The dust has settled from the opening week of Super Rugby action but there's still plenty to ponder with two away games and a classic derby in Christchurch ahead. Time for the TVNZ rugby buffs to get picking!
How it works: TVNZ sports buffs will chip in their picks for matches involving New Zealand sides each round with some adding a little insight into their thinking. A correct result will give them two points and a correct margin a bonus point!
Round 2
Highlanders v Reds
Crusaders v Hurricanes
Brumbies v Chiefs
Sharks v Blues
Matt Hall-Smith - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+ - "Hurricanes effectively wave a white flag. Absolutely zero chance of winning in Christchurch, so they’ve picked perhaps their most flimsiest team in terms of experience."
Brumbies v Chiefs: Brumbies 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 13+
Guy Heveldt - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+ - "They’re resting how many All Blacks?! Goodness me. Can’t see 'Canes being in this one with those big names not starting."
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Brodyn Knuckey - 1 NEWS NOW Sport Producer
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 1-12 - "First game of the year for Reds so expect them to come out firing under Thorn but at home with a decent Scarfies crowd behind them, 'Landers to come out on top."
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+
Brumbies v Chiefs: Brumbies 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Maddy Lloyd - 1 NEWS Sport Producer
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Faleatua Malili - 1 NEWS NOW Sport Producer
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Hurricanes 1-12
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Matt Manukia - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 1-12
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 13+
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 1-12
John McKenzie - 1 NEWS Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+ - "Too good and far too strong at home. Canes aren’t even close to their best, which may take some time."
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 1-12
Alex Powell - 1 NEWS NOW Sport Producer
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 1-12
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Dewi Preece - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+ - "Highlanders will take a lot from that close first round win in Hamilton. Reds will still have off-season cobwebs to shake off."
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Hurricanes 1-12
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 13+ - "Both teams coming off derby losses…but I’ve got a sneaky feeling the Chiefs backline will just light up this weekend."
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 1-12
Michelle Prendiville - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+ - "Banking on Marty to get them home big time! He rocks."
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 1-12
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 1-12
Josh Reich - 1 NEWS NOW Editor, CO-LEADER
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 1-12
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 1-12
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 13+
Andrew Saville - 1 NEWS Sport Presenter, CO-LEADER
"Righto losers, follow me!"
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 1-12 - "Yes, 'Canes are missing a few, but they still generally give the Crusaders a close run. Crusaders unbeaten at home in a few seasons though - that pack is too good."
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12 - "Tough assignment on the road, but the Blues need to back up last weekend’s improved performance to show us it wasn’t a flash in the pan."
Stephen Stuart - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12 - "Damian McKenzie's back and David Pocock's out."
Sharks v Blues: Sharks 1-12 - "Sharks have beaten the Blues 11 of the last 12 times - don't see that changing!"
Victor Waters - Breakfast Sport Producer, 2018 Champ
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 1-12
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Crusaders 13+
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Abby Wilson - 1 NEWS Sport Reporter
Highlanders v Reds: Highlanders 13+
Crusaders v Hurricanes: Hurricanes 1-12
Brumbies v Chiefs: Chiefs 1-12
Sharks v Blues: Blues 1-12
Scoreboard: Reich 9, Saville 9, Hall-Smith 6, Heveldt 6, Lloyd 6, Waters 6, Malili 3, Prendiville 3, Wilson 3, McKenzie 2, Powell 2, Preece 2, Knuckey 0, Manukia 0, Stuart 0
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