If Round 18 will decide the clubhouse lead heading into the Super Rugby playoffs – we’re going all the way, baby! – then last weekend’s penultimate round was indeed the tipping panel equivalent of ‘Moving Day’.
And with Nobes getting the late yips, it was our beared Kiwi colleague charging up the leaderboard – even if he did sacrifice his black and gold meteorological storm system for the cause.
But that wasn’t the only movement, with Geoff opening the door for your correspondent to potentially save face in 2019. A more noble gesture I cannot recall.
ROUND 17: Brett 6, The Crowd 5, Digger 4; Geoff, Nobes and Harry 3.
OVERALL: Digger 69, Nobes and The Crowd 68, Harry 63, Geoff and Brett 60.
PERFECT ROUNDS: Nope, all done by the first-up draw again. And then so many of you were undone by the Blues. I won’t say ‘I told you so’.
Akari gets an honourable mention for voluntarily following my tips and not being disappointed.
Brett
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, REBELS, JAGUARES, HURRICANES, BRUMBIES, STORMERS*, BULLS
I’m still chuckling at the Hurricanes winning in Johannesburg last weekend, for the record. Probably because I saw it play out live. Either way, it really has given me more amusement than it should have.
Righto then, this week. And I’ve been forced into one change from my run home predictions from six weeks ago, which has proven to be worryingly effective. A strategy for 2020, no doubt.
So Highlanders, Jaguares, Hurricanes, Brumbies, Bulls all pick themselves, and I will stick with them.
And I will obviously acknowledge the equine benefits in Canberra of a Mighty Moondogs victory in Buenos Aires!
So the two games I’ve given thought to switching away from my six-week-old predictions are the Rebels-Chiefs in Melbourne, and Stormers-Sharks in Cape Town.
The Rebels were terrible in Christchurch, make no mistake. But the Sharks really weren’t much better in not troubling the scorers in BA until the 69th minute and with Jaguares fans already half an hour into party mode celebrating a well-earned home final.
So I’ve got concerns about both of them. But, I’m also not completely mad enough to switch both of them. And so with away teams still not winning 40 percent of games, I can’t bring myself to switch away from a home team.
So Rebels stay; Sharks go for the Stormers at Newlands.
SURE THING: The Sharks. At Newlands. By Plenty TM.
And I did. Tell you so.
Digger
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, CHIEFS, JAGUARES, HURRICANES, BRUMBIES, STORMERS, BULLS
Both the Kiwi sides on Friday night know a Bonus Point win will be the only way of perhaps forcing themselves into a playoff spot and with the make up of the Waratahs side this Friday the Highlanders are a no brainer, while every game the Rebels have had of significance they have bottled it, so a resurgent Chiefs for me in Melbourne.
The Jaguares should have a nice wee tune up for the finals ahead against the Sunwolves, while the ‘Canes and Brumbies by plenty please, for Saturday night viewing before the cricket.
Some juicy games to finish in the Republic with it all to play for; the winners likely to make it, the losers potentially out of the mix.
As such I will plump for both home sides, the Sharks seem to have fallen off a cliff and the Bulls look the team in form compared to the Lions.
SURE THING: I am really anticipating some good niggle and spite levels in the SA derbies this weekend with the neighbours and the coastal sides going at it. With it all to play for these should be the best games of the round.
Nobes
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, CHIEFS, JAGUARES, HURRICANES, BRUMBIES, STORMERS, BULLS.
Well, not much more to say about Round 17 after the two excellent articles by Geoff and Brett this week, so we must focus in the next one.
The year of the tipper has been very complicated, as you can see, I have chosen kind words, and this last round with games with either nothing or too much at stake are really difficult.
To start a different Friday with three matches where the first will go to the Highlanders since the Waratahs are not carrying prime beef to New Zealand. Rebels and Chiefs play for a spot in the play off. I’m not sure the Rebels want to be in play off and I hope they prove wrong.
Jaguares after securing the conference last week will go for the second place in the general table and will achieve the objective.
Canes and Blues play for nothing, so it is a coin toss or the home team. Heads, Canes. Brumbies will continue with momentum against the Reds.
Finally, we have two battles in South Africa to make it to the play-offs where the four teams have several important casualties. Both teams that play in their respective homes should win.
SURE THING: This has been the most entertaining edition of Super Rugby in recent years, so thank you very much for that!
Geoff
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, REBELS, JAGUARES, HURRICANES, BRUMBIES, SHARKS, BULLS
Oh how the mighty have fallen. From this time last year going toe to toe with Nobes for the title, to this year trying to avoid the shame of allowing Brett to relinquish his wooden spoon. Talk about pressure…
Brilliant work by Mike Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley to avoid a trip to Invercargill in June. And good luck to Mack Mason in his return to the big time. But it surely has to be the Highlanders, doesn’t it?
Not many teams recover from a 66-0 shellacking to win the next week. And not many Australian teams beat NZ teams (still). But I have a sneaky feeling that the Rebels aren’t as psychologically damaged as some people think they are.
