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Super Rugbys regular season is done an dusted, paving the way for the opening round of the playoffs -- the quarterfinals.Friday, July 22Brumbies v Highlanders, GIO Stadium, CanberraKey stat (Opta Stats)The Brumbies have won seven of their last nine games against the Highlanders, though they scored just 10 points against them in an away loss in Round 10 this season.Line-upsBrumbies:?Aidan Toua, Nigel Ah Wong, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Robbie Coleman, Christian Lealiifano (co-captain), Tomás Cubelli, Jarrad Butler, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, Blake Enever, Ruan Smith, Stephen Moore (co-captain), Scott Sio Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Tom Staniforth, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Andrew Smith, James Dargaville, Lausii Taliauli (one to be omitted)Highlanders:?Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Shane Christie (co-captain), Elliot Dixon, Luke Whitelock, Tom Franklin, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown Replacements: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Te Aihe Toma, Fletcher Smith, Rob ThompsonTeam NewsDavid Pocock?returns for the Brumbies?after six weeks on the sidelines with a fractured eye socket sustained during the first Test against England. Wallabies lock Rory Arnold has been ruled out after failing to recover from an elbow injury suffered against the Western Force. He is replaced by Blake Enever. Robbie Coleman returns to replace benched James Dargaville on the wing, while Ruan Smith will start at tighthead with Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin named on the extended bench after recovering from injury. Leuluaialii-Makin replaces Ben Alexander on the bench.The Highlanders have made two changes to the starting XV -- with No. 8 Liam Squire included with co-captain Shane Christie, who has recovered from illness.UBET verdict: Brumbies $2.50, Highlanders 1.53.?Aussie teams have only beaten the NZ sides three times in 25 matches this season, and the Brumbies have only won two of last 10 against Kiwi outfits. The Highlanders won 23-7 in Invercargill earlier this year, while the Brumbies have suffered some big losses at home. Early money is with the Highlanders.Greg Growdens verdict:?Highlanders should win no matter what against lackadaisical Brumbies.Saturday July 23Hurricanes v Sharks, Westpac Stadium, WellingtonKey stat (Opta Stats)The Hurricanes have now won their last five fixtures in succession; the last time they won more in a row was when they opened the 2015 with seven straight wins.Line-upsHurricanes:?James Marshall, Cory Jane, Matt Proctor, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Ben May, Dane Coles (captain), Loni Uhila, Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Mark Abbott, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson Park, Vince Aso, Julian Savea.Sharks:?Willie le Roux, JP Pietersen, Paul Jordaan, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Garth April, Michael Claassens, Philip van der Walt, Jean-Luc du Preez, Keegan Daniel, Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Coenie Oosthuizen, Franco Marais, Tendai Mtawarira (captain) Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dale Chadwick, Thomas du Toit, Hyron Andrews, Tera Mtembu, Stefan Ungerer, Curwin Bosch, Odwa Ndungane.Team NewsHurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has made three inclusions to his starting XV to face the Sharks, with Matt Proctor recovered from a hamstring strain to take his place at centre and props Loni Uhila and Ben May named in the front-row. Proctors return sees Jason Woodward shift to the left wing in place of Julian Savea, who moves to the reserves. Uhila starts at loosehead prop in place of Reggie Goodes, who was unavailable for selection after leaving the field with concussion during the final round of the regular season against the Crusaders in Christchurch.The Sharks are boosted by the return from injury of Willie le Roux, Paul Jordaan and Jean-Luc du Preez.UBET verdict:?Hurricanes $1.14, Sharks $5.75. The last five between these two have gone to the home side, with four of those being by 13+. Sharks did win 32-15 at home earlier in year, but the Canes are near unbeatable at home, and are the shortest priced favourite of the round.Greg Growdens verdict:?Hurricanes should walk over the Sharks in comfortable fashion.Lions v Crusaders, Ellis Park, JohannesburgKey stat (Opta Stats)The Crusaders have won their last seven games against the Lions, scoring 28 points or more on all but one occasion.Line-upsLions:?Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, Courtnal Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (captain), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylon Smith Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Jacques Van Rooyen, Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink, Ross Cronje, Howard Mnisi, Jaco van der Walt / Sylvian MahuzaCrusaders:?Israel Dagg, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Crotty, David Havili, Jone Macilai, Richie Mounga, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett Replacements: Ben Funnell, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Drummond, Ben Volavola, Kieron Fonotia.Team NewsLions captain Warren Whiteley has been cleared to play after struggling with a shoulder injury.The Crusaders have made five changes to the 23 that played the Hurricanes last weekend. Halfback Andy Ellis and lock Sam Whitelock were late withdrawals from the team last week, but both have been declared fit to play against the Lions (Ellis recovering from a calf strain and Whitelock from a virus). Jordan Taufua comes back into the starting line-up at 6, and Jimmy Tupou shifts to the bench. The only changes to the backs are Jone Macilai taking the wing in the place of the injured Nemani Nadolo, and Ben Volavola taking a spot in the reserves in place of Mitchell Hunt.UBET verdict: Lions $1.85, Crusaders $1.95.?Not much separating these two in the betting. The Lions rested all of their players last week, and have lost 12 of the last 13 vs. the Crusaders, but are a different side in 2016. The worry for the Lions is that they have played three Kiwi sides at home this year, and only beat the Blues, and prior to that lost to the Hurricanes and Crusaders (Round 6 lost by six). Early money is with the Crusaders.Greg Growdens verdict:?Lions to prevail.Stormers v Chiefs, Newlands, Cape TownKey stat (Opta Stats)No player has beaten more defenders than Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs full-back is just seven carries shy of becoming the second player to make 200 carries this season.Line-upsStormers:?Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk, Huw Jones, Damian de Allende, Leolin Zas, Robert du Preez, Nic Groom, Schalk Burger (co-captain), Siya Kolisi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Ezebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Alistair Vermaak. Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Oli Kebble, Frans Malherbe (co-captain), JD Schickerling, Rynhardt Elstadt, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Brandon Thomson.Chiefs:?Damian McKenzie, Sam McNicol, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Donald, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (co-captain), Brad Weber, Tom Sanders, Sam Cane (co-captain), Taleni Seu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Atu Moli, Nathan Harris, Kane Hames Replacements: Hika Elliot, Siegfried Fisiihoi, Mitchell Graham, Tevita Koloamatangi, Lachlan Boshier, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson.Team NewsRobert du Preez returns to the Stormers side for the first time since he injured a knee in Round Two, replacing Jean-Luc du Plessis who was injured against Southern Kings last week. Nic Groom?returns inside him, after being rested against the Kings. Up front, Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker, with Scarra Ntubeni moving to the replacements bench where he will be joined by props Oli Kebble and co-captain Frans Malherbe who are both returning from injury. Locks Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit both return after sitting out last week, while Siya Kolisi returns to as the only chanage to the back-row.Stephen Donald replaces injured Seta Tamanivalu alongside Anton Lienert-Brown in the Chiefs midfield, with Sam McNicol preferred ahead of Toni Pulu on the right wing and Brad Weber back as the starting scrum-half. Kane Hames, Nathan Harris and Atu Moli form the front-row while Dominic Bird and Brodie Retallick will continue their solid lock partnership. With Liam Messam unavailable, Tom Sanders shifts over to No. 8 and is joined in the back-row by Taleni Seu and co-captain Sam Cane.UBET verdict: Stormers $2.25, Chiefs $1.65.?Another tricky match here. The Stormers have not played a NZ side all season which is pretty bizarre; but come into this game having won their last four at home. That was against the Kings, Force, Rebels and Cheetahs however; so poor opposition. The Chiefs can travel and win, and that is where the money has gone.Greg Growdens verdict:?Despite the long travel, Chiefs to get by Stormers in a nail biter.? Florida Panthers Pro Shop . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Florida Panthers Shirts .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. https://www.panthersjerseycheap.com/ . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Custom Florida Panthers Jerseys . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. TUCSON, Ariz. -- Two games in and Arizona freshman Lauri Markkanen is already drawing high praise from his coach.Lauris one of the best players in college basketball, Sean Miller said. He is. Hes a monster.The 18-year-old 7-footer from Finland scored 26 points and the 10th-ranked Wildcats held off a furious second-half rally by Cal State Bakersfield for a 78-66 victory on Tuesday night.Jaylin Airington scored 31 for the Roadrunners (1-1) and led a 17-0 run that cut Arizonas lead to four with 9:04 to play. But Markkanen sank a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play and made a short jumper to lead the Wildcats out of trouble.Markkanen is accustomed to such moments.I am used to it, he said. Pretty much my whole life, in big moments, I have the ball in my hands.The already short-handed Wildcats (2-0) were without starting senior guard Kadeem Allen, who sprained a knee in Arizonas 65-63 victory over Michigan State last Friday in Honolulu.Rawle Alkins was 4 for 6 on 3-pointers and scored 15 for the Wildcats and Kobi Simmons added 13. Both also are freshmen.Dedrick Basile added 14 for BakersfieldHaving the opportunity to play a top 10 team is going to give us an opportunity to have some confidence coming out of this game, Roadrunners coach Rod Barnes said.Airington was 10 for 25 from the field, and Miller said its hard to get 25 shots in a college game. It wasnt enough.It was a good individual effort, Airington said, but I wanted to win more than anything.Arizona was up 44-26 at the half and was cruising along when a tip-in by yet another freshman, Keanu Pinder, gave the Wildcats a 53-32 lead with 14:45 to play. Arizona didnt score for the next 6:46.The McKale Center crowd fell into an uncomfortable silence when Damine Durhams basket cut the lead to 53-49 with 9:04 to play.A ruckus under the Arizona basket finally woke the Wildcats up.Chance Comanche went up for a layup and was hit hard by a pair of Bakersfield defenders. Some shoving occurreed with Comanche lying on the court and officials called time out to review the incident on video.ddddddddddddTaze Moore was called for a flagrant foul one and Comanche ended the long drought by making one of two free throws with 7:59 left. Arizona got the ball out of bounds on the play and Markkanen sank his only 3 of the night to boost the lead to 57-49.Playing small forward on Arizonas big front line, he drove hard down the lane, was fouled and converted a three-point play with 5:51 left and made a short jumper with 5:17 to go, giving the Wildcats a 64-54 lead and they held on from there.Lauris strong, Miller said. Hes not skinny, hes not thin. Hes 18 years old buy physically he can take a pounding and I think that really shows. He doesnt appear to be 7 foot because hes not a rail-thin 7-footer.His pull-ups that he made tonight, watching him go to the free throw line under pressure, hes a special, special player.Hes also a great team player and a good student.I dont think hes got a B at Arizona, Miller said. And practice-wise hes consumed with becoming a great player. Hes one of our teams hardest workers. ... Im so glad we have him.BIG PICTURECal State Bakersfield: The Roadrunners were not cowed by the atmosphere and look like WAC contenders.Arizona: After the opener against a big name school, the young Wildcats fell into a lull with a big lead. That might not have happened if Allen had been available.PLAYER SHORTAGEThe absence of Allen left Arizona with only seven scholarship players with a particular shortage at guard. It got even worse when Jackson-Cartwright got into foul trouble.UP NEXTCal State Bakersfield: returns home to face UC Santa Barbara Saturday night.Arizona: Plays the second of three straight home nonconference game against teams from lesser conferences, facing Sacred Heart on Friday night. ' ' '