Preview: Reds v Brumbies, Crusaders v Chiefs highlight round two action in Super Rugby

SUPER Rugby swings into top gear this weekend with the first full round of action kicking off on Friday. Read our R2 preview here!

SUPER Rugby swings into top gear this weekend with the first full round of action kicking off on Friday.

Read on for a full preview of all seven matches!

Note: Melbourne Rebels have the bye.

Crusaders v Chiefs

Friday, Christchurch, 5.35pm AEDT, Fox Sports 2

What a way to start round two. Responsible for some of the best games of the last two seasons, the Crusaders and Chiefs meet in Christchurch on Friday evening. Both sides are coming off last-start trial victories with the Crusaders hammering the Hurricanes and the Chiefs making short work of the Blues. The defending champions however come into this game without their two first-choice opensides in Sam Cane and Tanerau Latimer which sees Tevita Koloamatangi at No.7 while in one for the old boys, Mils Muliaina returns to Super Rugby at fullback. The Crusaders, meanwhile, will be without IRB Player of the Year Kieran Read while Tyler Bleyendaal has been given the nod at No.10 ahead of Tom Taylor. They split their two fixtures before the Chiefs triumphed in the semi-finals and with all three matches decided by under seven points this looks set to be another cracking encounter.News_Image_File: Robbie Fruean will face off against the Crusaders for the first time.

TIP: CHIEFS - SB

Cheetahs v Bulls

Saturday, Bloemfontein 4.10am AEDT, Fox Sports 2

Coming off opening round losses, both the Cheetahs and Bulls will be desperate to get their season up and running when they face off in Bloemfontein early Saturday morning (AEDT). The Cheetahs scored two tries to none in their loss to the Lions while the Bulls managed just one try against the Sharks despite a whopping 65 per cent of the possession. That’s an early concern for Frans Ludeke’s side and while they thumped the Cheetahs on two occasions last year, it seems the loss of Morne Steyn to France might be more of a concern than first thought. The men from Pretoria do boast an 11-1 Super Rugby record over their neighbours to the south however and with four home games to follow this clash, this fixture can set up their season. Look for rising Cheetahs fly half Johan Goosen to improve after last week while Willie le Roux hit the ground running against the Lions.

TIP: BULLS - SB

Highlanders v Blues

Saturday, Dunedin, 5.35pm AEDT, Fox Sports 2

All eyes were to be on the man in the Blues No.10 jersey for the start of this game, but now they’ll quickly be redirected to the Blues bench before the match kicks off. That’s because it will be feature one Benji Marshall, the code-hopping former NRL star who has been overlooked for a starting Super Rugby debut in Dunedin. Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has instead opted for Chris Noakes to pull the playmaking strings for his side against the Highlanders, in what shapes as an intriguing match for the Auckland-based outfit. They’ve yet to win at the Highlanders’ new home at Forsyth Barr Stadium and will want to break that duck to show they have the stuff to be contenders in 2014. The Highlanders won just three games in 2013 and will be desperate to kick off this season with a victory.News_Rich_Media: Prized recruit Benji Marshall brings an element of surprise to the Auckland Blues this season and the former NRL star has plenty of exciting players around him.

TIP: BLUES - DB

Brumbies v Reds

Saturday, Canberra, 5.35pm AEDT, Fox Sports 2

The Australian conference kicks off with what shapes as an epic contest between two of last year’s top contenders. The Brumbies were just 15 minutes away from glory in the final before losing to the Chiefs, while the Reds were bundled out in the opening week of the playoffs by a red-hot Crusaders outfit. Since then both sides have undergone significant changes at the top, with Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fischer taking the Brumbies coaching reins from the departed Jake White, and Richard Graham stepping up after Ewen McKenzie left to take the Wallabies gig. But while this looks an even match-up between two real challengers for the Aussie conference, the Brumbies own this fixture, having won 17 of the 22 clashes between the two sides – the best record they have against any side they have played more than 10 times. The battle between the two No. 10s – star Reds playmaker Quade Cooper and the man who ended up playing alongside him at inside centre for the Wallabies, Matt Toomua, will be a beauty.News_Rich_Media: Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham admits he has a plan in place to stop Queensland Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper when the teams clash in this weekend's Super Rugby opener.

TIP: Brumbies - DB

Sharks v Hurricanes

Sunday, Durban, 2.05am AEDT, Fox Sports 2

It may have been a relatively low-key opening to Super Rugby last weekend but the biggest off-season question surrounding the Sharks certainly received a resounding answer. Can Jake White replicate his success at the Brumbies in Durban? Judging on last week’s performance you’d have to say yes. The Sharks made the best possible start under White last week with a bonus-point victory, a feat they achieved with just 35 per cent possession. The Hurricanes however boast far more potency on attack with All Blacks fly half Beauden Barrett marshalling a backline that features fellow Test stars Conrad Smith, Cory Jane and Julian Savea. Mark Hammett’s side lack the Sharks’ quality up front and with the advantage of last week’s hit-out, the hosts will be extremely tough to beat at Kings Park.News_Image_File: Conrad Smith is back after a brief sabbatical.

TIP: SHARKS - SB

Lions v Stormers

Sunday, Johannesburg, 4.10am AEDT, Fox Sports 2

The Stormers kick off their season away to last week’s surprise packets, and will be hoping to avoid a slip-up when they travel to Ellis Park. Schalk Burger returns from two years on the sidelines to give the Stormers an all-Springboks backrow while skipper Jean de Villiers is the class in a backline that features flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis making his debut for the franchise. The Lions didn’t score a try in their shock victory over the Cheetahs and will be looking for Marnitz Boshoff – who won that game with his boot – to fire up their attack at home.

TIP: STORMERS - DB

Waratahs v Force,

Sunday, Sydney, 4.05pm AEDT, Fox Sports 2

The second of two opening Australian derbies, the Waratahs and Force wrap up round two at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It’s been another pre-season full of hype and positivity at Moore Park with many Waratahs players insisting 2014 will finally be the year they deliver on their big-name roster. Tahs fans won’t be holding their breath. Coach Michael Cheika has rolled the dice and opted to combine the twin attacking threats of Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale in a move that could see their ball-in-hand game of 2013 hit new heights. The Force, meanwhile, have been quietly going about their business in the west as a number of new recruits settle into life under Michael Foley. Last year’s standout Kyle Godwin has been joined by Luke Morahan in the backline and with Nick Cummins also on hand out wide, the Force should have more options in attack themselves. The Waratahs will start overwhelming favourites but as with most Australian derbies, there will be little between the two sides. News_Rich_Media: Western Force coach Michael Foley says the knowledge that his team defeated three of last season's Super Rugby semi-finalists has given his team an extra boost as they strive for a more consistent showing in 2014.

TIP: WARATAHS - SB