02/05/2008 08:42

Tank Lanning

Back to the full seven Super 14 fixtures this weekend, as it will be for the last three rounds of the tournament. And given that six of the games will have an influence on which four sides will eventually contest the semi-finals, it makes for some pretty spicy rugby.

Alas not for us Saffers, I am afraid. It's not that I want to be the pesky negative fellow aiming to ruin people's weekends, it's just the way I see it...

Crusaders v Sharks: My prediction - Crusaders by 10
The home side are fresh from a return to some sort of form against the Blues, while the Sharks have lost two in a row, including a hammering against the resurgent Waratahs, so, on paper, this should be a shoe-in for the six time champions. But it would take a silly man just to write the visitors off. That said, they have lost both Frederic Michalak and Bismarck du Plessis in one week and continue to play the painfully over rated AJ Venter and Albert van den Berg ? this week in the run on XV, so I am going to take the silly man's role and predict a fairly easy win for the home side.

Reds v Blues: My prediction - Blues by 5
A very tricky prediction ? just because one never knows what side is going to show up ? and I am speaking about both teams! Consistency is not a word that can be used to describe either side, that is for sure, so it is somewhat of a "black or red" stab in the dark. Interesting to see that the Blues are playing Nick Evans at fullback and Isa Nacewa at flyhalf, and that call, together with a potent centre pairing and loose trio that will still be chasing a semi-final spot, to my mind, gives them the edge.

Cheetahs v Highlanders: My prediction - Highlanders by 3
Can anyone care less? Together with the Lions, the only thing these teams are fighting for, is the space between the bottom of the log and the nasty Parktown prawns setting up home below it! Oh well, at least it gives us a reason to open a beer in front of the TV on a Friday night, and we can always have a giggle at the Highlanders' haircuts...

Hurricanes v Lions: My prediction - Hurricanes by 24
'Loffie Eloff loses his patience' screamed a headline this week. So what does he do? Drop Ryno Benjamin and insert Dusty Noble. Oh how that will have Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane quivering in their boots! Last week I said there might be carnage against the Cheetahs if the 'Canes hit their straps, and they almost did. Well, this weekend, back at home, I see them hitting their straps properly, making it a very long afternoon for the clawless kitties.

Force v Chiefs: My prediction - Chiefs by 4
I suppose the one thing making this game interesting is the good a Force win will do for the Sharks and Stormers cause. And after a week off to ponder life as a Super 14 also ran, I suppose there is a chance of a win at home for the Perth pretenders. But rather I see the Chiefs fire being firmly lit after the Reds win, and the visitors recording a second win over Australian opposition is successive weeks.

Bulls v Waratahs: My prediction - Waratahs by 6
Let's face it ? the Bulls looked pretty damn good against the Highlanders two weeks ago. But in their two weeks off, Bakkies has publicly stated that he has had enough of Pretoria and wants to head to the land of the croissant, and the other two who had their contracts negotiated by Bernie Habana, son Bryan, and centre Wynand Olivier, have said that they might spit the dummy if the Bulls even think of suggesting that the contract Bakkies signed is anything but dodgy! This while the 'Tahs tore into last year's beaten finalists and got themselves to number two on the log. I am going with the visitors...

Stormers v Brumbies: My prediction - Brumbies by 8
A very tough call, and given that I am in Betty's Bay with a mate to watch the game on the box and not in the press box, I thought I could sneak this prediction in. And it's not only the injury to Schalk Burger that makes me feel this way. In fact, to my mind, playing Robbie Diack at No 8 actually strengthens this Stormers side. Nope, it's the injury to Tiaan Liebenberg (anyone know who replacement Deon Fourie is?), the playing of Brian Mujati out of position at loosehead, and the injury to form wing, Tonderai Chavhanga, that, together with the Burger injury, has me concerned. That the Cape side could not put the nail into the coffin of the Highlanders last week also has me lacking a little in confidence. So I see the Mortlock-led wild horses cantering to an away victory I am afraid...

So there you have it. Predicting five out of seven away wins is pretty damn brave (or stupid) in anyone's book, but given the see-saw predictions I have seen in my SuperBru pools, it certainly is a weekend that is anything but cut and dried.

Five SA sides in action, and five predicted losses. I am thinking a shot of something stiff to go with every single one of those games, people. It will sure help to put a silver lining on the long weekend.