Rugby Super 12
Newcastle Herald
Friday April 2, 2004
TONIGHT
Highlanders v Chiefs
Carisbrook, Dunedin, 5.35pm AEST
Position: Highlanders 5th, 15 points; Chiefs 8th, 12 points
Head to head: Highlanders 5 Chiefs 3
Bottom line: The Chiefs have won two of their past three games and are coming off a big win over NSW, while the Highlanders were soundly beaten by the Crusaders. The Chiefs will to try to repeat their lineout success against the Highlanders, who have lost key lock Simon Maling. The Dunedin side are usually impenetrable at Carisbrook but the Sharks showed it can be done. An upset in the making.
Centrebet: Highlanders $1.70 Chiefs $2.15
AAP tip: Chiefs by 5
TOMORROW
Crusaders v Brumbies
Jade Stadium, Christchurch, 3.30pm AEST
Positions: Crusaders 6th, 14 points; Brumbies 1st, 24 points
Head to head: Crusaders 5 Brumbies 5
Bottom line: The table-topping Brumbies feel they have not been truly tested so far and the resurgent Crusaders are just the team for the job. The teams have had some classic battles, but the Christchurch side hold ascendancy. Injured Brumbies flanker Owen Finegan and centre Matt Giteau are expected to play, while the Crusaders are down to just two fit props in the entire squad. Always tough at Jade Stadium but the Brumbies look up to the task.
Centrebet: Crusaders $1.58 Brumbies $2.35
AAP tip: Brumbies by 3
Hurricanes v Reds
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 5.35pm AEST
Positions: Hurricanes 9th, 12 points; Reds 10th, 10 points
Head to head: Hurricanes 4 Reds 4
Bottom line: Reds winger Wendell Sailor is gone but thankfully skipper Elton Flatley is back on deck after last week's humiliation at the hands of ACT. Hurricanes leader Tana Umaga is no certainty to start due to his hamstring injury but he may risk it with the season virtually hanging on the result. Hurricanes hard man Jerry Collins summed up the situation for both sides: ``If we lose, we're gone."
Centrebet: Hurricanes $1.22 Reds $4.25
AAP tip: Hurricanes by 8
Sharks v Cats
Absa Stadium, Durban, 1.05am Sunday AEST
Positions: Sharks, 7th, 14 points; Cats 12th, 2 points
Head to head: Sharks 5 Cats 3
Bottom line: The Sharks can unpack their bags after doing the hard yards early with six home games to wrap up the season. The clawless Cats, meanwhile, dumped coach Tim Lane on their arrival back in South Africa after failing to crack a win by the midpoint of the season. Internal turmoil often brings out the best in teams, but it will not be enough for the Cats in Durban.
Centrebet: Sharks $1.14 Cats $5.65
AAP tip: Sharks by 28
SUNDAY
Blues v Waratahs
Eden Park, Auckland, 12.35pm AEST
Positions: Blues 11th, 8 points; Waratahs 4th, 16 points
Head to head: Blues 7 Waratahs 1
Bottom line: Checking out the odds you would think NSW had only managed one win this year instead of the defending champion Blues, such is the dim view of the Tahs. Test flanker Phil Waugh joining Mat Rogers on the sidelines has not helped their cause. The Blues have hooker Keven Mealamu and winger Rupeni Caucau sidelined, but Carlos Spencer is back, making them very hard to beat.
Centrebet: Blues $1.28 Waratahs $3.65
AAP tip: Blues by 7
Bye: Bulls/Stormers
© 2004 Newcastle Herald
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