a particularly tough prospect at home. While perched ahead of their Otago-based opponents on the ladder, the Hurricanes are arguably yet to face a team of their calibre this season and will have to pull comfortably ahead early if to hold-off a Highlanders side who claimed a memorable late comeback win over the Waratahs last week.
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Rebels vs Lions
The Melbourne Rebels appear likely to post their most prolific Super Rugby season in date in 2015 having already secured wins over 2014 Grand Finalists the Crusaders and the Force in Perth, and were unlucky not to take the points from the Brumbies in Round 3. The Lions are yet to play a competitive fixture in Melbourne, but have comfortably beaten the Rebels in their two encounters at Ellis Park. One from two in their recent tour of New Zealand, the Johannesburg-based club will view this match as an ideal opportunity to post a valuable away win, while the Rebels will be similarly confident of their first victory at AAMI Park this season. The match-up between scrumhalves Luke Burgess and Faf de Klerk will likely play a key role in the outcome of this match, with the latter looking to secure a first XV spot ahead of the out-of-form Ross Cronje.
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Crusaders vs Cheetahs
In Saturday’s only Super Rugby fixture, the ever-dangerous Crusaders host the inconsistent Cheetahs in Christchurch. The Cheetahs were largely dismal against provincial rivals the Sharks last weekend, while the Crusaders returned from a bye in the best way possible; towelling up the Lions with ease. In a huge boost for the travelling South Africans, the Crusaders have confirmed club legend and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will be rested for this match. In what has every chance of figuring as the weekend’s biggest score line, the Crusaders should have no issue registering a bonus point victory over the Cheetahs.
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Bulls vs Force
The Bulls had the bye last week, and after a slow start to the season, are now faced with the prospect of a third-consecutive victory after steam-rolling both the Sharks and Cheetahs in Rounds 3 and 4. The Force have mustered several gritty performances this season but surprisingly enter Round 6 with only one win to their name, and that was in the first round. Having dropped the points in a thriller against the Rebels last Friday, the Force will be hoping to return to the winner’s circle this weekend but perhaps do not have the size to compete with a big and physical Bulls pack; particularly in front of the parochial Pretorian crowd.
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Sharks vs Chiefs
In what could very well register as the match of Round 6, the Sharks host the Chiefs early Sunday morning Australian time in what is a replay of the 2012 Super Rugby final. Having returned to winning ways last week after being comfortably beaten by both the Bulls and Stormers, the Sharks well and truly have their work cut out in a Waikato side who beat the Stormers in South Africa last weekend. A standout season is key for flyhalf Aaron Cruden if he is to hold Beauden Barrett out of the All Black starting side for this year’s World Cup, and will be looking to build off an impressive performance at the Newlands last weekend.
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Waratahs vs Brumbies
The Waratahs and Brumbies look sure to pull away from all other teams in the Australian conference this season, making this match a particularly interesting one from a betting standpoint. In what is always a bruising encounter, Wallaby positions may very well be determined on Sunday afternoon, particularly in key backline positions as Brumbies centres Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani lock horns with the likes of Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale. With mobile forward packs and slick backs, a case can be made for both teams in this match however current $2 odds for a Brumbies win arguably offers punters the best value in Super Rugby betting markets this weekend.
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