Went 2-2 in a disappointing day y'day.
NRL:
Cowboys 14 Eels 14
Super 12:
Blues 27 Sharks 41
Highlanders 39 Waratahs 20
Stormers 29 Reds 27
The Eels led 12-4 at the break and a couple of minutes into the second half bombed a six-pointer when PJ Marsh passed to a Cowboy with three unmarked Eels outside him and the tryline beckoning
So what would have been an 18-4 lead never materialised and the Cowboys grew heart to come back.
The Blues were so awful it wasn't funny, although we got some awful calls from ref Wayne Erickson at crucial times that threatened the longevity of my TV.
The Highlanders had a huge second half to cover easily - they are a completely different team at home at Carisbrook; No8 Sami Vaihofalau was unstoppable and great to see him blaze past that fat Teletubby Waratahs prop Matt Dowling that the Aussie commentators all love!
Another nice result with the Reds, who lost SU with a last-minute try but continued their trend of hanging close. Have lost 5 games by no more than 8pts and so +9.5 was a good number for us to take.
Just one play for today at this stage. I'm still pondering playing the Crusaders at -3.5 away to the Bulls but may not pull the trigger - if I do at all - until approx 9.30pm tonight, which may be totally out of time for those in other parts of the world. Apologies if that's the case; just need more time to ponder this one. There is a vast gulf in class between these two teams and the Crusaders will be smarting from their home loss to the 'Canes; they desperately need points to keep in touch for the semis. Andrew Mehrtens loves playing at altitude with his booming kicks and the Crusaders have done well in SA in the past. However, I was waiting to play the Bulls once they finally got home at altitude, but was hoping for a bigger number than this. Hmmm...
Anyway, today's definite play is:
NRL:
Game 7) Penrith Panthers v St George Illawarra Dragons, 13.35 CST
Panthers pick 'em
Believe this line is an over-reaction to the Panthers win over the Roosters on Monday night. That was one out of the box for the Panthers and while impressive, the Roosters were poor - they have a tendency to run very hot and cold. If the line for this match had been made before that match, the Panthers would have been approx +8.5. The Dragons are 3-4 ATS but very hot; having thumped the Cowboys 48-12 last weekend after previously running up nearly 50 in whacking the Eagles. With Trent Barrett fit again to pull the strings, the Dragons possess too many weapons for the 2-5 ATS Panthers and represent good value here.
PLAY DRAGONS PICK 'EM
GLTA
Be back tonight (NZ time) with a decision on the Bulls v Crusaders.
NRL:
Cowboys 14 Eels 14
Super 12:
Blues 27 Sharks 41
Highlanders 39 Waratahs 20
Stormers 29 Reds 27
The Eels led 12-4 at the break and a couple of minutes into the second half bombed a six-pointer when PJ Marsh passed to a Cowboy with three unmarked Eels outside him and the tryline beckoning
The Blues were so awful it wasn't funny, although we got some awful calls from ref Wayne Erickson at crucial times that threatened the longevity of my TV.
The Highlanders had a huge second half to cover easily - they are a completely different team at home at Carisbrook; No8 Sami Vaihofalau was unstoppable and great to see him blaze past that fat Teletubby Waratahs prop Matt Dowling that the Aussie commentators all love!
Another nice result with the Reds, who lost SU with a last-minute try but continued their trend of hanging close. Have lost 5 games by no more than 8pts and so +9.5 was a good number for us to take.
Just one play for today at this stage. I'm still pondering playing the Crusaders at -3.5 away to the Bulls but may not pull the trigger - if I do at all - until approx 9.30pm tonight, which may be totally out of time for those in other parts of the world. Apologies if that's the case; just need more time to ponder this one. There is a vast gulf in class between these two teams and the Crusaders will be smarting from their home loss to the 'Canes; they desperately need points to keep in touch for the semis. Andrew Mehrtens loves playing at altitude with his booming kicks and the Crusaders have done well in SA in the past. However, I was waiting to play the Bulls once they finally got home at altitude, but was hoping for a bigger number than this. Hmmm...
Anyway, today's definite play is:
NRL:
Game 7) Penrith Panthers v St George Illawarra Dragons, 13.35 CST
Panthers pick 'em
Believe this line is an over-reaction to the Panthers win over the Roosters on Monday night. That was one out of the box for the Panthers and while impressive, the Roosters were poor - they have a tendency to run very hot and cold. If the line for this match had been made before that match, the Panthers would have been approx +8.5. The Dragons are 3-4 ATS but very hot; having thumped the Cowboys 48-12 last weekend after previously running up nearly 50 in whacking the Eagles. With Trent Barrett fit again to pull the strings, the Dragons possess too many weapons for the 2-5 ATS Panthers and represent good value here.
PLAY DRAGONS PICK 'EM
GLTA
Be back tonight (NZ time) with a decision on the Bulls v Crusaders.
