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A quality round of tipping by us all, highlighted by Elisha picking the card and me scoring the same as everyone else for a change.
It’s still difficult to swallow that the Blues cost me a perfect round, but that’s how the cookie leads a horse to water. Or something like that.
Paddy has maintained his lead. Picking the same as your closest rival is certainly one way of doing that…
The big Round 12 questions: Will Jamie Joseph dare to rest again? (No, as it turns out.)
Can the Brumbies just maul for 80 minutes? What if the coin for Blues-Force lands on its edge?
Does the Hurricanes’ run to a home final commence on Saturday? Was the Chiefs’ win without Cruden a dead cat bounce? Can the Stormers convert more opportunities than they bomb?
And could the Lions’ newfound attack spring a major upset in Pretoria?
Elisha Pearce
Tips: Highlanders, Waratahs, Blues, Hurricanes (PP), Chiefs, Stormers, Lions.
“As Flight of the Concords said in their timeless classic, ‘it’s business time’. And as the Crusaders usually do – but hopefully not this year, since I said they’d flop – I seem to be peaking at the right time.
“Take the Highlanders who I think might kick on; they just forfeited last week by resting blokes. Take the ‘Tahs over the still faltering Brumbies, although them at home this is a close pick.
“Blues at home is a risk worth taking over the Force. ‘Canes to ride on strong this week – I’m giving them the powerplay.
“Chiefs are going to have to work for it but will take the Rebels – but this is a good game to not make a pick on, if that was allowed. Stormers over the Cheetahs in a tight one and Lions hurt the Bulls conference championship bid with a big away win.”
Paddy Effeney
Tips: Highlanders, Waratahs, Blues, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Stormers (PP), Bulls.
“I can guarantee that all my tips will be of the highest calibre. Even though my computer really wanted me to pick the Force (I tried to highlight the Force but instead highlighted Blues, thus leaving Force in my initial draft correspondence to Brett), I’m going with my head and picking the Blues.
Brett’s note: Um, OK…
“The tough game for me this week is deciding out of the Highlanders and the Sharks. I’m going Highlanders to bounce back in Dunedin. I think the ‘Tahs will get over the Brumbies, the ‘Canes to do the Crusaders and the Chiefs to beat the Rebels. I’ll be at that game, so anyone who wants to say hello, feel free (not like you’ll be able to find me). I’ll back Harry Jones’ Stormers with my powerplay, and I think the Bulls can end the Lions’ hot streak.
“Looks like a good week of footy to me, and comparably less painful, with the Reds not playing this weekend.”
Brett’s note: Rebels fans wanting to meet up with Paddy can get him on 0408 25…
Diggercane
Tips: Highlanders, Waratahs, Blues, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Stormers, Bulls (PP).
“My head hurts. Easier to pick the lotto numbers and understanding my wife than picking this round.
“I will start with the easy one, ‘Canes to beat the Crusaders. There, now I am on a roll!
“Have to back the Highlanders at home against the Sharks and will bank on the Eden Park factor for the Blues over the Force, while in Melbourne I will pick the Chiefs over the Rebels as I think they have too many points in them for the Rebels to cope.
“Have to back Harry’s Stormers over the Cheetahs, and I am leaning towards home ground advantage for the Bulls over the Lions and will leave my powerplay with the Pretorians.
“The Waratahs and Brumbies? Tough to settle on. History suggests the home side, but I am going to back the Tahs on this occasion, just ‘cos.”
Spiro Zavos
Tips: Highlanders, Brumbies, Blues, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Stormers (PP), Lions.
“This is an unusually difficult round to pick winners, even in a year where upsets have taken place with some annoying regularity.
“In general, I am going for the home sides, on the theory that teams generally play better at home, than away from home.
“This theory breaks down, though, with the two South African derbies and with the Chiefs in Melbourne. Or at least, that is my theory.”
Brett McKay
Tips: Highlanders (PP), Brumbies, Blues, Hurricanes, Rebels, Stormers, Bulls.
A 7/8 round from me is bloody great, but it also means there’s only way from here. Therefore, I’m going down swinging.
Such is my disdain for the Sharks this year, that the Highlanders can have my Powerplay out of pure spite. I don’t ‘hate’ any team or any player, but I will be genuinely thrilled when I get this tip right. I can’t ever recall getting it so wrong about a team in pre-season expectations and the Sharks now just make me angry.
I’m angry typing this now! And now I’m ranting about the freaking Sharks!
I wrote on Tuesday that I have concerns about the Brumbies beating the Waratahs, but such is my desperation to make up points, I’m allowing self-contradiction and sweating on my colleagues’ disagreement. The Blues should post win number two against the Force, who suddenly face a scrumhalf shortage. Hurricanes to keep the Crusaders roller-coaster going for another week.
I’ve got a gut feeling about the Rebels knocking off the Chiefs, and if that doesn’t explain it enough, then see the Brumbies tip. Stormers should really be a powerplay pick, but you know, the Sharks had it coming. And the Bulls should win at home, though I won’t so much mind getting it wrong.
I love watching the Lions this season…
The summary
| Round 12 | Diggercane | Patrick Effeney | Brett McKay | Elisha Pearce | Spiro Zavos |
| Overall | 56 | 58 | 50 | 54 | 55 |
| Last week | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| HIG v SHA | Highlanders | Highlanders | Highlanders | Highlanders | Highlanders |
| BRU v WAR | Waratahs | Waratahs | Brumbies | Waratahs | Brumbies |
| BLU v FOR | Blues | Blues | Blues | Blues | Blues |
| HUR v CRU | Hurricanes | Hurricanes | Hurricanes | Hurricanes | Hurricanes |
| REB v CHI | Chiefs | Chiefs | Rebels | Chiefs | Chiefs |
| CHE v STO | Stormers | Stormers | Stormers | Stormers | Stormers |
| BUL v LIO | Bulls | Bulls | Bulls | Lions | Lions |
| POWERPLAY | Bulls | Stormers | Highlanders | Hurricanes | Stormers |
| BYE | Reds |