Super Rugby Round 6: We’re with Christchurch

On the surface, a round in which there are two draws looks like hard work for a tipping panel trying to get the better of it.

In reality, by the time the Chiefs and Hurricanes walked off in Hamilton locked at 23-all last Friday, the idea of Super Rugby was the furthest thing from our collective minds.

Indeed, just as the panel wondered amongst ourselves how the Chiefs and Hurricanes managed to play at all so soon after the horrendous events in Christchurch, we applauded the decision the following morning to cancel the Highlanders-Crusaders game.

Our thoughts were firmly with you, our rugby mates in New Zealand, just as they will be again when the Crusaders return to the field this weekend.

Kia kaha.

ROUND 5: Digger, Harry 4; The Crowd 3; Geoff, Nobes, and Brett 2

OVERALL: Harry 23; Nobes, Digger and The Crowd 21; Brett 20; Geoff 18

Digger
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, CRUSADERS, LIONS, BULLS, SHARKS, BRUMBIES

First up I do fancy the Blues for a boilover but the Highlanders appeal as a more cohesive unit so will plump for the visitors here, while our first South African visitors hit Wellington this year and certainly the Stormers forward strength does make me nervous. But I am hopeful we have more points in us, so ‘Canes by plenty’ fits.

I really expect the Crusaders to be up for this match and I do not give the Waratahs much chance at all, while I expect the Lions will battle but again will have too much firepower for the Sunwolves over the course of the 80.

In South Africa, the Chiefs have found a bit of spark in their play but not enough to tip against the Bulls at altitude. Durban tends to be a graveyard for overseas sides and I expect that trend to continue against the Rebels while that old new favourite word cohesion and greater consistency this season has me backing the Brumbies away to the Reds.

SURE THING: Love and compassion will continue to flow through to our Muslim communities as many still come to grips with the tragic events of last weekend and hopefully some solace can be taken from the sport we love in this upcoming round.

Players and spectators observe a minute of silence before a Super Rugby match between the Sunwolves and the Queensland Reds at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on March 16, 2019, following the mosque shootings in New Zealand. (Kyodo via AP Images) ==Kyodo

Harry
TIPS: BLUES, STORMERS, CRUSADERS, LIONS, BULLS, SHARKS, BRUMBIES

There are no adequate words to describe last weekend’s utter horror, but a few that come to mind are: brave love will defeat cowardly hate, if we all do our part to find the ties that bind us, instead of focusing on shallow differences.

In this round, we have a derby to start things off, then a derby to end it. I am not confident of tipping either of those bookend derbies in Auckland and Brisbane, but I’ll give it to the offloading, line-breaking Blues, because of their attacking prowess.

The steadily-improving Stormers will give the Hurricanes plenty of headaches at scrum time and breakdown. The woeful Waratahs will not be able to stop their visitors scoring. Ditto for the Singapore Sunwolves.

The Bulls will continue the Chiefs’ 2019 misery, as will the mercurial Sharks do to the ragged Rebels. And the thorny Reds will try to squeeze out a narrow win over the limited but focused Brumbies, but fail because of poor kicking.

SURE THING: Sport, the way it lifts us, and allows us to dream, will be more important than ever in the sad, bloody South Island, this week.

Reds coach Brad Thorn looks on (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Brett
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, CRUSADERS, SUNWOLVES, BULLS, REBELS, BRUMBIES

The Blues at least will be fresh after their bye this week, so they should… ah, who am I kidding. Highlanders on principle. And the Stormers away from Newlands is about as enticing as the Blues coming off a bye.

The Waratahs’ biggest challenge this week will be to convince their fans that they can work their way into contests. The Crusaders’ biggest challenge will be to show their nation that they’re ready to move on from last Friday, and that there’s more to their team than a very old name. It really is no contest.

Kieran Read of the Crusaders looks on (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Bulls will be too good for the Chiefs by any measure, but mainly the scoreboard. Australian teams are always better the second game in Africa, and the Sharks’ indifference should see the Rebels create some history in the Republic. And the Reds showed us plenty last weekend, but the Brumbies’ improvements in defence should make them just that little bit better.

Finally, I’m a bit angry about the last tip. The Lions have only ever been to Tokyo once, winning the Sunwolves’ Super Rugby debut match back in 2016. Since then only the long-departed Cheetahs and Bulls have made the trip, and the Bulls lost theirs. The South African teams made the Sunwolves play in Singapore and Hong Kong to cut back on travel, and now it seems they don’t want to travel halfway, either.

It’s hard to know how far up the list of dunderheaded SANZAAR decisions cutting the Sunwolves from Super Rugby is going to rank. But one thing is for sure: this week, I’m 100 per cent behind the Mighty Moondogs.

SURE THING: SANZAAR’s explanation about the Sunwolves’ culling, scheduled for 2pm Sydney time on Friday will reach a new level of underwhelming.

The Sunwolves have been axed from Super Rugby. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

Nobes
TIPS: BLUES, HURRICANES, CRUSADERS, LIONS, BULLS, SHARKS, BRUMBIES.

In normal Super Rugby years for me the fun starts in Round 6. It is from that moment that the teams are already sufficiently oiled and provide us with the best rugby. But this is not a normal year and therefore we must wait a couple of more rounds for the same thing to happen.

For now the new Harry is on fire and running away from the lot.

The Blues seem to be improving and the Highlanders already seem to have used all their last-minute saves.

The Hurricanes will receive a toned Stormers but it will not be enough for the South African team, generally do not travel well.

I find no reason to go against the Crusaders, especially when the Waratahs have not shown anything yet.

The Lions over the invigorating Sunwolves in Singapore in a high-scoring game. The Chiefs will suffer one more loss against a rested Bulls, while the Sharks take care of the Rebels.

The last game is the one that brings me more doubts but I’m going to bet for more tries of mauls from the Brumbies. Ninety percent of their tries came that way.

Folau Fainga’a of the Brumbies walks out onto the field (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

SURE THING: My emotions will rest next to the Jags this weekend.

Geoff
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, CRUSADERS, LIONS, BULLS, REBELS, BRUMBIES

Back to a full round this week, the Blues will likely have a lot of firepower on their bench, but the Highlanders are simply better than them at this stage.

The Stormers will test the Hurricanes, who won’t be happy that their ‘plan B’ to bolster their middle row has gone awry. But let’s go for the home side off the back of Beaudy’s sharp-shooting.

The Crusaders are definitely better than the Waratahs.

Ditto the Lions against the Sunwolves at the cavernous Singapore Stadium. And so too the Bulls at home against the Chiefs.

The Sharks are the sensible pick at home, but it was a rushed prep and altitude that beat the Rebels last week.

This week they are at sea level, with a full preparation, primed for an upset. To finish, no reason why the Brumbies won’t knock the Reds off again.

SURE THING: Despite the SCG being given the all clear, watch for the groundsman to have his head in his hands, eyes closed, at the first scrum.

Just because you want something to be fixed doesn’t always mean that it will be…

Get your votes in now – The Crowd’s tips will be revealed Friday afternoon AEDT.

Who have you got, Roarers? Who gets your tip this weekend?