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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 2/28/2009
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Quote:
WEEK 5
Friday, March 23 Venue Local AEDT NZ RSA
Blues v Hurricanes Eden Park 19.35 17.35 19.35 8.35
Rebels v Force AAMI Park 19.40 19.40 21.40 10.40
Saturday, March 24 Venue Local AEDT NZ RSA
Waratahs v Sharks Sydney Football Stadium 15.35 15.35 17.35 6.35
Crusaders v Cheetahs Rugby League Park 19.35 17.35 19.35 8.35
Brumbies v Highlanders Canberra Stadium 19.40 19.40 21.40 10.40
Bulls v Reds Loftus Versfeld 17.05 2.05* 4.05* 17.05
Lions v Stormers Coca-Cola Park 19.10 4.10* 6.10* 19.10
BYE: Chiefs
* Sunday March 25
Canes because Blues will jet lagged, if it was any other week I'd give it to the Blues (love ya penrod) Rebels if Beale is back, if not Force Sharks over the Tahs, Tahs have got a lot of injuries and aren't looking good. Crusaders pretty easily Brumbies could upset them, but I think getting so close last weekend and losing the Landers will take it Reds, but not convincingly Stormers for sure Questions 1. Reds have their THREE first choice 5/8s, can they remain competitive? Will Digby get suspended? (I think a yellow card is fair, but might get a 1 week which is a bit harsh) 2. Higlanders and Stormers are undefeated and both are playing weak teams, will they remain undefeated? 3. Tahs, Crusaders, Blues - all teams you would have expected to be in finals contention have 1 win after 4 rounds. Which team will string some wins together? 4. Does anyone else feel this competition is incredibly tight this year? Most games have been decided by 7 points or less, and teams are pushing each other until the final buzzer (or after in the case of Crusaders-Highlanders). Super rugby is the best. That's all, is anyone else's tipping gone to ****?
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Rank: Seasoned Campaigner
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2012
Posts: 1,192
Location: New Zealand
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Game one is likely to decide the spoon for the NZ conference.
Game two is likely to decide the spoon for the whole comp.
Canes > Blues - because of injuries and travel, otherwise would've gone the blues
Rebels > Force - up for one game, down for the next
Tahs > Sharks - as above, plus home ground
Crusaders > Cheetahs
Highlanders > Brumbies - strangely nervous about this one. Complacency from the Higlanders wouldn't surprise
Bulls > Reds - Reds in the same situation as the Blues when they met the Bulls. I picked the Bulls then, and I will again
Stormers > Lions - Stormers best team for hte first quarter of super.
1. Reds will remain competitive. Plenty of teams have done ok minus three players in one position - Highlanders played their third choice 10 against the Waratahs (Sopoaga) and lost him early. Luckily for them, Slade could be moved up from FB. Donald was the ABs fourth choice when he won the WC last year.
2. Stormers will remain undefeated this week, Highlanders should going by class, but I'm nervous
3. Crusaders will bounce back for sure. Not certain about the Tahs or Blues - both have injury worries as well.
4. It's tight in groups. The top nine teams aren't too far off each other, and nor are the bottom 5. The Canes probably sit between the two groups. That's not the reasons games have been tight though, IMO. Games have been tight becuase the referres are trying strict approach at the breakdown. Most teams always infringe frequently, but now they are being pinged for it. This means that penalties are going both ways, reducing the number of tries, and making scores closer.
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Rank: Rookie
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Joined: 10/30/2011
Posts: 450
Location: Paremoremo
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Blues 1-12
Rebels 1-12
Sharks 1-12
Crusaders 50+
Brumbies 1-12
Reds 1-12
Stormers 13+
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Rank: Rookie
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Joined: 10/10/2011
Posts: 347
Location: Gold Coast
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Blues v Canes - forget injuries, Blues, at home in Auckland = too good for Canes Rebels v Force - nothing I have seen this year so far suggests the Rebels will win anything, just shows no matter how big your roster is, you've got to be able to put it together on the park, and so far they haven't Tahs v Sharks - Both teams have had a poor start to the season, think the Tahs will be too good on home soil, especially after last week...... Crusaders v Cheetahs - Dont need to say anyhting here..... Brumbies v HIGHLANDERS!!!! Brumbies have surprised a few so far this season.... But time for some quality ass kicking.....  Bulls v Reds - Reds somehow found a way to lose to the Sharks last week, even after the start they had, will probably be withour a playmaker at all... Bulls far to strong at Loftus Lions v Stormers Can see the Lions sticking with them in the first 30, Stormers to run away with it after that
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 6/11/2007
Posts: 9,241
Location: Brisbane - Titletown 2011!
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Not confident at all this week tbh. So in saying that, Reds 1-12 
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 2/28/2009
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Location: Brisbane
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Rebels don't have Beale or Mortlock. Going force.
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 6/17/2007
Posts: 2,647
Location: Queensland
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Blues to win by 1, although with Mathewson, Weepu and Nonu at 9,10 & 12 it just doesn't seem right...
Force to win by 3, Beale still out for Rebels and Force's confidence should be sky high.
Tahs to bounce back. By 7. Sharks didn't look all that impressive in beating the Reds and the Tahs have to give their fans something to cheer about.
Saders by 7 Expect the Cheetahs to be competitive but to fade in the final 15.
Brumbies by 1. should be Aus team 1st victory of the year over NZ team. hope not but head says beware Landers.
Bulls by 7. Reds have Ioane out and depth problems at 10. Goodnight.
Lions by 1. My upset of the round.
