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Super Rugby Expert tipping: Round 3

26th February, 2015
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It looks like just one Australian side will make the finals, will it be the Rebels? (AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
Expert
26th February, 2015
60
3435 Reads

I’m very happy to report a much improved round of tipping from the Experts in Round 2, which has eased concerns as to the viability of the panel.

No-one’s ever fully comfortable with their tips playing out in public, and even less so when said tips aren’t going well.

Another difficult round looms, though, with cracking derbies in all three conferences and some cross-conference games against closely matched teams. At least that will be the excuse come Monday.

For the record, Biltong and Paddy both managed seven of eight tips correct, while Digger, Elisha and Spiro all jagged five correct. That same grouping extends to the overall table.

And then came my second consecutive three, and I now languish in the part of the table that was last year held almost exclusively by our now-departed Queensland correspondent.

Biltongbek
Tips: Highlanders (powerplay), Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies, Bulls, Stormers.

“Bravery is needed to pick winners this week, or it could be ignorance. I don’t know the difference.

“Highlanders to put the Reds back in their box (and with my powerplay), Hurricanes to continue their dominance over the Force, Blues to burst the Cheetahs’ bubble with a bonus point win, and Chiefs to confirm home ground advantage still does hold true for some.

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“Brumbies to wreak havoc on the Rebels, the Bulls winning their first home game of the season despite their predictable play (remember the Sharks aren’t that smart), and finally the Stormers to confirm the Lions’ Wooden spoon status.”

Patrick Effeney
Tips: Reds, Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies (PP), Bulls, Stormers.

“Picking five away teams seems like a ridiculous thing to do, and anyone who does so should be kicked out of the competition immediately. And to be honest, I’m finding this round extremely tough to pick.

“I’m going to tip the Reds every week by the looks of things, and despite a ridiculous travel schedule I’m going with the (Digger) Canes. Chiefs to get over the Crusaders in the clear match of the round.

“Blues and Brumbies to stomp their opposition and the Bulls and Stormers to win their South African derbies.

“My powerplay goes to the Brumbies.”

Diggercane
Tips: Highlanders, Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies, Sharks, Stormers (PP).

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“I will start this week off with a complaint, and that is whoever decided to schedule the Chiefs match against the Crusaders – of which the Chiefs shall win at home – needs a swift and painful clip around the ears for scheduling this premium New Zealand derby match to clash with the New Zealand-Australia World Cup Cricket match. In fact, Hayden Triggs can be the one to administer said punishment as I hear he is available this weekend.

“The Blues to get off the mark against the ‘no one plays well after the bye’ Cheetahs, my powerplay Stormers to inflict more misery on the brave Lions, and the Sharks to continue the hapless Bulls’ plummet into the abyss. The in-form Brumbies will prove too strong for the rising Rebels, and the Bravehearts will have too much firepower for the angry Red Koalas.

“And of course the irresistible Hurricanes will sweep into Perth, dissipating the Force into another pointless George Lucas spinoff consigned to a mysterious unknown vault somewhere on Rottnest Island.”

Elisha Pearce
Tips: Highlanders, Hurricanes, Cheetahs, Chiefs, Brumbies (PP), Sharks, Stormers.

“This round is ridiculous. (‘Aren’t they all’, the crowd replies). The last two weeks were full of upsets and this week is full of matches that could go either way. Two South African derbies highlight the round, along with the New Zealand conference table-topping clash I’m not sure we’re ready for yet.

“The Bulls were some people’s dark horse for the conference. They’re already playing to stay in touch, but I think they’ll fall further back. The Chiefs will stumble early but win. The Brumbies to beat the Rebels at their own game get my powerplay.

“In other news I’ve picked the Hurricanes so I hope to find a seat on their bandwagon somewhere a few rows behind Digger – three road wins early would be choice as, bro.”

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Spiro Zavos
Tips: Highlanders, Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies, Sharks, Stormers (PP).

“The refereeing has not been a factor in any of the matches in the first two rounds, especially in South Africa, unlike the early rounds of last season.

“The referees, too, are being strict on enforcing the defending side to roll away when a tackler is impeding the fast delivery of ball to the halfback. This is having the effect of rewarding teams who are positive on attack and defence in the rucks and mauls.

“It’s with these concepts in mind that I’ve tipped as I have this week.”

Brett McKay
Tips: Highlanders, Hurricanes, Cheetahs, Chiefs, Brumbies, Sharks, Stormers (PP).

Well, it’s official: this competition sucks. Please come back, Scott…

The Highlanders should be better for the run against the Horwill-less Reds with James O’Connor at 10, while the Force’s lack of anything last week sees us all piling on to the ‘Canes and giving us one very nervous Digger.

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I’ve even less faith in the Blues than I have in the Cheetahs, Chiefs in a belter in the ‘Tron, and the Brumbies set piece game puts them ahead of the Rebels. Stormers to edge me closer to scoring Harry Jones’ jersey, though I’m going to argue that winning with a powerplay should give me the prize a week early.

And being unconvinced flipping a coin just once for Bulls-Sharks, the Sharks get the tip after emerging 25-23 victors in the resultant best-of-49 series.

The summary

Round 2 Biltongbek Diggercane Patrick Effeney Brett McKay Elisha Pearce Spiro Zavos
Overall 9 8 9 6 8 8
Last week 7 5 7 3 5 5
HIG v RED Highlanders Highlanders Reds Highlanders Highlanders Highlanders
FOR v HUR Hurricanes Hurricanes Hurricanes Hurricanes Hurricanes Hurricanes
CHE v BLU Blues Blues Blues Cheetahs Cheetahs Blues
CHI v CRU Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs
REB v BRU Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies
BUL v SHA Bulls Sharks Bulls Sharks Sharks Sharks
LIO v STO Stormers Stormers Stormers Stormers Stormers Stormers
POWERPLAY Highlanders Stormers Brumbies Stormers Brumbies Stormers
BYE Waratahs
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