Super Rugby is into its fourth week. Catch up with all the team news and key stats here.
Friday, March 17
Crusaders ($1.35) v Blues ($3.20), AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Blues have won only one of their last 21 games away from home against New Zealand opposition.
Line-ups
Crusaders: David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Mitchell Hunt, Bryn Hall, Whetu Douglas, Jed Brown, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Marty McKenzie, Sean Wainui.
Blues: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Piers Francis, Augustine Pulu, Jerome Kaino, Blake Gibson, Jimmy Tupou, Patrick Tuipulotu, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Parsons (c), Pauliasi Manu. Replacements: Matt Moulds, Sam Prattley, Sione Mafileo, Akira Ioane, Murphy Taramai, Billy Guyton, Ihaia West, TJ Faiane.
Team News
The Crusaders have been forced into two changes after losing Israel Dagg and Seta Tamanivalu, while coach Scott Robertson has opted to further tweak his run-on side. David Havili has come in for Dagg at full-back while Manasa Mataele is in for Tamanivalu. There are also starts for Bryn Hall (scrum-half) while Whetu Douglas and Jordan Taufua come into the back-row. Owen Franks returns to tighthead prop.
Ihaia West has paid the price for a poor performance against the Crusaders, with Piers Francis to wear the Blues' No.10 jersey in Christchurch. The other change in the backline comes on the left wing where Melani Nanai replaces Rene Ranger. Coach Tana Umaga has also shuffled his back-row with Jerome Kaino shifting to No.8 and Jimmy Tupou moving from lock to No.6.
UBET verdict: The Crusaders scored a last-minute win over the Reds last week; it normally takes them a few rounds to hit form. They are expected to beat the Blues, who were poor in going down to an undermanned Highlanders last week.
Tips: Greg Growden - Crusaders, Sam Bruce - Crusaders
Rebels ($8.00) v Chiefs ($1.08 ), AAMI Park, Melbourne
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Rebels have conceded 212 points in their last three games against New Zealand opposition.
Line-ups
Rebels: Jack Debreczeni, Sefa Naivalu, Tom English, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Nic Stirzaker (capt), Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga'a, Jordy Reid, Steve Cummins, Culum Retallick, Laurie Weeks, James Hanson, Fereti Sa'aga. Res: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah-Nau, Tyrel Lomax, Murray Douglas, Jake Schatz, Ben Meehan, Sione Tuipulotou, Ben Volavola.
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Toni Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Donald, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian McKenzie, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Tom Sanders, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Sabastian Siataga, Kane Hames. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Atu Moli, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Finlay Christie, Aaron Cruden, Johnny Faauli.
Team News
The Rebels have suffered further injury setback, with Lopeti Timani joining fellow Test players Sean McMahon and Toby Smith on the sidelines. Mitch Inman also misses this week, though there is some good news in the return of Sefa Naivalu on the right wing. Tom English has been shifted into outside centre to cover Inman while Culum Retallick replaces Timani at lock.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made a raft of changes, the biggest of which comes at No.10 where he's taken the chance to give Aaron Cruden a spell. The playmaker's move to the bench sees Damian McKenzie start at No.10 with Shaun Stevenson moving to full-back, Solomon Alaimalo starting on the left wing and Stephen Donald promoted to inside centre. Up front, Sabastian Siataga gets his first run-on start at hooker.
UBET verdict: The Rebels have let in a total of 127 points in two savage losses. Taking on the Chiefs, the title favourites, so the margin (17.5 pts) is the only thing of interest here.
Tips: Greg Growden - Chiefs, Sam Bruce - Chiefs
Bulls ($1.01) v Sunwolves ($17), Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Bulls have forced their opposition to make 133.5 tackles per game so far this season, the most of any team.
Line-ups
Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jan Serfontein, Burger Odendaal, Jamba Ulengo, Handre Pollard (c), Piet van Zyl, Hanro Liebenberg, Renaldo Bothma, Ruan Steenkamp, Lood de Jager, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Edgar Marutlulle, Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboko, Jacobie Adriaanse, RG Snyman, Jannes Kirsten, Ivan van Zyl, Tian Schoeman, Jesse Kriel.
Sunwolves: Shota Emi, Takaaki Nakazuru, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Timothy Lafaele, Kenki Fukuoka, Hayden Cripps, Keisuke Uchida, Willie Britz, Shumei Matsuhashi, Ed Quirk (c), Uwe Helu, Sam Wykes, Yasuo Yamaji, Yusuke Niwai, Koki Yamamoto. Replacements: Atsushi Sakate, Masataka Mikami, Heiichiro Ito, Liaki Moli, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Kaito Shigeno, Jumpei Ogura, Ryohei Yamanaka.
