Currie Cup predictions

The Currie Cup finally comes to a conclusion today as the Bulls host the Cheetahs in a match where nobody is giving the team from the Free State any real chance.

I'm a big believer that nobody wants to play the Cheetahs in a semi-final or final simply because they play like they have nothing to lose. A side like that is terrible to play against as they tend to yank you out of your comfort zone.

While I suspect the Bulls will win I think there is little harm in putting a few bucks down on the Cheetahs for a shock factor.

One area where I think punters could have a lot of fun is around the first try-scorer. I've backed Bryan Habana (9/1) Jacques Louis Potgieter (33/1) and my good old fashioned try scoring banker Fourie Du Preez (18/1).

C'mon the Cheetahs!

Cracking stuff

Luke Watson might not want to slate Sireli Naqelevuki but that high-tackle cost us... I don't think he touched the ball or made any other real contribution to the game except to make that tackle.

Apart from that I think both semi-finals went way beyond their expectations and fans were treated to a phenomenal weekend of rugby.

How good was that tackle by Schalk Burger on Fourie Du Preez?! It was a monster and I think even the great Du Preez will remember it for the rest of his rugby career. Brilliant stuff!

So now the final comes down to the Bulls vs. the Cheetahs - lets hope we get the same treat next weekend.

Currie Cup - weekend predictions

The Currie Cup is getting tight and this weekend will decide the Semi's with a couple of big games on the cards.

Griquas vs. Sharks
The Sharks have pulled in all their big guns for this fixture and its hard to look beyond them to win here but seeing as I am supporting Province to finish top and I think Griquas are going to prove to be hostile hosts I have put a few bucks down on Griquas to surprise.

I REPEAT - this is me betting with my heart not my head - but damn I hope Griquas give the "Fish Paste" boys absolute carrots this afternoon. They'll be my hero's ...

... at least until the MIGHTY MIGHTY Province boys run on to the field

Boland vs Cheetahs
The Cheetahs have it all to do today and will be out to play running rugby. Boland have been nowhere in this competition and I don't expect that to change this weekend.

Cheetahs to win and first points to come courtesy of a Cheetahs try

Lions vs Western Province
2009 has been a long season for the Lions and an even longer one for their supporters. Injuries have proven a headache and they've come out on the wrong end of some close fought fixtures. Last weeks game against the Sharks being a perfect case in point.

They've got nothing really to play for against the log-leaders Western Province and I don't expect them to put up much resistance this afternoon - last weekend was their guts and determination fixture while this week they're simply going through the motions.

Predictions - Province to win, first points from a Province penalty.

Good effort from the Lions

I thought the Lions played well last night against the Sharks. Bearing in mind that the Sharks had all their international players to pick from and the Lions are falling apart at the seams in terms of injuries, they were in the game up until the last minute when Ruan Pienaar sunk that penalty.

Have to say my team (Western Province) are looking very tough to beat and with their Aussie import, it looks like they haeve some real depth to call on!

It would be very nice to pick up the Currie Cup this year!

Currie Cup picks - Three rounds to go

The Currie Cup is in an intriguing place right now and a lot of the teams have plenty to play for in the last three rounds.

Western Province vs Griquas
First up is the critical WP vs. Griquas fixture which will have a huge bearing on how the semi-finals shape up.

Province are looking for a win in front of their home crowd to secure a Newlands semi-final, while Griquas need three points today to pretty much lock up a playoff place and bump out the Cheetahs.

I can't see Province losing at home and looking at the odds on first points scored, nothing really jumps out at me. R2.50 on first points scored via a Griquas penalty looks the most attractive considering Naas Oliviers kicking boot.

Lions vs. Boland
A bit of a nothing game with the Lions playing for pride and Boland just going through the motions.

The Lions are unlikely to lose today but just to be facetious to the Lions supporters I put R5 down on Boland to win at 33/1 but don't really expect anything to come out of it.

Bulls vs. Cheetahs
This is going to be a hugely physical and entertaining clash if both teams come to the party today.

What the Cheetahs lack on defence, they more than make up for in their attacking abilities and I've actually tipped them as an upset for today. I've also added put quite a bit down on the first points coming via a Cheetahs try.

Not totally convinced that the Cheetahs will have the ultimate fire-power to overcome the Bulls in Pretoria but they've certainly got the ability to make a game of it and they're always good value for an upset.

Currie Cup predictions

Another round of the Currie Cup is here and there are some very interesting fixtures up this weekend. Last night Western Province went top of the log with an average victory over the Leopards and that has put the pressure on the other five sides competing for three more places in the semis.

Griquas vs. Lions
Geez what a fixture this could turn out to be!

The Lions are showing signs that they may be discovering some form and confidence but taking on the Griquas in Kimberly could be like walking in to a street-fight in Hillbrow on New Years Eve.

Points here for Griquas and they could be in for the play-offs, if the Lions drop points here then they are probably out of the running for the top 4.

First points are probably going to come from the boot and I am backing the Griquas to score first.

Prediction: Win for the Griquas.

Boland vs. Bulls
A tough fixture but I suspect the Bulls will come away as winners here.

A small bet on the Bulls scoring first courtesy of a try.

Sharks vs. Cheetahs
If this fixture was being played in Bloem I would have money down on the Cheetahs to upset here. The Free State side hasn't played the worst rugby this season, even if it has been a little inconsistent.

The Sharks welcome back Boks Ryan Kankowski, Jannie du Plessis and Odwa Ndungane on the bench so they'll have depth and their fanatical supporters behind them but don't expect one-way traffic.

Prediction: First points scored to come via a try and the Sharks to come away as winners.C

New Zealand vs. Australia

The final game of the Vodacom Tri-Nations kicks off in about half an hour and in reality it is a bit of a non-event considering the Springboks wrapped up the tournament last week.

However for the Australian and All Black coaches there is plenty on the line. Both have been under some serious fire for the way their sides have performed.

While I expect the All Blacks to come out on top I'd expect both sides to run the ball - they've got very little to lose and I've got an each way bet on the first points being scored via a try.

In terms of my try-scorers I don't think you can look beyond Matt Giteau (18/1) and Dan Carter (16/1). Giteau has been in good try-scoring form and Carter looks like he is coming back to his best - with a running game on the cards - I'd expect these two to be prominent.