Junkyard Dogs and Comeback Kids

Good Friday to the Lions Den Massive.

Its Friday again, and it promises to be an even bigger weekend then last weekend.

It’s a big week for the Super 14. Can the Bulls extend their unbeaten streak or will the Hurricanes establish themselves as title contenders? Will there be a backlash from the high flying Sharks and Waratahs? Or will the Force and Crusaders return to the form that everyone knows they are capable of?

Its is a weekend of big hits and high flyers with the most difficult round of the tournament making its appearance.

The first match up of the weekend sees the Hurricanes taking on the Bulls in the cake tin in Wellington. As I said above, the Bulls will be keen to extend their unbeaten record, while the ‘Canes will want to establish themselves as title contenders.

The teams are pretty much evenly matched up. Both have good forwards with a mixture of experience and young raw talent in the backlines. On paper the Bulls should be the better teams, but they don’t travel well. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are key players for both sides. Although Morné Steyn is one dimensional he can punish sides with his deadly accuracy. Piri Weepu looks to be the key player in New Zealand at the moment and is being primed to take over from the injured Carter.

The midfield battle will be titanic. Ma’a Nonu will be running from depth and hitting the line hard, which will test the defensive capabilities of JP Nel and Wynand Olivier. How Nonu links up with the elusive Conrad Smith will be the key for the ‘Canes as Nonu is very much a crash it up player who tries to put Smith into space.

Another Key match up in the game is the battle of the 8’s. Rodney So'oialo is the top loose forward at the moment, until Richie McCaw is fit again. So'oialo has also just resigned with the NZRU extending his contract to beyond the 2011 World Cup, which will probably be his Swan Song!

Fellow punter, Joel Peter says that the Bulls cant beat the ‘Canes at home, and I tend to agree. ‘Canes by 5.

Saturday is equally interesting. Probably the worst match up of the weekend is the Highlanders and the Cheetahs. Not much to say about that match. Highlanders by 10.

The next game is where the fun starts.

Expect a war of attrition in Hamilton where the ever improving Chiefs and Blues. Stephen Donald was a key player last week and should be again this week. Once again his linkage with Masaga and Sivivatu could cause trouble. The Blues however, could ht back in the forwards. I wouldn’t put the house on it, but I think the Chiefs have the mettle to dominate, Chiefs by 10.

The weekend gets better. The Waratahs will be looking to re-establish their winning ways this weekend, but have chosen a hard game to do this in. The Crusaders have dropped the ball at the start of the tournament that they have dominated for so long. However, after last weeks draw, they could be the comeback kid.

What was interesting in the Waratahs match last week was the amount of missed tackles and handling errors made by a team that is usually very clinical, the Crusaders on the other hand went back to basics and got the draw.

Pound for pound, the current Waratahs side is better then the Crusaders, it will now be up to the team from Sydney as to whether they play basic rugby an win, or play flashy rugby and possible shoot themselves in the foot. Waratahs by 10.

During the week, Force pivot Matt Giteau said that the Force’s season is at a crossroads. After the draw last week, the side might feel a bit down and will want to stay in the hunt with a win this weekend, before their bye. However, this will not be easy as they are up against the Sharks, who will have the top of the pile in sight with a win for the ‘Canes and Crusaders a very big possibility.

The two sides are very even. And it looks like the Sharks are going back to basics. Bismark Du Plessis's form is not what it was last year, so he is relegated to the bench. John Smit will return to hooker in his place with Jannie Du Plessis and Deon Caastens making up the rest of the front row.

One positive for the Durban outfit is the form of their loose forwards. Ryan Kankowski, Jean Deysel and Keegan Daniel is good, with Jacques Botes a good prospect off the bench. That will be the difference between the teams. Sharks by 10.


Then we have the second weakest game of the week. The Lions are in trouble in more ways then one. Why the team persists with players like Earl Rose I don’t know. He is somewhat of a junkyard dog, very unpredictable. The allegations made during the week by Leon Boshoff will either inspire the player to greatness, or totally damage his career.

The Lions need to win or else Eugine Eloff will get the sack. Cobus Grobblelar might also loose the captaincy that could open the door for a move north of the Jukskei.

Sources close to the Lion of Lebanon, yes I do have spies out there, tell me that a one André Pretorius and yank Todd Clever were seen getting molar at the Jolly Roger on Wednesday night. If that isnt bad enough these two men, who no doubt have significant others, had bints all over them! What a Zuris.

On the udder hand Darrrrrrrren, the Brumbies could feel like they have a good chance of making the playoffs if they win, and win well in Johannesburg.

I cant see the Lions winning, Brumbies by 15.

The Reds and Stormers have a bye this weekend, so they are guaranteed not to drop any points.


Speaking of junkyard dogs and their unpredictability, who knows how Warren Jaffa will Zuris himself this weekend at Santroghey, Ill let you know on Monday.