Super Rugby preview (Round 2, Part 1)

CRAIG LEWIS looks ahead to the first four Super Rugby matches in round two of the competition.

FORCE vs REDS

The Reds proved that they will have more to offer this season as they secured an important comeback win over the Sharks in their opening clash last weekend.

George Smith, Quade Cooper, Scott Higginbotham and Stephen Moore have added considerable strength to a Reds side that only managed three wins last season, but seem likely to produce a far more competitive campaign in 2017.

The Force will be smarting after letting a half-time lead slip against the Waratahs in their Super Rugby opener, and will have home ground advantage on their side, but a more well-rounded Reds side should prove to be too strong in this Thursday match-up.

Force – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Heath Tessmann (c), 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Richard Hardwick, 20 Isi Naisarani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Alex Newsome.

Reds – 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Hendrik Tui, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Jake McIntyre, 23 Izaia Perese.

CHIEFS vs BLUES

If the Aussie derby in Perth turns out to be somewhat of a damp squib, this Kiwi clash is likely to brighten up the second round of Super Rugby with some attacking entertainment.

The Blues’ Rieko Ioane lit up proceedings on the opening weekend with a scintillating hat-trick of tries as the Auckland-based side made an early season statement of intent with a big win over the Rebels.

However, the Chiefs were almost as impressive as they downed the Highlanders in Dunedin, and will have considerable history on their side after winning each of their last 10 games against the Blues.

This should be a highly entertaining, but closely-fought affair, with the Chiefs likely to emerge victorious at home.

Chiefs – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Faauli, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Kane Hames.
Subs: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Toni Pulu, 23 Shaun Stevenson.

Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Jimmy Tupou (captain), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Matt Moulds, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Jerome Kaino, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 George Moala, 23 Rene Ranger.

HURRICANES vs REBELS

The Hurricanes could hardly have scripted a better start to their title defence as they cruised to an 83-17 win over the Sunwolves while hardly raising a sweat last Saturday.

Although it’s not likely to be such plain sailing against the Rebels, the team from Melbourne faded badly against the Blues last weekend, and are set to face another heavy defeat against the high-flying Canes.

As it is, this week the Hurricanes welcome All Blacks stars Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles back to the starting lineup and look to be an even stronger team.

Hurricanes – 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Chris Eves.

Subs: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Ben May, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Otere Black, 23 Jordie Barrett.

Rebels – TBC

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HIGHLANDERS vs CRUSADERS

The Crusaders secured their first opening-round win in seven years when they overcame the Brumbies last weekend, but it was a far from convincing affair as they hung on for a 17-13 victory.

The Saders have suffered a blow after losing talented flyhalf Richie Mo’unga to injury, while the Landers have also lost an influential backline player in Ben Smith, who has a concussion.

Although the Highlanders failed to inspire as they slipped to a 25-14 against the Chiefs, despite the impact of Waisake Naholo, who beat 10 defenders in the opening round (more than any other player), they may well find a way to win at home this Saturday.

Highlanders – 15 Richard Buckman, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Subs: 16 Adrian Smith, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Patrick Osborne.

Crusaders – TBC

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images