SupeRugby Round Five Preview – we do it so you don’t have to
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Round 5
Canes vs Blues
The Canes are well rested after a 3-0 start and a week off but this will be close. The Blues love Coach Kirwan and will be laying it all on the line tonight no doubt. The Boyd-haters will be out in force if the Canes don’t get up and North Palmy hasn’t been a great hunting ground for the Canes recently. Watch the Canes 15 Milner-Skudder who’s Cullen-like and the real deal.
Our tip: The Blues.
Force vs Rebels
Neither side has started particularly well but the Force have been progressing better aside from a Shellacking against the Canes two weeks ago. The Rebels are an odd concoction of players and sometimes play like it.
Our tip: The Force will be with them
Saders vs Lions
The Crusaders have done their usual thing in giving up on the first month of the comp so things really start in earnest tomorrow with a ‘proper’ line up named with their All Blacks (interestingly with Dan Carter named in his original position of 12). The Lions were good last week but this will be way beyond them.
Our tip: Saders by plenty.
Landers vs Tahs
Crucial game for both teams. For the Landers it’s a yardstick against the current champs while the Tah’s will look to build again after beating arch enemies the Reds easily last week. Look for the best 10/12 combo in NZ that will never play for the All Blacks in Lima Sopoaga and Shaun Treeby to continue their progression but the Tah’s will be too good.
Our tip: Tah’s.
Reds vs Brumbies
The Brumbies are the best of the Australian conference teams and will continue their progression against a Reds side that looks good on paper but hasn’t transferred this to grass yet.
Our Tip: Brumbies
Stormers vs Chiefs
Massive challenge for Dave Rennies team with a trip across the Indian Ocean on top of a game they completely blew last week against the Landers. Real pressure on Aaron Cruden to nail those important kicks as well after last week’s melt-down. The Stormers don’t have the big names of previous years but are always tough at Newlands and should get up.
Our tip: Stormers.
Cheetah’s vs Sharks
The Cheetahs aren’t the prettiest team to watch but they have gotten real good at getting the job done lately. The Sharks have been trying resurrect the glory days of previous years but haven’t quite got there yet in terms of consistency.
Our tip: Draw looks tasty