We are nearly at the big one! Just one more round to go and these 2 games should be real crackers, I just hope the weather holds off to allow some attacking rugby. Here are my predictions.
First here is a link to my round-up of all the action from last weekend.
How did your quarter-final predictions go?
4 from 4, a great way to start the finals!
Here are my 30 second 1 line predictions with the reasons written below.
Hurricanes v Chiefs
In reality it’s easy to make a case for any of the last 4 teams to go on and win the whole thing so they should be tight games. In the first one I’m backing the home team that topped the table during the regular season. Since the international break they have looked in form and confident even when put under pressure. The Chiefs on the other hand slipped up against the Landers in the final round of the regular season and have injury concerns. Their applying to be allowed to play Messam after already having been turned down does feel a little desperate. I think it is small margins though as both these sides put their South African opponents to the sword last weekend.
Hurricanes by 5
Lions v Highlanders
The Lions have impressed everybody this season but we shouldn’t be that surprised as it’s a continuation from last season. Also it’s built on a foundation of success in the Currie Cup. They rested their players in the last round of the regular season and for a lot of them the extra international action would have been new. The other thing that is new to them is finals footie, this affects players in different ways and whilst they went well last weekend we don’t know if/when the pressure will hit. The Landers had a tougher game, also have had to travel and then there is the altitude to take into account as well. However they are the champions and they know how to get the job done in these big games. I’m going to back that big game mentality to predict a repeat of last year’s Super Rugby final.
Highlanders by 5
This season I’m competing with Rugby Numbers, check out his algorithmic predictions.
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