Super 12 thread

[Anders]

...... drum roll please..... :director:

Yes folks, it's that time again....rugby rugby rugby

;


:drinky: :toast: :brows:

The thread starts here ....

 

[Anders]

Well team; welcome in to what promises to be another fun _ and most importantly I hope _ and winning few months.
I have already set my lines for the opening round of matches and am eagerly awaiting to see what the books come out with.
The Super 12 starts on Friday nite (NZ time) when the Wellington Hurricanes host the Auckland Blues.
The Hurricanes have been poor in their pre-season build-up while the Blues have been the big talking pt here in NZ. After a dismal season last year, they have a new coach (former Otago Highlanders man Peter Sloane) and seemingly new resolve. Their new superstar - in pre-season at least - is young Fijian winner Rupeni Caucaunibuca.
He is an absolute flyer and with Doug Howlett on the other wing, they sure won't lack for wheels. Then again, neither do the 'canes with Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu and Lome Fa'atau likely to make up their back three.
The 'canes chief problems though are were it all starts - up front.
They've lost seasoned front rowers Norm Hewitt and Kevin Yates and the big question mark over them is can they stand up to the pressure in their tight five to allow their fine young loose forwards and match-winning three-quarter unit win games?
Auckland should have no such problems with Kees Meeuws and Christian Califano propping.
Much more on this game to come...



:director: The Anders Line - Hurricanes +4.5

 

[Cartman88]

Anders,

You call that a preview ????

This is Madjacks you are writing for not some shoddy Waikato newspaper !!!!

:fingerc:

Seriously though I am looking forward to your thoughts on the Super 12 this season. The pressure is on to see if you can match the near 70% record from 2001.

 

[Anders]

I think to get near 70% again would be a miracle - but hey, let's shoot for 60% shall we?


Game two see last season's beaten finalists the Sharks from Sth Africa host fellow Yarpies - the Stormers.
Coach Rudolf Straeuli did such a bang-up job with the Sharks last year that he may lose his job shortly - he's the hot tip to be the new Springboks coach.
While he's still around however, his team promises to be a major contender this year. They have grabbd two major talents at the back in Thinus Delport and Ricardo Laubscher while they will continue to prove a very stiff team to master in the forwards. Injury concerns surround their halfback/first-five pairing though, with the dodgy tackling Butch James likely to be out for the season and nippy scrum half Craig Davidson also struggling.
The Stormers appear to be a team in decline. Many of their better players have been at this level for some seasons now while they have big injury woes to key performers like Boks captain Bobby Skinstad, v-c Robbie Fleck, winger Breyton Paulse and all first-choice props.





:director: :director: The Anders Line: Sharks -9.5

 

[PAWAQATSI]

Not quite up to Cartman88's standards Anders but I guess you are a Kiwi after all
I hope to see big things of you and your rugby tips this season after hearing of your big '01. Do you cap on the rugby league as well??? I follow that more being an ex Sydney sider.

 

[Anders]

Wot I like most about this forum is the abusive, piss-taking style us Down Under blokes subject each other too... :fingerc:

U bet yer wee booties I 'cap the NRL too - and Cartman. Hoping Uncle Turtle will also offer up his 10 cents worth along with the other Down Under brigade we got going last season.

Kick it in the guts, Trev

 

[Cartman88]

PAWAQATSI,

I had better let you know from the word go that I am a Kiwi also.



I have lived in Australia for about 4 years now and whilst I vowed to always remain loyal to New Zealand I must admit that my loyalty is now divided equally between the two countries.

Except on the sporting field of course !!!!!!

 

[Anders]

Game three sees my hometown heroes the Chiefs host the NSW Waratahs at Rotorua.
The Chiefs are NZ's most unfashionable side and the only NZ franchise not to make the semifinal stage during the comp's history. It's unlikley they will be looked on too kindly by the oddsmakers and the punters this season after losing coach John Mitchell to the All Blacks. They have few stars but a very capable backline and their pre-season form indicated that their pack may be a little under-rated.
The Waratahs will have big name league signing Mat Rogers in their ranks - where they fit him in may be a problem but he is a fantastic player who I think could be a big star very quickly after his change of codes from league at either first-five, fullback or wing. The Waratahs are the Aussie underachievers - and not proud of it - and struggle on the road.





:director: :director: :director: The Anders Line: Chiefs -3.5

 

[PAWAQATSI]

Christ !!!!

