DURBAN – First up, huge congrats to our pride and joy, the BlitzBoks, who made it four tourneys out of five in Vegas. Viva! The Bones are calling the 5th (9/10), with England and Fiji running them close.
Canada, Australia and USA could possibly pull a shock and be among the semis, and are outsiders for the cup, at 50/1, 20/1, 16/1 respectively.
Kudos also to the Proteas in New Zealand. Their ODI series was no easy task, against a team that had gone eight series unbeaten at home. Get in on the Test series early!
There’s another jam-packed weekend ahead with some cherries, even some knockouts - kind of like that 4/1 and 16/10 on the Scousers – Tony Bellew and Liverpool!
Make sure you choose my picks right for your combo bets, as I won’t always hit the money with ALL calls, but the strike rate is decent.
The SANZAR ‘brains’ have served up a pleasant surprise with the Thursday fixture. If it’s to be a success, their choice of Thursday shift teams must be top notch! A couple weeks ago, it was a nonsense; Rebels against Blues. Last week, it was an Aussie derby (Force vs Reds), which is usually ‘as lively as a blind guy watching a silent movie’.
Bada boom, we have a Kiwi derby; Chiefs (1/1) at home to the blazing Canes (8/10). It’s UNMISSABLE, perfect brunch fodder! The real bookies and I tend to agree this time, it’s all yellow – we love entertainers! Back the bros, both Savea and Barritt and the returning Nehe Milner-Skudder.
With the Lions Tour on the horizon, the rugby is cooking! Canes by a handful, no handicap in this final-worthy encounter. Pity it’s a Friday, so take the morning off, ‘Like a boss’ (or just sneak in a lil later, like me) and treat yourself. This game is like the All-Stars, and it’s the only “All-Star Game” you’ll get to see on Supersport!
From ilk to jut, an Aussie derby follows, Brumbies (4/10) at home to Force (19/10). Yes kids, this may be unwatchable, so there’s time to get a meeting in before lunch.
Bones are ‘connie’ (over confident) on a Force win, which hasn’t happened in Canberra since 2011. This is the value bet you can put in to boost your odds, or take the handicap of +7 points at 9/10.
Saturday’s fixtures are pretty average after the first two games, so this allows for a mid-morning gap, to do family duties and get to the mall or the kid’s birthday gig. All of this can only happen after Blues (8/10) host the Highlanders (11/10), where I fancy Tana’s boys to get up over a heavily injured Highlanders side, still licking their wounds after last weekend’s narrow defeat.
Crusaders (4/10) to travel to Queensland and should win, Reds are 21/10 off the back off a loss to the Force. Back Saders on -7 point, close your eyes and head to lunch.
You can catch the rest over a cuppa whilst doing your rounds at gogo’s spot, as they won’t need much attention. Stormers away to Kings (8/1),
as usual the bookies have gone molly here and have a 21 point spread, in a local derby. Yes, Stormers are much better, but not sure about the spread.
Cheetahs to make it a home double over the Sunwolves (16/1) after their win over the Bulls. The handicap sits at 35 points. I would get in here as Bloem is a dry lonely place for most, so imagine them Wolves.
Sharks (5/10) are expected to win their first game at home to Tahs (17/10).
The 6 Nations is also on again. England (1/6) were atrocious against Italy, and I really hope for much of the same (doubt it, though)
against a gallant Scotland (9/2).
This could be the year’s biggest upset, and be a real spoiler for Eddie Jones and the record of 18 straight victories, which is on the line. Wales to upset Ireland with a home win, and Italy to make it tough going for France in Rome, so sleep on the +19.5 on offer at 9/10.
Bones, dabbing out!