Twos all round last week, as this crazy year of Super Rugby found yet another way to punish the tipping panel.
So here’s a challenge: I want one of you to pick the exact opposite to us this week and we’ll see who does best.
And what was weird about everyone getting twos was that we did it in different ways.
Geoff had the Highlanders and Brumbies; Nobes had the Hurricanes and Waratahs. Digger, Harry, me, and The Crowd went the Hurricanes-Highlanders route. None of us had the Lions and Reds.
What’s that all mean for this week? Almost certainly nothing. Unless we nail a perfect round, of course.
ROUND 10: Nobes dos; Digger and Geoff rua; Harry twee; Brett two; The Crowd 2.
OVERALL: Nobes 39; Digger 38; Harry and The Crowd 36; Brett and Geoff 33
PERFECT ROUNDS: no dice again, come on you lot! Like the panel, the Lions beating the Chiefs brought all of the Crowd commenters undone last week. Have faith gang, someone has to get it right eventually – that’s what keeps us going every week!
Nobes
TIPS: CRUSADERS, HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, BULLS, JAGUARES.
Trying to explain what happened last weekend with common sense is impossible. The market is in charge of subtracting credibility from the tippers as the stock market does with its analysts. That all the panelists have not overcome the two hits from six possible speaks by itself of the difficulty to predict results with reasonableness.
Anyway, man is the only animal that stumbles twice with the same stone so I will insist with my methodology despite the mistakes.
The Crusaders even not having several of the All Blacks should equally be too much for a team of Lions that also suffers several casualties including his head coach. With tremendous doubts I will choose to go with the Highlanders as visitors in Tokyo.
Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder is tackled during the Round 16 Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)
The Hurricanes seem to be the second-best team in the competition, and they should beat the Chiefs, but this is a derby and many think can happen. The Waratahs and Sharks is an intriguing game too but those from Sydney have shown a greater character in their last games.
The Stormers vs Bulls is a very important match for the conference. Player by player I think the Bulls have a better team and should win despite playing visitors.
Finally, the Jaguares will receive the Brumbies. Both teams come from important triumphs in South Africa, but the locals are more rested. The Jags should take this game if they want to reaffirm their candidacy for the playoffs.
SURE THING: Twitter and Instagram will be in silence until early next month, when they explode again.
Digger
TIPS: CRUSADERS, HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, BULLS, JAGUARES
‘Canes by plenty, should be a beauty. Really looking forward to Laumape and Leinert-Brown going head to head.
Crusaders at home should do it easily, while I will back the Highlanders away to the tricky Sunwolves who were given a big heads up by the Hurricanes last week as to what to expect (you are welcome).
The Sharks, my tipping nemesis this season and this is exactly the sort of game they are likely to win but recent form has been abject; let’s back the Waratahs at home.
Bernard Foley of the Waratahs (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Bulls appeal as the more settled side and a tiny bit more consistent so will suggest they will get the away win.
Brumbies must have used up a lot of gas in Newlands and it’s difficult to see such a performance two weeks in a row so the Jaguares for me at home.
SURE THING: ‘Sweet Caroline’ will again rear its ugly head around the grounds this weekend much to my dismay, while the ‘Thormers vs Kapteins’ show how shameless promoters will be when trying to attach themselves to popular culture such as Marvel.
Brett
TIPS: CRUSADERS, SUNWOLVES, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, BULLS, BRUMBIES
Here it is then, the rematch of the Final; the last two Finals, in fact. Two big teams. Two physical teams. Two teams who love throwing the ball around. Two teams who will be bang up for it. But there’s just one problem… one of these two teams are a way off the same level they were in all those Finals. Crusaders.
Highlanders without Ben Smith? It’s time for a party at Tony Brown’s Tokyo place. ‘Canes by plenty, too, when it comes to the Chiefs without D-Mac. M-Mac just isn’t quite as nerve-wracking.
Waratahs to make fish-fingers of the travelling Sharks in the new stadium of the west. And the Bulls because the Stormers jersey looks frankly ridiculous. We can’t have rubbish like that dominating highlights.
And to finish, the Brumbies. Because I’m already on the mighty Moondogs this week, so why not make it a really good weekend, and finish with the best possible breakfast result in Canberra!
Isi Naisarani alongside Tevita Kuridrani during the former’s time with the Brumbies. (AAP Image/SNPA, John Cowpland
SURE THING: I’m claiming a moral victory with last week’s sure thing of four away wins, but this week, there is nothing surer that two of the three unanimous tips are doomed.
Geoff
TIPS: CRUSADERS, HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, STORMERS, JAGUARES
A new approach is required this week.
No commentary, no reasoning, no clever predictions that come to nothing.
People have stopped reading anyway because they don’t need my help to get 2/6, they can do that on their own!
Brett’s note: I fear for the readability precedent this sets for future rounds, if this approach proves successful…
SURE THING – We’re due a refereeing controversy. A major TMO snafu, an ‘own try’, a red card to the wrong player, another 20-1 penalty count… there’s something brewing.
