So there’s been a fair bit going on of late, with a couple of days away and a sudden pile of work on return to McSport HQ, so just know this: The Crowd is still trailing Digger, and Paddy is still stuck at my level of tipping incompetence.
Digger holds the honour again this week, and he’s also backed up to provide this week’s Big Super Rugby Question.
Last Week: Digger, Harry, and The Crowd 6; Paddy and Brett 5.
Diggercane: “As amusing as it would be to simply copy Mr Jones and annoy the hell out of him, it is about time I took the lead which will annoy him more.
“’Canes by plenty.
“Crusaders looked tired last week and have only just arrived home, and while the ‘we fall down, we get back up’ Jaguares have called in some big guns, I still have to back the Crusade. I have to back the Cheetahs at home against the forty minute hooootdawgs, as well. The Blues all the way at home over a disappointing Sharks outfit, too.
“Neither the Waratahs or Brumbies were very convincing before the bye, and I really don’t know which way to lean here. In the end I landed on the Brumbies as they have displayed more stability and structure in their play and appear a bit more settled. No Pocock will be interesting to see.
“A rejuvenated Reds we appear to have, padawan, but I am unconvinced whether this will translate to good form on the road so the Bulls have my vote at Loftus. And I am backing the ambitious Lions at home over what appears to be a depleted Stormers outfit, and probably more because Armand van Zyl is a band wagon jumper.”
Tips: Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cheetahs, Blues, Brumbies, Bulls, Lions.
Harry Jones: “As is my tradition, and because I am a man of honour (in a few, but important respects), I will pick my tips first, even though this is tactically unsound.
“The cruel Crusaders will crush the woebegone Jaguares. The Hurricanes will flatten the Rebels; even with Beauden Barrett kicking. The Sunwolves will not acclimatise to Bloemfontein. The young Blues will bite the shallow Sharks, who lost their best player and look tired. The Waratahs will pick a fine time come right; the Brumbies’ breakdown will be a little toothless. The Bulls can’t scrum, so the Reds will start a winning streak.
“The Lions will probably win, but hang it, I’ll flipping pick my Stormers (average age 21 or so).”
Tips: Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cheetahs, Blues, Waratahs, Reds, Stormers.
Brett McKay: Interestingly, this appears to be the week Mr Jones has chosen to come back to the pack. I knew this day would come; I’m just glad it’s happened sooner rather than later.
First things first; Crusaders, Cheetahs, Blues are all easy. Easy and obvious. I’d love to be wrong about the Moondogs, but if their fitness still isn’t good enough at sea level, then they’re no chance up on the veldt.
I’m going with the Rebels because they just have to win games like this. You should be beating teams at your level if you have pretentions on the playoffs, and you certainly should be beating them on your home turf. And though the loss of David Pocock makes the Brumbies vulnerable (and without knowing if Jarrad Butler’s fit), I can’t see the Waratahs’ set piece being good enough.
What was the bigger anomaly last weekend: the Reds winning, or the Bulls running in six tries? I suspect it was the latter, but beating the Bulls will remain a tough job for the Reds first up in the Republic. Lions-Stormers shapes as a cracker, but I think the Lions are a more rounded side at the moment. Their defence and breakdown is every bit as good as Harry’s mob, but their attack is much better. And they’re at home in what should be a big Ellis Park crowd.
Tips: Crusaders, Rebels, Cheetahs, Blues, Brumbies, Bulls, Lions.
Paddy Effeney: “I have no idea what Brett and I are doing in this competition really… There’s just not much going on in either of our two football brains it would seem.”
Brett’s note: Well, I put this thing together, so my presence is required. What’s your excuse?
“What’s that Brett? Piping up in the middle of my section again?
“Crusaders are a lock. Hurricanes are a lock… Or are they? Either way I’m going ‘Canes as they’ve won their last four. Cheetahs are a lock, and then we get to the hard stuff.
“I’ll take the Blues at home after they took it to the Chiefs in an entertaining game last weekend. I’ll take the Waratahs with Kurtley Beale back to avenge their earlier loss to the Brumbies. The Bulls and the Lions round things off for me.”
Tips: Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cheetahs, Blues, Waratahs, Bulls, Lions.
