Last week wasn’t too bad, with a 5 from 7 return. Let’s try nail 100% in round 4.
Game 1: Hurricanes v Force
The Canes have battled so far – they’re last on the kiwi log and appear to be suffering a bit of a hangover after 2015’s exploits. Losing key playmaker Nehe Milner-Skudder for the season is unlikely to help matters much. They go out looking for their second win of the campaign here and the timing of a perhaps “softer” match couldn’t be better. The Force try hard, but they’re limited, so expect the Canes to cruise to an 8 point win here.
Hurricanes: 15. James Marshall, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Vince Aso, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Vaea Fifita, 5. Mark Abbott, 4. Blade Thomson, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2. Dane Coles (Captain), 1. Chris Eves
Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Loni Uhila, 18. Ben May, 19. Michael Fatialofa, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Willis Halaholo, 23. Jason Woodward
Force: 15. Dane Haylett-Petty, 14. Marcel Brache, 13. Ben Tapuai, 12. Junior Rasolea, 11. Semisi Masirewa, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. Matthew Hodgson (Captain), 6. Angus Cottrell, 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 3. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Nathan Charles, 1. Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Steve Mafi, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Ryan Louwrens, 22. Ian Prior, 23. Albert Nikoro
Game 2: Waratahs v Highlanders
If Friday’s first game was a bit of a damp squid, this second one should more than make up for it. Expect exciting rugby by the bucket load and hopefully a few classic tries. The ‘Tahs have been dragged down a little by the Brumbies, but should relish an opportunity to play a foreign side in Sydney. Tahs to take this by 3 or so – in a high scoring affair.
Waratahs : 15. Israel Folau, 14. Matt Carraro, 13. Rob Horne, 12. David Horwitz, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Michael Hooper (Captain), 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Will Skelton, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 2. Tola Latu, 1. Paddy Ryan
Replacements: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Jeremy Tilse, 18. Tom Robertson, 19. Sam Lousi, 20. Jed Holloway, 21. Jack Dempsey, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Reece Robinson
Highlanders: 15. Ben R Smith (Captain), 14. Matt Faddes, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 12. Rob Thompson, 11. Ryan Tongia, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Liam Squire, 7. Shane Christie, 6. Elliot Dixon, 5. Tom Franklin, 4. Alex Ainley, 3. Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2. Liam Coltman, 1. Brendon Edmonds
Replacements: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Mark Reddish, 20. Gareth Evans, 21. Josh Renton, 22. Hayden Parker, 23. Jason Emery
Game 3: Bulls v Sharks
This one should be rather interesting too. The Bulls scored some cracking tries against the Rebels, but also conceded plenty of soft ones. They’ll test the Sharks defence more than the Stormers did last week, but the mettle of the Durban pack appears to be the real deal in 2016 and the Bulls haven’t yet shown the sort of grunt in their forward outfit to suggest they’ll live with it. With a boggy pitch predicted, it’s unlikely the Bulls will turn this into the sort of loose running fest that will suit them (did I really just type that?) so I’ll back the Sharks to record a 6-point win.
Bulls : 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Jamba Ulengo, 13. Jan Serfontein, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Francois Brummer, 9. Rudy Paige, 8. Arno Botha, 7. Jannes Kirsten, 6. Roelof Smit, 5. Grant Hattingh, 4. RG Snyman, 3. Marcel Van Der Merwe, 2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 1. Trevor Nyakane
Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Jason Jenkins, 20. Nick de Jager, 21. Piet van Zyl, 22. Tian Schoeman, 23. Jesse Kriel
Sharks: 15. Willie Le Roux, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Joe Pietersen, 9. Michael Claassens, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Phillip Van der Walt, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Kyle Cooper, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Keegan Daniel, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Garth April, 23. Odwa Ndungane
Game 4: Sunwolves v Rebels
The Sunwolves are improving and have to pick up a win somewhere. This one is tough to call, but let’s back the home side to emerge with a narrow victory in a game unlikely to mean much on the grander scheme of things.
Sunwolves: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Akihito Yamada, 13. Harumichi Tatekawa, 12. Yu Tamura, 11. Mifiposeti Paea, 10. Tusi Pisi, 9. Atshushi Hiwasa, 8. Ed Quirk, 7. Andrew Durutalo, 6. Yoshia Hosoda, 5. Timothy Bond, 4. Hitoshi Ono, 3. Takuma Asahara, 2. Shota Horie (Captain), 1. Keith Inagaki
Replacements: 16. Takeshi Kizu, 17. Masataka Mikami, 18. Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19. Shinya Makabe, 20. Tomàs Leonardi, 21. Kaito Shigeno, 22. Derek Carpenter, 23. Yasutaka Sasakura
Rebels: 15. Jonah Placid, 14. Dom Shipperley, 13. Tamati Ellison, 12. Mitch Inman, 11. Tom English, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 9. Ben Meehan, 8. Adam Thomson, 7. Sean McMahon (Captain), 6. Jordy Reid, 5. Lopeti Timani, 4. Luke Jones, 3. Laurie Weeks, 2. Pat Leafa, 1. Toby Smith
Replacements: 16. James Hanson, 17. Cruze Ah-Nau, 18. Jamie Hagan, 19. Sam Jeffries, 20. Scott Fuglistaller, 21. Nick Stirzaker, 22. Daniel Hawkins, 23. Sione Tuipolotu
Game 5: Crusaders v Southern Kings
Ouch. No Kings bashing from me, but this will be a mismatch. Crusaders to win by 15 or more. Probably more like 25, actually.
