4 hours Ago By The Roar
There is plenty of discord in the tipping ranks this week as the chasers try to hunt down a runaway leader.Christy has a healthy lead but Ben and Hamish are having a crack, while defending champion Nick has stuck around to see out the campaign, even though he’s decamped from The Roar basement to a corner office in the ivory tower that is Rugby Australia (missing you already, Nick!)SUPER RUGBY TEAMS ROUND 12Christy DoranBlues, Reds, Chiefs, Brumbies, Moana PasifikaSuper Rugby Pacific continues to deliver. So do I, just quietly! But the stakes are getting higher.
There’s barely a single match across the weekend where the result looks a foregone conclusion. The Brumbies are perhaps the biggest favourite of the lot, but then again they got shown up last week and lost to the Tahs earlier in the year. More RugbyThe Roar's Super Rugby expert tips and predictions round 12: 'This one should be personal for the Brumbies''Tough, isolating, a lot of thoughts crossing my mind': How 'Magic Mike' and family saved Kurtley's career'It's a welfare sport': Eddie Jones on rugby's 'arrogance', 'cheap' Suaalii, 'sad' Brumbies and what must changeA coach who can rock 'n' roll all night: what can we expect from the Kiss era?Super Rugby Pacific Casualty Ward, Round 12: Three Wallabies veterans back in action, DMac still absentRugby I thought about tipping the Force, and I think they’ll go close, but I’ve tipped the Blues because Dalton Papali’i is back and he’s a class operator.
The backline is still littered with quality despite missing one or two big names, including Caleb Clarke. I like the look of the Force’s starting side, but I think they’ll get overrun in the second half. Les Kiss has taken a strong Reds side to Fiji.
Some big names will come off the bench, so they shouldn’t fall away like some other Australian sides have this year. I’d have taken John Bryant up there as another backrow option off the bench, but I’m not the selector, am I? Nonetheless, I think they’ll have a bit too much polish for a Drua side that’s not hit their straps like many thought they would.The clash in Wellington shapes as the match of the round.
Two quality New Zealand sides, with the Hurricanes finding some form after welcoming Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor back. Asafo Aumua’s back, too. I’ve tipped the Chiefs, but it really could go either way.
I like their bench. They’ve got some experience and muscle to bring on. Ding, ding.
I suspect Stephen Larkham will have been livid throughout the week after their slip-up last weekend. Plus, after dropping a game in Sydney earlier in the year, this one should be personal for the Brumbies. It’ll be a top game.
Can the Tahs find something? I’m not so sure. Stephen Larkham. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)Moana Pasifika’s been one of the most exciting teams to watch this year and their depth is being tested but holding up for now.
Their backline is quality, it’s just whether their pack can stand up against the Highlanders. It might not, but Ardie Savea has his side fired up and playing for something more than just wins and losses. Moana in a shootout.
Nick Wasiliev Blues, Reds, Chiefs, Brumbies, Moana PasifikaThought you could get rid of me that easily, did ya? Narrrp, I have a title to defend (somehow).The Blues should have this in the bag, the Force copped a beating and their casualty ward makes for unpleasant reading as a result. Kurtley Beale is a big return, and I think this is the more likely of the two tour matches the Force can win.
But the fact they haven’t beaten the Blues since 2008 tells you how much they’ll need to buck the trend.This might be dangerous, but I back the Reds against the Drua. The side should take a lot of confidence out of that Blues win.
I rate Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, but the depth in the forward pack is really where this game will be won. Also, the Drua have lost their last three matches in Suva. If only they played every single game in LautokaFunnily enough, I think this is the game where the Chiefs can really set a marker as title contenders.
The Canes come into this match off a positive Aussie tour, and also have a few big names back. The Chiefs are on top of the ladder for a reason though – and with the Crusaders on the bye they can set the pace for the run home with a win here.The Brumbies need to reply after last week’s loss at home – and they couldn’t have asked for a better reason to get themselves up off the turf.
The Tahs have a lot of Wallabies back, which will make things interesting, and it should be another tense affair – but I see the Ponies getting it done.(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)This is must-win territory for both sides to close out the weekend. The Highlanders have really run out of steam the last fortnight, and their injury list is baddddd right now.
Moana Pasifika isn’t much better, but when I look at the two sides, Moana is the one offering more threats around the park right now. Being back in Dunedin should help Jamie Joseph’s men, but I see the visitors taking this in a thriller.Ben PobjieBlues, Reds, Hurricanes, Brumbies, HighlandersBlues v Force: I want so much for Kurtley Beale to have a fairytale return.
But the Blues get a clutch of good ‘uns back, playing at home and out for redemption. Too big an ask for the western lads.Drua v Reds: The newly minted Wallaby coach will certainly want his men to show just how well drilled they are.
Winning in Fiji is fiendishly hard, but the Reds are bringing their big names along and I think, intent on a statement win, they’ll show their mettle.Hurricanes v Chiefs: The Chiefs are scary good, but the Canes have a strengthened pack, and the Chiefs missing Damien McKenzie leaves the door ajar..
.reckon the Hurricanes are set for a big day out.Brumbies v Waratahs: Well, the Tahs get back Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, Ben Grant and Jake Gordon, and they’ll be hurting after last week’s loss, and it’s a do-or-die game, so.
..haha just kidding.
I’m not falling for this again. I want the Tahs to win, and the only way to make that happen is to tip against them.(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Highlanders v Moana Pasifika: Oh I have no idea.
It’s must win for Moana, so they’ll probably lose.Hamish BidwellBlues, Drua, Chiefs, Brumbies, Moana PasifikaI imagine it’s been a humbling few days for all concerned at the Blues and that they’ll try and respond with a bit of vigour this week.Suva doesn’t seem to be quite the fortress Lautoka is, but I’ll take the home side nonetheless.
I think the Chiefs will have to work for this. I want to see the Hurricanes at least make it a battle of brawn, rather than brilliance.There aren’t many weeks I don’t tip the Brumbies.
I just think they’re a really admirable outfit.I instinctively took Highlanders and then paused for thought. Be great to see Moana Pasifika win instead.
Round 12Christy BenHamishNickThe CrowdOverall4238383439Last week44444BLU v FORBLUBLUBLUBLU?DRU v REDREDREDDRURED?HUR v CHICHIHURCHICHI?BRU v TAHBRUBRUBRUBRU?HIG v MOAMOAHIGMOAMOA?Loading...
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