2010, Super 14 Round 5: What Happened last week?

[Geeves]

In a short answer work was a complete and utter b___. So on to these week and I better get this done before I run out of time.

  Game 1: Chiefs vs Crusaders (or the Looser 1 v Looser 2)
Nothing like being able to rub this in after too many years of coping a pasting and bemoaning the lack of a team.  Both of these kiwi sides have fallen victim to the Reds machine this year.  May more teams fall as otherwise if I keep harping on about the only 2 wins I’ll drive the other 2 posters away from the board.
You all know the chiefs cannot be as bad as that this weekend but to me they just will not have enough around the park against the Crusaders.  Crusaders  by 8-14.

  Game 2: Waratahs vs Lions (or the dull versus the defenceless)
The Tahs have decided to embrace attacking rugby as willingly as snuggling up to a king brown snake.  Last week’s game highlighted why neutral refs have to be used as the Kurtly, my uncle made me famous, attempt at an ______ (insert either: intercept or deliberate knock-on), made for a far more lively and interesting talking point rather than the match.  The Lions just don’t do it for me. They just leak too many points.

So the Tahs  to win by responding to their critics and play an exciting style this weekend instead of putting the opposition into a coma.  I  believe they will win by 15-21 and they will then revert back to their normal dour approach.

  Game 3: Brumbies vs Sharks
The Canberra nags have not show enough yet to be considered as hot favourites for the title (still looking at the Bulls for that). Despite spending a fortune on the new playing roster they just don’t like a team as yet and to pinch a song lyric: they are going through the motions, faking the emotions (The The).  While the Sharks are really, really disappointing.
I know the sharks are due to bounce back and start winning.  However, I just can not pick them this weekend.  Brumbies  by 8-14.

  Game 4: Bulls vs Highlanders
The highlanders got spanked last week and truth to be they are probably in for an almightily flogging this weekend.  Damn but I like the highlanders but I just cannot see them doing that much to threaten the Bulls.  Its goin to hurt, lets say 15-21 point to the Bulls .

Game 5: Stormers vs Hurricanes   
Was last week the annual cluster #### from the Hurricanes or were they simply played off the paddock.  I reckon it was the second.   The Stormers are proving very difficult to beat at home (I know the Nags did it but..).  This is probably the match of the round and I believe that the Stormers  can get another win at home but hell its going to be close with less than 5 points in it at the death.

Reds vs Western Force
No surprises here.  But winning 2 in a row is a big, big ask for the Reds.  But I do like Van’s attitude see video at http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/  so I’ll back the Reds.  Hell I might even try to make it this weekend.  Reds by 8-14.  Now I have given them the kiss of death 

[Gwynn]

Here's a couple of questions...

What's with the Sharks?  Last two years they've been very impressive, them and the Bulls terrifying all who had to play them.  This year the Sharks seem hapless, while the Stormers appear to finally be living up to their eternal promise.

New Zealand sides seem fairly standard, Crusaders starting slowly, but building nicely, Chiefs producing spectacular rugby when it doesn't matter, the Hurricanes full of promise, hint that they can deliver, only to come crashing back to reality, and the Blues just don't seem to be able to deliver at all.

Out of the Australian sides, the Force seem to have lost the potency they had last year, while the Reds are tantalisingly close to proving they're on the way up, but for me the jury is still out given that the Brumbies look like they're coming back on song, while the Waratahs are still solid.

[gluck]

Pity the blues are not playing. I love comedy.

[Geeves]

The Beast was on Inside Rugby on Wednesday night and he was saying they were close but I didn't believe them.

The Sharks hit the wall last year when they got home.  They did most of the hard work away from home then from round 9-14 they only picked up one win.  They are simply not playing with the cohesion that they showed in 2008 and most of 2009.  I think a lot of them are resting on past glories.

[Geeves]

Damn 5 from 5 so far this week.  Just need the last one to go my way and the Reds to pick up 5 points to take 6 th spot on the ladder. Although we have had showers on and off all day I just hoping it stays fine for this afternoon.

Have to say the stormers are looking bloody dangerous.  But lets just see what happens when they start their tour before writting them up for a finals spot.

The Brumbies still don't look the goods while the Sharks are getting closer to a win.  If they keep improving they might knock someone out of the finals race towards the end of the season.

[Geeves]

Oh yes!

Oh Yes!
 
 
 
 
 

[DH]

Reds are on a roll! Its almost like Queenlanders can play rugby union. I still suspect some major cheating is going on...

;-)

cheers
DH

[Geeves]

Its been a con job after working tirelessly over the last 10 years of lulling you all into a false scene of security and getting the bookies to give outrageous odds, the Reds have backed their wages on making it into the finals.