It’s one other brief week and three of our panellists are backing up from spherical 7. The Crowd is predictably leaving the remainder of the crew in its wake, whereas all doubts have been erased on the query of who’s The Roar’s greatest jinx.
Christy Doran
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels
The Reds may need given Harry McLaughlin-Phillips simply his second begin, however the 19-year-old is fabricated from the best stuff. He’s powerful and bodily and hasn’t put a foot incorrect since making his debut earlier this 12 months.
Les Kiss’ facet will simply be too correct and disciplined for Moana Pasifika, whereas Zane Hilton has the Reds’ set-piece buzzing.
The Waratahs may need crushed the Crusaders in spherical two, however they’ve misplaced one other key man up entrance. Angus Bell’s absence is a blow too many. Certainly, Rob Penney’s props will likely be licking their lips. That’s the place the sport will likely be received and misplaced.
As for the New Zealand derby on Saturday, the Hurricanes are outsiders however they’ll proceed their unbeaten run. They’re balanced they usually have the muscle up entrance to boss the Chiefs.
The Rebels and Highlanders is one other thrilling match-up to sit up for. It’ll be free and wild. Rebels, simply. It’ll be the Taniela and Carter present.
Carter Gordon of the Rebels kicks the ball through the spherical 4 Tremendous Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds at AAMI Park, on March 15, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Picture by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Photos)
Nick Wasiliev
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels
We cross the midway level of the common season this weekend, and right here’s hoping the sheer unpredictable nature of the competitors continues. They might be on the street, however this fixture comes at time for the Reds, and that’s not meant as disrespect to Moana Pasifika.
Kiss’ facet hasn’t tasted victory since spherical 5, so they are going to be determined to get again within the good books, and with some good cavalry returning they need to have sufficient to win right here. Moana signify a banana pores and skin facet a number of groups have come near tripping up on (and a few others have). Burn me on the pyre, Tahs followers.
The Crusaders is probably not on hearth proper now – however I believe they’re in a greater place than DC’s Tahs. The Tahs ahead pack appears quite a bit much less sinister with Angus Bell out of the image, regardless of the welcome returns of Ned Hanigan and Langi Gleeson.
Ned Hanigan. (Picture By Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile by way of Getty Photos)
Throw within the Crusaders coming off a bye, a win over the Chiefs the week earlier than that, and the return of a number of key All Blacks, and I see them grabbing the win right here. I reckon that is the sport of the spherical as a result of the Chiefs have crushed the Canes of their final 5 encounters – but the Hurricanes are coming off a bye in red-hot type. Either side have beefed up, welcoming again key playmakers and All Blacks, and it has the makings of a prelude to a late-stage finals conflict. The Canes at house ought to get it carried out – however by lower than seven, given how sturdy Damian McKenzie has been this season.
Ending up in Melbourne, the Rebels face a novel problem within the Highlanders – the guests will likely be throwing in a flyhalf rookie Ajay Faleafaga to start out, however regardless of this, he’ll be supported by a strong pack with a number of All Blacks. The Rebels will likely be welcoming again cavalry throughout the park, with Andrew Kellaway and Lachie Anderson within the backs and Josh Kemeny within the forwards. If Taniela Tupou can nullify the problem of Ethan de Groot coming off the bench, the hosts ought to get house. Count on a win by lower than ten.
Hamish Bidwell
Reds, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Rebels
A greater week for these of us who take pleasure in contests. I’ll take the Reds in Whangarei.
Absolutely the Crusaders win in Sydney? Or do the Waratahs lastly get it proper? I’ve tipped the guests however not with enormous confidence.
Mind says Chiefs, however coronary heart has leaned in direction of the Hurricanes. Both manner, I’ll be intrigued to see the result.
I’d prefer to the Highlanders to win, however am assuming house benefit will tilt the steadiness the Rebels manner.
Tony Harper
Reds, Crusaders, Chiefs, Rebels
Properly don’t say you weren’t warned. Final week I used to be the one panellist to overlook out on the clear sweep by choosing the Drua to beat the Rebels. At halftime I used to be nonetheless moderately proud of my alternative after which all hell broke free.
That is what I wrote final week whereas tipping the Fijians for an upset: “See that? That’s the mock being placed on poor previous Frank Lomani. William H Macy is a high-quality actor however even he’s no match as a “cooler” to your hapless The Roar editor.”
Bloody hell, did Frank ever lose his cool!
Frank Lomani of Fijian Drua leaves the sphere through the spherical seven Tremendous Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Fijian Drua at AAMI Park, on April 05, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Picture by Robert Cianflone/Getty Photos)
The mock is so sturdy that I’m virtually afraid to make these selections this week.
The Reds are a secure guess, I’m by no means tipping the Waratahs once more (although they beat the identical workforce in Tremendous Spherical), DMac would be the distinction for the Chiefs and the presence of a younger No.10 for the Highlanders up towards Carter Gordon swings it for the Rebels. (Now simply watch Ajay Faleafaga have the sport of his life!)
| Spherical 8 | Christy | Nick | Tony | Hamish | The Crowd |
| Total | 28 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 29 |
| Final week | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| MOA v RED | Reds | Reds | Reds | Reds | ? |
| TAH v CRU | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | ? |
| HUR v CHI | Hurricanes | Hurricanes | Chiefs | Hurricanes | ? |
| REB V HIG | Rebels | Rebels | Rebels | Rebels | ? |