Crusaders: 15. Marty McKenzie, 14. Johnny McNicholl, 13. Kieron Fonotia, 12. David Havili, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 10. Richard Mo’unga, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 8. Jimmy Tupou, 7. Matt Todd, 6. Jordan Taufua, 5. Samuel Whitelock (Captain), 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Ben Funnell, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16. Ged Robinson, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Leon Fukofuka, 22. Ryan Crotty, 23. Jone Macilai
Southern Kings: 15. Jurgen Visser, 14. Luzuko Vulindlu, 13. Stefan Watermeyer, 12. Shane Gates, 11. Malcolm Jaer, 10. Louis Fouche, 9. Kevin Luiters, 8. Jacques Engelbrecht, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. Chris Cloete, 5. John-Charles Astle, 4. Steven Sykes (Captain), 3. Jacobie Adriaanse, 2. Martin Ferreira, 1. Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16. Edgar Marutlulle, 17. Sithembiso Sithole, 18. Tom Botha, 19. Schalk Oelofse, 20. CJ Velleman, 21. Ntando Kebe, 22. Elgar Watts, 23. JP du Plessis
Game 6: Reds v Blues
Shame, the poor Reds just aren’t really good for much this year. The Blues, that said, haven’t been much better, but I’ll back Tana Umaga’s boys against a side that doesn’t really even have a coach any more. Blues to win by 7.
Reds: 15. Karmichael Hunt, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13. Samu Kerevi, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 11. Eto Ntabuli, 10. Jake Mcintyre, 9. Nicholas Frisby, 8. Jake Schatz, 7. Waita Setu, 6. Hendrik Tui, 5. Rob Simmons (Captain), 4. Cadeyrn Neville, 3. Greg Holmes, 2. Andrew Ready, 1. Sef Faagase
Replacements: 16. Matt Mafi, 17. Pettowa Paraka, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Ben Matwijow, 20. Curtis Browning, 21. Scott Gale, 22. Sam Greene, 23. Ayumu Goromaru
Blues: 15. Lolagi Visinia, 14. Rieko Ioane, 13. Male Sa’u, 12. George Moala, 11. Tevita Li, 10. Ihaia West, 9. Bryn Hall, 8. Steven Luatua, 7. Blake Gibson, 6. Jerome Kaino (Captain), 5. Josh Bekhuis, 4. Patrick Tuipoluto, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. James Parsons, 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Hoani Matenga, 20. Kara Pryor, 21. Akira Ioane, 22. Billy Guyton, 23. Matt McGahan
Game 7: Lions v Cheetahs
The Lions and Cheetahs will both have the jetlag factor to contend with, so there will be plenty of errors and possibly a rather scrappy game. I can’t go against the home side here, so Lions to win a closer-than-expected contest by around 5 points.
Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7. Ruan Ackermann, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Lourens Erasmus, 20. Robert Kruger, 21. Dillon Smit, 22. Jako van der Walt, 23. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (c), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Neil Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Francois Uys, 20 Hilton Lobberts, 21 Boom Prinsloo, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Fred Zeilinga.
Game 8: Stormers v Brumbies
Sorry Stormers, but there’s not really much to you guys this year. Really hard to see any result other than a decent Brubmies win, by around 6.
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Leolin Zas
Brumbies: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore (Captain), 1. Scott Sio
Replacements: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Jordan Smiler, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. Robbie Coleman, 23. Nigel Ah Wong
Game 9: Jaguares v Chiefs
Jags coming off a bye, against the Chiefs who have flown in from South Africa? Nah, again only one winner here. Los Jaguares por la victoria con cinqo puntos!
Jaguares: 15 Jaoquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan M Leguizamón, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Santiago García Botta
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Roberto Tejerizo, 18 Felipe Arregui, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Matías Moroni
Chiefs: TBA
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…I think the Sader’s will be more than capable of doing Kings bashing without our help.
It will be a masascre, and the kiwis will be pointing their fingers and say: “we told you so” – proud moments. 🙄
Landers to beat the Tahs.
Sunwolves to lose to the Rebels.
I’ll agree on the rest though. 😉
Canes
Landers
Sharks
Wolves
Saders
Blues
Lions
Brumbies
Jags
@vanmartin (Comment 2) : I went the same as you except i changed my mind and went Rebels over Sunwolves. Just saw the Rebels team announced and its a pretty decent side.
It’s “damp squib” not ‘squid’ but well done, after an escape goat, it’s my favourite one that is usually misunderstood. Speaking of which, can someone tell Gold it’s “champing” at the bit and not ‘chomping’ at the bit?
