The Super 14 heads into its ninth week through the Easter long weekend.

The Lions, who allowed the Chiefs to claw themselves back to a win in Hamilton last week, face the Blues in Auckland on Friday while an interesting contest is on the cards between the Western Force and the Hurricanes in Perth.

The Reds get things under way on Saturday when they travel to the deep south of New Zealand to face the Highlanders.

iafrica.com previews the first three games of the weekend...

Blues vs Lions
(Eden Park, Auckland - 19.35, 07.35 GMT)

The Lions will be without skipper Cobus Grobbelaar and centre Doppies le Grange, who both sustained injuries against the Chiefs while Springbok centre Jaque Fourie will lead the side in Grobbelaar's absence.

Having lost two previously at home, the Blues know this is 'must win' territory, although they will fancy their chances after running up a big score during the corresponding match in Johannesburg last year.

Blues coach Pat Lam’s major concern heading into the bye would not so much have been scoring tries but his team’s defence, which is still the worst in the tournament. They will especially need to police Lions centre Jaque Fourie who has hurt the Blues before, scoring a hat-trick during the 34-all draw between these two sides at Ellis Park three years ago.

Although defeated last weekend in Hamilton, after surrendering a 29-10 advantage 50 minutes in, the Lions will have taken confidence from that performance, and should benefit from a preparation that is unhindered by travel, unlike last week, ahead of their visit to Eden Park.

Lam doesn't believe the defeat will have dampened the enthusiasm of the Lions that was clearly evident at Waikato Stadium as they stunned the Chiefs with an approach full of hustle and bustle.

He certainly doesn't anticipate them being deflated after missing a second chance for a win following the previous week's narrow loss to the Hurricanes in Johannesburg.

"They can make their season by winning a game like this at Eden Park," warned Lam. "The plan is to hopefully make them deflated in the game. But we just have to make sure we front.

"I think they showed last week that if you take them lightly you'll get done. They are a good side and they certainly like to have a crack ... they had the Chiefs under a lot of pressure until that last 20 minutes.

"So we can't take it easy and we need to treat them with respect."

While the Lions, or their forebears the Cats, have at least won in New Zealand; their recent record means they rival the still winless Cheetahs as the competition’s worst travellers. The Lions have not won in nine matches in New Zealand since resuming as a single entity in Super Rugby three years ago, continuing the barren run that had been endured by the Cats prior to their dis-solution in 2005.

Lions coach, Eugene Eloff said securing a first-ever scalp at Eden Park would be a great way to end his side's brief New Zealand stint, although he was still in the dark over exactly how the Blues would approach the match.

"I still have to determine how I want to take them on," Eloff said.

"The Blues have changed their game a bit because they have lost a few players. We have to move them around by putting the ball behind them. All I know is that the Blues will be tough opponents.

"They have their backs to the wall and have to regain some of their pride."

Recent results:

2008: Blues 55-10 Lions, Johannesburg
2007: Blues 41-14 Lions, Auckland
2006: Blues 33-34 Lions, Johannesburg 
2005: Blues 23-6 Lions, Albany

iafrica.com Prediction: The Blues have shown that they can score a lot of tries but they can leak just as many. The Lions' physicality should see them getting the upperhand in this one, to win by at least nine points.

Teams:

Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko/Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Jay Williams, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Jimmy Gopperth/Rene Ranger.

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Shandre Frolick, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Deon van Rensburg, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Andre Pretorius, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Ernst Joubert, 6 Todd Clever, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3  Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Jannie Boshoff

Referee: James Leckie (Australia)
Touch Judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Western Force vs Hurricanes
(Subiaco Oval, Perth - 17.40, 09.40 GMT)

Although they are in the bottom half of the Super 14 table, the Force can still make the last four if they can build some momentum in the second half of the campaign. They will also be looking to get as many points in the bag before they travel to South Africa in May.

The Hurricanes are on the final leg of their tour that included two tough matches in South Africa, against the Lions and the Sharks, and they may feel the effects of travel with one rest day less at their disposal.

Nevertheless, they are well placed in sixth position and will have no difficulty motivating themselves for the contest.

The Hurricanes arrived in Perth licking their wounds after a 16-point defeat in Durban that was a lot closer than the final scoreline indicates.

The New Zealanders led the competition pace-setters at halftime, and didn't have all the luck after the break as the Sharks drew out, scoring their third and final try just before the final whistle.

