Super Rugby 2012 Week 2
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Highlanders v Chiefs
The Highlanders always start the season very good ( 1st 6 rounds). This year they brought in experience with Brad Thorn, Nonu and Tony Woodcock. At home early in the season it will be very difficult to beat them.
The Chiefs lost their try-scoring prop, Sona Taumalolo, and with out Sonny Bill and Kaui in the midfield they are not looking like the same team as last year. They also have the pressure as champions to defent their Super Rugby titel.
Bet.co.za : Highlanders
Offside Prediction : Highlanders with 4
Rebels v Brumbies
Both teams are coming off home wins in fairly error-strewn matches but the quality of performance should improve. James O’Connor will once again be the dangerman for the Rebels but the Brumbies just seem to be the more polished side and should take this match comfortably.
Bet.co.za : Brumbies
Offside Prediction : Brumbies with 14
Bulls v Stormers
The big North-South South African derby kicks off the SA Conference games with the Bulls selectors decided to go with experience for this match. There is a lot of Bull players that will prove them self's early in the season. The Bulls team is settle with a 1000 Super Rugby cups between them. For the Stormers the big question will be how the Lions players integrate with their game plan although the Stormers coach indicated that he wants his team to play ball-in-hand rugby at Loftus. The Stormers are with out Burger and Etzebeth. There’s a lot of pressure on Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute to help change the Stormers’ fortunes this year. The Stormers look to be the more balanced team but Offside will go against the odds .
Bet.co.za : Stomers
Offside Prediction : Bulls with 5
Hurricanes v Blues
The Canes still has a potent backline with Perenara, Barrett, Conrad Smith, Julian Savea and Andre Taylor and will look to improve their defence without losing on the attack. The Blue have lost a number of the big name players who didn’t perform last year and have a new coach and is a bit of an unknown quality this year. Getting a lot of new players to gel may take a few games.
Bet.co.za : Hurricanes
Offside Prediction : Hurricanes with 8
Reds v Waratahs
Both the Reds and the ‘Tahs start the season with a number of key players out with injury and the Reds without Will Genia just don’t seem to have the same flair. The Waratahs with Hooper, Dennis and Palu will control the lose ball. A difficult game to call but Offside will pick the Waratahs with more flair in their back this year.
Bet.co.za : Reds
Offside Prediction : Waratahs 7
Cheetahs v Sharks
It’s been some years since the Cheetahs have been the Sharks’ bogey team and even with Johan Goosen back the Cheetahs’ defence is just too brittle to really have a chance at upsetting the Sharks, even in Bloem. The Sharks forwards will be to strong for the Cheetahs and with a lot of Springboks in the backs the Cheetahs have no change .
Bet.co.za : Sharks
Offside Prediction : Sharks with 16
Kings v Force
The Force started well last weekend but faded as the game went on and their lineouts were poor but the Kings have also struggled at lineout time in most of their pre-season matches. The Force may not be the best side out there but the Kings just don’t have the pack to really trouble them and I don’t see the Kings really making much headway against the Force, except maybe in the first 20 minutes or so. However, I don’t think it will be a runaway victory for the Force.
Bet.co.za : Force
Offside Prediction : Force with 20
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