Crusaders 40 Chiefs 11
Super 12:
Game 4) Cats v ACT Brumbies, SA, 00:35 CST
Cats -2.5 ($1.85Aus); Brumbies +2.5 ($1.95)
After their opening hammering of the champion Crusaders side, no-one would have expected the Brumbies to be underdogs come round 3. But last weekend's defeat away to the Sharks showed how tough it is to win in South Africa - and how not to judge a team on one performance. The Cats, on the other hand, have strung together two very impressive displays in beating the Sharks on the road and the Highlanders at home (both SU and ATS). They absolutely smashed the Highlanders last weekend at home with an all-action physical game plan built around busting runs from their locks and great loose forward trio before halfback Chad Alcock's snipes around ruck and scrum created space out wide for their backs (who are all built like loose forwards but don't lack wheels!). My only concern over them was their front row, which got badly exposed by the powerful Highlanders trio. Fortunately, the Brumbies aren't at full strength for this clash, including their front row. Key playmaker Stephen Larkham has not recovered in time from a hamstring injury to make his 2001 Super 12 debut and has gone home while winger Mark Bartholomeusz and dangerous utility back Andrew Walker are also ruled out. Tough call to go against the title favourites getting points in most cases, but here we have good value on a hot home side in South Africa giving up less than a penalty.
PLAY CATS -2.5
Game 5) Sharks v Otago Highlanders, SA, 00:35 CST
Sharks -9.5 ($1.95Aus); Highlanders +9.5 ($1.85)
No play here for a couple of reasons after being tempted by the home team. Don't believe the Highlanders, who have a reasonable record in the republic, being anywhere near as lethargic as they were last weekend while the Sharks don't have the weapons the Cats have to run up a big score - Cats beat the Sharks on the road in round one as a dog. Highlanders have made a handful of personnel changes, including a surprising one at prop where Carl Hayman comes in for Kees Meuuws, who has scrummaged very strongly in his first 2 matches.
NO PLAY
Will post remaining Super 12 game and NRL matches tomorrow (NZ time)
GLTA
Super 12:
Game 4) Cats v ACT Brumbies, SA, 00:35 CST
Cats -2.5 ($1.85Aus); Brumbies +2.5 ($1.95)
After their opening hammering of the champion Crusaders side, no-one would have expected the Brumbies to be underdogs come round 3. But last weekend's defeat away to the Sharks showed how tough it is to win in South Africa - and how not to judge a team on one performance. The Cats, on the other hand, have strung together two very impressive displays in beating the Sharks on the road and the Highlanders at home (both SU and ATS). They absolutely smashed the Highlanders last weekend at home with an all-action physical game plan built around busting runs from their locks and great loose forward trio before halfback Chad Alcock's snipes around ruck and scrum created space out wide for their backs (who are all built like loose forwards but don't lack wheels!). My only concern over them was their front row, which got badly exposed by the powerful Highlanders trio. Fortunately, the Brumbies aren't at full strength for this clash, including their front row. Key playmaker Stephen Larkham has not recovered in time from a hamstring injury to make his 2001 Super 12 debut and has gone home while winger Mark Bartholomeusz and dangerous utility back Andrew Walker are also ruled out. Tough call to go against the title favourites getting points in most cases, but here we have good value on a hot home side in South Africa giving up less than a penalty.
PLAY CATS -2.5
Game 5) Sharks v Otago Highlanders, SA, 00:35 CST
Sharks -9.5 ($1.95Aus); Highlanders +9.5 ($1.85)
No play here for a couple of reasons after being tempted by the home team. Don't believe the Highlanders, who have a reasonable record in the republic, being anywhere near as lethargic as they were last weekend while the Sharks don't have the weapons the Cats have to run up a big score - Cats beat the Sharks on the road in round one as a dog. Highlanders have made a handful of personnel changes, including a surprising one at prop where Carl Hayman comes in for Kees Meuuws, who has scrummaged very strongly in his first 2 matches.
NO PLAY
Will post remaining Super 12 game and NRL matches tomorrow (NZ time)
GLTA
