Round 7 was not our best hour as the Bulls, Rebels and Stormers stunned our boss man in his predictions for last weekend. This weekend we see only 6 games and it does not seem to get any easier when it comes to predicting who is going to win.
HIGHLANDERS vs CHEETAHS, DUNEDIN, FRI 09:35
The Highlanders take on the bottom of the log Cheetahs in a match up that should be rather one sided affair. The Highlanders are captained from the front row of the scrum by Jamie MacIntosh. The Cheetahs, surprisingly, have the same captain in Wilhelm Steenkamp, as last weekend. I predict a Highlanders win by 17 points.
Highlanders: 15. Ben R Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Kenny Lynn, 12. Shaun Treeby, 11. Siale Piutau, 10. Colin Slade, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. Alando Soakai, 6. Adam Thomson, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Jarrad Hoeata, 3. Chris King, 2. Jason Rutledge, 1. Jamie MacKintosh (Captain)
Subs: 16. Mahonri Schwalger, 17. David Te Moana, 18. Tom Donnelly, 19. Nick Crosswell, 20. Aaron Smith, 21. Robbie Robinson, 22. James Paterson
Cheetahs: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Philip Burger, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Corné Uys, 11. Wilmaure Louw, 10. Sias Ebersohn, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Davon Raubenheimer, 6. Kabamba Floors, 5. Wilhelm Steenkamp (Captain), 4. Francois (FS) Uys, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Coenie Oosthuizen
Subs: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Lourens Adriaanse, 18. Martin Muller, 19. Leon Karemaker, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Naas Olivier, 22. Riaan Smit
CRUSADERS vs BULLS, CHRISTCHURCH, SAT 09:35
The match of the weekend pits two front running teams against each other with there having to be a loser, unless they draw ofcourse, but either way their will be dropped points. The Bulls come off a good away win last weekend whereas the Crusaders some off their bye. Should be a cracking match with the Crusaders running out winners by around 10 points.
Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Matthew Berquist, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read (Captain), 7. Matt Todd, 6. George Whitelock, 5. Chris Jack, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Ben Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Subs: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Kahn Fotuali`i, 21. Tom Marshall, 22. Adam Whitelock
Bulls – 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Dean Greyling
Subs: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Rossouw De Klerk, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Danie Rossouw, 20. Derick Kuun, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
BRUMBIES vs HURRICANES, CANBERRA, SAT 11:40
This is a battle of the lower teams as both are looking to pick themselves up. Both teams have had many disappointing losses so far this season. A difficult game to call, but if I have to choose a winner I predict the Brumbies to win by around 8 points.
Brumbies: 15. Matt Toomua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10. Matt Giteau (Captain), 9. Josh Valentine, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. Julian Salvi, 6. Peter Kimlin, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 2. Huia Edmonds, 1. Ben Alexander
Subs: 16. Anthony Hegarty, 17. Dan Palmer, 18. Colby Faingaa, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Tyrone Smith, 22. Francis Fainifo
Hurricanes: 15. Cory Jane, 14. André Taylor, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Tyson Keats, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jack Lam, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 3. Neemiah Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (Captain), 1. John Schwalger
Subs: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Michael Bent, 18. James Broadhurst, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. Chris Eaton, 21. Dan Kirkpatrick, 22. Charlie Ngatai
FORCE vs WARATAHS, PERTH, SAT 14:05
The Force come off a disappointing loss to the Rebels at home last weekend, and the team this week does not look any easier. The Waratahs are one of the better looking teams this season, bar their little glitch against the Cheetahs. The Waratahs should walk this game by around 12 points.
Force: 15. James O`Connor, 14. David Smith, 13. Nick Cummins, 12. Gene Fairbanks, 11. Cameron Shepherd, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. Jono Jenkins, 6. Richard Brown, 5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Timothy Fairbrother, 2. Ben Whittaker, 1. Pekahou Cowan
Subs: 16. Nathan Charles, 17. Kieran Longbottom, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Tevita Metuisela, 20. James Stannard, 21. Rory Sidey, 22. Pat Dellit
Waratahs: 15. Lachlan Turner, 14. Afa Pakalani, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Tom Carter, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Patrick McCutcheon, 6. Ben Mowen, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm (Captain), 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Subs: 16. Damian Fitzpatrick, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Sitaleki Timani, 19. Dave Dennis, 20. Chris Alcock, 21. Brendan McKibbin, 22. Daniel Halangahu
STORMERS vs REDS, CAPE TOWN, SAT 17:05
The Stormers take on the travelling Reds in Cape Town looking to extend their unbeaten season run to 7 games. The Reds themselves came from behind against the Lions last weekend to come out good winners, but the opposition this time around will not be that forgiving. The Stormers will be too strong for the Reds in Cape Town, winning by around 15 points.
Stormers: 15. Gio Aplon, 14. Danie Poolman, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (Captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Rynhardt Elstadt, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Wicus Blaauw
Subs: 16. Ethienne Reynecke, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Nick Koster, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Gary Van Aswegen, 22. Juan de Jongh
Reds: 15. Luke Morahan, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Beau Robinson, 6. Radike Samo, 5. James Horwill (Captain), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. James Slipper, 2. James Hanson, 1. Ben Daley
Subs: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Guy Shepherdson, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Leroy Houston, 20. Liam Gill, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Will Chambers
SHARKS vs LIONS, DURBAN, SAT 19:10
The Sharks are desperate to get to winning ways after three disappointing losses in a row. The Lions travel to Durban after a few narrow losses at home, and although they might be thinking the Sharks are down and out, the Durban based team will be difficult to beat. The Sharks should win by around 8 points.
