It was four out of six for me in Round 7 last weekend, along with three Margin Points, which was enough to deliver three yellow caps on Superbru and I’m into the top 13% globally. Despite feeling the pressure after over-achieving in Super Rugby 2017, we’re just about doing well enough this season, and we haven’t hit that GSP yet.
We were concerned about picking four away wins out of six, but there were in fact five of them! This week I have picked half home wins and half away wins…
Here are my predictions for Round 8 of Super Rugby.
Hurricanes v Sharks
It was an extraordinary game last weekend between the Blues and the Sharks, with the Sharks winning 40-63 at Eden Park – and that after being thrashed by the Rebels in the previous round. They have conceded 86 points across their last two fixtures, whilst the Hurricanes have had four big wins in their last four matches and I would expect them to beat the Sharks. Hurricanes by 16
Sunwolves v Waratahs
The Sunwolves are so hard to predict. They lost by 2 points in Johannesburg to last year’s runners-up, then returned home and lost to the Chiefs by 51 points! The Waratahs are without Israel Folau, but they still have plenty of firepower and should win. Waratahs by 23
Chiefs v Blues
The Chiefs beat the Blues away in Round 3, and haven’t lost a game since the opening weekend, whilst the Blues are sitting on 1 win from 5, despite some impressive performances. They have scored an average of nearly 32 points per match, but are conceding too many, and the Chiefs will likely punish them in another high-scoring affair in Hamilton. Chiefs by 16
Brumbies v Reds
I think I’ll be doing something else whilst this match takes place on Saturday. Neither side has offered much excitement this season, but I’m leaning towards the Reds, who have over-performed so far, compared to the Brumbies who have been awful. A rest week should also help the Queensland side after their travels in Argentina and South Africa. Reds by 4
Lions v Stormers
Neither side has been terribly convincing so far this season, despite sitting first and second in the South African conference. I’m picking the Lions based on home advantage, and the fact that the Bulls beat the Stormers, and the Lions are better than the Bulls. Lions by 7
Jaguares v Crusaders
Two good wins in Johannesburg will give the injury-hit Crusaders confidence to beat the Jaguares and complete an undefeated tour. Like the Sunwolves, the Jaguares have been hot and cold (mostly cold), one week losing to the Reds and the next beating the Lions – but it’s usually safe to pick a win for the defending champions. Crusaders by 13
What do you think of these predictions?
Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James
Hi Hutch, I agree with all your predictions, but the way this season is going for me (languishing in the ‘Top 29%’) that’s probably not a good sign. The Lions have been frustratingly inconsistent, and there is every chance Stormers could pull a surprise win in Joburg.
Like you, I won’t be organizing my weekend plans around Brumbies v Reds.
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Inconsistency has been a hallmark of South Africa’s super 15 teams.Lions although putting up an improved performance against the Crusaders appear to be leaderless and their exit plans are non existent at the moment.
Cool heads are needed,but at the moment no South African or Aussie team is posing a serious threat to the dominance of the NZ-teams.
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Hurricanes win in overtime by 1 point.Sharks pay dearly for yellow card,surrendering well deserved lead.
Without Beauden Barrett the Hurricanes looked lost in back line play.
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Well, I was sweating on the Hurricanes as much as they must have been.. until the final conversion! 16 pts seemed a reasonable prediction for the home team, but it didn’t quite work out that way. Looked like Wellington were cruising early on, but they butchered a couple & the Sharkies came back & had much of the game in the middle part of the game. They also lost TJ Perenara, not just Barrett & the 1/2 pairing thereafter didn’t have the same influence. However, they kept possession & didn’t make a mistake @ the death. The Sharks just HAD to keep their discipline & shape. Instead they resorted to lying on, going off side & presumably thought that penalties didn’t matter @ that stage. Well, maybe they did. Who knows? The result might have been inevitable anyway, but we’ll never know now.
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