The Hurricanes are the only one of the five Kiwi Super Rugby sides that are yet to experience the winning feeling in Perth.

The Hurricanes were also the first visiting team to depart a loser after appearing at Subiaco. That was in the corresponding match two years ago when the ‘Canes, on their way to South Africa, were beaten 17-18 by a late try and conversion from Cameron Shepherd.

This handed the Force their first home win – at their ninth attempt. Fast-forward two years and home matches remain problematic for the West Australian franchise.

Last weekend’s 39-7 win over the Reds was just the Force’s second from four home games this year, and the ninth from 23 appearances through their four-year history. The five points gained from the Reds has pushed the Force up the table, although another win is non-negotiable if they are to remain a contender for the semi-finals.

Force coach John Mitchell is hoping his teams picks up from where they left off last week.

"There were many pleasing aspects of last weekend's win, but the most satisfying was that it came through a whole team effort," said Mitchell.

"We built the win on the back of some strong defence and we were able to maintain our physicality throughout the entire contest. The challenge now is to lift our physicality and energy levels again against one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the competition," he said.

Recent results:

2008: Force 10-21 Hurricanes, Wellington
2007: Force 18-17 Hurricanes, Perth
2006: Force 5-29 Hurricanes, New Plymouth

iafrica.com Prediction: The Hurricanes have been one of the most inconsistent teams in this year's Super 14 while the Force have steadily been improving. The 'Canes also have the travel factor to contend with which means the Force could have the edge by at least eight points.

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 AJ Whalley, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Tamaiti Horua, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Junior Pelesasa, 22 Haig Sare.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 1 Zac Guildford,13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8. Rodney So'oialo (captain), 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush / Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Bryn Evans / Api Naikatini, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Tamati Ellison

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch Judges: Ian Smith (Australia), Brett Bowden (Australia)
Television match official: Julian Pritchard (Australia)

Highlanders vs  Reds
(Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill - 17.30, 05.30 GMT)

The Highlanders have made steady progress after a slow start and find themselves in mid-table and very much in contention for the playoffs and home advantage should favour the Highlanders.

The Reds have gone in the opposite direction after losing their previous two matches and slipping to 13th position in the log.

It might be a bit further to travel than Dunedin, but the Highlanders’ record from matches in Invercargill suggests that a trip there for the Reds represents a pretty good deal.

This year’s 10-14 loss to the Chiefs at the home of Southland Rugby was the Highlanders’ fifth against all-comers at Rugby Park Stadium (three of which have been sustained against the Chiefs), from 11 previous appearances, which also includes a draw with the Stormers four years ago.

This will be the Reds’ seventh visit to the southern part of the South Island and they have lost on all six previous occasions – five times by margins in excess of 13 points.

The Reds have never beaten the Highlanders in New Zealand since the introduction of Super rugby, with their most recent lapse a 17-33 defeat in 2007.

"It’s a place in New Zealand where we haven’t done too well in recent times, so we're all very determined to do well," Reds coach Phil Mooney said.

"The important thing is we get the elements right to make sure we do better. This is a test of character now and a massive challenge for us. But one thing I do know about this group is that there is plenty of character in it and this weekend is an opportunity to show that."

Fresh from the week off, the Highlanders will be confident as they aim to win three in a row for the first time since they beat the Blues, Cheetahs and Stormers consecutively at the front end of the 2006 season.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore admitted there was a sense of excitement in the camp as the squad returned to training after the bye week.

"Everyone knows what it feels like to put those wins together. We've won two on the trot and there is excitement there," Moore said.

However, the Highlanders coach quickly pointed out that underestimating Australian side the Reds could undo the hard work done against the Bulls in Palmerston North two weeks ago.

"They loved playing in front of that crowd. Everyone was very enthusiastic and got in behind us. Hopefully, we can get a similar sort of crowd [in Invercargill this weekend]," he said.

iafrica.com Prediction: The Highlanders have been the biggest surprise package in this year's tournament while the Reds have looked promising, at best. Travelling down to Invercargill is another big stumbling block for the visitors and the Highlanders should comfortably beat them by at least 10 points.

Teams:

Highlanders: TBA

Reds: 15 Mark McLinden, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Brando Va'aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Hugh McMeniman, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Jack Kennedy, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Luke Morahan.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch Judges: Keith Brown (New Zealand), tba
Television match official: James McPhail (New Zealand)

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