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One thing became clear after Round 8, and that is that our fair and hard-working editor Paddy Effeney does not like being a front-runner.
After inheriting the lead last week, Paddy’s four-point weekend saw him overrun by the rampant, some might even say ‘Hurricane-like’, Diggercane.
And aside from Paddy’s misfortune – which I really should stop highlighting – it was a pretty solid round from the experts.
And while Digger and Spiro made clear errors of judgement in not picking the Lions, I at least can blame James Horwill for my perfect round not coming through. Think about your actions, James…
The big Round 9 questions: Surely – surely – the Blues couldn’t lose an eighth straight game? Can the Highlanders square the ledger of away teams winning South Island derbies this season? Can Paddy recover from a 50 per cent Round 8?
Has the Waratahs’ task got that much easier with Duane Vermeulen last seen in the departure lounge? Is the draw the safest pick for Force-Cheetahs? Can the Sharks field a team? And what manner of catastrophe can the Reds possible produce in Pretoria?
Diggercane
Tips: Blues, Crusaders, Waratahs, Force, Bulls (PP), Lions.
“Well, I am finding this Round an absolute nightmare to pick and I am struggling to settle on one or another, so I am heading towards picking all of the Home teams this week.
“I think with the return to Eden Park and a number of cats now having decided their future, the Blues will break their duck against the Brumbies in my pick for an upset, while I think the Crusade has the bit between their teeth and will be too strong up front for the Highlanders coming off the bye. No Thor, no Stormers win in Sydney, and I cannot see the Cheetahs winning on tour, so Force for me.
“The Bulls should be too strong for the Reds in Pretoria, and while the Sharks will be looking to make amends for a poor effort last week, it was so poor I have to back the Lions.
“The only pick I feel relatively comfortable with is the Bulls so they can have my powerplay.”
Spiro Zavos
Tips: Brumbies, Crusaders, Waratahs, Force, Bulls (PP), Lions.
“Most of the matches, on paper, seem to be easy to pick this weekend.
“The Crusaders and Highlanders match is an exception. I don’t rate the Crusaders this season. But what do you do about a side playing away in South Africa, penalised 10-1 and still leading 28-3 at half-time? So I am taking the Crusaders to beat the Highlanders mainly because of the Crusaders set piece strength.
“I am taking the Lions at home to beat the Sharks, on the grounds that the Sharks were so hopeless and hapless last weekend that they surely can’t get up against a Lions side that has been feisty in most of its matches this season.”
Brett McKay
Tips: Brumbies, Crusaders, Waratahs, Force, Bulls (PP), Lions.
Another round that seems easy to pick can only mean another terrible score looms.
The Brumbies *should* be too strong the Blues, but the Blues are going to win sooner rather than later. As long as it’s later than tonight, then that’d be grouse. The Crusaders shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Highlanders on current form, so I’ll stick solid but prepare for the worst.
The Stormers with Duane Vermeulen would’ve been a different prospect, so chalk this one up for the ‘Tahs. And I’ve genuinely flipped a coin in picking the Force to beat the Cheetahs. Bulls won’t be troubled by the Reds in what is evidently a Powerplay-fest.
And the Sharks are just rubbish currently, plus the Lions have been good to me in recent weeks!
Elisha Pearce
Tips: Brumbies, Crusaders, Waratahs, Force, Bulls (PP), Lions.
“Some good games on this weekend? Suddenly the Lions have won three straight without breaking 25 points, which will be enough since the Sharks haven’t topped 15 in three weeks. Give me a fairly pissed ouuf (Tony Greig voice) Bulls at home over the Reds after last week’s performance, and put a powerplay on that because I have to put it on one game each week and this seems as good as any.
“Win number two for the Force coming up against a poorly Cheetahs outfit waiting for their flight home. The Waratahs should sneak home against the Stormers who are better than their recent results suggest – could be a close one. Take the Crusaders at home but don’t put money on it with a Highlanders side that can turn it on any week. Brumbies are the third team in a row to beat the Blues but make it look tough.”
Brett’s note: Match orders are just a guide, man…
Paddy Effeney
Tips: Brumbies, Crusaders, Waratahs, Force, Bulls (PP), Lions.
Turns out Paddy didn’t take losing the lead well and he hasn’t been seen at Roar HQ all week. Now that may well be because officially he’s on holiday, but I think we all know the real reason…
The summary
| Round 9 | Diggercane | Patrick Effeney | Brett McKay | Elisha Pearce | Spiro Zavos |
| Overall | 42 | 41 | 37 | 38 | 41 |
| Last week | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| BLU v BRU | Blues | Brumbies | Brumbies | Brumbies | Brumbies |
| CRU v HIG | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders |
| WAR v STO | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs |
| FOR v CHE | Force | Force | Force | Force | Force |
| BUL v RED | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls |
| LIO v SHA | Lions | Lions | Lions | Lions | Lions |
| POWERPLAY | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls |
| BYE | Hurricanes, Chiefs, Rebels |