Super Rugby 2015 Predictions: Round 12

Round 11 was possibly the most predictable yet, with a whopping 37,861 people winning a GSP. Will this weekend follow suit, or will we return to the unpredictability that has characterised the season thus far?

Highlanders vs Sharks

Last year the Highlanders pulled off one of the shocks of the season when they trounced the Sharks in Durban, Malakai Fakitoa announcing himself with a breathtaking solo score from 60 metres out. A win this year would be significantly less of a shock, given the two sides’ form. The Highlanders were hammered by the Brumbies last weekend but had rested Fekitoa and the two Smiths, Aaron and Ben. All should return this week, which is bad news for the Sharks who are badly in need of a win having lost their last three games. They welcome back Bismarck du Plessis, but not as captain.

If the Highlanders’ three All Blacks return, they should record a comfortable enough victory here. Highlanders by 8.

Brumbies vs Waratahs

This is a battle for supremacy at the top of the Australian conference, and a game that could have significant impact over which side goes on to win it. The Brumbies halted an alarming slum in form last weekend with a big win over the Highlanders, while the Waratahs have been in decent form themselves, with back to back wins in recent weeks – although they almost came unstuck against the Rebels last round.

The Brumbies look rejuvenated and the Waratahs have not won in Canberra since 2011. A home win. Brumbies by 5.

Blues vs Force

The two teams with the worst winning records come together this weekend; there are just two wins between the Blues and Force this season. It makes this game a difficult one to pick. Both sides have played plenty of good rugby – most recently the Force bagged a bonus point in Hamilton against the Chiefs – but have failed to be clinical and come away from games with wins. The Blues have by far the better record in this fixture, the Force’s only win over their hosts coming way back in 2008 – although it was at Eden Park, so they know what to do to win here.

Home advantage will be key, and the Blues have too many quality players to lose this one, surely. Blues by 5.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders

The Crusaders returned to winning ways last weekend with a barnstorming victory over the Blues in Christchurch, but travelling away to league leaders the Hurricanes is an entirely different prospect. The Canes bounced back from their first loss of the season to the Waratahs with a bonus point win over the Reds, but they too know this weekend holds a bigger challenge. It is the kind of the game the Crusaders need to win if they are to have any chance of getting back into the title race.

They have won just one of the last five meetings between the two sides, however, and the hosts have a new-found steel this season that has placed them amongst the favourites to lift the trophy. Expect them to play like it this weekend. Hurricanes by 9.

Rebels vs Chiefs

The Rebels have been somewhat of a surprise package this season, their four wins already equalling their total for the entirety of last year’s competition. They sit just about within touching distance of the conference top two, although a solid mid table finish is probably an outcome they would take. They face an uphill battle this weekend, however, against a Chiefs side who have won their last four on the bounce and are playing some sensationally good rugby, with the likes of Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams in lethal form.

The Chiefs are playing like the champions they strive to be once again, and have never lost to the Rebels. That’s not about to change this weekend. Chiefs by 10.

Cheetahs vs Stormers

The Stormers’ win over the Bulls may not have been pretty, but it showed the kind of grit that has seen them return to the top of the South African conference. It was also their third win in a row, after their mid season blip on tour. The Cheetahs contributed to a thrilling encounter at Ellis Park but, as has been the case too often this season, found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard come the final whistle.

The hosts have won just two of the last 12 instalments of this fixture, although they have won the last couple of games in Bloemfontein. I’d expect the Stormers to halt that trend this weekend, however. Stormers by 5.

Bulls vs Lions

The Lions’ quite astonishing run of five wins in a row has rocketed them up the table to the point where they now sit just three points behind their opponents this weekend. They are on the charge and a win here would likely see them leapfrog the Bulls into the wildcard spots. The hosts’ loss to the Stormers was a blow to their chances but they will take solace in the knowledge that their opponents this weekend have not won at Loftus Versfeld for over a decade.

This looks like the best chance the Lions have had of doing so for quite some time – but their winning run has to come to an end at some stage, and a venue at which they have so rotten a record seems as likely a place as any for it to happen. Bulls by 3.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43