For the love of it!

Almost time for the weekend….

And with this new platform, I’m bored as hell…

My picks for the weekend:

The Hurricanes are playing for survival and come off a bye. Usually a bit rusty off byes, but they have a good side and are very able to beat the Chiefs. They also won 6 in a row at home against the Chiefs, so I’m backing the home side to pip it…just.

Brumbies looked a bit out of shorts last week….and the Blues looked like their old selves….well, almost. But let’s be honest, it was against the Force…I think Jake White will have the right plan for the Blues, and the dark horses of the series will want to clinch a home playoff berth. Brumbies to take it in the death…

The Crusaders are resting Read and Freuen for their encounter against the Force. The Force have made things a tad difficult for the Saders in recent history. But it’s crunch time, and if any team knows how to get to,and through the finals, its the Saders. They should win rather comfortably at home in what could be a very entertaining encounter.

The Reds are just about back to full strength but will miss the physicality of captain Horwill when they take on the Tahs. It’s not gonna be pretty, but I think the Reds should win it by a couple…

Back in South Africa, the Stormers will know exactly what they need to do to reach the nr 1 spot on the log. Only one point behind the Chiefs, the worst case scenario for the Stormers is if the Chiefs win and get a bonus point. Anything else, and the Stormers can take top spot by scoring 4 tries….which will be the first time this season. My guess is, the Stormers will win. But will not get that elusive bonus point try.

Similarly, the Sharks will know if they require a bonus point win against the Cheetahs by the time they take the field. Whatever log points the Hurricanes and the Reds score on the weekend, if any, the Sharks have to match as a minimum to progress. With the team yet to be announced, I have no doubt that the Sharks will come from this game with the required 5 points to book them a playoff spot in what is my pick for match of the weekend!

The Bulls are facing a bit of a resurgent Lions side who likes to spoil the fun for everyone else. Derek Minnie has been spectacular since John Mitchell left, and the Lions do have a tendency to make life difficult for the Bulls when they travel to Loftus. The Bulls, once again, has to win to make the playoffs, and being level on points with the Sharks makes the Reds and Hurricane games just as important for them. I do think it will be too little too late for the Lions though, and the Bulls class will come through in this must win match.

Good luck to the SA teams and let’s hope for our 3 teams to make the playoffs!