Super Rugby R6: Reds, Rebels up against it; Hurricanes vs. Highlanders

Round 6 of Super Rugby features just the six games with the Waratahs, Brumbies and Blues all enjoying the bye; a timely result for the Kiwis who have made their way home after a two-week tour of South Africa.

The action kicks off in Christchurch where a Crusaders side still battling a number of injuries welcomes the Bulls to Christchurch, the South Africans 0-2 on their Australasian tour despite a brave showing in Hamilton last weekend.

Meanwhile, it will be a special moment for the McKenzie and Robinson families as Damian and Robbie face off when the Chiefs face the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

Australian Conference

Can Rebels, Reds overcome difficult preparations?

The Reds have done a fine impression of Philius Fogg, albeit in a much tighter timeframe, while the Rebels' collective core body temperature could have helped power South Australia for a month. Yes, both Australian sides will be up against it in Round 6 of Super Rugby.

Buoyed by three straight victories, including last Sunday's tireless defensive effort against the Jaguares, you could have forgiven the Reds for feeling unusually optimistic about a three-legged flight to Cape Town.

That was until South African Airways intervened and ruled they couldn't board their flight from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg because the Queenslanders hadn't been immunised for yellow fever. The Reds had been told that given their R5 match against the Jaguares was played in Buenos Aires, there was no need for a yellow fever jab.

South African Airways instructed them otherwise.

Alas, the Reds were forced to travel to London, adding an additional leg and 12 hours to their trip. It's hardly an ideal situation, but one made easier given their impressive and, crucially, resilient recent form.

"We stayed pretty positive during it...there's no point sooking or crying about it," Reds lock Kane Douglas said after arriving in Cape Town. "We just got through it and I think the boys will probably have a nice little kip this arvo.

"It's good to have another win, a win on the road; it makes having a long flight a bit easier when you've just come off a win, too. The boys are still pretty happy and we've just got to go again this week."

The Rebels, meanwhile, might have only had one flight for a total of 60-odd minutes in the air, but it came after a 51-27 loss to the Waratahs played out in 38 degree heat. Dave Wessels' side appeared to be headed for an unprecedented fourth straight win at halftime but they were rundown by a Waratahs side that finally delivered on their attacking promise.

Given that match was played on Sunday afternoon, the Rebels are facing a reduced preparation for Friday night's clash with the Sharks. The shorter turnaround, combined with the toll Sunday's oppressive conditions must have taken, will be a tough obstacle to overcome as they look to bounce back against the South Africans.

There is a growing sense of optimism about the Australian Super Rugby sides in 2018 and we're about to learn a little bit more about two of them in Round 6. Should the Rebels and Reds both win this week, Australian supporters can rightly puff their collective chests out.

Of course, the real test will come when they face New Zealand opposition. On Kiwi soil.

Match Centre: Rebels vs. Sharks

Match Centre: Sunwolves vs. Chiefs

New Zealand Conference

Halfback battle highlights crunch Cake Tin clash

They've both beaten the Crusaders at their most recent starts, and now the Hurricanes and Highlanders lock horns in what is the standout game of Round 6.

Fresh off the bye, which saw Beauden Barrett celebrate his engagement to fiancée Hannah, the Hurricanes are deserved $1.52 favourites with bookmakers tab.com.au given the 2016 champions are playing at home.

The Hurricanes have also won six of their last seven local derbies on home soil, their only loss coming against the Chiefs, while their Highlanders are 0-3 in their last three road games in New Zealand.

One of the highlights of Saturday night's contest will be the battle between All Blacks scrum-halves Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara. The livewire duo have long been teammates at Test level, with Smith always holding the upper hand due to his slick service. But there is very little between them in the more open surrounds of Super Rugby, with Perenara's running game and support play a feature of the Hurricanes' consistent performances of the last three seasons.

Speaking about the matchup earlier this week, Smith labelled Perenara a "physical beast" as the Hurricanes No.9 prepares to lace them up for his 100th Super Rugby game.

"You love playing your mates and TJ is probably the most competitive guy I've met; he's a very hard guy to play against," Smith said.

"But when I've played these games the more you try and focus on the one-on-ones, you take yourself away from the game. So I'll be trying to do my jobs as best I can for my team and trying not to worry about him too much.

"But you've always got to keep an eye on him, he's a bit of a sniper with the old positive running lines and p his positioning over the ball is very good, too. So we're going to have to keep an eye on him. But I love playing my mates, they bring the best out in you, and he'll be looking to have a huge night for his 100th [Super Rugby game]."

While the Highlanders have struggled against the Hurricanes in Wellington the last two years, they did claim the 2015 title at the Cake Tin in what was a gripping Super Rugby decider.

Match Centre: Crusaders vs. Bulls

Match Centre: Hurricanes vs. Highlanders

African Conference

New-look Bulls shouldn't be written off in Christchurch

Bulls fans must have thought their team would end their five-year winless streak in New Zealand when they led the Chiefs at the break last weekend. But that familiar South African Super Rugby tradition -- making silly mistakes in the final quarter to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory -- again reared its ugly head in Hamilton.

The Bulls probably played some of their best rugby in five years during that first half, with backs and forwards combining beautifully for a skilful and powerful performance. John Mitchell's fingerprints were all over that display, as the Bulls backed their skills to take on the Chiefs with ball in hand.

But the Pretoria side just couldn't seal the deal, as a stupid yellow card and their inability to bury the home side early in the second half cost them dearly. They have one more shot to break that drought when they take on the defending champions, the Crusaders, on Friday morning.

The Bulls and Mitchell need to continue on this path they started, and believe in this high-tempo brand of rugby. The belief is certainly there, and the players seem to be adapting well. There will be growing pains, and obviously conditioning is going to be a key part of this going forward, but the signs are there that the Bulls will soon be on par with the Lions.

The Bulls have already dealt with the Hurricanes so far this year, and were unlucky not to beat the Chiefs. If they can play to similar level against the Crusaders on Friday -- and play for 80 minutes -- they may beat the decorated champions in Christchurch for the first time since 1996.

Match Centre: Stormers vs. Reds

Match Centre: Jaguares vs. Lions

It's a big week for ...

Captains and referees

The fashion in which captains converse with referees has been the major talking point across Super Rugby this week, with SANZAAR Game Manager Lyndon Bray unimpressed by the Highlanders' skipper's actions. As such, Bray told stuff.co.nz each franchise would be reminded of the need for captains to approach officials with respect.

Given the events of the past week, interaction between the two parties will likely to be a focal point for the whistle-blowers in Round 6. Tread carefully, skippers. You've been warned.