Not even close say the Bookies and Brus, who agree on all 8 match results. Take in Tank’s weekend preview before taking a stab at those margins.
Tank Lanning
The line-up:
Friday 5 May
09h35 – Hurricanes v Stormers (Westpac)
19h00 – Cheetahs v Highlanders (Toyota)
Saturday 6 May
07h00 – Rebels v Lions (AAMI Park)
09h35 – Chiefs v Reds (Yarrow)
11h45 – Waratahs v Blues (Allianz)
15h05 – Sharks v Force (Kings Park)
17h15 – Bulls v Crusaders (Loftus Versfeld)
23h40 – Jaguares v Sunwolves (Jose Amalfitani)
No Kings this week, which for the first time in my life, I think is a pity! Three games against Kiwi opposition is not ideal for the scoreboard, but does make for good viewing. They really are a joy to watch. Make some time to catch all three I reckon. Lions on a spin bike, Sharks through the smoke of the braai, and then Saders with your butt on the couch and your feet on the cooerbox.
To see the weekend’s teams as they get announced, take in the AOR Team Sheets.
My picks:
Hurricanes by 36
Highlanders by 28
Lions by 14
Chiefs by 16
Blues by 9
Sharks by 11
Crusaders by 18
Jaguares by 24
What the Bookies say:
Hurricanes (1) over Stormers (12)
Highlanders (1.2) over Cheetahs (5.5)
Lions (1.2) over Rebels (6.1)
Chiefs (1.1) over Reds (12)
Blues (1.4) over Waratahs (3.1)
Sharks (1.1) over Force (6.5)
Crusaders (1.2) over Bulls (5)
Jaguares (1) over Sunwolves (17)
The SuperBru Community picks:
Hurricanes by 16
Highlanders by 14
Lions by 14
Chiefs by 18
Blues by 5
Sharks by 12
Crusaders by 15
Jaguares by 13
Sharks and Lions to deliver against the Aussies, with the Stormers, Cheetahs and Bulls taking a hiding from the Kiwis? Sounds about right, if a little depressing.
If forced to look for a potential upset, I would look to the Tahs at home against the visiting Blues, who are notoriously inconsistent. But I reckon their “Test” match was played against the Reds last week and it is going to be tough for them to get up again for this game.
Perhaps a mini banana peel for the Lions in the form of the Rebels at home, but the latter have travelled, and the Lions have proved that even if playing poorly, they have the resolve and maturity to still win.
The Sharks will also need to pack the game and mind-set they took to the Jaguares match last week on the plane back with them. Haul out the muck they dished out in the game against the Rebels the week before, and they will hack against an organised Force side.
Good luck out there.
Tank, the Saders too good on 9 from 9 and the Bulls with more losses than wins too poor for a Loftus banana peel or naartjie skin? Crusaders have lost their last 5 games at that visitor-unfriendly ground and no Kieran Reed, no Sam Whitelock and only one AB in the rotational backline might just give the Bulls a chance but then it is a big might.