Rugby 5 offers league action

This weekend’s Rugby 5 pool kicks off with the Super Rugby final between the Crusaders and the Lions.

The Crusaders, defending champions, are clear favourites. They are yet to lose a play-off match at home in Super Rugby and are yet to lose to the Lions in Christchurch. The Lions did beat the Crusaders at home once, but that was in Nelson in 2001. The Crusaders are on a 14-match unbeaten run and the way they dismantled the Hurricanes in the semi-finals suggests their form cannot get much better. The Lions though have a scrum and driving maul that can cause the Crusaders problems. They will need a huge performance from Elton Jantjies, but the mercurial fly-half reserves his biggest impact for matches in the home comforts of Ellis Park.

In Match 2 the Golden Lions u-19 take on their Free State counterparts.

The Lions occupy second place on the points table, but they've won just two of their four matches. The Free State team are the undoubted underdogs.

Match 3 sees the EP Elephants u-19 host the Blue Bulls u-19.

The Elephants are yet to taste success in this season's competition after three rounds.

Matches 4 and 5 introduce some British Rugby League into the pool, a form of the game not very popular in South Africa.

In Match 4 the West Wales Raiders face the Hunslet Hawks.

The West Wales Raiders' season has been a tale of woe. They have suffered some humiliating defeats, including a 86-0 thrashing by the Hunslet Hawks. There is no reason to believe the Raiders will turn this around.

The last pool match is the clash between the Bradford Bulls and Whitehaven.

The Bradford Bulls are on a good run, having won seven of their last eight matches. Against Whitehaven they are up against formidable opposition. The visitors have won their last six matches, half of them away from home.