A funny thing happened during Round 13. While the Super Rugby world was still coming to grips with the possibility of taking the North American continent under our wing, our current US-based tipster proved that rugby and the States and success was a trio that does indeed exist.
While the rest of us were lamenting the inability of the Brumbies to finish a game, and the Reds’ inability to start one, a certain Dr Geoffrey Parkes III was hamming it up in New York rooftop bars raising toast after toast to the Sunwolves and Reece Hodge’s right boot.
Super Rugby is already toasting its first taste of US domination, and I’ve received very strong mail this week that a certain Capetonian tipster desperate not to run last hot-footed it Stateside before lodging this week’s tips.
Last week
Geoff 6; much cursing; Digger, Nobes, and The Crowd 4; Brett and Harry 3.
Overall
Nobes 57; Geoff 56; The Crowd 53; Digger 51; Harry and Brett 50.
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Geoff
Tips: Hurricanes, Stormers, Crusaders, Highlanders, Sharks, Lions, Jaguares.
Sorry but anyone expecting me to gloat after last week is going to be disappointed. After all, I’m still only second, and the Sunwolves were such an obvious tip it feels cheap to claim any special prowess.
Plus it’s a new week, the slate is wiped clean and we’re only another seven matches away from fresh humiliation, with injuries and compulsory stand-downs starting to play havoc, especially when the deadline arrives before the teams are announced!
Canes by plenty, but then it gets tougher. Not as keen on the Dogs in HK, despite the Stormers being rubbish away from home. Crusaders pick themselves.
The Sydney match is the toughest of the round. Did the Tahs leave it all in Christchurch? If not, they’re a huge chance to break the ridiculous sequence, but the safer bet is to stick with the Kiwis, even with key players resting.
Don’t see how a depleted Chiefs snag a second tour win or how the Brumbies score enough points to trouble the Lions. After their triumphant tour will the Jags draw a crowd back at home? And give the bandwagon jumpers the win they’re looking for? Yes, for me.
Sure thing
A group of NSW rugby nuts will make a quick dash across to Wellington for the Canes vs Reds match on Friday night. Not, as you might think, to take pleasure at the Reds being put to the sword, but to enjoy the experience of watching their favourite whistler, Ben O’Keeffe, in the flesh.
(AAP Image/Jeremy Ng)
Nobes
Tips: Hurricanes, Stormers, Crusaders, Highlanders, Sharks, Lions, Jaguares.
Oh well, it could not be any other way. If a Super Rugby play-off berth is very tight, our tipping contest has to be alike. Well done Geoff!
Many of the games from now on will be life or death for the teams seeking to be in the play-offs, and Round 14 has a couple of them already.
The Hurricanes will continue their winning streak against the shameless Reds.
To tell the truth, if the Sunwolves were to play in Japan instead of Hong Kong, I would be inclined to tip them over the Stormers, but the team from South Africa is in a must-win situation to keep their hopes alive.
The Crusaders is the safe tip against the Blues that have no chance to make it to the finals.
The Waratahs will not find the Highlanders a walk in the park. The team from New Zealand has become aware of the Tahs’ potential and will adjust to win this one.
I like the Sharks over the Chiefs at Durban. Sharks have to win this one to keep up in contention in the South African conference.
The Lions at home to end up the losing streak against the Brumbies despite that the sabbatical man will come back and take on the field.
In Buenos Aires the Jaguares will want to prove to the largest attendance of the year that what they did in the Australasian tour was not a matter of luck. It is a long way to go, but the team that wins this one will probably the one to be in the play off. So I have to go with Jaguares.
Sure thing
There is an upset this round, I am just having trouble spotting it.
(Matt Roberts/Getty Images for Sunwolves)
Digger
Tips: Hurricanes, Stormers, Crusaders, Highlanders, Sharks, Lions, Jaguares.
Waratahs and Highlanders are giving me a headache – the Tahs surely will be buoyed by their recent outing while the Highlanders will be missing a couple of note and it’s in Sydney. Surely the Tahs, but then the Blues managed to win in Sydney and the Tahs have done little to suggest consistency. I’ll hang my hat on the Clan to continue said streak.
The Jaguares and Bulls also shapes as another cracker and hard to separate, but after spending all season tipping against them and getting burned, let’s back the Jaguares at home on the back on their steely defence.
As for the rest, I can’t go past the Crusaders, the Stormers should end the Sunwolves streak at one, the Sharks should be too much for a depleted Chiefs in Durban and I cannot see any hope for the Brumbies in Johannesburg.
Oh, and the Canes by plenty.
Sure thing
The Crusaders and Hurricanes will be thinking about next week’s match, and that will probably be reflected in their play this weekend, while Alan Jones is likely to have a go at RA again over the weekend even if the Waratahs win.