All of the conference winners will rest players this week, but even so, they still look too strong for their opponents. So that’s a tick for the Jaguares, Hurricanes and Brumbies.
As for the usual SA conference raffle, no confidence with either of these but, just to give Brett the opportunity to tip differently… it’s the Sharks and Bulls
SURE THING: Whichever coach finishes 8th will scroll through all of the well-meaning text messages congratulating him on making the finals, thinking, “you idiots, don’t you know we have to travel to Christchurch!”
Harry
TIPS: HIGHLANDERS, CHIEFS, JAGUARES, HURRICANES, BRUMBIES, STORMERS, BULLS
This was the best Super Rugby tournament in history. The tactics honed. Skill levels up. Athleticism stupendous. The conference system delivered.
Pablo and Ardie and Richie and Handré and Samu the best.
What is missing? World class marketing. If you cannot sell the ferocity of the Crusaders, the attack of the Canes, the sexiness of Buenos Aires, and the talent all around this comp, you need to be Folau’d.
This round: the Jacobites will bite the Tah-Tahs. The Chiefs will Brodie the Rebels. The Jags will score in time to their house music and DJ PumaJag. The Canes will coast. The Brumbies will bump and grind.
The Stormers have no locks. Schickerling, Etzebeth, PSDT, Wiese: all gone. They have no loosies. Willemse is out. Captain might have to be Trokkie van Voksaak. But sure: STO by 10!
The Lions-Bulls derby will feature grappling, muy Thai, mooi Thai, Krav Maga, sambo, striking, kickboxing, judo, karate, Kung fu, jujitsu, and a bit of rugby. Bulls.
Sure thing: Nobes will like the ref this weekend.
Get your votes in now – The Crowd’s tips will be revealed Friday afternoon AEST.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Odds on Monday Canes big time favourites, Blues ‘awarded’ 9.5 start ... that 9.5 has come down to 0.5 start!!! Geez Thugby to drag the odds down how much did you wager on the Blues? You have ruined it for the poor battlers like yours truly!
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
RT. Its gonna be Blues By Plenty. Just gotta get Digger to say it now. How many rum n cokes should I buy? LoL
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Sings that old song as Riccardo welcomes me "And they're coming to take me away ha-haaa. They're coming to take me away ho-ho hee-hee ha-haaa. To the funny farm ..." Goooo the Blues! Strange that in the same week, Queensland beat the Blues twice. Once in RL and one in RU.
Forceright
Roar Rookie
Should be a tough game with the samoan team retaining a strong side from the last encounter. I suggest Qld locals should get along to watch some good rugby. It will also be shown live on SBS Viceland and Fox 503. I believe a strong contingent of Samoan supporters will be turning up!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Buddy Roo would know! lol..
taylorman
Roar Guru
A rejuvenated Retallick will be interesting.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oops, I thought I put a couple of zeros too many on my slip :-)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Blues will win now they’re back to their default position of laughing stock again. Took a while but with Leon’s hard work and perseverance, they finally got there.:-)
JSJ
Roar Rookie
Meanwhile the Western Force will be playing the Kagifa Samoa at Ballymore at 3.40pm on Saturday. I believe entrance is free, so those Roarers in Brisbane can see an exciting Global Rapid Rugby live for themselves. It is a Samoa home game, but their stadium is being rebuilt, thus the game at Ballymore.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
He has been out injured almost the full SR season, but I think he should not be too far away from a comeback. He is selected for the wider WC squad, but we shall see if he makes the cut. Totally agree that Bertranou was pure quality last season
Marto
Guest
NO !
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Ha! Thugby ... "I picked RT’s perennial pack of duds" ... *S* I'm not offended, and anyhow I see you have some common sense and have chosen the Blues to get over the Canes tonight! ... I think you did that based on the 'law of averages,' believing that the Blues will eventually win a game against NZ opposition 'away from home' ....
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Welcome to the Blues Asylum, TF. I'm the Concierge. RT will take your jacket and personal effects. And here's a nice fresh white jacket with belts and buckles for your arms. Nice and cosy right? Now bite down on this while we arrange your new headgear...
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ha! If I sucked any harder... I'd be inhaling, eh? ;) Good luck ewes skirt wearing, south of south Southerner... as you'll need it in that cold, icy, rarified air of Invercargill. Alas, I therefore hope it doesn't rain on ya Bender parade :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Nope Brett, they briefly entered the ratified air of playoffs in 2011 ... ousted in the semi finals by the Reds ... NB I didn't suggest they would WIN the comp next year ... *S*
Tutema
Roar Rookie
Jajajajaja.... Yeah.... I do....
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Suck it up Chook, like we all know your'e Aussie. Happy days.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
You know I am Nobes then.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Ireland v England, and Wales v NZ - the winners play for 5/6, others play for 7/8th; Scotland/Italy, Georgia/Fiji similarly have matches to determine who plays for 9/10, and 11/12th
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Harry, It is a huge number of small relevant, important changes in a short period of time. I can't believe Quesada has been so influential and has achieved all of them. I truly wish him well. It is remarkable.