Super 14: Round 8

[blackcrow]

Crusaders win by 1-12 margin @ 2.87 bet365 Big show down between the erratic Hurricanes and the consistent Crusaders who seem to always do enough to win. They have two top players who they rely on in Carter and McCaw. The Hurrcanes have the edge in the backs but they continue to take the wrong options or the ball gets dropped when they are looking like they will score. These games are always close and the Crusaders have a very good record against the Hurricanes with them winning 4 of their last 5 games and by less than 12 points, so i will take the consistent team that gets it done rather than the one who continues to frustrate Stormers win by 1-12 margin @ 2.80 bet365 The Western Force keep on fighting despite their injuries and did well to hold the very good Bulls to only lose by 13 points. They get Pocock and Brown back in this game which should strengthen their back row, but their problem has been the lack of penetration from the backline with O'Connor the only player looking threatening for them. They face a Stormers side who have the best defence in the Super 14, as they average less than 10 points conceded per game,and are coming off the bye. The Stormers are a team that like to grind their opposition into the dirt and come away with the win with not much attacking flair shown even though they a real flyer on the wing in Habana. The Force will give them some stiff opposition if they play it through the forwards, but believe the Stormers will do enough to edge this

[blackcrow]

Re: Super 14: Round 8 Blues win by 1-12 margin @ 2.87 bet365 Blues were unlucky not to have beaten the Waratahs last week and now at home, they will look to beat the Bulls who they have not lost to in Auckland sinve the start of this competition. The Bulls were scrappy against the Force last week where they should have beaten them by much more than the 13 points they did. The Blues backline have really showed their intent this season and are not afraid to throw the ball around while their forwards are tough and like to mix it, which they will relish when they play the Bulls pack. The Bulls have some class in their backline and they cab score points, but they are also prone to allowing tries, so believe that the Blues have what it takes to defend against the Bulls while the Bulls will struggle to contain this Blues backline. Blues in a close one Chiefs win by 13+ margin @ 2.15 TAB While the Chiefs have several injuries, they do have the depth to win this against a sub-standard Highlanders team that do not have the players to compete with the Chiefs. The home team has lost their last 3 games but expect them to win this given that a loss here and they are in real trouble of missing out on the semi-finals. The Chiefs have some real talent in the backline with Donald, Kahui, Masaga and Muiliana who like to spread the ball around the backline. The Highlanders have key players like Mackintosh and Donnelly out which makes their task much harder to contain the Chiefs, and with the Chiefs having won the last 6 meetings, like them to win this one comfortably. Waratahs -23.5 @ 2.80 bet365 Waratahs know that with other teams around them are looking to take their 4th spot, then they need to not only win but also look to pick up the bonus point. They have some very good players all over the park but it all depends on the coaches tactics, as they have the backs to match it with any team in this competition, as long as they are allowed to keep the ball in hand and stretch the opposing defences. The Cheetahs have only two wins so far and come into this game with several injuries that have depleted their side and their captain Smith has stayed in South Africa for personal reasons. They have never won in Sydney and doubt they will do so here, as they make the long trek over the Indian Ocean after losing 31-10 to the Reds last week at home. Expect some tired legs especially from their forwards in the second half, and the Waratahs to score some tries and a bonus point Reds @ 2.50 centrebet Reds have been the surprise packet this season with their willingness to keep the ball in hand. They have good players who are putting effort into their game unlike the Sharks as their are reports that all is not well in their camp. They are coming back from New Zealand after a good win, but teams who have had to travel long distance for their games have shown to struggle to produce the form they are capable with the jet lag a big factor. The Reds have been in South Africa for awhile and had a good win over the the Cheetahs last week. Sitting in 6th spot and just outside the top 4 by 4 points, they need a win and a bonus point to stay in touch. If they keep playing the way they have this season, then they are likely to get another win here