(Lee Warren/Gallo Images).
Brett
Tips: Hurricanes, Sunwolves, Crusaders, Highlanders, Sharks, Lions, Jaguares.
Hurricanes by plenty, probably; Crusaders by something similar; and the Lions by enough. That’s the opening gambit.
The Stormers’ historical win record away from Cape Town is 42 per cent. Since the start of 2017 they’ve won eight from 21 starts away from Newlands.
Out of South Africa in that same time, it’s one win from seven, including six straight losses when they’ve needed their passport. That one win was an unconvincing 44-31 win in Singapore over the Sunwolves, in which they scored twice in the last few minutes. Their previous meeting in Singapore? A 17-all draw in 2016. With a Japan camp looming and the desperation building among the Wolfpack to impress Jamie Joseph, this is prime Moondog opportunity in Honkers.
The Highlanders seem to have the most success with the lowest amount of ball – their choice, mostly – and this would seem to pit them well against the Waratahs, who seem to have the least success with the most ball – their decision-making, mostly. But while I’ve stuck with the Highlanders, it’s with absolutely no confidence at all. I reckon this is losing BP match for sure, and a Waratahs win would not surprise me one bit.
The Chiefs are missing literally 400 players, so the Sharks should be comfortable. And now that they’ve proven they can win away games they definitely would’ve previously lost, the Jaguares become that much harder to beat at home. Too hard for the Bulls, certainly. Unbeata-bull, even.
Sure thing
Either the Stormers to win by a record margin or one of the Reds and Brumbies to win at ‘friendless’ odds. Nothing surer. All three, probably.
(Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Harry
Tips: Hurricanes, Stormers, Crusaders, Highlanders, Sharks, Lions, Bulls.
If I don’t miss even one tip the rest of the season, I might finish fifth.
The Hurricanes don’t miss tackles. Twenty a game; in Super Rugby, that’s zero. ‘Canes by heaps.
The Stormers cannot travel. Is it a food issue? Mattresses? Teddy bears? Dunno. But they will squeak by the cellar dwellers by a point.
The breakdown is an absolute mess for the Blues. They have wasted over 200 line/tackle breaks. The Crusaders are surgeons. Bad news for Auckland.
The Waratahs (except for Taqele Naiyaravoro and Michael Hooper) are not busting through tacklers. Also, their radar is off from the tee. The Clan by a Smith or two.
The Sharks are the ‘kickiest’ and the ‘offloadingest’ team, which is an odd combination, like Alan Jones and Geoff Parkes fishing together, but this weird game plan will work against the Chiefs.
The Lions will roar past the limited Brumbies. Too many points.
In the main event, the Argentine backline (minus Facundo Bosch) will face off against the Bok backline (minus Faf de Klerk and Bosch). Bulls. Just because.
Sure thing
Referees will make a few errors. Props will fall to the floor. Wings will pretend to tackle. Locks will look at the refs as they swim in the maul. Halfbacks will bombard us with words. Geoff will disagree with Alan Jones. Sheek will reminisce. David Lord will see things differently than me.
Get your votes in now – The Crowd’s tips will be revealed Friday afternoon AEST.
Who have you got, Roarers? Who gets your tip? Got a sure thing yourself? Let us know in the comments below, and enjoy your rugby this weekend.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Faith. thanks for that and you are pretty right there about tactics. I still remember how the Highlanders completely out-thought and outplayed the Tahs in the SR2015 semi-final. The next time they met was in Dunedin and the Highlanders changed their game and beat the Tahs again (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!). I don't profess to be in the know, but I wouldn't be surprised to see A.Smith and L.Sopoaga aim short kicks at the wingers, otherwise keep it in the forwards all day long.
Taylorman
Guest
Well Im gobsmacked! How silly are you all gonna look when the Blues mop up the Crusaders. No idea??
woodart
Guest
IF . this game could go either way with a score blowout either way. sharks "should " win, but both teams are unpredictable. chiefs are missing 400 players, but the ones on deck will give it a crack. kia kaha.
Brett McKay
Expert
Super Rugby is playing it's first game in China tomorrow, Bob?
Bob
Guest
Speaking of America. It is amazing that the AFL is playing it's second on game in China. And is making a massive deal out of it. now super rugby is playing their first game in China tomorrow and we haven't barely heard a peep from anyone. This is easy hype story for Super Rugby self promotion yet still nothing.
