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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super Rugby Round 12 Preview - Greats Return! 19 views
11 May 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson previews Round 12 Super Rugby action. There are some quality players returning to action to captain their sides.
Three great players are back in their starting lineups and it will be interesting to see how long they last in their first starting game in ages. It will be interesting to see how these three players who are captaining their teams will go.
The last four rounds of Super Rugby 2012 have been relatively straightforward for picking the winning team with yours truly picking over 90 percent of winners even if my margin picks were way off last week. This looks set to change for Round 12.
Super Rugby Round 12 promises to be more difficult with the two bottom teams, the Blues and Lions locking horns. It is usually easy to pick anyone playing against these two cellar dwellars, but it gets tricky when they play each other. This game is difficult to pick despite the Blues being hot favourites with the local bookies. There are some other tough matches between teams in playoff contention this week including the Highlanders vs Hurricanes, Reds vs Chiefs and Waratahs vs Bulls. These three matches feature a team from inside the top six playing a team from just outside the top six and so winning is vital. The Stormers, Crusaders and Sharks should be more clearcut victors this week and anchor bets for your Round 12 multi-bets.
For updated Super Rugby Round 12 teams named go to
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-teams-round-one.html
Game 1 - Blues vs Lions
Both of these teams were easily beaten last week, although the Lions scored three tries against the Chiefs and were playing the top of the table Chiefs team. Each week I think the Blues can't get any worse and they prove me wrong. Surely only true fans of these teams will bother watching this match between the two bottom teams. I think the Lions at least looked to play with some heart last week, while the Blues just seem to be beyond caring about this season. It takes a brave www.testrugby.com manager to select players from this match. In many ways, I don't want to have to pick a winner in this match. In fact, there should be some good money on a draw in this game and I would seriously consider it. The Lions are paying good money and to be honest it is too difficult to call so it could be worth heading to the bookies in New Zealand. I am picking the Lions. Rene Ranger is the latest casualty and is joined by Chris Lowrey on the sidelines from last week.
Players to watch - Jaco Taute, Ma'a Nonu, Luke Braid, Josh Strauss.
Bargains - Callie Visagie, Gareth Anscombe.
Blues - Lions by 2.
Game 2 - Waratahs vs Blues
The Waratahs will be hurting after losing to the Brumbies by so much last week, while the Bulls only just got up over the Rebels. Will the Waratahs be fired up for this one at home? Can the Bulls forwards steamroll the Waratahs pack which is missing Totafa Polatu-Nau back get Rocky Elsom back? I think this match will be another close one. The Bulls defence was exposed against the Rebels last week but I think the Waratahs have been more disappointing than usual this season and so the Bulls will get up just.
Players to watch - Adam Ashley-Cooper, David Dennis, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Chilliboy Ralepelle, Pierre Spies, Morne Steyn, Rocky Elsom.
Bargains - John Ulugia, CJ Stander.
My pick - Bulls by 3 points.
Game 3 - Highlanders vs Hurricanes
This is another challenging game for Round 12. The Highlanders are returning from a disappointing defeat in South Africa and it will be interesting to see if they can do what plenty of other teams have done and win on their first game back. Has the mounting injury toll and their physical approach to the breakdown cost them? The Hurricanes were good against the Blues last week, but it is hard to know how much of that has anything to do with the poor Blues performance. Reg Goodes makes his first start upfront and if the Hurricanes to weather the storm in the tight exchanges, then they have some great backs. The Highlanders haven't been named but could welcome back Southland players Tim Boys and Kenny Lynn to their team, while the enigmatic Hale T-Pole could get some gametime. These guys haven't played much recently and could struggle. The Highlanders have yet to be named but Tamati Ellison is expected to be out injured along with Shaun Treeby. Are the Highlanders too tired? Or were the Hurricanes simply playing an awful Blues team last week?
Players to watch - Victor Vito, Andre Taylor, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson, Hosea Gear.
Bargains - Beauden Barrett, Kenny Lynn.
My pick - Highlanders by 3.
Game 4 - Rebels vs Crusaders
The Rebels were revitalised against the Bulls, with Kurtley Beale at first five eighth and they welcome back Englishman Michael Lipman into their loose forwards. The Crusaders will have to cut back on the mistakes they made against the Reds. They have rotated some players including Kieran Read, Ben Franks and Andy Ellis. Richie McCaw will start. It is hard to know how long he will last. The Rebels will hold their own, but the Crusaders will come through in the end.
Players to watch - Richie McCaw, Sam Whitelock, Corey Flynn, Kurtley Beale, Robbie Fruean.
Bargains - Luke Whitelock, Tom Taylor, Hugh Pyle, Michael Lipman.
My pick - Crusaders by 12.
Game 5 - Sharks vs Force
The Sharks eventually got the upper hand against the Highlanders and despite their apparent lack of X Factor, they have the power to wear down most teams. The Force pack will struggle with against the likes of Bismarck Du Plessis, Keegan Daniel and Marcell Coetzee. Patrick Lambie scored 28 points last week and so must be considered for selection in your www.testrugby.com team. I am picking the Sharks to win comfortably at home and keep the sides in the top six on their toes.
Players to watch - Patrick Lambie, Keegan Daniel, Bismarck du Plessis, Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock.
Bargains - Marcell Coetzee, Nathan Charles.
My pick - Sharks by 15.
Game 6 - Stormers vs Cheetahs
Can the Cheetahs upset the Stormers? I don't think so. The Stormers have been impressive this season and will be tough to beat at home. It will be interesting to see if the Cheetahs can unsettle the tough Stormers defence. Jean De Villiers is back. The Stormers should be too strong although the margin could actually be closer than expected.
Players to watch - Peter Grant, Adriaan Strauss, Andries Bekker.
Bargains - Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Philip Van Der Walt, Willie Le Roux.
Stormers by 10.
Game 7 - Reds vs Chiefs
It is the defending champions hosting the top team in the Super Rugby 2012 competition. Were the Reds getting back into form against the Crusaders last week or were the Crusaders off their game making the Reds look good? I think the Reds have an ability to put pressure on their opposition with aggressive defence. The Chiefs will be a challenge for the defending champions and despite concerns that they will run out of steam, it will be a good challenge for coach Dave Rennie's depth. Neither team has been named yet. Both of these teams have players in the running for international honours when teams like the All Blacks are named on Monday. The Chiefs have a bye next week, so take this into consideration if purchasing any of their players.
Players to watch (if named) - Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Cruden, Scott Higginbotham,
Bargains (if named) - Brodie Retallick, James Hanson.
Chiefs by 3.
Who do you think will win Super Rugby Round 12 and which players should we look out for? Which matches could be an upset?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/super-15-rugby-round-12-return-of.html
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Super Rugby Round 12
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