;DFriday, 14 March Crusaders vs Chiefs Christchurch
Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Marika Vunibaka, Nathan Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Ben Hurst, Sam Broomhall, Richard McCaw, Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Reuben Thorne (captain), Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, David Hewett. Reserves: Scott Hamilton, Joe Maddock, Justin Marshall, Scott Robertson, Brad Thorn, Chris King, Mark Hammett.
Chiefs: Todd Miller, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Keith Lowen, Roger Randle, Mark Ranby, David Hill, Rhys Duggan, Steven Bates, Marty Holah, Keith Robinson, Glenn Taylor, Jono Gibbes (captain), Tony Philp, Greg Smith, David Briggs. Reserves: Regan King, Glen Jackson, Isaac Boss, Scott Couch, Reece Robinson, Michael Collins, Shane Carter
::)Comments
Well the crusaders coped a pounding at the hands of the Blues and really suffered. While the Chiefs won their first game of the season to ensure that the Reds are stone cold last in the comp.
:oBalls to Wall Time
I think that the Crusaders are going to be hurting in a big way and that the Chiefs are going to take the brunt of it. The Crusaders are going to be far too good for the Chiefs at home and are going to run in some serious points. The Crusaders by plenty.
;DFriday, 14 March Brumbies vs Stormers Canberra
Brumbies: 1. Bill Young 2.Jeremy Paul 3.Ben Darwin 4.David Giffin 5.Daniel Vickerman 6. Tamaiti Horua 7.George Smith 8. Scott Fava 9. George Gregan (c) 10. Matt Giteau 11. Mark Bartholomeusz 12. Pat Howard 13. Stirling Mortlock 14. Mark Gerrard 15. Joe Roff
16. Digby Beaumont 17. David Fitter 18. Justin Harrison 19. Mark Chisholm 20. Travis Hall 21. Joel Wilson 22. Andrew Walker
The Stormers team: 15 Lean van Dyk, 14 Egon Seconds, 13 Robbie Fleck, 12 Werner Greeff, 11 Gus Theron, 10 Gaffie du Toit, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Adri Badenhorst, 7 Hendrik Gerber, 6 Corné Krige (captain), 5 Selborne Boome, 4 Quinton Davids, 3 Cobus Visagie, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 Daan Human.
Replacements: 16 Tjoepie van den Heever, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Johannes Conradie, 21 Leon van den Heever, 22 Grant Esterhuizen.
::)Comments
Well both teams have only one win and it highlights again that the SA teams don’t like travelling. The Brumbies have been very slack this year and their handling reminds me of the Blues efforts in 2001, or the Maori efforts against the Reds reserves last year. While the Stormers now have a gaping hole on the wing with Breyton Paulse potentially out of the super 12.
:oBalls to Wall Time
The Brumbies are at home and are going to get their second win this year. I just can not see the Stormers bouncing back on this tour.
;DFriday, 14 March Sharks vs Hurricanes Durban
Sharks: team list not available
Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Brent Ward, Tana Umaga (c), David Holwell, Brendan Haami, Rodney So'oialo, Kupu Vanisi, Luke Andrews, Paul Tito, Jerry Collins, Tim Fairbrother, Joe Ward, Jason Hooper. Res: Jonah Lomu, Riki Flutey, Jason Spice, Brent Thompson, Kristian Ormsby, Tama Tuirirangi, Daniel Smith.
::)Comments
The sharks at home can be very daunting and after last weeks efforts against the Whatalaughs would have lead to some serious defensive training.
The Hurricanes are really starting to let their magic work. They are the team, in the Super 12. that can consistently pull a try out of nowhere. Lomu has been benched again and he no doubt will be used as the super sub to get them a try in the second half.
:oBalls to Wall Time
If the Huricanes can get some parity in the forwards and set their defence line up to shut down Snyman, who has been causing havoc in the opposition’s lines, they will have gone a long way to winning this game. It is the Hurricane back that should win them another game.
;DSaturday, 15 March Waratahs vs Bulls Sydney
The Waratahs team: 15 Mat Rogers, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Matthew Burke (captain), 12 Nathan Grey, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Chris Whitaker, 8 David Lyons, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Jono West, 4 Tom Bowman, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Brendan Cannon, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Rod Moore, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Jone Tawake, 20 Paul Sheedy, 21 Morgan Turinui, 22 Nathan Blacklock.
Bulls team list not available
::)Comments
The Waratahs have bounced back nicely and have taken full points out of their SA tour. They look as thought they have taken on the approach of that we don’t care if you score points against us, we are going to score more! While Bowman is really sticking his hand up to partner Sharpe in the Wallabies line-up. However, the Waratahs have picked up the infamous SA stomach virus! And could be running quickly (excuse the pun!).
While the Bulls are the surprise packet of the season. They finished the better side against the Highlandes and if they had managed to play half as well as that all game they might have stolen the win.
:oBalls to Wall Time
If NSW players are still suffering the bug then it is going to very close. The Bulls have the better forward pack and if they are smart they will be picking and driving, mauling and hitting the opposition hard. Then waiting for the infringements and letting Koen kick them home.
However, if the NSW side recovers well then I think the superior backline especially with their back three should get them home. It should be a NSW win but an upset wouldn’t surprise me here as the NSW defensive could leak badly.
;DSaturday, 15 March Cats vs Highlanders Johannesburg
The Highlanders team: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Aisea Tuilevu, 13 Ryan Nicholas, 12 Paul Steinmetz, 11 Seru Rabeni, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Taine Randell (captain), 7 Ben Herring, 6 Kelvin Middleton, 5 Simon Maling, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Carl Hoeft.
Replacements: 16 Tom Willis, 17 Joe McDonnell, 18 Peter Bowden, 19 Sam Harding, 20 Danny Lee, 21 James Arlidge, 22 Seilala Mapusua.
Cats team list not available
::)Comments
While the highlanders look as though they are starting to hit their straps after a bit of a close one against the Chiefs and a bit of a scare towards the end of the Bulls game where they were robbed of a point.
:oBalls to Wall Time
Despite the Highlanders finishing poorly against the Bulls I am sure that Mains has spent some serious time reminding his side that the must finish off the opposition. . If the highlanders don’t give away penalties in their own half then they should romp the game in