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : I was in two minds about that one myself. I’m not convinced that I got it right but hoping for an upset. Also not hugely confident about the Highlanders call but think the Waratahs haven’t quite hit form yet.
Chiefs will beat the Jaguars. Argie Bargie teams still suffer NZ fear (they don’t suffer SA or Aus fear).
I backed the Wolves to beat the Cheetahs last weekend and I think that was the game to do it (they really should have won). Rebels will win this one, they’re a decent team this year.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 6) : I’m banking on the Jags to improve their discipline this week. If that’s sorted it won’t be easy for the Chiefs in front of a home crowd.
“[The Bulls will] test the Sharks defence more than the Stormers did last week…”
Nice dig. But their Legend has them following a different path apparently.
@vanmartin (Comment 5) : Yeh im with you. The Rebels can be very poor but they can also be a pretty decent team and i think if that team pitches up they might have too much for the Wolves. Im not too sure what to make of the Tahs this season just yet so thats why i went Highlanders who have now had 2 big tests from the Canes and Lions. I think the Chiefs will find life in Arg very tough as will all teams
Same picks here, but I expect at least 2 games to go the other way. I have had 2 wrong picks every round thus far.
@JarsonX (Comment 11) : easy – Rebels and Chiefs
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 12) : Those be the most likely one yes 😀
I had the same picks as Rob bar one: I picked the Rebels over the Sunwolves…
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 4) : ag it’s close enouff.
Canes
Waratahs
Sharks
Rebels
Crusaders
Blues
Lions
Brumbies
Chiefs
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 16) : Think I will go with your predictions, as mine is exactly the same, so a GP should be in the cards then
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 4) : Hood catch! And for further reference please watch the IT crowd they had a whole episode on it.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 4) : Funny enough champing and chomping both mean to chew with Gustin or noisily. So according to convention he is wrong but in meaning be is kinda correct still. The squib thing gets many people until you remember that a squib is explosives packed in soft packaging and when they get wet they don’t go off. Squib are used extensively in holy wood these days but we’re also used as a form of firework packaging. It means you Expect something amazing or spectacular like a explosion or firework but all you get is a pathetic poof if anything at all.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 16) : Snap…
I don’t know if I would easily give it to the rebels they have been one of the most inconsistent sides. Winning or losing when you expect them to do the opposite.
As for our boys let’s hope the handling and finishing is there. I like Golds idea of backing vd Walt and Claasens who will have less handling errors. But will we miss the energy of dupreez and Reinach?
@coolfusion (Comment 19) : never understood the “damp squid” as all squids should be damp/wet, “damp squib” does make more sense. Thanks for the English lesson! 😈
Please forgive the auto correct typos. I can spell, I really can, I promise!
@JD (Comment 23) : Correct so if they should always be wet then you are contradicting the intent of the statement. But humans are pattern forming animals so we naturally gravitate to the easiest pattern.
@JD (Comment 23) : Ok back to rugby which do you rate higher a win over the stormers at newlands or a win against the rebels at your home field? Trying to assess bulls vs sharks based on last performances.
I was brave, Canes, Landers, Sharks, Wolves, Crusaders, Blues, Lions, Stormers, Chiefs.
@coolfusion (Comment 22) : Like I mentioned in my previous comments on another post, Reinach is a very good player of the bench. I prefer him coming on in the last 30mins. He scored a few tries in the past seasons coming of the bench.
@coolfusion (Comment 24) : we will maar have to believe you! 😈
@coolfusion (Comment 26) : most definitely Rebels at home!!!! 😈
that is if I was a Bulls supporter!
First game of the round done. Anyone manage a margin point on the Canes victory? I had them by 21 which I initially thought was generous to the Canes 🙄
@vanmartin (Comment 31) : nope only got the win. Only had them by 9. 😥
My Landers pick is looking pretty good at the moment 😀 😎
@JD (Comment 30) : I mean in terms of difficulty.
@coolfusion (Comment 34) : I know I just had to tease you a bit. Yes for sure the Sharks had the harder game but all of that means nothing when the game starts tonight!
Rebels 35 – 9 Sunwolves
Full-time
Kings away Jersey looks much nicer than their home strip.
Fouche still haven’t figured the kicking game out….don’t kick when 4 players are at the back waiting to field your kicks.
Kings 9 seems to sport a very crisp pass….good to see.
Saders 0 – 3 Kings
09:00 Fh
Intercept try Vulindlu
10 – 0 Kings
13mins
@FireTheLooser (Comment 41) : 😯
Try Nadolo
Kick to come
@FireTheLooser (Comment 43) : 10 – 7 Kings
15mins.
Intersept try Saders
14 – 0 Saders
18mins
*14 – 10
Saders finding their voice now….try saders
22 – 10 Saders btw.
29mins.
Tmo for another possible Saders try
Given
29 – 10 Saders
33mins.
Missed penalty by Fouche
@FireTheLooser (Comment 52) : trailing 29-10 having a kick at goal?
Missed 57m penalty by Saders.
29 – 10
Half-time
@50shadesofshark (Comment 53) : Clearly going for the win, aren’t they 🙄