PREVIEW OF SUPER RUGBY ROUND FIVE (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, March 24
CRUSADERS v WESTERN FORCE at AMI Stadium Christchurch, 17:35
Head to head: Played 10, Crusaders 6, Force 2, Draw 2
Crusaders at home: Played 4, Crusaders 3, Force 0, draw 1
Last clash: Round 7, 2016, Crusaders 20 bt Force 19 in Perth.
The Force have been brave so far this season, beating the Reds and putting in promising displays against the Waratahs and Brumbies. But their progress will be tested against the unbeaten Crusaders, who have never lost to the Force in Christchurch. Denting the Force's chances is the unavailability of skipper Ben McCalman (thumb) and fullback Dane Haylett-Petty (groin). Veteran flanker Matt Hodgson will return from injury off the bench but the Force will need to play out of their skin to beat an outfit laden with All Blacks.
Tab Sportsbet: Crusaders $1.08, Force $8
Tip: Crusaders by 17 points
REBELS v WARATAHS at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 19:45
Head to head: Played 11, Rebels 2, Waratahs 9
Rebels at home: Played 5, Rebels 1, Waratahs 4
Last clash: Round 6, 2016, Rebels 21 bt Waratahs 17 in Sydney
The Waratahs welcome back Bernard Foley in a huge boost after managing just one win from their first four games without the influential Wallabies playmaker. The Tahs' worst-ever start to a season has left the 2014 champions in danger of being a spent force less than a third of the way through the tournament if they lose. The winless Rebels are also desperate, not only chasing their first win of 2017 but fighting for survival as SANZAAR's axe apparently hovers over three teams for 2018.
Tab Sportsbet: Waratahs $2.85, Rebels $1.42
Tip: Waratahs by three points
SATURDAY, March 19
BLUES v BULLS at Eden Park, Auckland, 17:35
Head to head: Played 17, Blues 10, Bulls 7
Blues at home: Played 9, Blues 8, Bulls 1
Last clash: Round 14, 2015, Blues 23 bt Bulls 18 in Auckland
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $1.18, Bulls $4.85
Tip: Blues by 14 points
BRUMBIES v HIGHLANDERS at GIO Stadium, Canberra 19:45
Head to head: Played 21, Brumbies 12, Highlanders 9
Brumbies at home: Played 11, Brumbies 8, Highlanders 3
Last clash: Elimination final, 2016: Highlanders 15 bt Brumbies 9 in Canberra
The Brumbies are sitting pretty atop the Australian conference following a record nine straight derby wins but the country's most successful franchise is anything but feeling comfortable. So uncomfortable, in fact, the they issued a plea to fans to vote with their feet by attending Saturday night's clash as a show of solidarity for another of Australia's clubs in SANZAAR's firing line. Australian teams are just one from 10 against overseas opposition and a home victory over the 2015 champions would be an important scalp.
Tab Sportsbet: Brumbies $2.25, Highlanders $1.65
Tip: Highlanders by 10 points
SUNWOLVES v STORMERS at Singapore National Stadium, Singapore 21:55
Head to head: Played 2, Sunwolves 0, Stormers 1, Draw 1
Sunwolves at home: Played 1, Draw 1
Last clash: Round 12, 2015, Sunwolves 17 drew with Stormers 17 in Singapore
Tab Sportsbet: Sunwolves $12, Stormers $1.03
Tip: Stormers by x points
SUNDAY, March 25
KINGS v LIONS at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth 12:05
Head to head: Played 2, Kings 0, Lions 2
Kings at home: Played 1, Kings 0 Lions 1,
Last clash: Round 16, 2016, Lions 57 bt Kings 21 in Johannesburg
Tab Sportsbet: Kings $14, Lions $1.02
Tip: Lions by 30 points
CHEETAHS v SHARKS at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein 02:15
Head to head: Played 16, Cheetahs 6, Sharks 10
Cheetahs at home: Played 7, Cheetahs 2 Sharks 5
Last clash: Round 16, 2016, Sharks 26 bt Cheetahs 10 in Durban
Tab Sportsbet: Cheetahs $2.15, Sharks $1.70
Tip: Sharks by 12 points
JAGUARES v REDS at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires, 08:40
Head to head: first meeting
The Reds are long odds to end their three-game losing streak after travelling from Africa to Argentina undermanned and on the rebound from a 30-point shellacking by the Lions. Seeing the writing on the wall, playmaker Quade Cooper flew home before copping a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle, while skipper James Slipper was on the same flight after tearing an achilles tendon. Jake McIntyre will fill Cooper's No.10 jersey as the Reds attempt to pull off a backs-to-the-wall win over a Jaguares outfit occupying second spot.
Tab Sportsbet: Jaguares $1.18, Reds $4.50
Tip: Jaguares by 18 points
BYE: Hurricanes, Chiefs
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