Ben Mowen (L) has been moved to No.8 in a Brumbies backrow reshuffle. Source: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images
THE Super Rugby headlines have been dominated by the Brumbies and Crusaders this week with both sides having to deal with some major setbacks.
The Brumbies have lost star flanker David Pocock for the season while Richie McCaw will miss up to two months for the Crusaders after undergoing thumb surgery.
Both sides are in action across the Tasman where their competition credentials will be judged. Welcome to round four.
Hurricanes v Brumbies, Wellington, 5.35pm Friday (AEDT) Fox Sports 2HD
They may be just one player down but there's no doubting the Brumbies are hurting as a collective after losing David Pocock for the season for the second straight year. Luckily, a flying trip across the Tasman is the perfect medicine.
With the Pocock surgery saga dominating the rugby headlines in Australia this week, the Brumbies will enjoy being out of the close-knit community in Canberra and thrust into a tough battle with the Hurricanes.
Another bonus is the knowledge they know how to get the job done in Wellington, having completely outplayed the Hurricanes in a 37-25 victory on their last visit in 2012.
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The Hurricanes have made the long haul journey back from Africa after two opening losses, although they were only beaten by the Stormers in the final minutes last week.
The loss of Pocock will be felt up front yet the Brumbies still look to have the stronger pack on paper. However it's names like Cory Jane, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea and skipper Conrad Smith that makes you think it won't be long before the Canes thunder into action.
TIP: Hurricanes - SB
Queensland Reds v Cheetahs, Brisbane, 7.40pm Friday (AEDT) Fox Sports 2HD
There's no place like home. The Reds will be looking to the comforts of Suncorp Stadium to help rid themselves of the nightmare that was last week's record loss to the Waratahs in Sydney.
It's their first game in Brisbane for 2014 and, despite the manner of last week's loss when they were completely outplayed by a superior Tahs outfit, they've a reason to be confident at their local venue.
The Cheetahs have yet to win at Suncorp Stadium and have been outscored 86-24 by the Reds in their three appearances there.
Chris Feauai-Sautia replaces Ben Tapuai at outside centre, Mike Harris returns from injury at No.12, Rod Davies replaces the injured Lachie Tuner on the wing and prop Ben Daley and hooker James Hanson both get their first starts of the season in the front-row for the Reds.
The Cheetahs – who have one win to show from three matches this season – were stunned last start by the Rebels in Melbourne and have since lost prop Coenie Oosthuizen to injury.
Gun fullback Willie le Roux can spark an attacking raid out of nothing but the shell-shocked Reds pack will be fired up to ensure he gets very little ball to work with.
TIP: Reds - DB
Chris Feauai-Sautia wins his first start for the season. Source: Getty Images
Crusaders v Stormers, Christchurch, 5.35pm Saturday (AEDT), Fox Sports 2HD
It's the biggest question rumbling around New Zealand Super Rugby circles, and probably the entire competition. Is this just another slow start for the Crusaders or are the seven-time champions in crisis mode?
If you watched their second-half performance against the Blues last weekend you'd swear it was the latter while there's also the small matter of a broken opposable for one Richie McCaw. Sure sounds grim, doesn't it?
But here comes the good news. The Crusaders have not lost to South African opposition on home soil for 32 games, stemming all the way back to round nine 2001.
The Stormers have also been pretty disappointing in their opening two encounters, with only a 77th-minute converted try seeing them past the Hurricanes. They've also lost seven of their last eight against the Crusaders. Beware the wounded horsemen.
The Crusaders have an outstanding record against RSA opposition in New Zealand. Source: Getty Images
TIP: Crusaders - SB
Western Force v Melbourne Rebels, Perth, 7.40pm Saturday (AEDT) Fox Sports 2HD
Can the Rebels roll on? After running in five tries to rout the Cheetahs 35-14, Melbourne turns its attention to an Australian derby clash with the out-of-form Force at nib Stadium.
Coach Tony McGahan might have been rapt with opening his Super Rugby account with a bonus-point win, but he's still opted to make a string of changes to his side – six in total.
These include replacing flyhalf Bryce Hegarty with Angus Roberts, promoting openside flanker Colby Faingaa for his first Melbourne start and giving Japanese recruit Shota Horie and former Waratah Lopeti Timani the chance to earn their first Rebels caps via the bench.
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The Force, who slumped to a second-straight loss last weekend, have also rung the changes.
Sias Ebersohn replaces the benched Zack Holmes in the No.10 jersey, Wilhelm Steenkamp is in for injured lock Hugh McMeniman (neck) and Jayden Hayward's promotion to fullback sees Luke Morahan switch to the wing.
Matt Hodgson becomes the first Force player to reach 100 caps – and his teammates will surely do their utmost to see he marks the occasion with a victory.
But after conceding 70 points in their opening two games it's hard to see them stopping the red-hot Rebels.
TIP: Rebels - DB
Bulls v Blues, Pretoria, 2.05am Sunday (AEDT), Fox Sports 2HD
No Benji? No worries. The Blues didn't use their high-profile recruit for a second in their stirring come-from-behind win over the Crusaders last week, and they won't again this round.
The former NRL star, who warmed the bench for the full 80 minutes in Auckland, has been dropped altogether from the squad to face the Bulls in Pretoria.
Both sides earned their first victory of 2014 last start, although the New Zealanders were arguably more impressive in coming from 17-3 down to stun the Super Rugby heavyweights 35-24.
Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has kept faith in the man who jumped past Marshall to grab the No.10 jersey, young playmaker Simon Hickey, while recalling veteran forwards Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock to the starting side.
The Bulls ended the Lions' surprise unbeaten run with a 25-17 home victory to kickstart their season after opening with two losses.
Springboks winger Akona Ndungane earns his Super Rugby 100th cap for a Bulls side that should just be too tough to beat at home.
TIP: Bulls - DB
Sharks v Lions, Durban, 4.10am Sunday (AEDT), Fox Sports 2HD
If you'd told someone this would be among the best games of round four at the start of the season, they'd have sent you straight off to the asylum.
Yet after two opening victories and a narrow loss to the Bulls, the Lions' trip to the Shark Tank might not actually be the foregone conclusion it appeared a few weeks back.
The hosts deserve to be red-hot favourites after impressive wins over the Bulls and Hurricanes while the bye was a welcome opportunity to rest a few early niggles.
Jake White has made the ideal start to his tenure in Durban and another win will smash any lingering doubts his side are the team to beat in South Africa.
Keep an eye on the battle between likely Springboks No.10 Patrick Lambie and rising Lions fly half Marnitz Boshoff – the guy can kick a drop goal.
TIP: Sharks - SB
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