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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super 15 Rugby Round 8 Picks-Teams and Players 12 views
12 April 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson provides his picks and previews Super Rugby Round 8 which includes some absolutely massive games.
Super Rugby Round 8 has some more mouth-watering matches culminating with Crusaders hosting the Stormers in Christchurch on Saturday night. These teams have been title contenders in recent seasons, so it will be a beauty. There are heaps of players out injured and with the bye round (Highlanders, Hurricanes and Reds) taking care of three teams this round and one team next round (Force), it is important to be careful who you select for your www.testrugby.com team. There are some top players not starting in Round 8 including Johan Goosen, Adam Thomson, Beauden Barrett, Bismarck Du Plessis and even the mercurial Dan Carter may not be goal kicking.
Make sure you check team lists, for updated Super Rugby Round 8 team lists go to
http://www.superrugbytips.com/p/super-rugby-teams-round-one.html
Game 1 - Blues vs Sharks
There is more pressure on the Blues to win this match than the Sharks despite both teams falling to disappointing defeats last week. It is difficult to know if the Blues can turn their season around, while the Sharks must win this match to stay in the hunt. Patrick Lambie is back for the Sharks to mark Gareth Anscombe in a great matchup. Bismarck du Plessis is out of this game so we won't get to see him go head to head with Keven Mealamu. I am picking the Blues to bounce back in the face of some public criticsm this week.
Players to watch - Patrick Lambie, Ma'a Nonu, Rudi Wulf.
Bargains - Craig Burden, Chris Lowrey, Gareth Anscombe, Marcell Coetzee.
My pick - Blues by 2.
Game 2 - Force vs Waratahs
The Waratahs were booed off the field when they lost to the Force in Round 4, so expect them to be determined not to lose to the Force again this season. This match will be a closely fought battle and is tougher to pick than a broken nose. The Force have the home advantage this time round but I think the Waratahs will get their revenge just.
Players to watch - Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock, Tatafu Polatu-Nau
Bargains - Nathan Charles, Tom Kingston.
My pick - Waratahs by 3.
Game 3 - Crusaders vs Stormers
This match will be awesome with the Crusaders returning home to face the impressive Stormers in Christchurch. The Stormers were amazing last week in Dunedin, while the Crusaders lost in South Africa. It is a tough road trip home for the Crusaders, but at the same time, did the Stormers fire all of their shots last week against the Highlanders? Anyway, my theory is that the Stormers can't play that well two weeks in a row and the Crusaders are too good to lose two weeks in a row. This will be a cracker! I am not picking Dan Carter because I think he won't be goalkicking. The Crusaders will offer more on attack than the Highlanders did last week and this will mean that the Stormers will have to create tries rather than scoring them straight from turnovers.
Players to watch - Corey Flynn, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Tiaan Liebenberg, Joe Pietersen.
Bargains - Tom Taylor, Siya Kolisi.
My pick - Crusaders by 2.
Game 4 - Brumbies vs Rebels
The scrap is on for points in the Australian conference after the Brumbies let a clear opportunity to leap clear of the field pass-by last week against the Reds. In contrast, the Rebels are coming off a win over the Blues. The Brumbies should be tough at home under coach Jake White. This match is probably one of the easier matches to pick, but you never know with derby matches.
Players to watch - Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor.
Bargains - Jesse Mogg, Joseph Tomani, Sam Carter, Fotu Auelua, Hugh Pyle.
My pick - Brumbies by 7.
Game 5 - Cheetahs vs Chiefs
This match will be an entertaining game with both of these teams great at spreading the ball. Look for some high scoring action for www.testrugby.com points scorers. Johan Goosen. Watch for Sias Ebersohn to fill his boots. The Chiefs have some devasting ball runners, although their side hasn't been named yet, so be careful!
Players to watch - Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Cruden, Adrian Strauss.
Bargains - Brodie Retallick, Willie Le Roux, Philip Van Der Walt.
My pick - Chiefs by 2.
Game 6 - Lions vs Bulls
This local grudge match between the injury ravaged Lions and the Pretoria based Bulls should be one sided. The Lions have been disappointing again, although this match could be closer than their loss to the Cheetahs last week, but only just.
Players to watch - Morne Steyn, Pierre Spies, Chilliboy Ralepelle, Cobus Grobbelaar.
Bargains - Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute, Callie Visagie, JJ Englebrecht.
My pick - Bulls by 15.
Who are you picking to win Super Rugby Round 8 matches? Which players and teams do you think will do well? Have your say!
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/04/super-15-rugby-round-8-picks-players.html
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Tags:
Super Rugby, Round 8
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