The Tight Five: This Week’s Biggest Matches on Rugby Pass

We preview the best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this week.

International League: Kangaroos vs Kiwis (Friday May 6, 6:05pm HKT)
The NRL takes a break this week, but for good reason – we’ve got a Trans-Tasman test to enjoy. For so long a fixture dominated by the Kangaroos,  Friday night’s test sees the Kiwis going for their fourth win in a row over the Aussies, something they haven’t achieved for over 50 years. They go in without a slew of experienced test veterans and a rookie captain in Storm prop Jesse Bromwich, while the Kangaroos look strong across the park. It’s back to being the underdog for the Kiwis, not that they’ll mind too much – some of their greatest test wins have come with the odds stacked against them.

Top 14: Grenoble vs Bordeaux (Saturday May 7, 2:45am HKT)
The middle of the table is where the action is with just four rounds remaining before the Top 14 playoffs. Bordeaux are still very much in the quarterfinals picture, but need to make every game count from here on in. They sit 7th on the table with 57 points, just one behind Castres and four behind Toulouse. If they can overtake either of those two, they’ll be in. With 47 points Grenoble are a longer shot – they need to win at least three, probably all of their last four to make a late charge. A win this weekend would be the first step.

Super Rugby: Chiefs vs Highlanders (Saturday May 7, 3:35pm HKT)
As soon as the final whistle blew on the Highlanders hard fought win over the Brumbies in Invercargill on Saturday night, Aaron Smith was already looking forward to this game. “I love playing the Chiefs,” he said in his post-match interview.

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Like the Highlanders, the Chiefs’ win over the Sharks was built on a solid defence rather than the attacking style they’re known for. This weekend could see both teams revert to type – perhaps figuring attack is the best form of defence. That would certainly make for an enticing battle of the fullbacks between All Blacks incumbent Ben Smith and the Chiefs’ rising star Damian McKenzie.

Aviva Premiership: Harlequins vs Chiefs (Saturday May 7, 10:30pm HKT)
Heading into the final week of the Aviva Premiership regular season most of the playoff pieces have already fallen into place. Saracens, Chiefs, Wasps and Tigers have already secured their places into the semis and London Irish have already booked their relegation ticket to the Greene King IPA Championship. All that’s left to play for this week is 5th and 6th place, and qualification to the 2016/17 European Cup. Harlequins currently cling to 6th by a point over Sharks, and risk being pipped of they can’t get a result against Chiefs. And although Chiefs are already booked a playoffs spot, they still have plenty to play for – beating Harlequins would guarantee them a home semi final.

Asian Championship: Malaysia vs Sri Lanka (Sunday May 8, 4:20pm HKT)
The Asian Rugby Championship kicked off last weekend with Japan handing South Korea an 85-0 thrashing in Yokohama. This weekend the Division 1 tournament begins, with the winner progressing to a promotion / relegation playoff against the bottom-placed Championship side (either South Korea or Hong Kong). Host country Malaysia – promoted after winning Division 2 last year – open their campaign on Sunday afternoon when they play last year’s Division 1 winners Sri Lanka. Nicknamed The Brave Elephant Tuskers, they should provide a tough introduction to Division 1 footy for the Malaysians, who have no known nickname.