The BIG Super Rugby Question: Is the current top eight the likely playoff contenders come the business end of the competition? (from Digger)
(For info, the current top eight is: Chiefs, Stormers, Lions, Brumbies the conference leaders, and then the Highlanders, Crusaders, Hurricanes, and Bulls in the four wildcard spots.)
Digger: “Yes, I think it will be. Of the chasing pack, the Rebels appear the most likely while the Sharks do not convince. Outside of that, the Waratahs perhaps but it would take some form reversal from them.
“So yes, I think these will be the teams to contest the playoffs.”
Harry: “The top five, currently, plus the Lions, will be in the playoffs, but I am not sure of the Bulls and Brumbies. Then again, I’m not enamoured by the Sharks and Rebels. Basically, I don’t know, but maybe.”
Paddy: “For the big question, there are a number of threats lurking way below. The Waratahs, for example, could easily usurp the Brumbies and Rebels.
“I think that only one Aussie team will feature in the finals, and in the end it will be the men from Canberra. I’ll leave that question open though.
“Aside from that, I see some jostling for position, but not much changing in terms of who will be there.”
Brett: Yeah, I think the top six is pretty set. Behind them, though, I think there’s still a bit of room for change.
The Hurricanes, Rebels, and Waratahs will be fighting it out for the last trans-Tasman wildcard spot, and we’ll actually get a bit of an idea around that this weekend.
And now that the Jaguares have essentially shot themselves in the foot – both feet, actually, resulting in two players receiving simultaneous yellow cards yet again – the last African spot will be left to the underwhelming Sharks and the underwhelming Bulls to battle for.
The Sharks have become exactly the sort of team that I thought during the preseason they would be in 2016, hence my surprise when they actually won games in the opening rounds. The Bulls aren’t much better despite last weekend’s result, but they are probably good enough to hold on by default.
The Summary
The tribe has spoken
The Crowd’s selection is in, and from more than 340 responses, the final vote was…
97.6% Crusaders
66.9% Hurricanes
89.3% Cheetahs
87.9% Blues
58.7% Brumbies
75.7% Bulls
73.5% Lions
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Harry, Digger is from NZ, they are very beasty (dare I say bestial?) over there so no surprise he's gone for all the animals. Better to stay with the indescribable. Its funny that two teams seem proud that their area is renown for their crappy weather. :) And btw, the NSW State emblem is a waratah, a plant with a distinctive red flower, Telopea speciosissima.
Harry Jones
Expert
Digger is sure he will leapfrog me this week. He has picked actual identifiable animals: horses, bulls and lions. I have something called a red, and a waratah, and things that storm. I"m getting nervous now.
winediamond
Guest
Redback Yeah i back the Reds. The Tahs too.
Digby
Roar Guru
Believe Harry that Kriel may be out? Feel like the crowd is copying me.....
Brett McKay
Expert
Lodged your votes for The Crowd's tips yet? Recent form suggests they need your help!! :P Voting closes at 2pm AEST, so get cracking..
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I knew you were a smart cookie ... one of these rounds, the Blues are going to put it all together ... might just be tomorrow!
Browny
Roar Rookie
But they don't include games from elsewhere, even comparable premier grade competitions in Japan, the UK or Europe, which is why the majority of the Sunwolves players have 6 or 7 caps, with the exceptions of Horie, Quirk and a couple of others I'm forgetting. Had a bit of a laugh watching their first match when the team came up on the screen and pretty much everyone was on debut. Surely we're at a point where we can roll over the definition to 'Super Rugby Caps' so it's uniform across the board.
Harry Jones
Expert
Angus Gardner refs the Reds. Ace in the Hole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RobC
Roar Guru
The feeling is mutual bro. Considering you have more faith in the Reds than I do! :lol: Oh and Im quite interested to see if Holloway can spruce his effort in BD. Because the Tahs have lost this edge
Harry Jones
Expert
RobC. It means a lot to me that you WANT the Stormers to win. Armand and I love you. I really think the Tahs will play their best game this week. No Poey to save all the pretty roundabout horses.
