Last week I was severely criticized for making forecasts - because some pteams did not make the grade foo a vareiety of reasons. However, I am goig to try my hand again and see whether the situation should be this yeara:-
Hurricanes vs Reds
If the Huricanes does not beat the Reds by a record margin - they shouldhide their ehads in shame. This shouldbe a walk in the park for them.
Sunwolves vs Stormers
The Sumnwolves will not find the Stormers a team as easy to play as the Reds. After losing a match where dubious reffing was a sore point - the Stormers will be fired up. They apparently realize that they cannot play teams with only one reasonable loosie - the Stormers has toughened up that Department. I think a fairly easy win by them will be the outcome.
Blues vs Crusaders
Last week I said the Crusaders should have a walk in the park - maybe they thought so too - because theyc ame near to losing the game. In their game against the Waratahs - they beat the team that came near to beating the Crusaders a week later. Looking at those two results the outcome could be in doubt - but I do not think it would be. The Crusaders is likely to win the game easily.
Waratahs vs Highlanders
A difficult game to predict - it depends on which team turns up for the Waratahs this week. If they play like they did against the crusaders in Round 13 they will beat the Highlanders. I think that in fact it may happen and I give the Waratahs a chance to win the game by a small margin.
Sharks vs Chiefs
Lets go back a bit where the referee helped the Highlanders to beat the Bulls a few weeks ago - they went
to play the Sharks and lost by a big margin (26 points). So now to the Chiefs game - the Chiefs was also hepled along by the referee - and even though the same refis retained for this game - he would be careful no tto foul up again. I think the margin of loss by the Chiefs would be even higher than was the case in the game between the Sharks and the Highlanders. The excuse will obviously be that the AB's in the team would not play on Saturday - their team has not been announced as yet, but whomsoever they select will not the final outcome.
Lions vs Brumbies
The Brumbies was poor throughout the tournament - if the Lions does not beat them easily - it would indicate serious problems in the Lions team this year. Easy win for the Lions
Jaguares vs Bulls
The Jaguares is beginingto show real teeth this year and will have wide support in this game. After all they beat the weak Aussie and AB sides in their away games. The Jaguares beat the Chiefs away - the referee helped the Chiefs for them to beat the Bulls in their way game against the same team - so the twoteams are farly equal insofar as thata spect is concerned. I think they will be competitive - but I think the game could go either way by a small margin win being likely.
