Southern storm and travel blues
1. Can the Highlanders expose the touring South Africans to some southern discomfort?
After the luxury of a round-three bye, the Highlanders tool up for work against the Stormers tonight.
New coach Aaron Mauger is clearly committed to a running game, although he might caution his men about opening the tap too early against a Stormers side that, after a shonky start, did some useful things against the Crusaders last weekend. The Highlanders have been warned: lose concentration in the set pieces and the Stormers will really squeeze you.
2. The Rebels scent blood after the Brumbies’ listless effort against the Reds but can they jump in for the kill?
During a 12,000km round trip between Melbourne and Singapore, the Rebels filled their shopping cart with competition points. They prevailed 37-17 against the Sunwolves, who were touched-up by injuries, and are now back in the Victorian capital to host the Brumbies. Weren’t the latter awful in their loss to the Reds in Brisbane last weekend? Being presented with the chance to unleash on the Rebels must hold great appeal.
3. As the defending champs try to win at the Cake Tin for the first time since 2012, can the Hurricanes shake off the jetlag?
In case you didn’t know it, the Crusaders’ only defeat in Super Rugby last year was against the Hurricanes in Wellington. They head north without first fiveeighth Richie Mo’unga, who required surgery after fracturing his jaw against the Stormers. After downing the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last weekend the, Hurricanes steamed out of their dressing room and raced to the airport for a flight to NZ. It’s all part of the plan to ensure the Crusaders remain winless in the capital since 2012.
4. Can the John Mitchell-inspired Bulls bruise the Reds?
Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell will cross paths with Brad Thorn when his Bulls team visits Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. It was Mitchell who introduced Thorn, following his switch from rugby league, to the All Blacks in 2003. Thorn will expect Mitchell to deliver some blunt instructions, in his own inimitable style, to the Bulls pack about the need to douse the home side’s fire at Suncorp Stadium.
5. When is it too early to declare open season on the Blues?
The Blues, eh? Two losses to the Highlanders and Chiefs and some rugby agony aunts are already kicking seven different colours out of them. Things could get really tasty if they get rolled by the Lions in Jo’burg on Sunday morning. Which is quite possible.