Sharks – TBC
Lions – TBC
So Grant will definately start?
Seems Plum and Mitch forgot the team announcement detail . . .
Exactly what I was thinking. Hope the Sharks margin is bigger than 8 points though. We really need a big win for a change to gain back some confidence.
The Sharks
1. John Smit (Captain)
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Eugene van Staden
4. Steven Sykes
5. Gerhard Mostert
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Charl McLeod
10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
11. JP Pietersen
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Stefan Terblanche
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Tendai Mtawarira
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. Ross Skeate
19. Jacques Botes
20. Conrad Hoffmann
21. Adrian Jacobs
22. Lwazi Mvovo
@Viking (Comment 2) : Hopefully the sharks practised under the lights all week. That way they should be used to the slippery ball by tomorrow evening.
Rich your Predictions are spot on compared to Mine!
@Original Pierre (Comment 4) : The Weather is still saying 30% chance of rain and 74% humidity. If only the rain can stay away then we should see some good Ruggas.
Considering that we all strugle to get that ellusive GSP point on SB, I have to ask which one of the above predictions could be wrong (I.e. an Upset?)?
@viking, the stormers game.
I see they’re persisting with the Teletubbie at loosehead. So glad I havent put my superbru picks in yet. Lions to dominate Tinky Winky at scrumtime and score the upset.
@Viking (Comment 7) : All of the above
Different game I know
NRL 2011
After 4 rounds
Accuracy 59.38%
Global: 73/5295 – 25.00
Sharks Fans: 2/351 – 25.75
Kiss my down under: 1/20 – 27.50
Addicted: 2/42 – 27.00
Chazzie Babe: 1/30 – 29.00
Stormalishes: 1/33 – 29.58
Comparative ratings are pretty equal between us and the Snoils, homeground advantage and our bench should swing it in our favour.
Here comes a celebration me thinks!
Lions:
James Kamana, Lionel Mapoe, Waylon Murray, Doppies la Grange (capt..), Deon van Rensburg, Andre Pretorius, Jano Vermaak, Warren Whiteley, Joshua Strauss, Derick Minnie, Franco van der Merwe, George Earle, Patric Cilliers, Bandise Maku, JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle, Jacobie Adriaanse, David de Villiers, Michael Rhodes, Rory Kockott, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute
@Original Pierre (Comment 13) : I see they still have not opted to include someone who can kick.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 11) : I’m tired of the guessing game, stopped playing that.
@GeneralSpecific (Comment 9) : Lets wait and see how Smit goes at loosehead this weekend before making statements like that, wouldn’t want you to end up with egg on you face :-0
Where has everyone gone?
Ok guys, tell me if I,m alone on this. If we loose this one saterday, they should rest every one that might be playing for the boks in tri-nation, put in the currycup team and practice for cc. I don’t know if my system can withstand another loss.
@franshark (Comment 18) : Let’s rather be positive. But thinking of it, a loss to the lions would be disgraceful. But the Sharks would do well not to underestimate the Lions.
@Ben (Comment 19) :Half the lions team also playing a home game
@Viking (Comment 14) : I think Mr P`s kicking % is higher than JlP`s. Does anyone know?
@Original Pierre (Comment 21) : For this year?
Sharks by a greater margin, hoping for a blowout!
@Ben (Comment 19) : We will klap those Kitties big time. Not that we are underestimating them or anything but really, if you want to win this thing you have to make these games count.
How is that for positiveness?
@Viking (Comment 24) : Sounds very good to me! About 46 points to 8 should do just fine.
@Original Pierre (Comment 21) : I wonder what the Lions kicking stats looks like for the season so far. Must be below 50%.
Mr P will have his kicking boots there on Saturday. Don’t you worry.
how many sharks fans on this blog have picked the lions in superbru…would be interesting to know…for the record…i have back the sharks by 5…
@Barrel (Comment 27) : Gonna back the Sharks on SB. Just not sure yet with what margin. These derby games tend to be close so I am thinking about 8 to 12 maybe.
I predict that on November 27 I shall be another year older. And that on December 25 it will be Christmas Day. Everything else is moot, dear friends. Let us not forget the hiding the Lions gave us in the Neo Tri Series at the start of the year. We need to take this Saturday’s game very seriously and use the force, if necessary, to will our team to victory.
I am sure the Sharks will play better than last weekend. They will have put all that travelling behind them. And they can now concentrate on this game knowing they can have a well earned rest the next weekend.
All my picks have been made. I’m ready for action so bring it on! Go Sharks!
Here we go for another great weekend of super ruggas. My picks for the weekend:
Highlanders – 17
Crusaders – 12
Brumbies – 8
Waratahs – 11
Stormers – 14
Sharks – 22
GSP here I come.
@GeneralSpecific (Comment 9) :
So much for being a Sharks fan…
You must be a Bull??