NRL:
Game 1) Eels 26 Broncos 18 : Tremendous match-up, with two tries in the last 8 mins giving us the W after Eels trailed 18-14 late. They were the better side in a free-flowing encounter but the Broncos showed plenty of heart to fight back in the middle stages. Both teams will be right in contention come finals time.
Game 2) Sharks 18 Raiders 12: An easy collect on the under. Still don't understand why the o/u 40.5 line was at $1.85 when the home team hadn't broken 40 pts total in both games and the Raiders had just once. Will continue to look hard at o/u after a first-up success at playing totals. I'm going to try this week to see if I can also get a trend statistic on o/u from night and day games.
Game 3) Dragons 16 Melbourne 20: Passed on this, the Storm's first win and ironically a road victory after 2 home losses. Probably deserved the win too with Matt Orford settling onto the big boots to fill left by Brett Kimmorley at scrumhalf.
Game 4) Cowboys 8 Roosters 32: Maybe our only "miss" of the weekend. Was looking hard at the Roosters because of their mis-match over the home team in terms of talent but passed because of the Cowboys' strong first two showings and a +8.5 line for the home team.
Game 5) Panthers 34 Eagles 42: Again, a nice collect after a strange line was posted. Couldn't fathom how the 0-2 SU/ATS Panthers could be giving points - nor could the Eagles in a try-fest.
Game 6) Tigers 29 Warriors 10: Possibly the best decision of the weekend was a pass here. The Warriors resorted to their old tricks after one impressive showing and coughed up far too much possession as the home team took their toll in the second half. Warriors also have injury problems with Wairangi Koopu out 8 weeks with a broken jaw and Shontayne Hape 4 wks with a cracked sternum. Not a lot of depth in the club.
Game 7) Bulldogs 28 Knights 28: A late play to cap a great weekend. Partly made on the stunning success of road dogs over the first three weeks of the NRL; with a couple of other sound reasons thrown in (see previous post). In the end, we rode our luck as the Bulldogs missed a conversion from close in late to leave them ahead 28-22 instead of 30-22 and the Knights grew heart to score a last-minute converted try to beat the spread and give any ML players a push.
Super 12:
Game 1) Blues 17 Crusaders 12: An ugly match with the Crusaders just covering as +5.5 dogs. They were the better side but lacked imagination in their backline and the leadership of Andrew Mehrtens, who may be back for the rd 3 natch at home v the Chiefs. Also paid the price for leaving fine young fullback Ben Blair on the bench in the first half - Nathan Mauger's missed penalties proved costly as Blair was deadly with the boot when he entered the game. The new-look Blues front row was a definite improvement but they have a number of dumb forwards whose lack of intelligence will hurt them discipline-wise and over the continuing frustrations at baffling refereeing interpretations of the "tackled ball" law, which make ruck and maul time a complete lottery in most matches.
Game 2) Hurricanes 26 Bulls 20: A wise pass again. The Hurricanes' star-studded backline stuttered thru the game while the Bulls showed plenty of spirit and shouldn't be regarded as the easybeats they have been in previous years.
Game 3) Chiefs 32 Reds 29: Another "toss of the coin" type match; result being decided by goalkicking (perfect from both teams), penalties, refs' calls and turnovers. Chiefs were much improved since loss v Waratahs but have front row problems while the Reds again failed to flatter.
Game 4) Cats 56 Highlanders 21: The cover never looked in doubt after the first 15 minutes as the home team tore into their work while the visitors were lethargic. The only astounding thing about the final result was that the Cats somewhat makeshift front row was monstered by the all-All Black Otago trio, who look much better at scrumtime this year. Yet around the Park, the Cats were just too big, strong and quick and look a decidedly useful unit.
Game 5) Sharks 17 Brumbies 16: A surprise result certainly, but probably a missed cover for me in a match I should have capped better. Fell a little for the hype after the Brumbies' opening night trouncing of the Crusaders and should have leant heavier on the poor record Aussie teams have in SA combined with the home team getting +8.5
Game 6) Waratahs 35 Stormers 7. A nice read on this game to complete our weekend. Stormers horrible on the road, weak up front v young fizzing hoem team; surely there could have been only one result? And there was
Back Tues (US time) with odds for the next rd of the NRL and any thoughts and information.
Cheers
[This message has been edited by Anders (edited 03-04-2001).]
