Chiefs v Stormers
We start this round in Hamilton as the undefeated defending premiers the Chiefs host the Stormers, in what should be all one way traffic. The bookies have the home side as $1.30 faves and thats probably fair, the men from Cape Town haven’t been world beaters this season so far, lacking that extra final edge last round in going down by the barest of margins to the Crusaders. But if there’s one thing you should never do when playing away from home, it’s criticise the other side in the media like Stormer’s captain Jean DeVilliers (who play’s his 100th game this week) did earlier in the week, as he accused the Chiefs of illegally holding players back at the ruck. When has accusing the opponent of breaking the rules ever worked for anyone in any sport? Link here for that story.
Now Ideally sides want to have their bye later in the season, to try & rest players before finals or to build early momentum during the season, but for the Chiefs they had theirs last weekend, chances of rust are slim though you’d expect from most of the group. With a couple of key players returning in Marshall & Anscombe pushing Freuen who has been impressive to the bench, it’s looking very much a championship lineup. For the Stormers they managed to soak everything the Saders gave to them, and you’d expect the Chiefs to be more attacking with slicker ball movement, can they defend like trojans again? Recent history says the home side wins the battle between these sides and very hard to go against the Chiefs here.
Bet: Chiefs are $1.30, worth throwing them into any multi you may have with the NRL or opening round of the AFL this weekend, probably the only game you could be comfortable with this week. Shop around for that though, some books are $1.25 and have different lines available too. For a novelty bet, there are 2 players in their 100th games this match, Jean DeVilliers ($3) and Tanerau Latimer for the Chiefs ($4) so maybe worth putting a small amount on each for anytime try scorer, last round the Force’s Hodgson scored in his 100th game so worth throwing a cheeky fiver on!
Rebels v Crusaders
If there is one thing that frustrates a punter more than anything else, it’s when something doesn’t pan out according to recent form. Last week from the Rebels was the epitome of that frustration! How does a side go from class across the park at home against 2013 playoff side the Cheetahs, then turn into absolute dross against wooden spoon favourites the Force? So hard to know which Rebels will turn up this weekend at home to the Crusaders, an opponent who they have defeated at home too in 2012. Must add too, an improved Crusaders outfit too, their first 2 rounds were about as ugly as you’ll ever likely to see from the men in red & black. It was only a tight win but it was a much better performance from the Saders last round, yet Blackadder like his counterpart McGahan have both had to ring the changes this week due to injuries & form.
This is a strict ‘no bet’ game, who is to know which Melbourne side takes the field, and who is to know whether last week’s win was the start of something more from Christchurch for 2014. Gut feeling is to take the Crusaders, the best game plan against Melbourne is to blitz early, gain a lead and sit back as they very rarely comeback. If the Crusader’s can’t get over the line here…I’m guessing Dan Carter will be waking up Saturday morning to a few voicemails asking to end his sabbatical early! Tipping the Saders but no bets in this one, watch for a couple of positional changes for the Saders & see if Colin Slade makes more of an impact from fly-half. Could be the sort of game that makes one turn over & watch the other sporting codes!
Rest of the games will go up tomorrow morning, follow on Twitter @mugpuntsg & @sports_banter
Filed under: Preview, Rugby
