What a heck of a final round we’ve got. Five of the six games coming up this weekend can have a bearing on the playoffs, with the Waratahs-Moana Pasifika game the only outlier, with NSW not able to finish anywhere other than 6th.
And with the Chiefs and Moana locked into the extreme positions on the table, the other nine positions remain in dispute heading into the final round of the regular season.
On the tipping front, Digger looks to have assumed the role of the Chiefs. He could still be caught in theory, but the chances are slim.
At the other end, Harry is not so much Moana Pasifika, but rather the Drua and Rebels one point back from Geoff, taking on the Force character. The podcast co-host thought he was done for last week, but his perfect Round 14 and Geoff’s 50 percent return mean the Tipping Panel is in very similar dispute heading into the final round.
But what does this surprise chance to redeem do for Harry’s selection rationale? Will he shelve all lay-up plans and instead reach for driver? What’s his acceptable margin for error?
A fascinating final round now looms. And I’m sure the games on the field will be equally enthralling…
LAST WEEK: Harry 6, Digger 5, Brett 4, Christy 4, Geoff 3; The Crowd 6.
OVERALL: Digger 66, Brett 62, Christy 61, Geoff 58, Harry 57; The Crowd 63.
TIPS: BLUES, BRUMBIES, REDS, CRUSADERS, WARATAHS, CHIEFS
If the season went on seven more rounds, I’d win going away.
The Blues will bury the valiant Highlanders. The angry Brumbies will maul the happy-go-lucky Rebels.
The Drua and the Reds will post an NBA finals score. Last team with the ball in the red zone will win. I’ll go with Reds in the red.
We have the Crusaders CEO on the pod this week, so I better go with them. Plus, it’s wintertime.
The Waratahs should handle things but Moana Pasifika will make them earn it. The Force will feel the full fury of Luke Jacobson’s mocked ire. Balls will be handled with aplomb.
SURE THING: Geoff’s home team love will bring him down to my level.
TIPS: BLUES, BRUMBIES, DRUA, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, CHIEFS
My daughter believed that tipping must be really easy because of my results so I suggested she enter my tips for me this week.
She kindly obliged and these are her predictions:
‘’Blues – even though Beauden left the Hurricanes, I still like him and the Brumbies are the horsey ones, they are usually good so they will win there. The Drua are the most fun to watch so Drua all the way.
“Don’t think Moana Pasifika are very good so I guess the Waratahs, and the Chiefs are number one, don’t think that will change.
“And Hurricanes of course.’”
Well-reasoned, sort of.
SURE THING: A fair bit of kicking practice should pay off for the Hurricanes this weekend, or at least stop taking advice from big brother will help.
TIPS: BLUES, BRUMBIES, DRUA, CRUSADERS, WARATAHS, CHIEFS
So this week looks worryingly straightforward again, and that’s instantly concerning.
The Blues and Brumbies will both win and will both lock down top four spots, but the question of which spots will be determined by how big a win the Blues can manage. Wouldn’t mind getting that tip wrong for purely parochial reasons, and it’s very likely given it involves the Blues.
Though Murphy’s Law would also dictate that the one time I’m happy to be wrong, the Blues will win by 50 and I’ll be very, very right.
If the Drua don’t take the foot off, they might run up a score on the injury-depleted Reds.
And the Crusaders will put the Hurricanes away like a surgeon. They won’t even feel the scalpel, they’ll be fully coherent and conversing with the staff, and then suddenly they’ll realise major organs are missing and resting on ice while the surgeon races for the carpark to make his tee time.
The Waratahs surely won’t bugger up the Michael Hooper farewell, and while I’d love the Force to get up for those very same parochial reasons, I’m not sure the Chiefs will take the foot off now.
SURE THING: Final placings drama of some kind. Has to be. Either via shock upset, or venue double-booking, or some kind of Saracens-style salary cap breach. Something will happen, it’s in the tea leaves.
TIPS: BLUES, BRUMBIES, DRUA, HURRICANES, WARATAHS, CHIEFS
Going against the odds has increasingly failed to pay off. The odd upset tip hasn’t transpired. That’s footy.
I’ll stick to the percentages in the final week, although the Rebels, Reds and Force matches shape as beauties. Don’t write any of them off.
