It’s another short week and three of our panellists are backing up from round 7. The Crowd is predictably leaving the rest of the crew in its wake, while all doubts have been erased on the question of who is The Roar’s biggest jinx.
Christy Doran
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels
The Reds might have given Harry McLaughlin-Phillips just his second start, but the 19-year-old is made of the right stuff. He’s tough and physical and hasn’t put a foot wrong since making his debut earlier this year.
Les Kiss’ side will just be too accurate and disciplined for Moana Pasifika, while Zane Hilton has the Reds’ set-piece humming.
The Waratahs might have beaten the Crusaders in round two, but they’ve lost another key man up front. Angus Bell’s absence is a blow too many. Indeed, Rob Penney’s props will be licking their lips. That’s where the game will be won and lost.
As for the New Zealand derby on Saturday, the Hurricanes are outsiders but they’ll continue their unbeaten run. They’re balanced and they have the muscle up front to boss the Chiefs.
The Rebels and Highlanders is another exciting match-up to look forward to. It’ll be loose and wild. Rebels, just. It’ll be the Taniela and Carter show.
Carter Gordon of the Rebels kicks the ball during the round four Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds at AAMI Park, on March 15, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
Nick Wasiliev
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels
We cross the halfway point of the regular season this weekend, and here’s hoping the sheer unpredictable nature of the competition continues. They may be on the road, but this fixture comes at a good time for the Reds, and that is not meant as disrespect to Moana Pasifika.
Kiss’ side hasn’t tasted victory since round five, so they will be desperate to get back in the good books, and with some good cavalry returning they should have enough to win here. Moana represent a banana skin side several teams have come close to tripping up on (and some others have). Burn me at the pyre, Tahs fans.
The Crusaders may not be on fire right now – but I think they’re in a better position than DC’s Tahs. The Tahs forward pack looks a lot less sinister with Angus Bell out of the picture, despite the welcome returns of Ned Hanigan and Langi Gleeson.
Ned Hanigan. (Photo By Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Throw in the Crusaders coming off a bye, a win over the Chiefs the week before that, and the return of several key All Blacks, and I see them grabbing the win here. I reckon this is the game of the round because the Chiefs have beaten the Canes in their last five encounters – yet the Hurricanes are coming off a bye in red-hot form. Both sides have beefed up, welcoming back key playmakers and All Blacks, and it has the makings of a prelude to a late-stage finals clash. The Canes at home should get it done – but by less than seven, given how strong Damian McKenzie has been this season.
Finishing up in Melbourne, the Rebels face a unique challenge in the Highlanders – the visitors will be throwing in a flyhalf rookie Ajay Faleafaga to start, but despite this, he’ll be supported by a solid pack with several All Blacks. The Rebels will be welcoming back cavalry across the park, with Andrew Kellaway and Lachie Anderson in the backs and Josh Kemeny in the forwards. If Taniela Tupou can nullify the challenge of Ethan de Groot coming off the bench, the hosts should get home. Expect a win by less than ten.
Hamish Bidwell
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels
A better week for those of us who enjoy contests. I’ll take the Reds in Whangarei.
Surely the Crusaders win in Sydney? Or do the Waratahs finally get it right? I’ve tipped the visitors but not with huge confidence.
Brain says Chiefs, but heart has leaned towards the Hurricanes. Either way, I’ll be intrigued to see the outcome.
I’d like to the Highlanders to win, but am assuming home advantage will tilt the balance the Rebels way.
Tony Harper
Reds, Crusaders, Chiefs, Rebels
Well don’t say you weren’t warned. Last week I was the only panellist to miss out on the clean sweep by opting for the Drua to beat the Rebels. At halftime I was still reasonably happy with my choice and then all hell broke loose.
This is what I wrote last week while tipping the Fijians for an upset: “See that? That’s the mock being put on poor old Frank Lomani. William H Macy is a fine actor but even he is no match as a “cooler” for your hapless The Roar editor.”
Bloody hell, did Frank ever lose his cool!
Frank Lomani of Fijian Drua leaves the field during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Fijian Drua at AAMI Park, on April 05, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The mock is so strong that I’m almost afraid to make these choices this week.
The Reds are a safe bet, I’m never tipping the Waratahs again (even though they beat the same team in Super Round), DMac will be the difference for the Chiefs and the presence of a young No.10 for the Highlanders up against Carter Gordon swings it for the Rebels. (Now just watch Ajay Faleafaga have the game of his life!)
