PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY ROUND THREE (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, March 10
CHIEFS v HURRICANES at FMG Stadium, Waikato, 17:35
Head to Head: Played 28, Chiefs 12, Hurricanes 15, drawn 1
Chiefs at home: Played 13, Chiefs 7, Hurricanes 5, drawn 1
Last clash: Semi-finals, 2016, Hurricanes 25 bt Chiefs 9 in Wellington
Tab Sportsbet: Chiefs $1.85, Hurricanes $1.95
Tip: Hurricanes by 5 points
BRUMBIES v WESTERN FORCE at GIO Stadium, Canberra, 19:45
Head to Head: Played 17, Brumbies 12, Force 4, drawn 1
Brumbies at home: Played 8, Brumbies 6, Force 2
Last clash: Round 17, 2016, Brumbies 24 bt Force 10 in Canberra
The Brumbies are hoping to bounce back after a last-gasp loss to the Sharks while the Force are looking to consolidate their surprise early lead in the Australian conference. Talk of SANZAAR chopping one of these franchises is sure to add spice. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has "strategically" rested Ireland-bound flanker Scott Fardy, with the Force sure to feel the absence of injured Wallabies lock Adam Coleman.
Key: The Force are proving one of the competition's strongest finishers of games but must start well after losing their past six against the Brumbies by 12 points or more.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $1.42, Force $2.90
Tip: Brumbies by 10 points
SATURDAY, March 11
BLUES v HIGHLANDERS at Eden Park, Auckland, 17:35
Head to Head: Played 27, Blues 16, Highlanders 11
Blues at home: Played 14, Blues 11, Highlanders 3
Last clash: Round 1, 2016, Blues 33 bt Highlanders 31 in Auckland
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $1.77, Highlanders $2.05
Tip: Blues by 7 points
QUEENSLAND REDS v CRUSADERS at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 19:45
Head to Head: Played 23, Reds 6, Crusaders 17
Reds at home: Played 12, Reds 5, Crusaders 7
Last clash: Round 11, 2016, Crusaders 38 bt Reds 5 in Christchurch
The Reds haven't beaten the Crusaders since the 2011 final and have lost their past four encounters with the Kiwi giants by more than 28 points. But this is new-look Queensland outfit is stacked with Wallabies and high hopes for 2017. The Crusaders are two from two so far after producing an inspired comeback from 21 points down against the Highlanders last start.
Key: The Reds will need to be on song defensively for 80 minutes to combat the relentless Crusaders, who must shut down Queensland playmaker Quade Cooper.
Tab Sportsbet: Reds $2.95, Crusaders $1.40
Tip: Crusaders by 5 points
SUNDAY, March 12
KINGS v STORMERS at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, 00:05
Head to head: Played 3, Kings 0, Stormers 3 Kings at home: Played 1, Kings 0, Stormers 1
Last clash: Round 17, 2016, Stormers 52 bt Kings 24 in Cape Town
Tab Sportsbet: Kings $8, Stormers $1.08
CHEETERS v SUNWOLVES at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, 02:15
Head to head: Played 2, Cheetahs 2, Sunwolves 0
Cheetahs at home: Played 1, Cheetahs 1, Sunwolves 0
Last clash: Round 8, 2016, Cheetahs 92 bt Sunwolves 17 in Bloemfontein
Tab Sportsbet: no head-to-head market offered
SHARKS v NSW WARATAHS at Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban, 04:30
Head to head: Played 20, Sharks 7, Waratahs 12, drawn 1 Sharks at home: Played 9, Sharks 5, Waratahs 3, drawn 1 Last clash: Round 14, 2015, Waratahs 33 bt Sharks 15 in Sydney
After leaking eight tries and 55 points against the Lions, the Waratahs hope to welcome back Wallabies stars Nick Phipps and Will Skelton but will again be without star playmaker Bernard Foley as they bid to win in Durban for the first time in eight years. The Sharks are back home after a successful two-game stint in Australia, where they picked up a bonus point against the Reds and scored a last-minute win over the Brumbies.
Key: The Waratahs must improve defensively and be disciplined with the Sharks having slotted a competition-best nine penalty goals already in 2017. Tab Sportsbet: Sharks $1.52, Waratahs $2.55
Tip: Sharks by 6 points
JAGUARES v LIONS at Velez sarsfield, Buenos Aires, 06:40
Head to head: Played 2, Jaguares 1, Lions 1
Jaguares at home: Played 1, Jaguares 1, Lions 0
Last clash: Round 17, 2016, Jaguares 34 bt Lions 22 in Buenos Aires
Tab Sportsbet: Jaguares $1.75, Lions $2.05
BYE: Rebels, Bulls
