Round 3 Preview!
Once again our panel of experts cast our eyes over the round ahead to reveal our tips for the weekend. Among our ranks RuggasXV took a hit over the weekend by calling GT instead of a wildcard TSS outfit, while Spikhaza and myself backed the X factor for a perfect round.
With last weeks result our experts all currently sit on 7/8. Congratulations to ‘MungindiGrasshoppers’ and ‘straighttoit’ for consecutive perfect scores, they sit alone at the top of the tipping table.
Churchie at Toowoomba Grammar:
TheKing: Toowomba Grammar have had a string of close ones, losing to State High and BBC by 5 or less in consecutive games. What makes this an easy tip in my mind is the fact that Churchie blew out BSHS by 59 points on Saturday. However, the Toowoomba Grammar Colosseum is a tricky place to play, especially after a sub 2 hour bus trip. Churchie’s first away game of the season may shed some light on the character of this side – either way, Churchie gets my tip. But it’ll be their closest game yet.
Spikhaza: Arguably a banana slip game for the men from Oaklands Parade. A long trip up the range is a vibe killer for any team wishing to play rugby and Toowoomba will come out firing. TGS’ defense is quality and will make ACGS stutter in the opening stanza, but ultimately ACGS have too much quality to lose this. ACGS by 10
RuggasXV: Despite being their first home game of the season, TGS just lack the class and skill that ACGS possess this year. Nevertheless, it won’t be easy for Churchie travelling all that way and Toowoomba’s defence last week against BBC was superb so again, it’ll be closer than you think. ACGS by 17.
Brisbane State High at Brisbane Grammar
TheKing: Brisbane Grammar have this fixture picked out as one they can really contest. In round 1 State High ground out a tough win against Toowoomba on the strength of their defence, with flashes of brilliance earning them their points. The State High team couldn’t handle Churchie’s attacking firepower in Round 2, but will be more than up to the task against a spluttering BGS offence. However, BGS’ specialty is defending against flashes of brilliance. The last three years have seen this game go down as the one of the tightest of the season. Can BGS nab their first win of the season? Maybe… Geez. This is the tightest pick of Round 3 for me. State High. No, wait. Yeah. State High to win my Match of the Round for week 3.
Spikhaza: Don’t tell me this is a nothing game. Two schools of former glories go up against each other in a rivalry that goes back some way. BSHS got up against TGS on Fursden Road, and despite the heavy scoreline last week I see them doing the same again this week, in an absolute cracker of a game. BSHS to win by 3 and there will be late drama.
RuggasXV: Home ground advantage has proved to be a strong asset come game time and Grammar will be eager to put on a good show for their first home performance. Both teams are coming off huge losses so it’ll be close. BGS by 5.
Nudgee College at BBC
TheKing: This game is the litmus test for the character of BBC’s 2014 XV that in the preseason was predicted to take out a Premiership exactly 50 years after their last, where Robin Shaw (grandfather of IGS old boy Berrick Barnes) captained the side to a GPS Rugby trophy. Nudgee’s strong and aggressive forward pack will have something to say about that, and will work for 70 minutes to crush BBC’s pipe dream into the dirt. I can see Nudgee winning this game by a landslide, as BBC’s injury stricken side collapses under the weight of expectation.
Spikhaza: My game of the round. It’s reigning premiers NC against a desperate BBC at Miskin oval and its a match that is sure to be entertaining. The College have have had a hard start to 2014 and will need to lower their error rate to be a chance in this game. NC weren’t really tested against a disappointing BGS on the weekend and this weeks game will be much more competitive. My heart says BBC will get up in a meltdown, but my head says the NC machine will roll them. And I always tip with my head.
RuggasXV: Nudgee are thirsty for blood after slaughtering Grammar in Round 2. BBC’s hapless structure will be no match for the butcher stripes. NC by 27.
Southport at Ipswich Grammar
TheKing: Someone mentioned earlier in the week that this TSS side was one of the weakest in the past decade. While that may be true in part, this champion team is more than the sum of its parts. I can’t see Ipswich putting 10 points on Southport, even at home. I’m definitely getting around TSS in this fixture.
Spikhaza: Ipswich have been disappointing this season and have capitulated badly in the last couple of weeks. Some posters on the forum think that TSS are overrated. I think you can only beat what’s in front of you. TSS will win this one in a canter. Mike Wallace’s side are beautiful to watch. (30 Points).
RuggasXV: TSS are coming off two big wins and will have a bucketload of confidence going into this game, eager to claim the title that they lost last year. IGS are coming off a bye and this is TSS’s first away game so expect it to be closer than you think. TSS by 12.
Our experts have been unanimous in picking TSS, Nudgee, and Churchie for wins this week, but RuggasXV has again taken a risky punt for a consecutive week by picking underdogs Brisbane Grammar. What do you reckon?
To join the GPS 2014 tipping comp, please follow this link to http://mysportstips.net/.
Comp Number – 10403
Comp Password – rugby
Skip ahead for our Match Reports of last weekends fixtures. Enjoy!
