JON CARDINELLI looks ahead to the first four matches in round five of the competition.
CRUSADERS vs FORCE (Friday, 08:35)
In 2017, the Crusaders have proved unbeatable in the second half of a contest. Eleven of their 15 tries were scored in the second stanza, and as many as seven of those were scored in the fourth quarter. In terms of defence, the Crusaders are yet to concede a try during this period.
The Force boast one of the best defensive records in this year's competition, having conceded eight tries. However, it has to be noted that they've only played three games, and have lost two of those. The Force also have had the benefit of facing three Aussie sides at the start of their campaign.
The Crusaders have won four of their last five games against the Force, including each of their last two. They have won their last eight games against Australian opposition. Never in Super Rugby history have they enjoyed such a winning streak.
Meanwhile, the Force have lost their last six away matches to New Zealand sides.
Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Scott Barrett, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Mitchell Dunshea, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Force – 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Jono Lance (c), 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Isi Naisarani, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Robbie Coleman.
REBELS vs WARATAHS (Friday, 10:45)
The Waratahs are coming off a bad loss to the Brumbies in Sydney. The good news for Daryl Gibson's side is that they have a good away record in Australia (the Waratahs have won seven of the last nine such matches, and by an average of 17 points).
There's more good news for the Waratahs. Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley has been passed fit and will start against the Rebels in Melbourne. The Waratahs will rely heavily on his goal-kicking accuracy and play-making skills to emerge from this encounter with a win.
Gibson has also opted for a new-look midfield in David Horwitz and Rob Horne. Israel Folau has been moved back to fullback.
Rebels – 15 Jack Debreczeni, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Nic Stirzaker (c), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Steve Cummins, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Fereti Sa’aga.
Subs (one to be omitted): 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Jake Schatz, 22 Ben Meehan, 23 Mitch Inman, 24 Ben Volavola.
Waratahs – 15 Israel Folau, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Rob Horne, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 David Lolohea, 19 Dave McDuling, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Cam Clark, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
WATCH: Adriaan Strauss on how Bulls can lift intensity
BLUES vs BULLS (Saturday, 08:35)
Last week, the Blues led 21-5 at half-time and looked to be on course for a convincing win against the Crusaders. They were no match for the Cantabrians in the second stanza, though, and ended up losing 33-24.
The Blues have been competitive at times this season. Yet a record of one win and three losses – the three defeats in succession – highlights their battle for consistency.
The Bulls haven't been much better, losing two of their three matches. They were troubled by the Sunwolves in Pretoria, and ultimately failed to bank the bonus point when the defence of the Japanese side tired in the latter stages of the contest.
The Blues have won 10 of their 11 homes games against the Bulls. The last time the Bulls beat the Blues in New Zealand was in 2013.
The Bulls have battled in New Zealand in recent times. That victory against the Blues in 2013 marks the Bulls' only success in the past 10 matches played on Kiwi soil.
That said, these Blues-Bulls clashes have been close. If the Bulls manage to stand up to the physicality of the Blues forwards and keep the equally robust scrumhalf Augustine Pulu quiet, they will improve their chances of victory.
It will be easier said than done, though. The Blues will have a point to prove after the slack second-half showing against the Crusaders. The Bulls may be hard-pressed to match the Blues' intensity. They may struggle to keep the likes of Pulu, George Moala and Rieko Ioane from breaching the gainline.
The Bulls' losing streak in New Zealand looks set to continue.
Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Ihaia West, 23 TJ Faiane.
Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Handre Pollard (c), 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Nick de Jager, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Lizo Gqoboko.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Tian Schoeman, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 John-Roy Jenkinson.
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BRUMBIES vs HIGHLANDERS (Saturday, 10:45)
The Highlanders have lost three of their four matches to date. However, all four of those matches were New Zealand derbies.
They've yet to face an Aussie side in 2017. The Highlanders have won five of their last six games in Australia, keeping their opponent tryless in two of their last three of these fixtures. More specifically, the Highlanders have won their last two games against the Brumbies.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have won only one of their last nine games against New Zealand teams. Eight defeats in that run have been by an average margin of 16.5 points.
Winger Patrick Osborne will make a timely return to the Highlanders starting side this week. In more good news for the men from Dunedin, Malakai Fekitoa has been cleared of concussion and is fit to play at centre.
Brumbies – 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter (c), 4 Blake Enever, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Nathan Mayhew.
Subs: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Lolo Fakaosilea, 22 De Wet Roos, 23 Jordan Jackson-Hope.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Patelesio Tomkinson, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Matt Faddes.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