Team News
The Bulls have made a host of changes, the biggest of which sees the return of Springboks Jan Serfontein and Lood de Jager. Elsewhere, Piet van Zyl gets a run at No.9 while former skipper Adriaan Strauss will make his return via the bench.
The Sunwolves have made just one change to the side that almost knocked over the Cheetahs, with Jamie-Jerry Taulagi replacing Will Tupou at outside centre.
UBET verdict: Another one-sided event. The Sunwolves did score plenty of points against the Cheetahs last week (31), but UBET punters are happy to take the -30.5 for the Bulls to win easily here.
Tips: Greg Growden - Bulls, Sam Bruce - Bulls
Saturday, March 18
Hurricanes ($1.30) v Highlanders ($3.50), Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Highlanders have won on five of their last seven visits to Wellington to face the Hurricanes, though were pipped 27-20 when these teams met in Round 14 last season.
Line-ups
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett; Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields; Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott; Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, Dane Coles (c), Chris Eves. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Sam Lousi, Reed Prinsep, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Wes Goosen.
Highlanders: Ben Smith (c); Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Tevita Li; Fletcher Smith, Aaron Smith; Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Elliot Dixon; Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler; Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Sekonia Pole, Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks, Matt Faddes.
Team News
The Hurricanes have called up Jordie Barrett at fullback to replace injured Nehe Milner-Skudder. Elsewhere, openside flanker Ardie Savea will play at No.8, with Reed Prinsep moving to the reserves. Callum Gibbins will take Savea's No.7 role. In a third change to the starting XV, loosehead prop Chris Eves will start in place of the injured Loni Uhila.
The Highlanders will welcome the return of skipper Ben Smith who makes his return after he was cleared to play following a concussion in round one. Elsewhere, Lima Sopoaga's hamstring injury opens a spot for Fletcher Smith, while Richard Buckman comes in to replace wing Waisake Naholo who is also out with a hamstring injury. Elliot Dixon will switch back to his preferred blindside role and Dillon Hunt will slot in at No.7 and Joe Wheeler will start. Highlanders regulars including Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Ash Dixon, Dan Pryor, James Lentjes and Jason Emery remain on the sidelines.
UBET verdict: The Highlanders scored a gritty win over the Blues last week, but this is tipped to go the way of the Canes who will be on the rebound from a loss to the Chiefs.
Tip: Greg Growden - Hurricanes, Sam Bruce - .Hurricanes
Waratahs ($1.53) v Brumbies ($2.50), Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Waratahs have won 13 of their previous 16 home games against the Brumbies, though were pipped in a 26-20 loss in the last such fixture.
Line-ups
Waratahs: Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson, Israel Folau, Irae Simone, Rob Horne, Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (capt), Jack Dempsey, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson. Replacements: Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, David McDuling, Ned Hanigan, Michael Wells, Jake Gordon, Bryce Hegarty or David Horwitz.
Brumbies: Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Nigel Ah Wong, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Lolo Fakaosilea, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (capt), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Ben Alexander. Replacements: Robbie Abel, Nic Mayhew, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Blake Enever, Ben Hyne, De Wet Roos, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Andrew Smith.
Team News
Bernard Foley has again been ruled out by the Waratahs, with Bryce Hegarty confirmed at No.10 after Friday's captain's run. Elsewhere, Will Skelton returns at lock while Jed Holloway will play his first match of the year at No.8.
Scott Fardy is back in the Brumbies line-up after sitting out last week's win over the Force. The Wallabies back-rower is one of three changes to the starting side with Lolo Fakaosilea also joining the loose forward trio while Nigel Ah Wong comes onto the left wing.
UBET verdict: Possibly the game of the round, and the victor on track to top the Australian conference. The Waratahs return from a tour of South Africa winless, but the money is with them to beat the Brumbies.
Tip: Greg Growden - Brumbies, Sam Bruce - .Waratahs
Lions ($1.25) v Reds ($4.00), Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Reds haven't won away from home since Round 16, 2015 (v Force), losing each of their nine road games since.
Line-ups
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Madosh Tambwe/Sylvian Mahuza, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (c), Ruan Ackermann, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith/Corné Fourie, Johannes Jonker, Lourens Erasmus, Kwagga Smith, Ross Cronjé, Jaco van der Walt, Harold Vorster.
Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Izaia Perese, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia'aua, Eto Nabuli, Quade Cooper, Nick Frisby, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Hendrik Tui, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Sam Talakai, Andrew Ready, James Slipper (capt). Reserves: Stephen Moore, Markuz Vanzati, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Tui, Adam Korczyk, James Tuttle, Jake McIntyre, Chris Kuridrani.