2 of 'em

Anymore want to put your hand up ??!!!



Surely theres a few "real" Aussies here ??? :shrug:

 

[PAWAQATSI]

By the way Anders....

Just what the hell is that picture of under your s/n ???!!!

Is it a New Zealand speed skater trying to go really fast ??? LMAO

Oh... thats right ...you guys can't win Winter Olympic Gold Medals !!! :thefinger

Actually....Have any Kiwis ever been to the Winter Olympics other than to spectate ???!!! :moon:

(payback for VB cricket tourny)

 

[Cartman88]

Anders,

I must admit to also being curious about that avatar under your name. Cartmans Sportsbook is offering the following market for what it could be:

Half naked All Black getting stomach cramps during the haka $1.65
Gay man attempting to break the record for the worlds biggest blowjob $2.40
Actual picture of Anders from 1992 when he professionally boxed as the Down Under Wonder $31.00

 

[Cartman88]

PAWAQATSI,

Before you start having a dig at anything to do with Kiwi sports - remember the underarm bowl ??

We sure do.

:nono: :thefinger

 

[PAWAQATSI]

LMFAO

I'll take some of that $1.65 !!!!

 

[Anders]

See what happens when u live across the ditch; a cultural oasis...shame on you two for not recognising one of the greatest men of our era... I will wait and see if someone else can enlighten you bereft men listening to your Celine Dion records :thefinger

funny chit though

Pawa - where in Melbourne do u live? Oh, that's right, u were heading Eric's way today.... get back to me when u get home

 

[Whale]

Roll on Friday

Hard to believe were still playing cricket, and the damn rugby starts up again...

Back soon with some stats..

 

[Whale]

Last years ATS stats

ACT - Home 6-1, Away 3-3
Blues - Home 3-3, Away 1-4
Bulls - Home 1-4, Away 3-3
Canterbury - Home 2-3, Away 1-5
Cats - Home 1-5, Away 2-4
NSW - Home 5-1, Away 1-4
Otago - Home 5-1, Away 2-3
Reds - Home 4-1, Away 5-2
Sharks - Home 5-1, Away 4-3
Stormers - Home 4-2, Away 3-2
Waikato - Home 4-1, Away 2-4
Wellington - Home 2-4, Away 2-3

Total
Home Teams Against the Spread 42-27

Just take the home team !

SportsTAB also offer totals on the aussie games (at least they did last year), so worth keeping a eye on these.

 

[Anders]

Cheers Whale; was hoping you would be around...

Meant to drag my stats out of the drawer last nite but never quite got off the couch

I asked the NZTAB about totals and they said they were likely again to lean towards "Total No of Tries" option

More brief previews to come then I'll feed thru some stuff off the wire and opening ML prices.

 

[Whale]

NZTAB, sigh, poor excuse for a sportsbook.

Total number of tries can be beat though... trust me
They usually go 3 way, under 4,4-6 and over 7, although this does change depending on the teams.

I have those stats too (among others), however I don't think I will be helping any books out by posting up those numbers just yet. :nono:

 

[Whale]

Best opening lines (tab & centerbet have them so far)

Canes 2.8 / Blues 1.45
Sharks 1.28 / Stormers 4.0
Chiefs 2.0 / NSW 1.90
Crusaders 1.45 / Highlanders 3.1
Brumbies 1.30 / Reds 3.40
Bulls 2.1 / Cats 1.70

3 home dogs.

 

[Anders]

Excellent, cheers mate, more thoughts on those prices to follow...



Game four promises to be the best of the bunch as the Canterbury Crusaders host the Otago Highlanders.
The Crusaders lost their stranglehold on the comp last year after three successive titles and never even truly threatened the semsi after a shocking start. But they were again the dominant team in the NZ NPC and have more depth than any other team, including the Brumbies. Have no discernible weaknesses either - pace at the back; experience and talent in guiding positions around the scrumbase and a big, strong forward pack.
The Highlanders are always top four contenders and should be again this year. This time old favourite Laurie Mains is in charge and his work with the Cats has shown just what he can achieve in this comp. They have players with plenty to prove to the All Black selectors in Jeff Wilson, Taine Randell and Tony Brown and some outstanding young talent in Sam Harding and Ryan Nicholas.





:director: :director: :director: :director: The Anders Line: Crusaders -7.5