Got the Crusaders and Bulldogs last night but missed with the Cats.
Have to race off to test cricket so a quick preview on the 2 plays.
Super 12)
Game 6) Auckland Blues v Queensland Reds, Auckland, 11.05 CST
Blues -6.5 ($1.90Aus), Reds +6.5
Somewhat of a contrarian play here. Rumours are the Reds are in crisis, with skipper John Eales out thru injury and backs coach ALex Evans quitting during the week after talk of discontent among senior players with new coach Mark McBain. Reds lost 32-29 on the road v the Chiefs last weekend while the Blues beat the Crusaders 17-12 at home. The public will be all over the Blues but apart from some solid defence, there wasn't a lot to like from them last weekend. They are without strong halfback Mark Robinson thru injury but more importantly, will miss prop Nick White - remember, the Blues scrum was pushed all over the place in Rd 1 by the Highlanders when Craig Dowd and Paul Thompson propped. One of those 2 will have to replace White against a solid Reds scrum. Goalkicking should also be a key factor in a tight match and Reds' No10 Elton Flatley kicked 100% last weekend and is striking the ball nicely, while frequently injured winger Ben Tune looks like he's approaching his lethal best again. Just feel the visitors - road dogs have been big in the Super 12 this weekend! - can cover the spread in a squeaker if they get their share of ball and territory.
PLAY QUEENSLAND REDS +6.5
NRL
Game 7) Melbourne Storm v The Sharks, Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, 14:30 CST
Storm -5.5 $1.85Aus); Sharks +5,5
The Storm seek their first home win after failing SU and ATS in their opening 2 matches at Colonial before upsetting the Dragons on the road last weekend. But the Sharks are 2-1 SU and ATS after an upset win away to the Eels in rd 2 and at home v the Raiders in rd 3. The Dragons' pathetic loss to the Warriors on Fri nite may be a measure of the Storm at present - two big forward packs grinding each other down until Storm halfback Matt Orford took advantage of holes opening up. I believe the Sharks are made of sterner stuff, are fitter and more mobile and can hang here nicely, with some pace in the backs.
PLAY SHARKS +5.5
Note: Those aggressive bettors who collected an easy over in the Bulldogs' win should look closely at the under here. Both teams 2-1 under this season and both expected to slug out a forward battle for a long time to try and gain the upper hand.
Not playing the Roosters (-10.5) v Raiders game in Sydney.
Gotta fly, test cricket in Auckland awaits, all the best everyone
Have to race off to test cricket so a quick preview on the 2 plays.
Super 12)
Game 6) Auckland Blues v Queensland Reds, Auckland, 11.05 CST
Blues -6.5 ($1.90Aus), Reds +6.5
Somewhat of a contrarian play here. Rumours are the Reds are in crisis, with skipper John Eales out thru injury and backs coach ALex Evans quitting during the week after talk of discontent among senior players with new coach Mark McBain. Reds lost 32-29 on the road v the Chiefs last weekend while the Blues beat the Crusaders 17-12 at home. The public will be all over the Blues but apart from some solid defence, there wasn't a lot to like from them last weekend. They are without strong halfback Mark Robinson thru injury but more importantly, will miss prop Nick White - remember, the Blues scrum was pushed all over the place in Rd 1 by the Highlanders when Craig Dowd and Paul Thompson propped. One of those 2 will have to replace White against a solid Reds scrum. Goalkicking should also be a key factor in a tight match and Reds' No10 Elton Flatley kicked 100% last weekend and is striking the ball nicely, while frequently injured winger Ben Tune looks like he's approaching his lethal best again. Just feel the visitors - road dogs have been big in the Super 12 this weekend! - can cover the spread in a squeaker if they get their share of ball and territory.
PLAY QUEENSLAND REDS +6.5
NRL
Game 7) Melbourne Storm v The Sharks, Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, 14:30 CST
Storm -5.5 $1.85Aus); Sharks +5,5
The Storm seek their first home win after failing SU and ATS in their opening 2 matches at Colonial before upsetting the Dragons on the road last weekend. But the Sharks are 2-1 SU and ATS after an upset win away to the Eels in rd 2 and at home v the Raiders in rd 3. The Dragons' pathetic loss to the Warriors on Fri nite may be a measure of the Storm at present - two big forward packs grinding each other down until Storm halfback Matt Orford took advantage of holes opening up. I believe the Sharks are made of sterner stuff, are fitter and more mobile and can hang here nicely, with some pace in the backs.
PLAY SHARKS +5.5
Note: Those aggressive bettors who collected an easy over in the Bulldogs' win should look closely at the under here. Both teams 2-1 under this season and both expected to slug out a forward battle for a long time to try and gain the upper hand.
Not playing the Roosters (-10.5) v Raiders game in Sydney.
Gotta fly, test cricket in Auckland awaits, all the best everyone
