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 |
Charl
Guest
Ok, so I was wrong with the Brumbies, but pretty spot on apart from that - is there a prize??
Harry Jones
Expert
Not happy. 6 of 7, but PP was on Saders.
taylorman
Roar Guru
"I think all four Australian teams will lose.." Still remember reading that...didn't quite believe it at the time. Definitely a key weekend in the season for this tournament.
Eszkal
Guest
There was upset in this round, so perhaps you will earn 2-4 points maximum. :-)
Grahame
Guest
"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?" With the advantage of hindsight, the answers to your three questions are: No Yes No, Paddy's doing even worse than last time, like some of his Expert mates! It's all good fun!
Jameswm
Guest
Easy Brett. I know it hurts when your team loses.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I knew from previous comments that you were likely to a Reds supporter, NT, and that is why your call was a brave one. It was in fact an informed one. The trip back from SA had also swayed my picking the Landers, apart from the fact that it is a local derby where form is not always a good guide as to how the game may turn out. Are you conflicted when the Tahs meet the Reds.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Not sure, I think it might be a high scoring game but at 80 mins, might not be too much separating the two sides.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Brett, Digger has the others covered ... all his other picks are same as the others on the panel... so yes, he has won the round..
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Thanks Gents, But I'm no Aucklander, nor am I a New Zealander. In fact I'm a Novocastrian who calls Queensland home. I just thought it was 'time' for the Blues, who were rated by the Waratah's & Chiefs. Thanks to Nic White's long range miss I was right. I'm also tipping the Highlanders just over the Crusaders. The trip back from SA might sway it in the end?
Akari
Roar Rookie
I am with you on this one too, Bobbo7. I've had a great night's sleep after a tense game and having a great morning too. I thought the game was over for the Brumbies when both Toomua and Sio went off injured. The replacements played above themselves and the Brumbies displayed great heart to nearly take the game at the end. What a team and what a great player David Pocock is. Pocock's pilfering was the best I've seen in a long while and he nearly won the game for the Brumbies single-handedly.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Now, look whose laughing with his PP already in the bag. Great call and heart, Nick. I wish I put my money where my mouth is and added the PP to last night's tense win indeed. I don't care how they do it as long as the Bulls beat the Reds so I can earn my PP. Frans Ludeke should have a word with Jaco Peyper if things are not going the Bulls way at half time and even stop the game with 5 minutes to go if need be. If the Cheikaman can do it and get away with a slap on the wrist, so should the Ludekeman. Did you make brekkie for everyone at home this morning, Rugby Tragic and Taylorman?
Bobbo7
Guest
No great surprise the Blues got up. At home where they usually win, getting bad media, enough quality, most loses have been close. Now for the Highlanders to beat the Crusaders. With the rest and travel factor I think it is very 50/50
Brett McKay
Expert
Makes for a long conclusion to the round now, Larry!
Brett McKay
Expert
No, good point, you sure showed us with your non-tip of a coin toss in a 50/50 game. And then jumped back on here to gloat about it! Classy...
Larry_Parallelogram
Guest
Only one game played and Diggercane has effectively won the round!
Jameswm
Guest
My thinking was right then. Plausible, but mathematically unlikely. But in fact it wasn't my thinking Brett. I said above I'd toss a coin. How can it read like that? You just don't like me querying your Brumby tips.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
You are right Nick, we almost blew it. To be honest, not sure if the best team won tonight but I'll take the win irrespective. Pocock was enormous tonight and put out a marker who should be the Wallabies No 7. Kaino was great too for the Blues
Nick Turnbull
Roar Guru
Tense finish mate, bit of luck there, but thems-the-breaks as they say.
Sean Turner
Roar Guru
Blues – Despite their form, Eden Park is a fortress. Should come right, but for the sake of my tips, they’re on last chance saloon. Crusaders – A close one here, but the Saders should take it if they play it tight and dont open up until they need to. With a mouthwatering bench including Carter and Mccaw, as long as they force the Highlanders to play a forward oriented battle, a close game should see them pull away in the last 15 or so. Waratahs – This will be close, and another game where both teams have a great shot. The Tahs will be fresh and ready to go this week, and the Stormers showed in the second half last week, when they get their forwards running hard at the line, and get over the ball quickly, they’re a hard team to stop. Home ground advantage should prove the difference here. Force – Another 50/50, another match where the home track should see the locals through. Lions – The Sharks capitulated completely last week, and it will take a big lift in intensity to stop that rot. The Lions are the total opposite, and are playing with incredible heart and passion. It’s time to respect the fact they aren’t easybeats, and should see out this one by a few points. Bulls – It’s a good thing their jerseys are already Red, because Loftus will be painted with it after this one. Shield your eyes Australia, no Cooper means this one could get ugly real quick. All depends on what Bulls side turns up really. The safest bet for a powerplay.