Harry Jones
Expert
Coconut oil is the answer to all things
CUW
Guest
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Tim Boys, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Sean Wainui, 23 Ben Volavola Jaguares: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Orlando, 13 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Rodrigo Báez, 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Santiago García Botta Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Felipe Arregui, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Juan Cruz Guillemaín, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Joaquín Paz, 23 Lucas González Amorosino Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Cam Crawford, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (c), 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah Nau, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Scott Fuglistaller, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Dan Hawkins, 23 Sefa Naivalu Hurricanes: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Reggie Goodes Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Tony Lambourn, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Otere Black, 23 Ngani Laumape Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Hilton Lobberts, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Danie Minnie, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Oupa Mohoje, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Fred Zeilinga Sunwolves: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Viliami Lolohea, 13 Harumichi Tatekawa, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Mifiposeti Paea, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Yuki Yatomi, 8 Ed Quirk, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 6 Tomás Leonardi, 5 Liaki Moli, 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Takuma Asahara, 2 Shota Horie (c), 1 Masataka Mikami Replacements: 16 Takeshi Kizu, 17 Ziun Gu, 18 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19 Faatiga Lemalu, 20 Yoshiya Hosoda, 21 Kaito Shigeno, 22 Yu Tamura, 23 Yasutaka Sasakura Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Tanerau Latimer or Kara Pryor, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Sam Prattley Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Namatahi Waa, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Kara Pryor or Joe Edwards, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 George Moala Sharks: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Daniel du Preez, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (c) Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Garth April, 23 Odwa Ndungane Waratahs: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Tom Robertson, 2 Hugh Roach, 1 Benn Robinson Replacements: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Wycliff Palu, 21 David Dennis, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 David Horwitz Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Robbie Coleman, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joseph Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio. Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Joe Powell, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Nigel Ah Wong Bulls: 15 SP Marais, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Arno Botha, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 RG Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Trevor Nyakane Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboko, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Deon Stegmann, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Dan Kriel Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Ben Matwijow, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 James Slipper (c) Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Sef Fa'agase, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Curtis Browning, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Ayumu Goromaru Lions: 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylon Smith Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Andries Coetzee Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (cc), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg Replacements: 16 Mike Willemse, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe (cc), 19 Rynhardt Elstadt, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Damian de Allende, 23 Huw Jones Crusaders v Jaguares @ AMI Stadium, Christchurch Referee: Craig Joubert Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper, Jamie Nutbrown TMO: Aaron Paterson Rebels v Hurricanes @ AAMI Park, Melbourne Referee: Rohan Hoffmann Assistant Referees: Damien Mitchelmore, Ed Martin TMO: Peter Marshall Cheetahs v Sunwolves @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein Referee: Nic Berry Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner, Lourens van der Merwe TMO: Marius Jonker Blues v Sharks @ Eden Park, Auckland Referee: Jaco Peyper Assistant Referees: Craig Joubert, Paul Williams TMO: Ben Skeen Waratahs v Brumbies @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney Referee: Nick Briant Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, Michael Hogan TMO: Ian Smith Bulls v Reds @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: AJ Jacobs, tbc TMO: Johan Greeff Lions v Stormers @ Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg Referee: Stuart Berry Assistant Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Cwengile Jadezweni TMO: Willie Vos
RobC
Roar Guru
- Oh and Sharks will go West, who will steer the Blues with a bonus point win
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks gents. - Jags are getting better. But not as good as the Saders - Rebels will not be able to defend Canes 2nd wind - Cheetahs won away vs Wolves by a whisker. They will tear away at home - Brumbies will be baying for blood. The same for the Tahs at home. Brums set piece to continue the Tahs embarrassment - Redbull. No idea, Reds are like a coin toss - I want stormers to win. But I think Lions will ROAR!!!
Harry Jones
Expert
Digger and Rugby Tragic: I've been coasting along at the top of the table. But there's always this moment, like on hole 12 at the Masters, when the leader can shoot for the pin and bury his chasers. Stormers' team announced: Nizaam going to play openside against Jaco K.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Hey, I reckon OB has just given you a 'blow off'... yeah I've got a wedding to go maaate! :)
Digby
Roar Guru
Fancy scheduling a wedding during rugby season. Some people......
Digby
Roar Guru
Am picking Ben would be best. :)
Brett McKay
Expert
Dave, the sides still talk in terms of State caps, and the flow-on is now Super Rugby Caps. So for eg, Benn Robinson has more than 150 'caps' for NSW, but hasn't yet played 150 Super Rugby games..
Harry Jones
Expert
Redsback; I'm banking on that. 20+ scrums, please!