Unlucky 13? Well, that’s what I’m sweating on now, after Round 12 served up a plateful of pain to my column of the tipping panel.
Round 13 looms as a tough week, too, and once again, I reckon six of the eight games can easily swing either way.
Is this the week the Crusaders come undone? Is this the week the Stormers remember how to win? Have the Highlanders used up all their luck?
And what of the Australian sides? The on-field woes only seem to take over the headlines from the off-field woes of a Monday, so is some good news too much to ask, just once this season? There can only be three Australian wins, but I’d love to write about four really good performances next week.
Last week: Harry and The Crowd 5; Digger and Nobes 4; Brett 3, but you know, whatevs…
Harry Jones
“The gravel-chucking Chiefs will hand the set-piece gurus from the South Island their first loss. The Blues (my Kiwi team) will be well-beaten (and mauled and scrummed) by a resurgent Stormer squad in the friendly confines of Newlands.
“The angry ‘Canes will score plenty of tries against the generous matadors from Bloemfontein. The weary Highlanders will pip the weary Force. The embarrassed Sharks (teams losing to the Kings should stop feeling humiliated; they’re the most improved team in Super Rugby) will grind out a win in steamy Singapore and eat that good street food on those litter-free roads.
“The Kings vs Brumbies? I don’t know! I don’t! The Kings are faster. The Brumbies aren’t scoring tries. The Kings aren’t deep. The Brumbies are. The Kings have momentum; and are eating home cooking. Hmmmmm…. Kings?
“The Lions will eat the Bulls for lunch. The Waratahs will play their best game.”
TIPS: Chiefs, Stormers, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Sharks, Kings, Lions, Waratahs
Digger
“’Canes by plenty.
“Chiefs and Crusaders are giving me a headache, I just don’t know. Chiefs seem the ‘safe’ option, coming off a bye and less travel so I will plump for them, but not with any great certainty while the Stormers at Newlands shape as a bridge too far for the Blues.
I have to back the Highlanders, even in Perth, while I imagine the Sharks will pull finger in Singapore. The Kings? Why not, at home in PE may be too much for a Brumbies side under pressure while the Lions certainly pick themselves and I will say the Waratahs at home should be too much for the Rebels.”
Tips: Chiefs, Stormers, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Sharks, Kings, Lions, Waratahs
Nobes
“Well, well, well. My sure thing of last week was just not a feeling and while everybody is asking the Jaguares coach to take a leave of absence, he only claims that he is going to work harder. When a team loses their soul, there is only one thing to do…
“Round 13 presents a big puzzle and Harry has teed off ahead, so I must take some chances.
“I think it’s time for the Crusaders to give one up; they have travelled so much and it is hard to keep the intensity for such a long time. The Blues will keep winning and Stormers may feel strong at home but it will not be enough.
“The Hurricanes have the chance to jump right back on track and will not lose the chance to the exciting Cheetahs. Highlanders will keep making magic against the Force. The embarrassed Sharks will have to find a way to fix their fly half situation; Patrick Lambie is not at his best and Bosch is missed, but they still have what it takes to beat the Sunwolves.
“What about the Kings? I like to see how they have been improving game by game and the flyhalf Lionel Cronje is guiding a team in excellent form. The Lions are too strong for the Bulls. And the Waratahs are in a must-win situation, but they have the same bug the Jaguares caught somewhere, so they make me nervous.”
Tips: Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Sharks, Kings, Lions, Waratahs
Brett
Well, I’ve got to say, I’m surprised that there’s been so little variation in the tips to date, because I think this week is going to be harder to get right than last week. And last week was bloody rough, if you were mad enough to follow my tips.
So, I agree with the guys that this is quite possibly the week the Crusaders’ run comes undone. The Chiefs have been flying under the radar a bit, and I think last week might take a toll on the Crusaders. And to prove this point completely, I’m going to take the Crusaders again.
The Stormers should be well refreshed back in Cape Town, and now have a chance to play into form the playoffs. I can’t see the Cheetahs giving the Hurricanes any trouble, but I see the Force giving the Highlanders huge trouble.
Both teams will meet in Perth from opposite corners of the southern hemisphere, and while the Highlanders will bring tiredness and about seven minutes of sheer luck with them, the Force bring a huge amount of belief and the knowledge that the cavalry are ready to return. I can’t wait to see the Sea of Blue welcome their team onto the pitch on Saturday night.
The Sharks? Pfft, please. No Bosch, and huge questions over Lambie, and if the Kings are the most improved side in the comp like Harry says, then the Mighty Moondogs mightn’t be too far behind them.
There’s a thousand reasons why the Kings should win in Port Elizabeth, but only one for the Brumbies: desperation. They just have to win, though it’s fascinating to see the difference in Lionel Cronje’s game since his first Super Rugby forays in a Brumbies jersey.
And the Lions because they will, and the Waratahs because they have to.
Tips: Crusaders, Stormers, Hurricanes, Force, Sunwolves, Brumbies, Lions, Waratahs
Get your tips in now – The Crowd’s tips will be revealed before kick-off in the first game of the weekend.
The one thing we’re all absolutely certain will happen over the course of this weekend. Well, pretty certain…
Digger
“Vince Aso will score a hat trick.”
Harry
“There are probably angry conversations in Buenos Aires; and blame, division, and accusations.”
Nobes
“Either Harry or myself will be leading after this round unless Digg and Brett go all in and win.”
