The Formula had a fairly average time last week choosing only 5 of the 7 winning teams, and getting 3 of the 7 margins correct – still a profit, but not a huge one. Overall, that’s 27 from 32 wins, and 11 from 21 margins (remember margin betting pays about 3:1). In the Hurricanes vs Brumbies game, the poor weather was a major contributor, and the better Brumbies tight 5 were able to dominate. This is why looking at what the weather is doing is so important in determining results. As Sir Cho once told me, not checking the weather in rugby is like not inspecting a cricket pitch before you play. The Bulls vs Highlanders game was the other upset for the Formula, and this really could have gone either way, no matter how much you crunch the numbers. I suppose when in doubt – go the home team!

CHIEFS VS BULLS

The Chiefs should have no problem here, though Kahui will sorely be missed come finals time. The only real question is how many the refreshed Chiefs will win by. With that Bulls forward pack and Morne at fly-half, it’s nearly impossible to lose heavily in any conditions. The back 3’s are fairly even, while SBW just gives the Chief’s the mid-field edge. The halves are fairly close, and the Chiefs loosies should at least gain parity with their bigger counterparts – namely because they’re refreshed and some Bulls loosies are coming back from injury. The tight 5 belongs to the Bulls, and this could be telling as rain is forecast and the game could become quite tight. Therefore, I’m going to say a refreshed Chiefs team will take this out in a tight affair, with home ground advantage being a major factor. CHIIEFS BY 12 AND UNDER.

CHEETAHS VS WARATAHS

The Waratahs are injury ravaged to say the least. Their team hasen’t been named yet, but their star – Elsom – is probably out, and they will have to field a whole new lineout… it’s not looking good. Add to that the fact that they haven’t won in the Republic since forever, and that they had to bruise it out with the physical Stormers last week... you can’t look past the Cheetahs here. Barnes’ kicking game should keep the Tah’s in check for the most part, but the Cheetahs home ground advantage will see them… well, home. CHEETAHS BY 12 AND UNDER.

HURRICANES VS REBELS

In another early start, the Hurricanes take on the Rebels at the cake tin. Bad call losing to the Brumbies last week boys, your road to the finals just got a hell of a lot tougher, but you should at least be able to grab a victory here. Mortlock must be really unfit if they’re not starting him, bloody hell. Anyway, the Hurricanes have the better back 3 and midfield, while I suppose you have to say the Rebels have the better 9 and 10 partnership with future Wallaby 10 Beale there. The Hurricanes have the better loosies, while the tight 5’s are both failry inadequate. The Hurricanes will win this, and I’m going to say with more comfort that most are predicting. HURRICANES BY 13 AND OVER, despite the Rebels recent run of success (at home…)

SHARKS VS STORMERS

Wow, can’t wait for this one, despite the grinding, unspectacular  show they will undoubtedly put on. There’s also Bok’s trials on all over the show here. The Stormers just got up over the Tah’s last week after falling massively off the pace in the second half. Coetzee is so loathe to rest his big boys that they must nearly be out on their feet now. They’re an impressive team on paper and their structure is fantastic, but I think the Sharks are going to give them a serious, serious test this week at home. I back 3’s are about the same (Lambie back at 15 being crucial), while the midfield is overwhelmingly Stormers. I give the halves to the Stormers, just, while the massively abrasive Sharks loosies edge out their big tackling counterparts. The Stormers have the better line out, the Sharks the better front row. I’m not hesitating on this one. A very good Sharks team, at home, should get up over a tiring Stormers team. SHARKS BY 12 AND UNDER, and it won’t be pretty.

BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS

Good lord, have you seen the team named for the Blues? One of the ugliest things on paper I’ve seen since… ever. I’m just putting my money on a Highlanders win here to assure myself the coin, but if you want to be a bit adventurous and bet margins, pick a number. The Blues are resting their stars but the Highlanders are also resting a couple. Delaney isn’t starting either, so the safest bet appears to be HIIGHLANDERS by 12 and under… but just put your $ on them for a win, it’s paying $1.50.

BRUMBIES VS REDS

Oooo the most difficult to pick? Probably. Pundits seem to be leaning towards the Brumbies here with home ground advantage; let’s take a closer look. Oh. The Reds haven’t named their team. So lets just make a calculated guess. The Reds edge the back 3 battle with Ioane there, while the Brumbies have a better midfield. The Reds look better at in the Halves with Cooper there. The Reds have the better loosies, the Brumbies the better tight 5. Wow, tough. I’m going against the grain. REDS BY 12 AND UNDER – Cooper, Genia, Higginbottom…. Too many stars!

FORCE VS LIONS

Ugh. Force the better back 3. Midfield same. Lions better halves. Force better back row. Tight 5’s the same. Force at home, but incapable of really demolishing a team. FORCE BY 12 AND UNDER.