The two Kiwi derbies again make it a tricky prediction weekend, but well worth it given the viewing pleasure. It’s the Aussie derby causing the most SuperBru angst, though!
Tank Lanning
On the menu:
Friday 17 March
08h35 – Crusaders v Blues (AMI)
10h45 – Rebels v Chiefs (AAMI Park)
19h00 – Bulls v Sunwolves (Loftus Versfeld)
Saturday 18 March
08h35 – Hurricanes v Highlanders (Westpac)
10h45 – Waratahs v Brumbies (Allianz)
17h15 – Lions v Reds (Emirates Park)
19h30 – Sharks v Kings (Kings Park)
21h40 – Jaguares v Cheetahs (Jose Amalfitani)
No wonder those Kiwi derbies get more eyeballs then even their own games in Aus! How special are those two Friday and Saturday morning games? Unmissable.
Skip the Rabble, catch a resurgent Bulls side in the pub after work, Canes vs Landers on a spin bike, plenty of free time while skipping the Aussie derby, then Sharks and Lions next to a loaded grid with your feet on the coolerbox. Cheetahs vs Jags on Sunday morning with a super strong coffee to go with your Ouma thanks to the joys of a PVR. Splendid.
For previews of every game, head to All Out Rugby’s Breaking news section, and to see the weekend’s teams as they get announced, take in their Team Sheets.
To the weekend then …
My picks:
CRUSADERS to beat Blues by 9
CHIEFS to beat Rebels by 18
BULLS to beat Sunwolves by 19
HURRICANES to beat Highlanders by 5
WARATAHS to beat Brumbies by 5
LIONS to beat Reds by 9
SHARKS to beat Kings by 18
JAGUARES to beat Cheetahs by 7
What the Bookies say:
CRUSADERS (1.5) to beat Blues (3)
CHIEFS (1) to beat Rebels (9)
BULLS (1) to beat Sunwolves (21)
HURRICANES (1.3) to beat Highlanders (4)
WARATAHS (1.5) to beat Brumbies (2.8)
LIONS (1.2) to beat Reds (4.4)
SHARKS (1) to beat Kings (20)
JAGUARES (1.3) to beat Cheetahs (3.8)
The SuperBru Community picks:
CRUSADERS to beat Blues by 9
CHIEFS to beat Rebels by 17
BULLS to beat Sunwolves by 15
HURRICANES to beat Highlanders by 7
BRUMBIES to beat Waratahs by 1
LIONS to beat Reds by 9
SHARKS to beat Kings by 19
JAGUARES to beat Cheetahs by 3
So it’s all about brunch match on Saturday morning between the Tahs and Brumbies? Quite surprised to see the Bru love for the Brumbies actually. Folau vs Kuridrani will be fun to watch, even though Folou should be playing fullback. At home, I am going with the men in light blue (although these days, you never know what bloody jersey they will pitch up in).
Easy wins for the SA sides it seems, except for the Cheetahs. I tend to agree. The Bulls have to find their mojo at some stage, but the Cheetahs certainly didn’t have it all their own way against the Wolves last week, though. The Lions will be a different side to that mess that arrived in BA last week, while the Sharks, even sans Boks Lambie, Beast and Coenie, have to be too good for the Kings at home, even given Chris Cloete’s prowess at the breakdown.
Sneaky upset from the Cheetahs perhaps? Might keep that pick unlocked …
Amazing to see the confidence from both the Bookies and the Brus with regard to Kiwi derbies. With Ben Smith back for the Landers, I am a bit nervous about my default Canes pic, but what a game that should be. Stay away rain! The Saders should edge the Blues, but a team with a centre pairing of Rieko Ioane and George Moala could beat anyone!
Best of luck out there on the Bru, bru.
