Fijian Drua will attempt to finish the 7-0 streak of the table-topping Hurricanes to kick off a spicy weekend of motion that has break up the tipping pool.
The Reds have been given one other likelihood by the panellists after their shocker towards Moana Pasifika final weekend, the place they misplaced the sport and Wallabies Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight to suspensions. They face an enormous banana pores and skin sport towards the Highlanders, and a giant take a look at of Les Kiss’ capacity to get them again on observe.
The Brumbies are in third and journey to second positioned Auckland Blues on Saturday. This needs to be a cracker however three of our 4 panellists see it going the way in which of the Kiwis.
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Christy Doran
Hurricanes, Reds, Brumbies, Crusaders
There’s solely 4 matches this weekend, however we’ll get an actual understanding of whether or not the Brumbies – Australia’s prime facet – have an opportunity of profitable their third Tremendous Rugby title this yr.
However first to Suva. The Drua have an outstanding dwelling file, however an uncommon Friday night time match may assist the Hurricanes in protecting their unbeaten streak alive.
Clark Laidlaw has paid the required respect to go to Suva and get the job finished too. He’s beginning Jordie Barrett and he’s bringing on a stack of fireplace energy within the second half, together with Asafo Aumua. I’ll tip the Hurricanes by 10 factors.
Salestino Ravutaumada of the Fijian Drua is tackled throughout the spherical six Tremendous Rugby Pacific match between Fijian Drua and Western Pressure. (Photograph by Pita Simpson/Getty Photographs)
The Reds have been horrible final week. It was their worst efficiency of the yr by a mile, with their execution horrendous. They haven’t been helped by suspensions of Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott, in addition to accidents to Seru Uru and Josh Flook, however they need to have sufficient to get previous the Highlanders, who’ve a brand new halves mixture.
Saturday afternoon and the Brumbies head to Eden Park within the match of the weekend. It’ll be a cracker. The Blues have some firepower and muscle out large, however the Brumbies’ pack is so nicely balanced. What has me tipping the Brumbies is the settled nature of their halves and the finishers to come back off the bench. I’ll go for the upset and tip the Brumbies.
The Pressure welcome again two skilled Wallabies, in addition to Argentine Santiago Medrano. He’s an important of the lot given the power and depth the Crusaders have within the front-row. This might go both approach, however I are inclined to suppose the Crusaders may simply have a bit an excessive amount of energy up entrance, together with within the midfield.
Nick Wasiliev
Drua, Reds, Blues, Crusaders
Proper, time to catch up… As mentioned on our preview podcast, the later night sport in Fiji might have an effect conditions-wise however I feel the important thing conflict is the benches, and my phrase the Canes have stacked theirs.
Drua have finished some planning of their very own although, and with Meli Derenaligi on the forefront of the bench each side are clearly concentrating on that again half of the sport. I’m going Drua at dwelling as a result of Fiji does what Fiji do, however not by a lot.
In sport two, each of those sides sit in very related spots this season, and each are determined for a W. Regardless of the sanctioned gamers, the Reds do have some good high quality backups and can look to focus on that Highlanders halves mixture.
The Landers can be hoping to come back dwelling with a moist sail, led by Folau Fakatava off the bench, however Queensland are a very good facet at dwelling.
Folau Fakatava of the Highlanders reacts throughout the spherical one Tremendous Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on February 25, 2023, in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photograph by Joe Allison/Getty Photographs)
Recreation three: phwoar, what a begin to the weekend! A number of massive names again on each side, each very settled squads, couple of omissions in key positions – there’s a lot to play for right here, and with the final three video games between the 2 sides determined by a margin of 5 or fewer, it needs to be a cracker. Nevertheless, I’m choosing the house facet, because the Brumbies haven’t tasted victory at Eden Park in 11 years. Urgh, that felt gross simply typing that.
Sure, the Kiwis will sweep on Saturday. I really like the names in abundance coming again for the Pressure, however Simon Cron’s males and I are usually not on good phrases proper now. I fear in regards to the workforce cohesion, the casualty ward, the poor begin to the season. They’re clearly in catch-up mode. Even with the thrilling names, even with Perth proving a troublesome searching floor for many sides, the dearth of sport time collectively worries me. It’s been eleven years for the reason that Pressure final tasted victory over the Crusaders, and with the guests having the extra settled facet I see them profitable in a thriller.
Hamish Bidwell
Drua, Reds, Blues, Crusaders
- I’ve under-estimated the Hurricanes all season and I’ll under-estimate them right here once more. I simply suppose the Fiji issue is simply too robust.
- I’ll by no means query the Highlanders’ effort. They’re simply brief on high quality.
- Second vs third needs to be a blockbuster, however I reckon the Blues will win by a lot.
- I feel we’ve got to return to 1996 to see a Crusaders workforce as dangerous as this one. Certainly they’ll win this one?
Tony Harper
Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, Crusaders
It’s NSW college holidays week one and I’ve been sweating my approach across the theme parks of the Gold Coast, with six youngsters (no, not all mine, that might be insane) in tow.
A favorite pastime on such outings surrounded by fairy floss and too many over-sized people is to tally the quantity and number of supporter shirts being flaunted on the Inexperienced Lantern and/or Leviathan and so forth.
Spherical ball jerseys often dominate – Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal and a miserable variety of Al-Nassr Ronaldo No.7 shirts.
However the massive shock was the quantity and number of rugby shirts right here this week – faculties, NPC, Tremendous Rugby and naturally the long-lasting all black package. Properly, it was a shock proper as much as the purpose the quick meals service provider ran out of fush and chups and I realised it’s additionally the Kiwi college holidays.
So in honour of our fellow Down Underers and their mass migration to our theme parks, I’ve tipped all 4 Kiwi groups to win this week. Anybody aware of my sport is aware of that’s an incredible signal for his or her opposition.
| Spherical 8 | Christy | Nick | Tony | Hamish | The Crowd |
| Total | 30 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 31 |
| Final week | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| FIJ v HUR | Hurricanes | Drua | Hurricanes | Drua | ? |
| RED v HIG | Reds | Reds | Highlanders | Reds | ? |
| BLU v BRU | Brumbies | Blues | Blues | Blues | ? |
| FOR v CRU | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | Crusaders | ? |