Rugby - The Game They Play In Heaven II

[finbar]

Costly intercept try to the Chiefs. I tipped the 'Saders but sensible money was probably on the Chiefs. The 'Saders record this season at home -v- away from home has been lopsided. Nowhere near the success on the road. Blackadder will certainly come under pressure.

[kittenOFchaos]

Brumbies win by 3. I get a nice payday

[finbar]

I tipped them. The Bulls pack isn't the strength it was and all they do is kick the laces out of the footy. The Brumbies were stronger in the set piece and, unlike the Bulls, have a 10 who can run, pass, orchestrate a backline, et al. Plus they have firepower in the backs to exploit. Matt Toomua has to get a start for the Wallabies sooner or later.

[Havak]

Well I got both wrong.

Has to be Chiefs in the final but by what margin?

[finbar]

Chiefs have to be obvious favourites. Apart from anything else, the Brumbies have had the long haul back from SA to Oz then onto NZ. Brumbies aren't without a chance, though. Their set piece was very strong against the Bulls. If they can maintain that, they will be much more than competitive. Jake White has innoculated them with an excellent spirit.

[Havak]

My gut feeling is with Brumbies. First final since 2004 for them? Should add plenty of motivation.

It's the third farce at Old Trafford today - let's see which side can make the biggest howlers in this one (Oz lead 2-0 on that front for the moment).

[finbar]

The DRS is proving to be an embarrassment. Not the technology, the clowns using it. Apparently the third ump works the technology, unlike, in rugby, where a techo works the technology for the TMO. Time to train up specialists who aren't involved in the match, who can have no agenda to avoid embarrassing an on-field friend, who can use and understand technology.

[Havak]

It was a terrible decision - though Clarke salvaged Aussie pride. They haven't won the match yet however - though as I could have got 5/1 on them I am a bit narked that I didn't follow my gut and do so

Only in Australia can the PM whine about sport however - STFU Rudd. And now Cricket Australia is whining too. For gods sake I wish Aussies would learn to take things on the chin a bit more (present company excepted). As it is they have glass jaws....

So Finbar I'd like your views on the two SH games - Lions I suspect but by more than a converted score?? And are Brumbies value at +8?

kOc is much better at it than me but I enjoy my small scale wagers - and getting it badly wrong at times.

[finbar]

Now you know why I fled the place. But something has to be done about the idiocy that is happening with the system. It's a laughing stock. I read somewhere that the technology had been rushed into use with bugs and issues still unsorted. Eg, the "hot spot" can be affected by the temperature on the day.

You'd have to think the Lions but the margin could be anything. I think the travel will ultimately hurt the Brumbies. I suppose +8 is reasonable. There could be a blow out if the Brumbies tire. Looking forward to seeing Georgie Smith in action again. He was mindbogglingly outstanding last week.

[kittenOFchaos]

I did an in-play bet just after half-time...Chiefs to win by at least 4.

I had planned to place a bet on Brumbies to win first half and Chiefs to win...didn't get up in time, it would have worked out very nicely indeed.

In terms of the cricket, I put money on Australia to win the third test. That is seeming VERY unlikely at this stage...I have just finished sitting comatose for an hour watching nothing happen.

[finbar]

Missed the S15 final unfortunately. Sounds like the Brumbies let it slip to some extent. Grand effort on their part to get so far. Though it does somewhat bring into question the overall standard of S15 at the moment. Chiefs are a good but not great team very well coached. Ditto the Brumbies. Crusaders seem to be hamstrung by dodgy coaching.

[Havak]

15 unanswered points in the last quarter Finbar. I would suggest the travel played it's expected role after all. But I had them +11 so that's all right.

I think with the cricket you nailed it - they need experts to run the tech so the umpire only has to make the calls. As is the case in Rugby.

I notice Mr Rudd has nothing to say about Bresnan's dismissal that wasn't though?

A late surge by kings failed to keep them in S15. The RSA conference playoff seems a rather pointless thing to me - but then I'm not invested in the nation in question.

On a wider note the S15 conference system is hard to follow anyway. Brumbies apparently ended up playing everyone (and lost at home to Kings I hear?) whilst Chiefs missed some bit hitters entirely. I do prefer a competition where every team faces every other tbh.

[finbar]

I can't follow the S15 conference system either!

The Bok S15 situation with the play-off seems to be largely political. I don't know whether there will be another play-off at the end of next season.

[Havak]

Does seem strange as there is nowhere for the relegated franchise to go really?

So Carter out, Cruden in. And personally I am wondering what type of Wallabies side the new coach will turn out. Dogged best describes their showing versus the Lions. They will need more than that to overcome NZ?

[finbar]

Well, he's dumped their most experienced LH Benn Robinson, for starters. Big big decision. He held his own for a long time against the Lions. I suspect there might be a kick up the backside aspect to the decision. Scott Sio, a very promising young LH, gets a guernsey, though probably not starting. Here's the 30-man squad:

James Horwill (capt), Albert Anae, Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Kane Douglas, Saia Faingaa, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Liam Gill, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Ben McCalman, Hugh McMeniman, Jesse Mogg, Stephen Moore, Ben Mowen, James O'Connor, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White.

A sprinkling of new faces. I imagine he will start with Quade at 10. I'd prefer Matt Toomua from the Brumbies. Good to see that back rower Dave Dennis and back-up 9 Nick Phipps have been given their marching orders.