Super Rugby R17 preview: Waratahs v Brumbies; Hurricanes v Crusaders; Force v Blues & more

PUT the Test jersey back in the drawer and dig out your provincial colours - Super Rugby is back. Check out our round 17 preview here!

NRL ACT Brumbies Vs NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium, Canberra. Ben Alexander is over-run by the opposition. Picture: Strange Ray

THE Wallabies and All Blacks have wrapped up their June Test series which means it’s time to start thinking Super Rugby - at least in Australia and New Zealand anyway.

With the Springboks playing Scotland this weekend there are just five Super Rugby games as the world’s toughest provincial competition makes its return from a four-week break.

Read on for a full preview of the weekend’s action which features three massive local derbies.

Highlanders v Chiefs,

5.35pm EST Friday, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Hamilton, Fox Sports 2HD

Put the Test jumpers back in the drawer and switch over to Super Rugby mode as it’s bound to be a helter-skelter return to action at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Both the Highlanders and Chiefs remain in semi-final contention but with just three points separating them on the ladder a loss – for either side – could be fatal.

The Test break arrived at exactly the right time for both sides after they dropped back-to-back games in differing circumstances on the road in. The Highlanders were narrowly beaten by the Crusaders and Reds while the Chiefs were ordinary in 37 and 16-point defeats to the Hurricanes and Waratahs respectively.

Crucially for the Highlanders, their big guns could not be in better form. Aaron and Ben Smith were two of the All Blacks’ best against England while Malakai Fekitoa made a sparkling run-on debut in the third Test.

Liam Messam will lead the Chiefs pack.

It wasn’t exactly the brightest of starts for Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden against England, that is until he ran onto his home track in Hamilton and turned in one of his finest performances in the black jersey.

He and backrower Liam Messam will spearhead a Chiefs side that is finally starting to regain some depth after a horror run with injury in 2014.

The Chiefs were victorious by three points in their earlier encounter way back in round three and dominate the fixture 15-7, including the last four. The visitors are also two from two under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Rebels v Reds,

7.40pm EST Friday, AAMI Park, Melbourne, Fox Sports 2HD

The injury-hit Queensland Reds arrive in Melbourne with revenge on their minds after they were beaten by the Rebels in dramatic fashion in round 15.

After losing Quade Cooper to injury the Reds were eventually sunk after the buzzer by a Jason Woodward penalty goal. However skipper James Horwill was left to proclaim his side had been “robbed” after the TMO directed referee Steve Walsh to some foul play and eventually a red card to replacement Ed O’Donoghue.

Accused of eye-gouging, O’Donoghue was later cleared by a SANZAR tribunal. But it was little consolation for the Reds as there would be no changing the result.

That injury ended Quade Cooper’s season while Will Genia is also out of action after it was discovered he required ankle surgery while in camp with the Wallabies.

Amazingly it’s the exact opposite of plot lines for Rebels halfback Luke Burgess who has seemingly made a remarkable recovery from a fractured kneecap.

Burgess and skipper Scott Higginbotham – who saw little game time during the Test series – both had great games against the Reds in Brisbane and will again be the southerners’ key strike weapons.

Reds coach Richard Graham has again entrusted Cooper’s No.10 jersey to utility Ben Lucas while Genia’s long-time back-up at halfback Nick Frisby takes over at No.9.

It might not be the prettiest of contests but it’s bound to be tight.

Hurricanes v Crusaders

5.35pm EST Saturday, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Fox Sports 2HD

The second of two mouth-watering Kiwi derbies to mark Super Rugby’s return pits first against third in the tight New Zealand conference.

The recipe is simple for the Hurricanes – they must win. With just one more game remaining next week a loss would be fatal for Mark Hammett’s side, and would also signal the end of the coach’s tenure in Wellington.

Fortunately much like the Highlanders, they too are welcoming back some of New Zealand rugby’s most in-form players. Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea and Dane Coles all enjoyed plenty of game time against England with the flying winger in particular leaving a lasting impression on the tourists.

That joy is tempered by the loss of skipper and outside centre Conrad Smith to a broken thumb although his replacement in the No.13 jersey Tim Bateman is no slouch and should combine well with the brilliant Alapati Leiua.

The Crusaders meanwhile have had some injury problems of their own with Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg both victims of the brutal series with England. McCaw played through a broken rib in the third Test while Dagg played no further part in the series after leaving the field early in Auckland.

Dan Carter has played two games of club footy and will now make his Super Rugby return.

Yet once again there is a silver lining as back for the seven-time champions come Kieran Read and Dan Carter – the latter making his first Super Rugby appearance of the season after enjoying a six-month rest.

They’ll both come off the bench to bolster the NZ conference leaders in the second half and it could prove a timely injection as the Hurricanes finished the stronger earlier this season in a 29-26 victory on the road in Christchurch.

Waratahs v Brumbies

7.40pm EST Saturday, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Fox Sports 2HD

Injuries are a common theme this week but unlike the preceding Hurricanes-Crusaders clash where both sides have suffered setbacks, it’s the Brumbies alone who are battling in this one.

If the loss of one-minute Wallaby skipper Stephen Moore and lock Sam Carter wasn’t enough, the Brumbies will also be without Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe and Joe Tomane.

It’s a massive loss of first-choice playing talent but fortunately they have a couple of ready-made replacements at flyhalf, fullback and wing with Christian Lealiifano, Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman stepping in respectively.

On the other side of the ledger it’s all rainbows and sunshine for the Waratahs. Virtually injury-free and with all his big names in fine form, coach Michael Cheika can have few excuses should his side not go on and record a top-two finish.

In fact, the Waratahs coach has such an array of talent at his disposal that he’s relegated last week’s Wallabies hero Will Skelton to the bench. Skelton’s place in the run-on side has been taken by South African import Jacques Potgieter who has spent the last month resting and taking a spot of travel.

Comprehensively beaten in Canberra back in round five, the Waratahs are also keen to exact some revenge on the Brumbies - a feat they managed to achieve in the corresponding fixture last season.

It won’t be a deed easily achieved despite their 3-1 record at ANZ Stadium and the Brumbies’ long injury list. But if the Waratahs are to be serious contenders for the title they need to back up the impressive 33-17 win over the Chiefs with another strong win.

Force v Blues

9.45pm EST Saturday, nib Stadium, Perth, Fox Sports 2HD

With the five South African franchises enjoying the bye due to the Springboks’ clash with Scotland the Force and Blues round out the Super Rugby action for round 17.

Both sides remain in contention for the playoffs though it’s really only the Force who are in the mix. The Blues are mathematical chances but would need to win this weekend and then defeat both the Crusaders and Chiefs to have a genuine hope. That doesn’t look likely, especially when they’re yet to win away from home in 2014.

That fact should instil plenty of confidence in the Force, who are 5-1 at nib Stadium this season. They welcome back skipper Matt Hodgson – who wasn’t used at all by the Wallabies – as well as backrower Ben McCalman, winger Nick Cummins and prop Pek Cowan.

Michael Foley’s side may also yet regain halfback Alby Mathewson who has been out for an extended period with injury.

The first of two home games before a final-round clash with the Brumbies in Canberra – the Force can take a significant step towards the playoffs with a win in this one.

Originally published as Super Rugby R17 preview: Waratahs v Brumbies; Hurricanes v Crusaders; Force v Blues & more