Team News
The Lions have restored star players Malcolm Marx, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lionel Mapoe to the starting side after coach Johan Ackermann sent a weakened side out in Buenos Aires.
The Reds have benched Wallabies captain Stephen Moore with Andrew Ready to start at hooker. Kane Douglas returns to the run-on XV at lock after Izack Rodda suffered a head knock against the Crusaders last week.
UBET verdict: The Reds are probably still trying to work out how they lost to the Crusaders, and have to travel to South Africa to take on the Lions, who rested several players from the trip to Argentina. The Lions need full points here to be back on track in the title race.
Tips: Greg Growden - Lions, Sam Bruce - .Lions
Sharks ($1.01) v Kings ($15), Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Sharks have won all four previous games between these teams, and have outscored the Kings 154-21 across their last three meetings.
Line-ups
Sharks: Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Odwa Ndungane, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Cobus Reinach; Tera Mtembu (c), Jean-Luc du Preez, Jacques Vermeulen, Ruan Botha, Stephan Lewies, Lourens Adriaanse, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit. Replacements: Stephan Coetzee, Juan Schoeman, John-Hubert Meyer, Etienne Oosthuizen, Daniel du Preez, Michael Claassens, Jeremy Ward, Garth April.
Kings: Masixole Banda, Makazole Mapimpi, Berton Klaasen, Waylon Murray, Alshaun Bock, Lionel Cronje, Louis Schreuder; Ruaan Lerm, Andisa Ntsila, Chris Cloete, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Irne Herbst, Ross Geldenhuys, Michael Willemse, Schalk Ferreira (c). Replacements: Kurt Haupt, Schalk van der Merwe, Justin Forwood, Tyler Paul, Stefan Willemse, Johan Steyn, Pieter-Steyn de Wet, Johann Tromp.
Team news
The Sharks have opted to rest a number of frontline stars for the visit of the lowly Kings. In the backs, Curwin Bosch and Benhard van Rensburg start at fullback and fly-half respectively while Lourens Adriaanse, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit form a new front-row.
The Kings have made five changes, the biggest of which see Louis Schreuder return at scrum-half.
UBET verdict: The Kings are one of the sides under the microscope in regards to the makeup of the competition going forward. The betting says they will get towelled up in this with plenty of early money for the Sharks -30.5 points start.
Tips: Greg Growden - Sharks, Sam Bruce - Sharks
Jaguares ($1.30) v Cheetahs ($3.50), Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Key stat (Opta Stats)
The Cheetahs have lost their last seven games away from home, last tasting victory on the road in a Round 3 clash with the Sunwolves last season.
Line-ups
Jaguares: Joaquín Tuculet, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Santiago Cordero, Juan Martín Hernández, Gonzalo Bertranou, Leonardo Senatore, Tomás Lezana, Pablo Matera, Matías Alemanno, Marcos Kremer, Felipe Arregui, Agustín Creevy (c), Santiago García Botta. Replacements: Julián Montoya, Lucas Noguera Paz, Ramiro Herrera, Marcos Kremer, Ignacio Larrague, Javier Ortega Desio, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago González Iglesias, Bautista Ezcurra.
Cheetahs: Clayton Blommetjies, Ryno Benjamin, Michael van Spuy, Clinton Swart, Ruan van Rensburg, Niel Marais, Tian Meyer (c), Niell Jordaan, Oupa Mohoje, Henco Venter, Francois Uys, Armandt Koster, Tom Botha, Elandré Huggett, Danie Mienie. Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Charles Marais, Johan Coetzee, Carl Wegner, Paul Schoeman, William Small-Smith/Boom Prinsloo, Shaun Venter, Fred Zeilinga.
Team News
Juan Martin Hernandez will start at No.10 for the Jaguares in place of the suspended Nicolas Sanchez while Marcos Kremer comes in at lock in place of Guido Petti.
Niel Marais starts at fly-half for the Cheetahs while Ruan van Rensburg and Michael van der Spuy also come into the backline. Up front, Danie Mienie, Elandré Hugget, Tom Botha, Armandt Koster and Henco Venter have all been handed starts.
UBET verdict: The Cheetahs are in the same boat as the Kings with a lack of support for them to continue on in Super Rugby. They staggered over the line against the lowly Sunwolves last week, and now travel to Buenos Aries to take on the Jaguares who have won two from three matches played. Another home side that does look like winning easily.
Tips: Greg Growden - Jaguares, Sam Bruce - Jaguares