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 11/22/2005
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Location: 'Scott Machado though, could lead the league in assists one day'- kingkingston
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think mealamu might miss the match too
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 6/17/2007
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Location: Queensland
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hobo wrote:think mealama might miss the match too he's def out It's time for the boys from up north to take a punt on some local talent. Surely there's a Sean Fitzpatrick running around for Uni or Ponsonby that can slot straight in. We need a John Hart approach and get some youth involved.
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 11/22/2005
Posts: 11,290
Location: 'Scott Machado though, could lead the league in assists one day'- kingkingston
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in other rugby news george smith has joined Stade Francais after a few years in japan..
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Rank: Hall of Famer
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/22/2005
Posts: 11,290
Location: 'Scott Machado though, could lead the league in assists one day'- kingkingston
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Dan Carter making his return this weekend
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 9/20/2008
Posts: 3,163
Location: Auckland.
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hobo wrote:in other rugby news george smith has joined Stade Francais after a few years in japan..
And Kaino is off to France 
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Rank: Stalwart
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Joined: 3/8/2010
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http://www.allblacks.com...ack-the-clock-14-years/
Interesting piece on the last time the Highlanders went four from four. Obviously this year they don't have the same Otago core, but they're still a good looking team. I remember that 1999 season well. I was seven years old and Taine Randall was my first ever man-crush. What a man  .
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Rank: Stalwart
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Joined: 3/8/2010
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nickstaa11 wrote:And Kaino is off to France My Baltimore Ravens have a saying for when something like that happens: "Next Man Up!" Step up Victor Vito, IRB Player of the Year and World Cup winner in 2015.
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 6/10/2007
Posts: 1,040
Location: WORLD CUP CHAMPS ALL BLACKS
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Blues v Hurricanes 13+ come on... who else am I gonna pick Rebels v W Force 12- this is where they break their duck Waratahs v Sharks 13+ these guys are ready to rumble...beside Tom Carters back. Crusaders v Cheetahs 13+ welcome back D.Carter n Daggs at the back, look for some line breaks. Brumbies v Highlanders12- was gonna pick the Brums, but I couldn't. Bulls v Reds 13+ too many out, 'if it was any other week I'd give it to the' REDS but not today. Lions v Stormers13+ could get ugly. BYE Chiefs
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Rank: Rookie
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Joined: 10/10/2011
Posts: 347
Location: Gold Coast
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Inqui wrote:http://www.allblacks.com/news/18890/Are-the-Highlanders-turning-back-the-clock-14-years/ Interesting piece on the last time the Highlanders went four from four. Obviously this year they don't have the same Otago core, but they're still a good looking team. I remember that 1999 season well. I was seven years old and Taine Randall was my first ever man-crush. What a man . Only 7...??? I was 13 then, and it was in the middle of the massive Southland Exodus, where is seemed just about anyone who could catch and pass was bought out of the region and Otago was who you supported coz lets be honest, back then, we sucked.... was a phenomenal run by the 'Landers and Otago... Thanks for posting that story on here.... fond memories
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Rank: Hall of Famer
Groups: Member
Joined: 11/22/2005
Posts: 11,290
Location: 'Scott Machado though, could lead the league in assists one day'- kingkingston
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Blues v Hurricanes: dont rate canes, blues weakness up front wont be exploited by them. 1-12 Rebels v W Force: toss a coin. Ill take Rebels 1-12 Waratahs v Sharks: Something tells me the Shorks are in for it. 1-12 again cause 13+ is a rarity these days. Crusaders v Cheetahs: 1-12 Brumbies v Highlanders: 1-12 Thought that the highlanders dropped off noticably in terms of physicality last week and the nic white/leiafano combo looks the goods. Brumbies will sneak this one. Bulls v Reds: upset of the round. Will probably be the toughest match of the year for Qld but their best performance was last week. Looking at the depth of their forward pack( with great players stacking the bench) i can see Qld pulling this one out. 1-12. Lions v Stormers mitchell is already complaining about injuries so this must be going to be a bath. 13+
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Rank: Stalwart
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Joined: 3/8/2010
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Hurricanes 1-12. The Blues have injury problems, Woodcock will still be a bit rusty. It'll be close, but I think we'll close out stronger with the Blues getting tired from their road trip.
Force 1-12. They're buoyed by beating the Tahs (though they really shouldn't be), Beale's still out and I rate the Force pack as better than the Rebels'.
Sharks 1-12. The Waratahs will bounce back from last week, but I can't see it happening this week.
Crusaders 13+. Like I said in the other thread, the Crusaders will get up for this one, and I'll be surprised if it isn't a bloodbath.
Highlanders 1-12. The Brumbies are shocking right now, the Highlanders will win up front and that basically removes any advantage the Brumbies might have. Assuming the Highlanders aren't totally flat they should come up with a win.
Bulls 10-15. The Bulls will be too good in SA. The Reds need Quade or Mike back and Digby's ban will pretty much neuter their running game.
Stormers 13+. I genuinely can't see the Lions holding any advantage here. Maybe linebreaks?
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 11/22/2005
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Location: 'Scott Machado though, could lead the league in assists one day'- kingkingston
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lachie munroe that is the dumbest thing ive seen this year.
Blues lineout is an absoloute joke, losing every throw but they are still the better side and still leading despite munroes brain explosion
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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hobo wrote:lachie munroe that is the dumbest thing ive seen this year.
Blues lineout is an absoloute joke, losing every throw but they are still the better side and still leading despite munroes brain explosion he kind of reminds me of macaulay culkin go the canes
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