So we're sitting in fourth overall, with the Farce and Crusaders right up our clacker. Sharks extended their lead overnight by playing Jakeball which gives me confidence. "Why does it give you confidence, oh puissant Studlord?" I hear you ask. Well, I've just seen the games that the Shorks have on the road
Firstly, its a fucking crime that the Sharks get to start the season with a run of home games like they have. Suppose there are years where they've been dudded, but this one in particular sucks. They've had H, H, Bye, H, H, A (Bulls), H, Bye, A (Lions). That allows them a massive advantage to start the season, but check out what is coming now they have no byes left:
H v Cheetahs
H v Highlanders
A v Rebels
A v Brumbies
A v Crusaders
A v Blues
It is a long run for them before they get home again, just in time to face the Stormers (H), Cheetahs (A), Stormers (A). Conceivably there are several losses in there, despite the simplicity of their game. And if they win most of them and finish in the top two, well they fucking deserve title favouritism from that point onwards. I'm not counting their chickens just yet though.
Our blokes need to get their timing right and we can smoke anyone. Even with Beale off last night, the midfield of Horne and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was working for me, and Carraro did brilliantly on the wing too. The forwards need to tighten up the scrum and we can also get a top two finish out of this.