Harry
TIPS: CRUSADERS, SUNWOLVES, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, STORMERS, JAGUARES.
It’s a clean sweep for the home teams this week!
The mighty and still-to-be-Crusaders love playing against Elton Jantjies, because they know exactly what he will do: miss at least four crucial tackles and attempt ten inside passes when only six are on. The wild Kwagga Smith also provides 2-3 penalties per match. Done. Saders by a heap.
The Highlanders are leaving Bun Smuth at home; so it’s another upset for the doomed Sunwolves, who will want to show their fans appreciation.
Sunwolves fly-half Hayden Parker (Michael Bradley/AFP/Getty Images)
The sleek Hurricanes will be up for the lumpy Chiefs, and it’ll probably come down to a Wes Goosen try and a wobbly Barrett conversion (maybe Jordie).
The woeful Sharks do travel well. But they are so out of sorts. I think it’s another Tah-Tah win, and up-up they go to the top of the Aussie ladder.
A North-South derby in South Africa is brutal: surf versus turf, latte versus blood, brains versus brawn, and history versus history. Home team on those, usually; and an anti-anxiety pill for Rassie Erasmus.
Over in Latin America, I think it’s the circumnavigating Brumbies will get devoured by a slick home side.
SURE THING: There will be very little free speech on the pitch.
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?
Brett McKay
Expert
I knew someone would get there eventually, Thugby!
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Ack, I gotta stop typing these things at 2am. 2nd last paragraph should read: "In short: Crusaders, Highlanders, HURRICANES, Sharks, Stormers, Los Jaguares. Last week was stellar for Aussie teams with 3 wins, this week will be the pits with nowt wins." The 3rd mentioned team should be Hurricanes, as per my notes above "As Digger would say “Canes by a few”" :) At1:05am Sunday and I'm on 6 picks from 6, a win to Los Jags and Brett can drive my winning BMW to Sylvania for pick-up. LoL
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Haha Thugby, the BLUES have improved but will still struggle to make the playoffs. I have no more tears left after following the fortunes of the Blues in they were ‘incorporated’ .. champs a few times (3 to be exact) and chumps since 2003
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
KP, Nanai has been in the Blues squad since 2015 and in the Auckland Provincial side since 2014. Also played for Auckland 7’s He is 25 years of age and played for Samoa U20’s in 2013. Originally chosen for the Blues by Pat Lam in 2015 as a replacement I guess for Charles Piutau after he went north. Retained by Tana Umags and of course latest coach Leon MacDonald. Imo, his biggest assets include his speed, twinkle toes (a little like Milner-Skudder) and a reliable defender. He is good under the high ball and makes up a fairly formidable back three in the Blues mix.
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think he played for Samoa under 20 - but long time ago. and he has been in NZ for over 3 years and not played anywhere else. if he has NZ passport is the question. he has to play now - soon that pace is going to evaporate ... :D
Bobby
Roar Rookie
OMG - Lions lost
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I have to say, this has been an entertaining season. I felt before this year that too many rugby games had become predictable, but this season has had more upsets than I have seen in a long time, and we are still only around half way through. It certainly makes tipping difficult - I am great at taking a stab at an upset every now and then, not so good at picking the right one. Anyway, for this week lets go with... Crusaders Sunwolves Canes Tahs Bulls Jaguares Given recent results it is tempting to try and tip the upset against the 'saders, but they are normally the one safe tip in this comp. It will be the game that ruins everyones perfect rounds if it goes the other way for sure. For the late game, I'm going to back the Sunwolves, who have suffered so many close losses this season and have looked far more impressive than their ladder position would make you think. I reckon they are due - for bonus points I will also tip a Semisi Masirewa double - he is just on fire lately. Canes haven't been playing great this season, but I have a feeling they will finally turn up for this one, and would actually back them for a rare winning bonus point. The Tahs are hard to pick in general, but have looked good for the most part, so home ground advantage to get them the win. For the South African derbies I tend to pick the home teams - so I'll shake that up by backing the Bulls instead, as I feel like (based on no specific stats), the away teams seem to actually be doing better in that conference. And I'm liking the Jags lately, so I'll tip them to win another to finish off the round. Hating these 6 game rounds by the way, get it back to 7 already. Should be some good games, bring it on!
