Super 15 insider: Expert picks, round 18 previews

A win over the Highlanders would guarantee a home final for the Blues. Photo / Getty Images

Your complete guide to round 18 of the Super 15.

BLUES v HIGHLANDERS

Auckland, tonight, 7.35

Referee: Bryce Lawrence

THE MATCH:

The week kicks off with a match between a team that has posted a recent run of LLLL against another with LLL. The Blues have not won since May 6. That's bad, but the Highlanders' curse is plain spooky. They haven't won since Friday the 13th... and they have a hooker named Jason!

WHAT TO WATCH:

This is meaningful for one team only, with the Highlanders cooking their goose with back-to-back home losses to Super 15 krill - the Lions and Force. The Blues were good last weekend in the 'Ru, suggesting they aren't sitting like lame ducks ready to be shot at in the first week of the playoffs.

TIPS:

Mike Greenaway (Natal Mercury) - 76/113 67%: Blues

Andrew Slack (Wallaby legend) 75/113 66%: Blues

Dylan Cleaver (NZ Herald) - 73/113 65%: Blues

Rachel Glucina (Herald on Sunday) 72/113 64%: Blues

Wynne Gray (NZ Herald) 72/113 64%: Blues

TAB:

Blues $1.22 Highlanders $4.00