| Round 8 | Christy | Nick | Tony | Hamish | The Crowd |
| Overall | 28 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 29 |
| Last week | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| MOA v RED | Reds | Reds | Reds | Reds | ? |
| TAH v CRU | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | ? |
| HUR v CHI | Hurricanes | Hurricanes | Chiefs | Hurricanes | ? |
| REB V HIG | Rebels | Rebels | Rebels | Rebels | ? |
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Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously the match of the weekend will be the Chiefs v Canes, but even away from home I'm leaning towards the boy's from the Waikato & it's adjoining provinces. Possibly the match up of the weekend will be de Groot v Tupou, with both of them anywhere near their best, but possibly not, seeing de Groot is returning from injury, should still give a fair idea of what's to come, or expected to come in the Rugby Champs. I realise that de Groot has a far better workrate, not only in the tight, but around the park as well, so I'd be inclined to lean towards him. As it is the Landers do have a pretty good line up, so, GO the LANDERS!!.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Crusaders will go for the kill. Tahs don’t have much backbone or direction with Tane. He still seems like a school kid but the greats like Ella were almost retired at his age. How long do you give a fly half a chance? It’s time for Harrison
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels. Though unless there some very bad nights for the Reds and Crusaders, I think the money is firmly on both of them. Hurricanes as they are hot form and at home, but could turn on whether McKenzie plays his usual self or not. I've gone the Rebels, but could be a tough, scrappy old affair, or a blow out, so I've gone the home side.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Interested to know who the ‘several’ ABs in the Highlanders pack are Nick?! From my count there’s only De Groot across the whole squad.
Noodles
Roar Rookie
That's the test I think Bodger. The collisions. Reds didn't cope when defences came at them consistently. Blyth will be helpful if he's calmed down.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels for me. No emotional attachments! Enjoy the round troops!
Carlin
Roar Rookie
The Reds will be too good for Moana Pasifika in what is likely to be a wet night in Whangarei. The wet conditions will make it tighter than expected though. The Crusaders by 10 or so points. The win against the Chiefs was a big weight off their shoulders. In saying that was the bye a good or bad thing for them? I have picked the Hurricanes as they are at home in a close one. This should be a great game with quality matchups across the park. If the ever improving Hurricanes forward pack dominates a strong Chiefs pack that will be a big statement. And how about the back 3 battle? The Rebels with home advantage in another close one. They are doing better than I had realised.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Like almost everyone else, 4 from 4 last week and its quite possible most of the ROAR punters will get 4 out of 4 again this week. I'm surprised the Rebels are getting so much love against a side that is so damned tough to beat. Onto this week: - Reds by 15. The Reds have now had a rest and some introspection on their mindset and game management over the last 2 matches. Reds speed from ruck to ruck and good attacking points will have the Moana Pasifika boys gasping for air after 25 minutes. Some of the Reds' injured are returning and this will ease the burnout in the big boys. Will be interesting to see how HMP goes. I am not super impressed as of yet, plays well and puts in decent field kicks but he doesn't control the game like T.Lynagh as he prefers to jink and run with the ball. Might work in U18s, but this is the big time where everyone can tackle. - Sadly I must agree with the mob and go for the Crusaders here. The scrums will not be pretty for Them Noble Tahs (TNT), but at least they got a bloke from grade footy instead of some kid from the Academy at reserve LHP. The olde firm back row of E.Blackadder joins T.Christie and C.Grace will blitz TNT back row and own the breakdowns. I'll be at the ground, just look for the bloke crying in row 15. :crying: - This game is definitely a banana skin. Hurricane forwards have bruised their way through all and sundry and will look to do the same against a Chiefs' pack who have looked out of sorts in their last 2 games. Canes by 6, maybe a card for S.Finau as he tries to send B.Cameron into Rugby Heaven. :silly: - Another banana skin. The Rebels are winning plus some good players are returning. Their backline is electric when they sniff a chance and they should win at AAMI. However the Highlanders are no mugs, they have played some top footy of late and were pretty hard to beat so a win would not be all that surprising. Rebels by 5. In short: Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels.
Tony Harper
Editor
Oh [insert poo emoji] - thanks
Corazon
Roar Rookie
Thumbs up from Ned. Tear those Crusaders a new one son.
Billy Boy
Roar Rookie
That's a decent back 5 cs , front 3 will be the big factor unless there are no scrums
Bodger
Roar Rookie
The Reds are full strength in the tight 5 with Toomaga-Allen and Blyth back. I can see the Reds winning the set piece battle and getting plenty of quick ball. Reds to get away in the second half with the pace of the game.
cs
Roar Guru
Ned and Jed, Lachie and Langi, plus Charlie. Pity the opposition. Go the Tahs!
Lano
Roar Guru
Eds - you've mucked up the table!!! Round 8 Christy Nick Tony Hamish MOA v RED Blues Blues Blues Blues TAH v CRU Rebels Rebels Drua Rebels REB V HIG Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies Brumbies ?
Lano
Roar Guru
below
Noodles
Roar Rookie
I reckon the Rebels might take another step this week and tighten up the defence, to give them a good win. Tahs, on the other hand, have a passive tackle approach that really has to change or they'll really take a beating. If Moana come with a beefy defence the Reds will be tested again, I suspect. Canes should power over the Chiefs. In short, it's toughening up time.
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
I've taken all the away teams.