The Chiefs - Blues Game
I think that the Blues has improved as the season, while the Chiefs have been showing a downward trend. The Chiefs tight 5 forwards have struggled to provide decent balls to their backline and their loosies have also not really produced the goods as they are forced to play too tight a game.
Under the circumstances I believe the Blues should win this game by about 9 points.
The Rebels - Hurricanes Game
I gained the impression that with the Rebels it depends on which team turns up for the game - they sometimes beat strong opposition and then struggle against weaker opposition.
The problem with the Rebels is that they do not have the props to support the otherwise good all-round team and they struggle especially in scrums.
The Hurricanes have shown some improvement since their visit to SA and their loss against the Waratahs was probably an abberration. However, earlier in the season the Rebels beat the Waratahs as well - so the result could be tight.
I think the Hurricanes will win this one by about 12 points
The Highlanders - Lions Game
Their visit to SA cost the Highlanders dearly - they lost a key player in the process. However, the Lions are not really experienced enough to make an impression and although they will improve on their showing against the Chiefs 0 I think the Highlanders will ebat them by about 15 points.
Brumbies - Sharks Game
The Brumbies came off a bad loss against the Crusaders, but at home they are a different side and they will not make the mistakes they made last week.
The Sharks backline is a problem - moving Jordaan to 12 is really an improvement - but the problem is with Steyn at flyhalf. Steyn at flyhalf is a defensive sieve and he has serious decision making deficiencies. So the backline as an attacking option is seriously compromised. Jordaan will on the other hand will help defensicvvely and their may be less holes around the fllyhalf position.
I do not think playing without a functional backline would be able t ebat the Brumbies and I think the Brumbies will win this game by circa 12 points.
The Cheetahs - Force Game
The Cheetahs are slowly bringing back injured players and it is likely that they would be hard to beat in this case 0 especially at home. I think the Cheetahs will win vy about 9 points.
The Bulls - Stormers Game
No discussion needed - there is no way the Stormers would beat the Bulls with the team they were forced to play. Bulls by about 20 points.
The Reds - Crusaders Game
No discussion needed - there is no way the Reds would beat the Crusaders. Crusaders by about 20 points.
Last week there were some upset results - this week there should not be any - although as a Sharks supporter I obviously hope they do win. However, i would not put any money on that one.