Machooka
Roar Guru
This is why you are the lead tipper! :) :) :)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah Thugby it's gonna be a big ask for da Tahs to throw a leg over the 'Landers. But, in saying that, it's never over 'til it's over. I'm just hoping we turn-up and don't get done like a dinner! On the Barracuda... I'm also a big fan :)
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Stormers play the Sunwolves inHong Kong and the Chief play Sharks in SA
Highlander
Guest
Thanks faith Missed that about the extension until seasons end
JRVJ
Guest
Hurricanes, Stormers, Crusaders, Highlanders, Chiefs (though that was a tactical vote), Lions and Jags. Objectively, the best two matches of the weekend are Stormers vs. Chiefs and Jags vs. Bulls.
Harry Jones
Expert
You caught it!
ThugbyFan
Guest
Congrats to Geoff who got 6/7, makes my 3/7 look a horror show. Anyways this week, gotta find a smokey in there: - Brad's Battlers will improve with S.Higgers at #8 and D.Paia’aua at #12. Good to see Izaia Perese getting back in the reserves. However the HurryCanes, sans "Pommy" B.Shields and sadly V.Aso, will still run them off the park. - Brett's Moondoggies have been playing good footy all year so last week's win shouldn't be a massive surprise. Add that Singapore will be mid 30's and horribly humid, and the Stormers will struggle. - Blues are starting to improve as the wounded troops return and Crusaders have lost some cattle (S.Whitelock and Joe Moody) but I expect the Blues to continue feeling blue (Sorry RT). - Too many Tahs feeling sore and sorry from last week plus really weak locks. The Skirt Wearing Penguins have ticked this as a Must-Win match and are almost full strength. As Digger would say, H*********s by plenty. - If the Shorks can't win this one against an AB-less Chiefs, they should change their name to Guppies - Lions to feast on horsemeat - Jaguares to feast on bull meat. In short: Hurricanes, Sunwolves, Crusaders, Highlanders, Sharks, Lions and Jaguares. Sure Thing: Sydney crowd will boo the Kiwi referee all night long (except when he penalises the Highlanders).
Faith
Guest
Jaguares is a side no team will want to face in the pointy end of the comp. I think they are capable of a one off winner-takes-it-all game to cause a serious upset in both Aus and NZ. I would not write them off to go far in this even they make it to the finals ...
ThugbyFan
Guest
10 points start to the Chiefs as they have a kiwi ref, selected by SANZAAR who come up with tripe like "they can't afford to fly referees around the world." LoL But seriously, Chiefs could take this one as they are a very well drilled side, however they will miss big Brodie's power and of course D.McKenzie and A.L-B. So really depends which Sharks turn up. If the Sharks can't beat this depleted Chiefs team, then they have zero chance in the finals.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Brett must be spewing that he missed his "doggies" tip by a week this year. However word has got to them that Brett has tipped them this week and the Sunwolves will play like demons "for Brett". Actually I think the heat will help them to a new record, 2 wins in a row. I shouldn't say it too loudly as poor Rugby Tragic's sobs will fill our ears, but I still remember the Blues meltdown (literally) against the SunWolves last year.
Faith
Guest
The Barracuda has been out with a neck injury - he's almost back. Possibly next week or the one after. Simmons has been cleared so he'll be bringing his handbags ... only Hanigan is out in spite of injuries. Curious about the strategies of both teams. I suspect it will be very tactical.
Faith
Guest
If Sharks wake up like they do against NZ sides it'll be a long afternoon for this patchwork Chiefs side. But also no one has mana like the Chiefs. Wales (B) learned that when they played a patchwork Chiefs side ... so, not weird at all just belief in mana ...
ThugbyFan
Guest
Akari, he is a winger. Say no more. :)
ThugbyFan
Guest
Hi there Chookster, the Highlander's website says Ben and Aaron Smith are both in the starting team. Tyrel Lomax (aka The Traitor) is getting a run at #3, Lima Sap and Luke Whitelock are also there. What's happened to the Barracuda R.Buckmann? that bloke could play seriously good rugby. I give the Tahs pretty much no hope. Damn the Skirt Wearers don't even need the obligatory Kiwi referee to take this one. The Tahs are missing Ned H in the locks, replaced by Tom Staniforth, which shows you in one sentence why the Tahs are going no-where once teams put on the forward power against them. As Richard III would say when in rugger battle, "a Lock, a Lock, My Kingdom for a bloody Lock". I reckon 3 or 4 of the others (W.Miller, D.Fitzpatrick and R.Simmons all came off injured) will be feeling sore as hell after last weeks battle in Christchurch. I'm predicting 13-31 to the Zoo boyz. Sure thing, the crowd with get nasty and give the noobie referee Brendon Pickerill a massive raspberry for every decision that doesn't favour the Tahs. :)
ThugbyFan
Guest
G'day Digger, for upset of the week then look no further than the caketin. Brad's Canetoad Battlers are primed and ready to pull off a big one. :)