Brett McKay
Expert
"...and they’re the blokes living in Vaucluse and not me, so I’ll follow the money." Well now there's coffee all over my screen, Thugby, thanks a bunch... :lol:
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
RT He's certainly having a great 2019 then. I don't watch teams o/s Oz that closely, but no need for microscope to spot Nanai this year, in number of games. First couple of games saw him on tv this year, was wondering who on earth is this!! Cheers KP
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Oh I forgot the other Sure Thing. RT won't be crying this week. The Blues aren't playing; were they euthanised or are they resting? :)
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Well it's nice to know that my 3 correct picks from Round 10 bested most tipsters, yea One for the Thugby. Will be switching to watch the Junior Wallabies play against Japan at 5pm Friday as well as the expected slaughter of Panthera leo by those Crusading types. So come on Aussies, track tomorrow's WB streamed LIVE on www.rugby.com.au. Onto this week's tips: - Crusaders are resting Big Bro Barrett, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue, but the pussycats have no Marx in their lineup. Saders by Plenty. - Sunwolves could beat the Highlanders who are resting S.Frizell and A.Dixon on the bench, but it's a night game which should remove a lot of the heat and humidity from the equation. The bookies have the Highlanders at odds-on and they're the blokes living in Vaucluse and not me, so I'll follow the money. - Canes have nearly all their troops back for this clash in the Cake tin whereas Chiefs are missing some chiefs in Big Brodie and DMac. As Digger would say "Canes by a few" - Everyone is on the Tahs bandwagon on the basis of the stinker the Sharks put up last couple of weeks. However I was very unimpressed with the Tahs last week, their win was more due to the Rebels played Super Dumb Rugby for the last 45 minutes. I suspect the Sharks will be breathing fire and if the Tahs play as horrible as last week then the Sharks will eat them. Of interest is how long will it take Tolu Latu before he gives away a penalty or cops a card. Maybe Brett can frame some Odds. :) - Stormers and Bulls result depends on which side plays horrible rugby this week. The Bulls belted the Stormers in Round 1 but that was 10 form lapses ago. I honestly don't know so will go the home team to win. - Brumbies will be sore and tired and will come against a rested fired-up Los Jaguares so will likely lose. But this is the Jags who are in the SA group so Brumbies could take this one. Interesting that James Slipper is starting while S.Sio sits on the bench. No D.Pocock or L.McCaffrey still although J.Brown and T.Cusack are playing out of their skins. Jags by 5. In short: Crusaders, Highlanders, Crusaders, Sharks, Stormers, Los Jaguares. Last week was STELLAR for Aussie teams with 3 wins, this week will be the pits with nowt wins. Sure Thing: Fox Commentators will tell us how fantastic K.Beale and B.Foley are at least 60 times during the broadcast.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
then half the Roar panel slash their wrists....
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I seriously think you are wrong mate ... BUT I'm not going to check! as you might be right and I'd hate to see than in print!!!!
CUW
Roar Rookie
" Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli has admitted his side deliberately deceived the Chiefs with their team naming prior to last week's Super Rugby victory in Hamilton. Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and first five-eighths Elton Jantjies had initially been named on the bench only to be brought into the starting side prior to kick-off. However, Straeuli has since revealed that was always going to be the case as they wanted the Chiefs to believe they were not going to start. "It was a tactical move to announce the team like that because we wanted the Chiefs to "With Malcolm on the bench, the Chiefs opted to rest some of their heavy forwards. With him in the starting team we could take them on at scrum time and it worked well. The foundation for our victory was laid up front." Marx and Jantjies played a key role as the Johannesburg-based side raced to a 20-0 lead halftime lead before holding off a Chiefs fightback to win 23-17. The Lions face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday with Jantjies named at second-five. However, Marx is reported to have returned to South Africa as part of the Springbok rest protocol. After watching last week's tricky tactics, you can bet the Crusaders would have prepared for every possibility. "
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Upsets this weekend – Lions to beat Saders, Brumbies to ambush and smash the Argies, Sharks in a close one over the Tahs.
Fionn
Guest
Interesting. I'll feel much more confident if it is kept tight in the forwards. We have a Wallaby front row and I think Arnold has been the form Australian lock. And I generally feel that the Wallabies' tight five beat the Pumas'. I am concerned about being outplayed in the back-row though. Valetini, Pocock and McCaffrey all injured.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Both wings are not experienced. Brumbies can use that advantage. Miotti , fly -half is only started one SR game . Jaguares will have to use the forwards and Brumbies should use the space. We will see.
Fionn
Guest
6-Pablo Matera Damn.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
JAGUARES: 1-Nahuel Chaparro, 2-Agustín Creevy, 3-Santiago Medrano, 4-Guido Petti, 5-Tomás Lavanini, 6-Pablo Matera, 7-Marcos Kremer, 8-Tomás Lezana, 9-Tomás Cubelli, 10-Domingo Miotti, 11-Santiago Carreras, 12-Jerónimo De la Fuente (c), 13-Matías Orlando, 14-Sebastián Cancelliere, 15-Emiliano Boffelli. Suplentes: 16- Julián Montoya, 17- Mayco Vivas, 18- Enrique Pieretto, 19- Rodrigo Bruni, 20- Javier Ortega Desio, 21- Felipe Ezcurra, 22- Bautista Ezcurra, 23- Juan Cruz Mallía.
Brett McKay
Expert
The Friday morning update: Everything looks worryingly straight-forward this week, which almost guarantees some upsets somewhere across the weekend. Stormers-Bulls remains the closest Crowd pick so far - it opened north of 60% yesterday, and has slipped more than 5% since yesterday mid-afternoon. Is The Crowd getting cold feet on this one?