Brett
Yet more order-shuffling in the Australian conference, but maybe a bit in the New Zealand conference too. And I’m quite sure that a tip I’m currently feeling pretty confident about is one that will bring me horribly undone.
Got a sure thing yourself? Let us know in the comments below, and enjoy your rugby this weekend…
ThugbyFan
Guest
dammit Bablion, my tips are exactly as you have written here. And Hurricanes for the Powerpoint. Seems we both crashed in the first pick with the "Saders beating the Chiefs. I just hope you haven't put the mocka on me! And btw, I, for one, care for the mighty Tahs, so Tahs to win. :)
Nick Cross
Guest
So... does Digger get bonus points for calling Aso's hat trick??
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Read that ... very sad ....RIP
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
*cough, cough*
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
You could probably get a gig at a betting company Brett. They always looking for people who can pick a loser. Reminds of a story I heard about the old Wembley stadium (RIP). Apparently the team that got the southern dressing room almost always won the FA-cupfinal. The stats were really weird, like only 4-5 times through history had the team with the northern dressing room.
stainlesssteve
Guest
just a hang-over from the bad old Humpty-Dumpty days, Machooka
stainlesssteve
Guest
even better, Akari
Faith
Guest
Chiefs have been lackslustre lately but the Saders might bring out the best in them. Saders will rise though. Landers will find a win - it'll be tough but they will. So, will the Blues - they seem to have found some true grit and they'll just keep ball in hand. Kings Brumbies super interesting - if Brumbies can't find a way through they don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Foley will save Tahs. The rest meh. Lions. Sharks.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
A 19 year old kid, Daniel Baldwin, died in Wellington today after a head knock and concussion like symptoms during a game on Saturday. The Canes will have a moment's silence for him before the game RIP Daniel Baldwin
Sure thing this week? Brett is going to have rhe best round
Harry Jones
Expert
Think it's the opposite, DavSA. Stormers are W4 L1 at Newlands: typical for last 7-8 years.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
It's impossible to be biased, Marius. You're a Saffa missionary who's seen the true light and your unshaken belief in the existence of rugby gods needs to be spread to the farthest reaches of the globe. I will follow you in your quest wherever it may take me.
davSA
Guest
The Bulls Management don't have a good nose for smelling trouble Marius . What they can do though is read their bank statements ..and they cannot make for good reading.
Machooka
Roar Guru
'As a Saders I am bias.' Nuff said!?!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
And that's what I admire about you, Brett. Always laughing in the face of adversity. :) P.S. Chook, I have the complete set. Any more children would be simply duplicating. ;)
Fionn
Guest
Everyone knows the Brumbies are going to win the comp
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
As a Crusader the Final few rounds are viewed as The Gauntlet Rounds. With the Canes,Chiefs,Crusaders,Lions,Stormers and depending on outcomes the Highlanders all playing for Top Honours. The Highlanders will fancy their chances should the Crusaders steam forth. Therefore I know they are banking on the Saders to hurt the Chiefs in Suva. As a Sader I am biased. We have had a very mild/easy afair draw wise this season. And it accounted for a good percentage of the wins thus far. No one would have pegged the Saders to win those first 4 round matches come half time.. They literaly had to slug out those victories. And they earned them. Come Round 12 and Everyone believed,including me,on form that the Hurricanes were the beter team,but that stubborn faith in my Saders prevailed and when the Final whistle blew. I asked myself,why am I still doubting. The biggest ask the entire season was are the Saders ready for a team like the Chiefs or Canes. Can they up the tempo and game play and play on equal levels. They havent faced proper opposition was thrown around here on the Roar. But when the Final whistle blew I knew,some say the Chiefs have the beter chance,I say the Saders have been tempered in Fire for 12 straight Rounds. Winning is part of who they are now. They take no team for granted and as they planned to shut the BBBB down and nulify the Canes brutal attack,so too they shall prepare for Suva and the Chiefs. My Faith in the Crusaders is Firmly Resolute. The Battle for Suva will be immense. And I believe the Crusaders will prevail. As a Saffa I should hope the Stormers Trump the Blues..but I'm French/Irish and like Marauding,its Tragic I know..But let the Marauding commence. The Sharks have my support,albeit I realy hope the Sunwolves dont make it easy. As an ex Bull I sincerly hope they lose,only for the reason,so that management be forced to wake up and smell the trouble. So Lions it is. And as much as I hear Brett wanting good news Auz wise...I have this incredible passion for shouting against the Brumbies..? But with moore gone it just isnt the same anymore ..i realy dislike that guy. And the Brumbs are actualy playing watchable rugby. With a few tweaks here n there can be very competitive...but alas...Them Kings bring a smile to my face? Cheetas ..... sterkte.... Reds...u have both moore and cooper... Soooooo Tahs it is...again..i hate saying that...ghehhehe.
davSA
Guest
The Stormers have lost 4 out of 5 now at Newlands.They have also lost 4 out of the last 5 against the Blues. Leyds comes in at flyhalf ..Injury enforced ..But at least Fleck is starting with Locks in the second row and loose forwards in the backrow. A scratchy looking backline with Vermaak ( their best nr 9 ) on the bench ..Still 3 out of 4 on the panel calls the Stormers .......... Must be the global warming effect. Can expect those BB like cross kicks onto Senatla and Kolbe all afternoon.
Brett McKay
Expert
This genuinely made me laugh, Kia! What a great post!
Jim
Guest
I'm just happy the Reds are a sure thing not to lose this weekend.