Some very interesting games are coming up in Round 4 and my comments on them are provided:-
Hurricanes vs Force
This should be a walk in the Park for the Hurricanes playing at home. A five-pointer is on the cards for them in this case. There only is one problem for the Hurricanes and that is the absence of Milner-Skudder. Maybe Savea would start playing rugby for a change - he was sleeping through games thus far.
Waratahs vs Highlanders
Although deservedly so the Highlanders beat the Lions in their game on Saturday, I am not at all convinced about elements of their play. They got way with murder in the scrums and they only had 31% ball possession and 30% of the game was played in their territory. My guess is that it would be a convincing victory by the Waratahs in this case - especially since it is an away game for the highlanders. A loss by as much as 15 points by the highlanders is quite possible.
Bulls vs Sharks
An arm-wrestle is on the cardsd and I am not very confident by either side. I think the Bulls will have a problem up front and they ill also struggle in the loosies component. The backline is a problem for the Bulls - o my guess is the sharks by 8 to 10 points.
Sunwolves vs Rebels
I am very upset about the Rebels - they beat the Force convincingly and then went on to lose against the Bulls and the Reds - not happy at all by the team who looked very promising in their first game. I would say that ttravel probably affected their game against the Reds and think the Rebels should have the edge on the Sunwolves - but a 50:50 outcome could also be possible. So the game is likely to be basically 50:50 and very difficult to assess.
Crusaders vs Kings
A walk in the park for the Crusaders - if the Crusaders does not beat the said team by at least 40 points it would be disappointing.
Reds vs Blues
This should be another walk in the park for the Blues - if the Blues does not beat the said team by at least 20 points it would be disappointing.
Lions vs Cheetahs
Both teams traveled during the past week - but the Lions have all the cards in their favour and I forecast a relatively easy win by them. Could even be a five-pointer for them.
Stormers vs Brumbies
Personally I think the Stormers will lose this game for the following reasons:-
* Their loosies are seriously defective and will not be able to compete with the Brumbies loosies; and
* The Stormers backline is shockingly poor without a proper flyhalf and a defective center pair, while their one wing is poor as well, while Kolbe at full back will also be found out.
I think the Brumbies will beat them by as wide a margin as they did in the play-off game in 2015. Bad news for that Stormers lot this year.
Jaguares vs Chiefs
I do not think the Chiefs has a chance of beating the Jaguares at home and in this regard it must be borne in mind that the Chiefs had to travel and they were not as convincing as they should have been against the weak Kings team in the first half of the game. The Jaguares is likely to take up the Chiefs up front where they are weak as well. So I believe that the Jaguares will beat the Chiefs by a reasonable margin.
Coach57,555 posts
14 Mar 2016, 10:59
#1
14 Mar 2016, 10:59#1


