Crusaders v Hurricanes
Christchurch, Friday 8.35am UK, 9.35am RSA, 5.35pm AEST, 7.35pm NZ
Referee: Andrew Cole (AUS)
Greg Growden's preview: The Crusader army which turns Christchurch into the craziest of rugby towns are already preparing for another Super 12 title triumph. They believe this revolves around the supposedly simple task of beating the Hurricanes and the Waratahs in successive weeks. The first hurdle will be harder than some anticipate, especially as the Hurricanes have their main strike weapon Tana Umaga back. An upset could occur.
CRUSADERS: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall; Mose Tuali'i, Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Ross Filipo, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Dave Hewett. Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Campbell Johnstone, Sam Broomhall, Johnny Leo'o, Jamie Nutbrown, Andrew Mehrtens, Vilimoni Delasau.
HURRICANES: Shannon Paku; Lome Fa'atau, Tane Tuipulotu, Tana Umaga (c), Ma'a Nonu; Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu; Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Luke Andrews, Ross Kennedy, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Reserves: Joe Ward, Gordon Slater, Paul Tito, Ben Herring, Isaac Boss, Hosea Gear, Brent Ward.
Waratahs v Bulls
Sydney, Saturday 10.40am UK, 11.40am RSA, 7.40pm AEST, 9.40pm NZ
Referee: Steve Walsh (NZ)
Ben Kimber's preview: NSW will need to play the matador in this encounter, dodging or holding the power of the Bulls and inflicting damage when they can to finish on top. If the scrum settles with Cannon's return and holds, NSW should have the firepower elsewhere to move to their first ever final. The Bulls are no easybeats though and juicy odds for the visitors must be based upon their previous inability to travel, a problem NSW will hope continues.
WARATAHS: Mat Rogers; Peter Hewat, Morgan Turinui, Nathan Grey, Lote Tuqiri; Lachlan MacKay, Chris Whitaker (c); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, Justin Harrison, Alastair Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning. Reserves: Adam Freier, Gareth Hardy, Al Kanaar/Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Chris O'Young, Shaun Berne, Cameron Shepherd.
BULLS: Johan Roets; Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Ettiene Botha, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyne, Fourie de Preez; Anton Leonard (c); Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronje, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Richard Bands, Gary Botha, Kees Lensing. Reserves: Danie Coetzee, Wessel Roux, Danie Roussow, Warren Brosnihan, Heini Adams, Kennedy Tsimba, Wynand Oliver.
Betting: Waratahs $1.30 Bulls $3.30
Television: Live Fox Sports Two
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Crusaders v Waratahs next Saturday for mine.
Go Tahs!
Christchurch, Friday 8.35am UK, 9.35am RSA, 5.35pm AEST, 7.35pm NZ
Referee: Andrew Cole (AUS)
Greg Growden's preview: The Crusader army which turns Christchurch into the craziest of rugby towns are already preparing for another Super 12 title triumph. They believe this revolves around the supposedly simple task of beating the Hurricanes and the Waratahs in successive weeks. The first hurdle will be harder than some anticipate, especially as the Hurricanes have their main strike weapon Tana Umaga back. An upset could occur.
CRUSADERS: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph, Aaron Mauger, Scott Hamilton, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall; Mose Tuali'i, Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Ross Filipo, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Dave Hewett. Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Campbell Johnstone, Sam Broomhall, Johnny Leo'o, Jamie Nutbrown, Andrew Mehrtens, Vilimoni Delasau.
HURRICANES: Shannon Paku; Lome Fa'atau, Tane Tuipulotu, Tana Umaga (c), Ma'a Nonu; Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu; Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Luke Andrews, Ross Kennedy, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Reserves: Joe Ward, Gordon Slater, Paul Tito, Ben Herring, Isaac Boss, Hosea Gear, Brent Ward.
Waratahs v Bulls
Sydney, Saturday 10.40am UK, 11.40am RSA, 7.40pm AEST, 9.40pm NZ
Referee: Steve Walsh (NZ)
Ben Kimber's preview: NSW will need to play the matador in this encounter, dodging or holding the power of the Bulls and inflicting damage when they can to finish on top. If the scrum settles with Cannon's return and holds, NSW should have the firepower elsewhere to move to their first ever final. The Bulls are no easybeats though and juicy odds for the visitors must be based upon their previous inability to travel, a problem NSW will hope continues.
WARATAHS: Mat Rogers; Peter Hewat, Morgan Turinui, Nathan Grey, Lote Tuqiri; Lachlan MacKay, Chris Whitaker (c); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Daniel Vickerman, Justin Harrison, Alastair Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Matt Dunning. Reserves: Adam Freier, Gareth Hardy, Al Kanaar/Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Chris O'Young, Shaun Berne, Cameron Shepherd.
BULLS: Johan Roets; Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Ettiene Botha, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyne, Fourie de Preez; Anton Leonard (c); Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronje, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Richard Bands, Gary Botha, Kees Lensing. Reserves: Danie Coetzee, Wessel Roux, Danie Roussow, Warren Brosnihan, Heini Adams, Kennedy Tsimba, Wynand Oliver.
Betting: Waratahs $1.30 Bulls $3.30
Television: Live Fox Sports Two
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Crusaders v Waratahs next Saturday for mine.
Go Tahs!
