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For the Rebels to miss the 8 they would have to lose to the Reds. After watching the Reds against the Blues I don't think that's a realistic possibility, given the quality of their performance against the Tahs. For the Rebels, finals football is almost a sure thing for the first time ever.

I would have them as slight favourites. The Lions have only one game left (against the imploding Bulls, for whom tackling appears to be an optional extra). The Jags have two, both away, the hardest of which is the Sharks game in round 19. My best guess (remembering my tipping expertise is...

With the benefit of round seventeen having been completed, the most likely scenario looks like turning into an Australian nightmare. I think it'll finish Crusaders, Waratahs, Jaguares, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Lions, Highlanders, Rebels. That means the Rebels are away to the Crusaders and the...

That was one crazy weekend of Super Rugby results. Only two games went to script (the third was a toss-up). I had a magnificent tipping week - managed just 2/7. Great result for the Jags and they may well get guaranteed home games for their first appearance in the finals! Terrible result for the...

The travel can't be avoided. Where I take issue is the guaranteed finals to conference leaders. Position on the table should be the sole criteria for finals allocation, even though you might get every QF played in NZ. Home finals should be earnt, not by right.

Remember some of the games where we have played the Crusaders and totally dominated them, only to lose on the scoreboard? I felt the reverse of that after the game; still trying to work out how the hell we managed to steal it. The Rebels cut us to shreds and yet a couple of star individual...

My solution? Turn it into a contest like AFL marking. There it is only penalised if it is clear and obvious pushing in the back and players jump on their own. The players are taught to look after themselves in the air and given the number of marking contests in a senior game there are...

Sanzaaar once again manipulates the draw to try to get non-NZ teams into the final. Already the team coming second on points has a tougher quarter final than teams below it, but now if they win they get to play the team coming first. So it ends up as 1 vs 2 in one semi and probably 3 v 4 in the...

This may be true. But since the introduction of the post pads rule, that says that the tryline goes in front of the posts and stretches out into the field of play has resulted in a situation where, as long as you can get close enough to the front of the post at a tackle/ruck it is impossible for...

You're mixing him up with Paddy Ryan.

I would have said that the eight is very likely to be: Crusaders, Lions, Waratahs, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Highlanders, Rebels,The Sharks' inconsistency will leave them beached high and dry.

Yeah, but have you watched his performances this year? He has been below ordinary.

I reckon by now they've got a short list and it'll get modified week-to-week. But this week's top game is a bit special and I'm guessing they would have put their current top pick up for it. Its only me reading the tea-leaves, I don't have any inside goss.

Interesting to see that Angus Gardiner got the whistle for the game that may easily decide the NZ conference. This might suggest he's in line for the final.

This I do not agree with AT ALL! This year they have got the Crusaders as a notch on their gun handle. Only one other team can say that.

The Highlanders will be hurting big time. First NZ team to lose to an Aussie team in 40 games. We might not have heard much of it but the Kiwi's will be giving them grief all week. They'll be out for redemption in a big way.

Can't imagine why. The ball is guaranteed not to get past Meekes 95% of the time. A Hodge cut out to DHP or English is the only chance any running rugby will be on show.

Given its in NZ Jacko was probably the most likely. But the breakdowns are always a lottery with him.

Although the Chiefs have lots of injuries and have travelled from SA, their four best players who are all in the AB's went home a week early, went to the AB training/meeting and will be fully rested and not jet-lag fatigued. That includes Lurch, who is the best lock in the competition by miles...

Me too, though I'm neutral. I have been underwhelmed by Debreczeni this year. Personally, I would love to see DHP at 10, I think he's more skillful than Hodge and Maddox stays at 15. Hodge at 12, and the rest a lucky dip. But I think that's too left-field for Wessels.