Tips and Predictions for round 11 Super 12 2005

After 10 round of the 2005 Super 12 we once again reach a stage where the last two rounds will be very decisive to determine the final four. Two teams have already secured places in the semi final and they will more than likely get one or two points to secure home semi finals. These teams are the Waratahs and the Crusaders. The Tahs have the “easy” match against the Reds and the Crusaders take on the Highlanders in Dunedin. They need one win out of the last two rounds to ensure a home semi final and I think they will not need more than round 11. The last two places is very open and any one of the following: Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues and Bulls are still in with a chance. The Hurricanes have the Blues and the Crusaders left and may just find it tough to get points. The Highlanders will play the Crusaders and then the Chiefs at Hamilton. The Hamilton match will be the one they target to get five points, but they will more than likely share the points tally with the Blues. The Blues have the Hurricanes in Auckland and the Waratahs in Sydney and I do favour them to win the first, but the latter is going to be difficult. The Bulls have the easiest of the matches against the bottom of the log Sharks and Stormers and should pick up 10 points to get them through. It is however more difficult than it looks on paper as they have traditionally struggled against the Sharks and never beaten the Stormers in the Super 12.
If the Bulls get through with a full 10, I recon they will join the Blues as the other two semi finalists. If they fails, the Blues and the and the Highlanders will make up the last two.

Blues v Hurricanes
The first match is going to be a cracker and the Blues are back at home after their tour in SA. They will love the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd again and I think they are going to be too strong for the Hurricanes.

The Canes will be playing for a spot in the semi final and if they win this one they will be home and dry. I just cannot see them doing it as the Blues are currently on fire.

I give this one to the Blues by 5.

Waratahs v Reds
The Waratahs will be much too strong for the Reds, but we all know that these local derbies can bite you. In Australia, like South Africa, they do have the tendency to be just that little more intense than in NZ. I just cannot see this one going wrong for the Tahs and they should win this by 10.

Highlanders v Crusaders
Dunedin is the secret weapon of the Highlanders, but last week they found out that you have to work for a win. Top teams can handle the pressure and climate and beat the Highlanders in their backyard. The Crusaders is such a class team and the way they have been playing they should be to strong and take this match by 20.

Brumbies v Chiefs
The Brumbies are still in with a very academical chance and must not be totally written off. If they can get five pints against the Chiefs and then five against the Reds, they can sneak into the semi final if the permutations go their way. I unfortunately cannot see them picking up the full 10 in the last two matches as their flair is currently gone and they remind me of a boxer who is holding on not to be knocked out. Although they should win both the last matches, I shall not be surprised if they loose one of them.

The Chiefs have completed their party and have no more chance in the tournament. I expect them to go down by about 10 to the Brumbies.

Sharks v Bulls
The Bulls will go to the shark tank very motivated. It is, however, not the first time that they are in a position where they have to win the local derbies to get a spot in the semi final. All the SA sides have been there and their – much weaker on the log – opponents seem to get some special energy in these matches. The Bulls pack should dominate the Sharks and that will built the foundation to win the match.

The Sharks are in such a bad state that Dick Muir – coach – stated after the 77 – 34 loss that his team did not look too bad. Dropping 77 points is most definitely not good!

The Bulls should have too much for the Sharks and if they spread the ball, they should run in comfortable winners. I do, however expect them to play their normal crash rugby and will then only win this match by about 7.

Stormers v Cats
This match has only pride at stake and could be one of the better matches to watch this weekend. These teams have nothing to lose and if the weather holds in Cape Town, we may just see very expansive rugby. I expect the Stormers to hold out the Cats in a very attractive match and win by 3.