Aaron Smith’s journey with the Highlanders will come to an end at Eden Park, with the Blues shaping as far too strong as they build towards the finals. They were my pre-season pick and they’re hitting some form at the right end of the season.
Brumbies, just. But they won’t want to lose any more men. Keep a close eye on Tom Hooper.
Saturday is when things really heat up though. The Drua’s home clash with the Reds shapes as one of the matches of the season. The loss of Liam Wright will hurt defensively.
It’ll be interesting to see what side the Crusaders roll out because they’ve been smacked by injuries. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will want to take on the Crusaders up front. Then again, they’ll have three big trips on the road if they want to take out their second title. Could they rest a couple?
The Waratahs should be too strong for Moana Pasifika.
As for the Chiefs, they’ll rest a couple you’d think but their struggles against the Waratahs with ball-in-hand back in March could see them decide to roll out some key chargers. Continuity matters. Nonetheless, with the Force hurting up front in the front-row it’ll be a leap too far for Simon Cron’s men.
SURE THING: Check, check. There’ll be more scrutiny on the officials after a week of heat.
TIPS: BLUES, REBELS, DRUA, CRUSADERS, WARATAHS, CHIEFS
Any care I had for this competition evaporated last week when Christian Lealiifano took it upon himself to kick the ball anywhere except between the Lautoka uprights. He’s now sharing the doghouse with Paul Williams.
The obvious option is for me to mirror Harry’s tips and consign him to the wooden spoon no matter what. But because I’m a generous soul, because I must be due a change of luck, because I’ve had a couple over lunch and because the doghouse is already full and doesn’t warrant a dog act on my part, I’m not going to do that.
Which means it’s the Rebels to upset the Brumbies – as long as they don’t need to score off the final play from in front of the posts. And it’s also the Drua to make history and make their first finals series, at the expense of the Reds.
The rest of the round will follow the form sheet; Blues over the Highlanders, Crusaders over the Canes, Tahs over Moana Pasifika and Chiefs over the Force.
SURE THING: In another Stan post-match chat, Luke Jacobson will clarify just what was going on in last week’s interview. Apparently, it was so cold in Canberra he just needed to check that it was still there and hadn’t dropped off due to frostbite.
Round 15 | Geoff | Digger | Harry | Brett | Christy | The Crowd |
Overall | 58 | 66 | 57 | 62 | 61 | 63 |
Last week | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
BLU v HIG | Blues | Blues | Blues | Blues | Blues | Blues |
BRU v REB | Rebels | Brumbies | Brumbies | Brumbies | Brumbies | Brumbies |
DRU v RED | Drua | Drua | Reds | Drua | Drua | Drua |
HUR v CRU | Crusaders | Hurricanes | Crusaders | Crusaders | Hurricanes | Crusaders |
WAR v MOA | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs | Waratahs |
FOR v CHI | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Force |
Get your tips in now – The Crowd’s tips will be revealed Friday afternoon AEST.
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KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
I think you’ll find, as of today it’s Sir Wayne!
jeznez
Roar Guru
Wayne's boys?
