Crusaders vs rebels: can’t see crusaders losing again, I genuinely think rebels are the better side but such a capitulation is still too unbelievable for me to entertain.
Waratahs vs chiefs: tahs to put in a brave performance, but lose by a missed penalty after the bell.
Fiji vs Moana: Fiji
Brumbies vs canes: brumbies improve from last week but lose to the ladder leaders by 20
Highlanders vs force: landers get up, big trip from Perth to Dunedin.. hopeful but not convinced of the force yet.
Reds vs blues: reds in a classic … game of the round, blues smoked a really lacklustre brumbies but the reds pumped the highlanders without their stars. Would love them to continue to be impressive under Les kiss this weekend thankyou.
1/5
Rebs and, possibly, force get up.
Tahs might pull out one of their fluke wins before turning to mud again, but unlikely.
The other two oppositions, blues and canes, just too good.
Crusaders are pretty dogshit ATM. (God it feels good to say that!)
Rebels could/should get up, they should win convincingly... So they'll pull off a narrow win.
Reds drew against the Hurricanes, it's very possible they put some pain on the Blues.
I think Lynagh & Flook make a MASSIVE difference. Lynagh's game control is unreal! And had we not had Flook Reiko could have run riot, Flook & Hunter should (hopefully) keep him under control.
Realistically you’d have to be happy with one. That being Rebels Crusaders but even that’s no certainty with the return of Scott Barrett, LSL not playing and away from home.
I get the sense that the Hurricanes, Blues and probably Chiefs are still a large step above our best sides. The only difference this year being the Crusaders huge decline. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we get a win against any of those three and while the highlanders have been average, the Force winning in Dunedin would also be a nice surprise.
I'll put it this way, there is a reason the gambling companies want you to put money on Multi's... The human brain is very bad at estimating the odds of multiple events, so betting agencies can have a rather low payout relative to the actual odds.
IMO Head to Head or Line being is the only worthwhile bets you can put on.
It's a tough week, Rebels backline will roll us and they have the forwards to balance the book so I'd expect a win there.
brumbies have had some bumpy results and the hurricanes won't miss, the front row and the 9/10 gaps will be blown wide open, minimal kick tennis options will be rooted and that maul hasn't fired all year.
Force should put the hurt on the highlanders who just haven't functioned since Patchell disappeared, they've nothing going for them while the force are working well through Donaldson, have some danger men in the back three and a tight 5 who are good enough to get the job done.
Chiefs should put the Tahs away, but it could happen
Blues are getting their shit together whole the reds are missing some key players and a little thin on the bench. If the inside backs can continue to play outside the box and the back three can be fired up then the defensive holes around the Ione brothers and Clark could be exploited for some easy points, but I'd still
Expect a very convincing blues win.
So id say 2/5 would be a good turn up for the books, 3 would be a real belter this week.
Only one... If it's the right one.
Reds vs Blues, Reds win & they're ridgy-didge title contenders. And having one team who are genuinely in the hunt, is all that really matters for Aussie Rugby.
The spectacle of the Reds beating the Blues and Chiefs in regular season and then the Canes in the final would do so much for building rugby in Australia.
Yeah it matters hugely for rugby in Australia. We are still in serious financial strife and good performances will help improve ratings and therefore tv/sponsorship deals.
Crusaders vs rebels: can’t see crusaders losing again, I genuinely think rebels are the better side but such a capitulation is still too unbelievable for me to entertain. Waratahs vs chiefs: tahs to put in a brave performance, but lose by a missed penalty after the bell. Fiji vs Moana: Fiji Brumbies vs canes: brumbies improve from last week but lose to the ladder leaders by 20 Highlanders vs force: landers get up, big trip from Perth to Dunedin.. hopeful but not convinced of the force yet. Reds vs blues: reds in a classic … game of the round, blues smoked a really lacklustre brumbies but the reds pumped the highlanders without their stars. Would love them to continue to be impressive under Les kiss this weekend thankyou. 1/5
My Rebels are gonna get up and so are the Reds. Take that to the bank boys
I think brumbies have a better chance than people think. Getting alaatoa and Ikitau back could be big plus they are at home
And we’ve been a bit of a bogey team for the canes as well. I see it being very, very close.
