Last week the Formula held up well amidst some unpredictable results to record 5 from 7 wins, 4 of which came within the predicted points margin (12 and under or 13 and over).

Overall, the Formula’s stats now stand at 22 from 25 wins, with 8 from 14 correct margin predictions. A lot of money has been made these past few weeks with the Formula, and some of you, including a certain Mr. Cho, have latched on to this fact and begun adding a few ‘hundred-dollar-bills-ya’ll’ into their money claws. But the Formula is nothing without consistency so let’s see if it can keep these lofty standards aloft!

 Brumbies vs. Hurricanes.

Should be a good tussle between two well-coached teams. The Hurricanes weakness is their tight 5 while the Brumbies weakness is their lack of dominance in any key area. What they wouldn’t do for a Bismark Du Pleiss and James O’Conner respectively!

The Hurricanes have the superior back 3, while the midfield battle is too even to call. The Hurricanes dominate the crucial 9 and 10 jumpers, (Zack who, Brumbies?) and I think this will have a major impact on the result, despite Pisi’s rustiness. The battle in the loose should be another very close contest and I can’t wait for the Vito/Auelua clash. The tight 5 belongs to the Brumbies, and though I don’t think this will be enough to give them a win, I do think it will be enough to keep the scores quite tight. I’m expecting the Brumbies to attack hard around the fringes and hold onto possession, but at home, having the much better backline, I can’t look past the HURRICANES BY 12 AND UNDER here. 

 Cheetahs vs. Sharks

As with the Cheetahs vs. Stormers, same as last week baby. A close South African derby match where the better team will win - and not by much. Lambie the big difference here. SHARKS AT HOME TO WIN BY 12 AND UNDER.

Highlanders vs. Bulls

 There are three certain things in life – death, taxes, and the inevitable freefall of the Highlanders down the Super ladder come mid-season. I think The Highlanders really had to win last week to stay in contention for the finals, but you never know, in Ellison, Gear and Thomson they have some real class. I think they missed a trick last week not starting Delany – they seem far more assured with him controlling things at 10, and is it just me or does he look in a totally different class since coming back from Japan? Anyway.

This is a difficult one to call. The back 3 are fairly even, as are the midfield positions. The Bulls have the better 9 and 10 pairing, though not by a lot. The loosie battle has to slightly favor the Bulls with Boys at 7 for the Highlanders, while the tight 5 is too tight to call. The Punters have this one at exactly even, favoring neither team. By the Formula’s reckoning, the Bulls are the better team, the stronger team, and in key positions. Morne will keep the ball in front of his forwards, and Kruger and van der Merwe should be able to secure a few key turnovers in the lineout in dangerous positions. Look for the Bulls to adopt a physical, Stormers-esque game plan. I’m going to say BULLS BY 12 AND UNDER here.

 Crusaders vs. Blues

Yeah so what the truck happened last week with the Crusaders? The Formula didn’t predict what everyone else seemed to think would happen – a blowout for the Crusaders in the Rebels own back yard  – but to lose? Unfathomable innit. Hanson won’t be liking that one bit. I think if the Wallabies go Beale at 10 and O’Conner at 15, they can really challenge for the Tri-nations. Why not put big bad Auelua in at 8 to complement Pocock and Elson? Wallaby resurgence?

Anyway, poor old Blues. The Crusaders will be fizzing, their big boys are back, and they won’t screw this one up. CRUSADERS BY 13 OR MORE.

 Stormers vs. Waratahs

 Stormers won’t lose this. They have the better coach, better structure, better game plan, better physicality, they’re at home, they have the better back 3 division, better insides, better tight 5, and gain at least parity in the 9 and 10 jumpers. Who the hell is Jebb Sincair? Eh, I’m sure he’s better than Dave Dennis. STORMERS BY 13 AND MORE.

Reds vs. Lions

 Reds, I’m sorry I doubted you last week! Chiefs were overdue to go down and you’re a quality team with a fortress. If you can beat the Chiefs by 13 and more you can certainly take down the Lion Cubs by the same margin. REDS BY 13 AND MORE.

 Force vs. Rebels

Last up we have a team that challenges the Lions for the most brutally boring team in the competition, the Force, against Super Rugby’s equivalent to ‘buy a team’ Manchester City – the Rebels. Yehp, it’s Pocock and Sharpe vs. the Rebel’s here, and if for some odd reason I choose to watch this game, it will be solely to see how Beale fares at 10 once more. The Rebels team hasn’t been named yet but they beat the Crusaders so they should beat the Force, right? The Force are at home and will want to keep that wooden spoon well away from there feeble albeit committed little paws, so I’m going to say the REBELS BY 12 AND UNDER. 

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