There are green arrows all over my Superbru profile this week. Three exact picks out of the seven matches brought home plenty of Yellow Caps, and I feel like we’re up and running now with some momentum to take us into Round 5.
Here are my Super Rugby picks for this weekend’s matches.
Chiefs v Bulls
The Bulls lost the Reds, so they are definitely going to lose to the Chiefs. The last two meetings have been 14- and 16-point wins for the Chiefs, and I think it’s likely to be more than that on Friday morning. Chiefs by 23
Highlanders v Crusaders
This is a very tough pick, and I was incorrect in last week’s prediction of the Crusaders to beat the Hurricanes. The ‘Saders have won 9 of the last 11 meetings between the South Island rivals, but they have something of an injury crisis – Richi Mo’unga, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks and Joe Moody are all unavailable, which has me leaning towards the Highlanders to win. Highlanders by 4
Brumbies v Sharks
The Brumbies have been abysmal so far, with meek defeats away at the Reds and Rebels in the last two weeks. Can they fare any better in their first home game of the season? The Sharks won in Canberra last season, and they should have some more confidence after dispatching the Sunwolves for their first win of the season. Sharks by 8
Stormers v Blues
The Blues caused a big upset in Round 4 by beating the Lions in Johannesburg – only 5% picked that on Superbru. The Stormers are back in Cape Town after a tough tour on which they lost all three matches to the Waratahs, Crusaders and Highlanders. They also have injury problems, particularly in the back three, and half of the squad has been hit by a flu outbreak! I’m going to tip the Blues to continue their fine start to the season. Blues by 2
Lions v Sunwolves
Last year’s runners-up can bounce back from their shock defeat by thrashing the Sunwolves this weekend. They beat them 94-7 last season! Lions by 33
Jaguares v Reds
After a dreadful start to the season, the Reds have somehow won their last two matches in Brisbane, but now travel to Buenos Aires, where the Jaguares are tough to beat. The Jags overcame the Waratahs last week, and should beat the Reds here as they did last season. Jaguares by 13
Waratahs v Rebels
A best-ever start to a season for the Rebels, with three bonus point wins from three matches. They have won every game by an average of 23 points, and now they welcome the Waratahs back from their gruelling tour of Africa and Argentina, which involved 30,000km and 60 hours of flying in the last two weeks. The Tahs have a bye up next and will just want to get to that week off. Rebels by 6
What do you think of these predictions?
The defeat of the Lions did not come as a total surprise.The Blues exploited the new scrummage
law far better.This is what I found in the South African.Here’s what you need to know about rugby’s new laws
Scrum: Law 20.5 and 20.6 (d) and Law 20.8 (b) Striking after the throw-in
No signal from referee. The scrum-half must throw the ball in straight but is allowed to align their shoulder on the middle line of the scrum, therefore allowing them to stand a shoulder width towards their own side of the middle line.
Once the ball touches the ground in the tunnel, any front-row player may use either foot to try to win possession of the ball. One player from the team who put the ball in must strike for the ball.
Why? To promote scrum stability, a fair contest for possession while also giving the advantage to the team throwing in (non-offending team).
It is clear that opponents do not have to do the same and can employ an 8 man scrum as soon as any of the opposing strikes for the ball.
Stability? World rugby declined to answer,claiming too busy, to reply!
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Love this. Whats your email?
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Going with a Tahs win at home; Hurricanes proved last week travel is not a factor (albeit they could just be a really well conditioned side).
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Traveling was a huge factor. the Hurricanes scored 21 points in the first 23 minutes after which travel fatigue crept in and they only managed to score 8 in the rest of the game! Canes absolutely knew they had to come out all guns blazing if they wanted to have a say.
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