Super Rugby always takes on a brutal edge as the playoffs loom, and 2012 is no different. Nine sides are technically still vying for a playoff spot and none will be going down without a fight. Epic clashes this weekend includes the Chiefs v Crusaders opener and Sharks v Bulls. However, Reds v Highlanders and Brumbies v Waratahs are all sure to have venom.

The Crusaders will be a wounded beast after last week’s shock loss to the Hurricanes and on the cusp of missing out on the playoffs altogether. The Chiefs, having secured the top NZ spot but wanting …

Super Rugby 2012 returns after a three week break! For the first time in its history Super Rugby took a break for International rugby. Such is the awkwardness of the change, that it’s either round 16 or 19 depending on which rugby draw you look at.

To ease us back in gently there are three teams on a bye, so there are only six games of Super Rugby this weekend. However, there are also a number of juicy local derbies to hit the ground running. Unfortunately, some of the local derbies are against bottom of the table teams, but that’s …

Local derbies are in vogue in round fifteen of the 2012 Super Rugby competition. While some big local derbies can increase the intensity but lower the quality of games, such as the Reds v Brumbies last week, upsets can be more common. However, the Rebels would be a long shot to pip the Brumbies, and the Lions even longer to stop the Sharks. Still, look for some big clashes in the opening minutes of those matches as the underdogs try to measure up.

The round kicks off with the much anticipated Crusaders v Highlanders. The Crusaders would have been stewing …

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If it was difficult to muster much enthusiasm for last round’s Super Rugby games, then this week could not be more different. There’s almost too many epic clashes. Round 14 kicks off with the Chiefs hosting the Bulls. Both teams lost their place at the top of the ladder with their last defeat and are desperate to get things back on track. The Bulls in particular need to stem the tide of poor form and defeats that have come with this tour. Meanwhile the Chiefs are showing dangerous signs of regressing back to their bad habits of seasons gone by.

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After some exciting upsets last week, unfortunately the unlucky 13th round of Super Rugby in 2012 has some uninspiring match ups. That doesn’t mean they are easy to pick however, but it does mean there isn’t anything really juicy to look forward to. The first games of the round, Hurricanes v Brumbies, Highlanders v Bulls and the Crusaders v Blues are probably the most anticipated. However, even the Crusaders v Blues match is more about history than form. The Brumbies are having a terrific season, but unfortunately their injury woes at first five will surely catch up with them. We’re