CRAIG LEWIS looks ahead to the first three Super Rugby matches of round seven, including the game between the Blues and Sharks.

Chiefs vs Highlanders (Hamilton, Friday, 08:35)

In the ever-competitive Kiwi conference, the Chiefs and Highlanders are locked on 13 log points after five games, and the winner of this clash will (at least temporarily) shoot to the top of the New Zealand standings.

In terms of per-game averages, it’s notable that the Chiefs are ranked first for points scored (38), metres made (545.3) and clean breaks (19), while the Highlanders are top-ranked for kicks from hand (23.8), tackles (148.3) and tackle percentage (87).

It will make for a fascinating battle of styles, but it’s the Chiefs that come into this encounter on the back of a 61-10 hammering of the Sunwolves, while the Highlanders slipped to a disappointing defeat against the Hurricanes last weekend.

The last time these two teams met, the Chiefs managed to snap a six-match losing streak against the Highlanders, and they should be regarded as marginal favourites at home.

Stats and facts

• The Highlanders have won their last two away games against the Chiefs and will be searching for a third-straight win in such fixtures for the first time.
• The Chiefs have won six of their last seven regular-season games, and have scored 102 points across their last two fixtures.
• The Highlanders have lost their last three away games, the last time they lost more in a row was a four-game drought to round out their 2014 campaign.
• Waisake Naholo has crossed for six tries in his last five games against the Chiefs, making at least three clean breaks in each of his last four games against them.

Chiefs – 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Faauli, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross.
Subs: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Charlie Ngatai.

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Matt Faddes, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Patelsio Tomkinson.

SUPERBRU: SA Rugby magazine team’s predictions

Rebels vs Hurricanes (Melbourne, Friday, 10:45)

The Rebels have found a new lease of life in 2018, which was no more apparent than in their 46-14 win over the Sharks last weekend – the biggest margin of victory in the team’s history.

It’s clear that South African-born coach Dave Wessels has had a particularly positive impact at the Rebels, who have moved seven log points clear at the top of the Australian conference.

In recent weeks, the Hurricanes have also emerged as the team to beat in the New Zealand conference after claiming impressive wins over the Crusaders and Highlanders.

Understandably, the Canes have made minimal changes to their starting lineup. Although the Wellington-based side has lost Ardie Savea and Matt Proctor to injury, it has been boosted by the return of athletic All Black Vaea Fifita.

The Hurricanes have won their last five games against the Rebels, winning by an average margin of 33 points per game in that time, but this clash should be far more competitive.

Stats and facts

• The Rebels have won their last three games on the bounce at home. However, the last time they won at home against New Zealand opposition was in round 13, 2015 (lost five since).
• The Hurricanes have won eight of their last nine games in Australia, including their last five. It is their longest ever winning streak in the country.
• The Hurricanes have won nine turnovers per game this season, the equal most of any team in the competition alongside the Reds.
• Jack Maddocks has been directly involved in seven tries this season (five tries, two assists), more than any other player.

Rebels – 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Tom English, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Adam Coleman (c), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Subs: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Colby Fainga’a, 21 Richard Hardwick, 22 Michael Ruru, 23 Sefa Naivalu.

Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Sam Henwood, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves.
Subs: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Wes Goosen.

Blues vs Sharks (Auckland, Saturday, 08:35)

This clash could be described as the dance of the desperates. The Sharks have managed just one victory from five games, while the Blues’ solitary success this season came in a comeback win over the Lions.

The Sharks’ accuracy and execution have been sorely lacking on attack, while there were clear issues with their defensive decision-making against the Rebels last weekend. The pack has also struggled to consistently establish all-important ascendancy up front.

It’s understandable then that the word out of the Sharks camp this week suggests there has been plenty of honest introspection and straight-talking as they seek to find a winning recipe this Saturday.

It will be a real concern for the Sharks that the per-game averages show that they are ranked 15th for carries (97.8), and 14th for passes (118.4), turnovers conceded (18) and scrum success (77%).

Their defence will also be particularly tested against a Blues side that remains ever-dangerous with ball in hand (the hosts are ranked first for defenders beaten and offloads per game).

Notably, coach Tana Umaga has made as many as seven changes to the Blues’ starting lineup as he hopes a shake-up in selection will spark a reversal in fortunes. In the absence of the injured Sonny Bill Williams, all eyes will be on Rieko Ioane as he slots into the midfield alongside George Moala.

By contrast, the Sharks have made minimal changes to their starting lineup, with just André Esterhuizen and Philip van der Walt returning to boost the side as they head into their penultimate game overseas.

The Sharks do have a good record against the Blues – a team they have beaten in four out of their last five away games – but they will also be aware that this season’s form has left them as firm underdogs in Auckland.

Stats and facts

• The Blues picked up a 23-18 win in their last meeting with the Sharks, which saw them snap a 10-game losing streak against the Durban-based side.
• The Sharks have won four of their last five away games against the Blues, though each of those five fixtures has been decided by a margin of no greater than seven points.
• Each of the Blues’ last three games at home has been decided by a margin of fewer than seven points, with the Auckland-based side earning a win, draw and loss in that span.
• The Blues have won their last four games at home against South African opposition, with their last loss in such a fixture coming back in round four, 2015.
• Akira and Rieko Ioane have each crossed for at least one try in both of the Blues’ last two games. In fact, Akira has scored five tries in his last four games for the franchise.

Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Jordan Trainor, 13 George Moala, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Jerome Kaoino, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Goodhue, 3 Mike Tamoaieta, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Bryn Gatland, 21 TJ Faiane.

Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk.

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images