Super Rugby Week 2 tips

Crusaders vs Chiefs,

Chiefs +4

An early season All Black trial with the back to back defending champions travelling to Christchurch taking on the most successful side in Super Rugby history. Both forward packs are littered with All Blacks, but the Chiefs should have the superiority in the front row and in the critical 10 jumper with All Black Aaron Cruden going up against young Tyler Bleyendaal. Both backlines have plenty of firepower, and the Chiefs welcome All Black great Mils Muliaina. These heavyweights will go blow for blow, it’s always difficult to travel to Christchurch but for the first hit out of the season the Chiefs should be up for it.

Bulls Cheetahs

Cheetahs +1

Both teams are licking their wounds after week one, the Cheetahs upset by the lowly Lions, the Bulls thumped by the Sharks. The Cheetahs have the benefit of a second home game and will be eager to show their fans that last years’ playoff appearance was not a fluke. The books have this one as a toss up, and as someone who is a big believer in the Cheetahs and Johan Goosen, I’ll back them to overcome the first round hiccup and get things back on track this week.

Highlanders vs Blues

Blues -1

The Blues have All Blacks Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu , and Ma’a Nonu on the shelf, but should still prove too classy for a lacklustre Highlanders side. The Highlanders have lost a multitude of players and done little to replace them, they remain a two man army of Ben Smith and Aaron Smith. The Blues possess some of the best young jewels in New Zealand Rugby with Charles Piutau, Steven Luatua and Francis Saili, while also welcoming back the brutalising Jerome Kaino. Despite the trip down south, the Blues should be too talented for this Highlanders side.

Brumbies Reds

Reds+4.5

On the other side of the ditch, two powers of Australian Rugby collide when the Reds head to Canberra. Reds coach Richard Graham is looking to revive a struggling, one dimensional Reds gameplan from 2013 into the beautiful attacking spectacle they were in their 2011 championship season. The enigmatic pairing of Quade Cooper and Will Genia began to rediscover themselves as the 2013 international season went on and seem poised to stamp their authority once again. A Wallaby studded Brumbies side will be no pushover, especially at home, but I’m backing the Reds to have enough flare to keep this relatively tight.

Sharks Hurricanes

Sharks -12.5

The Jake White era got underway in fine fashion for the Sharks with Pat Lambie leading them to a convincing 15 point victory. It’s never easy for teams to travel to South Africa, and while it is easier to do so at the start of the year when the players are fresh, a first up game in the republic against a side who has already had one hit out this year is far from ideal. Infamous for their unpredictability, the Hurricanes are always capable of pulling an upset with an assortment of world class exciting backs. The Sharks possess one of the most punishing forward packs in Super Rugby who should give the Sharks the ascendency, being at home and having a game under their belt will go a long way.

Lions vs Stormers

Stormers -9.0

A swift reality check is gusting into Johannesburg as the Stormers take on the Lions. A last minute drop goal resulted in a shock victory in the Lions Super Rugby return which will have been a huge boost of confidence, but captain Jean de Villiers will no doubt be determined to ensure his side avoids similar embarrassment. It’s going to take more than one last gasp effort to jump on the Lions bandwagon, and I expect things to return to normal this week with a superior Stormers side taking care of business.

Waratahs vs Force

Waratahs -12.0

With the return of Kurtley Beale and introduction of Nick Phipps bolstering a side already lead by superstar Israel Folau, the Waratahs backline is one of the most talented in the competition, if the pieces can fit together. The Force will put up an admirable fight, but they don’t have the forwards to combat the Waratahs, and they certainly don’t have the backs capable of participating in a shootout with them either. The combination of Folau and Beale could turn this very ugly very quickly.