net
Roar Rookie
Geoff Digger Harry Brett Christy The Crowd Harry, learn how to pick from your colleagues and pick The Drua
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Cutting it fine getting my tips in this week. Looks pretty much like home teams this week other than the last game, although the Chiefs have so many out you never know. Surprised no one has tipped much of an upset, feels like one will happen somewhere (Rebels, Force, even the Landers? Or Moana?) Seasons on the line, plenty will leave it all out on the field. Blues you’d think will have enough tonight though, given they are fighting for a top 3 finish (which I maintain is way more important than top 3, given the status of the big 5). I’d be very tempted to go the Rebels if they were at home, but the Brumbies are so tough at home, and will want to make sure they lock in another game there next week. Drua should nab a win tomorrow and make an historic first finals appearance. Just a shame that game will be away from home where they are a different team. Canes to get it done at home against a Saders team with plenty out. Tahs should have enough for Moana, but it’s a weird game with nothing to play for with both teams. Moana have been close lately, so I don’t think it will be easy. The Chiefs also don’t have anything to play for and have left almost a teams worth at home. I’ll tip the Chiefs, but if the Force are still alive come kickoff then an upset is certainly on. Already pumped for the finals next week.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Thanks, Guest, that's it.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Yes, Guest below is correct, Brett. Sorry, I did not make that clear.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Fantastic. Diggers I assume. Let me know if you need airport transfers.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Thanks. I’ll be there in August mate, but I’ve arranged a house.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Brett and in advance “Hail King Digger”… it was never in doubt, the cream always rises to the top .. Talking about that, the Blues will take care of business at Eden Park, say no more. It’s been a tough season for the Highlander and it’s not about to get easier. Papali’i is back and will be replacing the injured Choat who has played well covering for his suspended captain. The Brumbies match against the Rebels in Canberra is shaping up to be a good contest but I think the home team are packing too many guns for the Rebels who are actually playing Ok .. but …. Reds in spite of there injuries last week I feel will be too strong even in Fiji against the Drua and will make the playoffs. Looking for a good game on Saturday when the Crusaders visit Wellington. This might be the game of the round but I expect that the red and blacks for all their injuries might still be too strong for the Canes .. Sorry Digs but you already have your victory over the tipping panel .. congratulations! Waratahs will get over the winless Moana Pasifika but it might be closer than many think. To round off the preliminary rounds of SRP, I cannot see the Chiefs losing momentum regardless of the team they put out .. Chief by 15 plus. Sure thing: Harry will tip much better on an even number year, next year .. PS Geez it’s cold in Sale ..
The Late News
Roar Rookie
It's early in the season Scott. Let me know in advance if you need a bed or two for the weekend!
Guest
Roar Rookie
Brett, I think he's referring to the Munster folk that coach at La Rochelle (ROG, Ryan, Dillane).
Guest
Roar Rookie
I'm afraid so mate, will just make it all the more sweet when you beat them and sneak into the finals :stoked:
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Thanks Guys for the enjoyable tips as always. This week I am going for: Blues: The last two weeks they have showed some positive signs of finally clicking and it is Mark Telea's 50th. Brumbies: I cannot see them losing another game at home. Drua: There is a lot at stake here for both teams and I have this feeling the Drua come through as long as they have not used up all their efforts in the Pacific derby last week. Tahs: I want Moana Pasifika to win but cant see it happening. Chiefs: Force at home and an "experimental" Chiefs team could see the Force win but I think the Chiefs 2nd stringers will have learnt from the Reds loss not to take any opposition to easy. Crusaders: They are timing their finals run well. Even though the Hurricanes have a habit of playing their best against the Crusaders, the Crusaders in winter are a hard proposition
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
It's unanimous, the Chiefs 2nd XV will beat the Force. Is the gulf between nations really that wide?
ScottD
Roar Guru
It's been a long time since I went to the Kalgoorlie races. A complete lack of decorum if I remember correctly.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Whatever happens this weekend the one interesting item is that all of the teams in the bottom of the draw have their destiny in their own hands. That is, no matter what happens in other results, they have to win their own game because as sure as the sun rises in the east, one of the other teams vying for their finals spot will win. Much as I am disappointed by the Forces failure to launch last week, it has made this week a whole lot more interesting for about 5 teams. And just quietly, I am picking the Force to beat the Chiefs. (or not).
Richie
Roar Rookie
You can’t beat the world xv strip last weekend for “garish” Cass!
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah Foster is representative of a closed shop system that developed under Henry. Innovative perspectives and ideas from the outside could not get through because the fair competitive jungle of NZ Rugby as mown down to control it.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
The Crusaders team in 2004 final. 15 Ben Blair 14 Marika Vunibaka 13 Aaron Mauger 12 Dan Carter 11 Caleb Ralph 10 Cameron McIntyre 9 Justin Marshall 8 Sam Broomhall 7 Richie McCaw 6 Reuben Thorne (c) 5 Chris Jack 4 Brad Thorn 3 Greg Somerville 2 Tone Kopelani 1 David Hewett Substitutions: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Chris King 18 Ross Filipo 19 Johnny Leo'o 20 Jamie Nutbrown 21 Andrew Mehrtens 22 Casey Laulala
Brett McKay
Expert
That's what I'm thinking of, Ben Blair to 15.. Thanks, Piners.