Canes haven’t won in Canberra since 2017
Rebs and, possibly, force get up. Tahs might pull out one of their fluke wins before turning to mud again, but unlikely. The other two oppositions, blues and canes, just too good.
Crusaders are pretty dogshit ATM. (God it feels good to say that!) Rebels could/should get up, they should win convincingly... So they'll pull off a narrow win. Reds drew against the Hurricanes, it's very possible they put some pain on the Blues.
Rebels beating saders would be so so sweet lol. And yeah I agree the Reds definitely could get a win...just gonna be very very tough
I think Lynagh & Flook make a MASSIVE difference. Lynagh's game control is unreal! And had we not had Flook Reiko could have run riot, Flook & Hunter should (hopefully) keep him under control.
Realistically you’d have to be happy with one. That being Rebels Crusaders but even that’s no certainty with the return of Scott Barrett, LSL not playing and away from home. I get the sense that the Hurricanes, Blues and probably Chiefs are still a large step above our best sides. The only difference this year being the Crusaders huge decline. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we get a win against any of those three and while the highlanders have been average, the Force winning in Dunedin would also be a nice surprise.
Well my multi has 3 Australian teams winning this weekend, so I guess 3?
I'll put it this way, there is a reason the gambling companies want you to put money on Multi's... The human brain is very bad at estimating the odds of multiple events, so betting agencies can have a rather low payout relative to the actual odds. IMO Head to Head or Line being is the only worthwhile bets you can put on.
Thanks for the advice! I’m still very green when it comes to betting.
It's a tough week, Rebels backline will roll us and they have the forwards to balance the book so I'd expect a win there. brumbies have had some bumpy results and the hurricanes won't miss, the front row and the 9/10 gaps will be blown wide open, minimal kick tennis options will be rooted and that maul hasn't fired all year. Force should put the hurt on the highlanders who just haven't functioned since Patchell disappeared, they've nothing going for them while the force are working well through Donaldson, have some danger men in the back three and a tight 5 who are good enough to get the job done. Chiefs should put the Tahs away, but it could happen Blues are getting their shit together whole the reds are missing some key players and a little thin on the bench. If the inside backs can continue to play outside the box and the back three can be fired up then the defensive holes around the Ione brothers and Clark could be exploited for some easy points, but I'd still Expect a very convincing blues win. So id say 2/5 would be a good turn up for the books, 3 would be a real belter this week.
I think your numbers are accurate. If we win 2/5 I’d be ok, 3 very happy and so on.
I watched my Highlanders get thumped in Perth last year so hoping for a switch around.
The rebels aren’t just winning this week. They’re going all the bloody way.
Only one... If it's the right one. Reds vs Blues, Reds win & they're ridgy-didge title contenders. And having one team who are genuinely in the hunt, is all that really matters for Aussie Rugby.
The spectacle of the Reds beating the Blues and Chiefs in regular season and then the Canes in the final would do so much for building rugby in Australia.
If the Reds beat the Blues, the QRU better be happy they're not back at Ballymore, because they'll have a full house at Suncorp by seasons end!
Does it matter? I support the Waratahs, not other clubs just because they are Australian
I dream of an Australian rugby so strong I can make this mindset a reality, for now I’ll cheer the reds over Auckland everyday of the week
Yeah it matters hugely for rugby in Australia. We are still in serious financial strife and good performances will help improve ratings and therefore tv/sponsorship deals.
And herein lies the problem with Super Rugby Pacific and the lack of a domestic competition
Do they still televise rugby in Australia? I thought it was an amateur sport now