Now here goes and I hope I am nearer the mark this week and get more than 5 out of 7 like last week - this is what i have registered on Superbru.
Crusaders - Western Force
The Force is in my book up against it this time around. They were dreadfully poor against the Stormers and they are without some of their key players. In the case of the Crusaders they have struck form and is now up against a weak team - so if they do not use Nadolo properly they will only have themselves to blame.
Incidentally I struggled to find non-South Africans in that team - Perth is indeed home away from home for their team members.
If the Crusaders cannot beat this team by 30 points they have zero chance in Super 15.
Blues - Hurricanes
Oops - I left this prediction out by accident.
I hope the Hurricanes took note of how easily Nonu got neutralized by Jordaan last week and he is the only half decent player they have after the departure of Hickey for the Under 20 WC. That being said West is a good flyhalf as well. so I may be wrong in my comments in this case..
The Blues is not going to beat the Hurricanes - even at home. The Hurricanes played the fool with the Chiefs because the Chiefs tight 5 forwards were so poor last week and the Chief's defense was poor.
If a miracle happens and Nonu is not carded - like he should have been last week - the defense of the Blues should be better than that of the Chiefs last week. That being said the the tight 5 of the Blues are not much better than that of the Chiefs, but at least the Blues have good loosies in Kaino and Braid.
I think the Canes will win - but do not expect a cricket score like last week - I would say a win by 12+ points.
Reds - Highlanders
The Reds have a lot of big name players in their team - but they have been dreadfully poor this year. They seems to have no will to win - so the Highlanders should have an easy win. However, since I want to be contrary and have some different selection I am going with the Reds to win by 6 points. Reason - I just want to be otherwise than 90% of the other predictions would be - there can be no logical reasons why the Highlanders should not win this game and win it easily.
Chiefs - Waratahs
There has been some really surprising results in Super 15 this year and the result in fact could go either way. The Waratahs has been poor in some matches and champions in others. The Chiefs recent form does not inspire any confidence and their loss last week showed zero fighting spirit.
It may be that they would realize that another loss will take them out of contention insofar as the top 6 log positions are concerned - and they may fight back - but I still cannot see that realistically they have a winning chance here.
Being conservative - I suggested on Superbru a win by the Waratahs by 6 points.
Brumbies - Rebels
The Brumbies is in the same position as the Chiefs. They were dreadfully poor against the Bulls and another loss will be a disaster for them. At home they are likely to do much better and they should beat the Rebels. I suggested a win by 9 points - but it could be more.
Bulls - Lions
Here again the Bulls are striking form - while the selection of the Lions team is like completing a jigsaw puzzle. I cannot see how the Lions can beat the Bulls - even in a home game = and my forecast is a win by the Bulls by 12+ points.
Sharks - Stormers
Whenever anybody thinks that there can be no further injuries to Stormers players, a few new injuries popped up and the result is they are virtually sending a pepped-up Vodacom Cup team to play the Sharks at Kings Park. I expect some heroics from a few Stormers players like Vermeulen, De Allende, Rhodes and Botha - but am afraid they will not be good enough to off-set the huge advantage the Sharks have over them.
The Sharks have their own problems - despite the series of recent wins. Their backline is disfucntional and Alberts is no no 8. However, the Stormers team is so weak - they should win with ease,
Suggest a win by 12+ points by the Sharks in this case.
