Round 5 Preview!
For the round ahead I’m pleased to announce we have a new expert joining our tipping panel – Jenkins9876, who has been following the competition closely but not getting directly involved – until now. With the conclusion of that other rugby competition in Brisbane at the moment, Jenkins will now be free to help us help you tip your way to glory.
Round 4 was chaotic for tipping, with Ruggas and Jenkins both pulling out the rounds (joint) highest score by nailing 3 from 4 picks, missing only State High’s upset over BBC.
Spikhaza and I were both hit hard by Nudgee’s inability to rise over Churchie in the wet, and my “conservative picks” ended up biting me in the arse – I must be out of the running to win the comp.
Congratulations again to ‘Mungindigrasshoppers’ for navigating his way through the round to sit alone at the top, with a one point buffer all that lies between him and ‘straighttoit’.
Our experts tipping leaderboard currently looks like this:
1. Jenkins9876 (7/8, 87%)
2. Spikhaza (13/16, 81%)
= RuggasXV (13/16), 81%)
4. TheKing (11/16, 68%)
Game of the Round: The Southport School at Nudgee College
TheKing: Some people may need to be reminded that there are still two undefeated teams in the GPS this year – and Southport are one of them. With two weeks to prepare for this fixture Southport will no doubt be experts at dismantling Nudgee’s powerful defensive and attacking structures (from their last two games it would seem that Nudgee’s attack is well up struggle street anyway).
So what do Nudgee have going for them, you ask? Ross Oval. Their 2014 scoring margin on Nudgee’s hallowed home turf currently sits at 69-7, and I can count on one hand the games the Butcher Stripes have lost at home in the last decade – they maintain a winning record of 92% at home.
I predict this trend to continue on for the rest of the year – Nudgee always lift on Ross.
Spikhaza: Nudgee’s attack was disappointing last week and left me egg faced as I tipped them to get up over Churchie. How wrong I was. TSS come in fresh from a bye but will that prove a distraction? I say nope. NC still with problems to fix that were evident against BBC and exposed by ACGS. TSS by 12
RuggasXV: I’ve yet to see TSS to play so this is a tough tip for me. NC have a monstrously powerful forward pack and some real classy finishers in the backline so I’d have to back them at home in front of their always huge crowd.
Jenkins9876: TBC
Churchie at BBC
BBC photo
TheKing: I would almost not be surprised if Churchie rested players for this fixture –
Spikhaza: BBC will be very disappointed after going down to BSHS in the mud and will be playing their hearts out in this game. ACGS however for me are pretty close to the number one team in this competition and I expect them to let BBC know all about that. The College is currently badly in need of a conductor of its grand orchestra. ACGS by 20
RuggasXV: BBC are just woeful this year. However, travelling’s been a bit of an issue for the BOC. They’ll still win, but not very comfortably.
Jenkins9876: TBC
Ipswich Grammar at Brisbane State High
BSHS photo
TheKing: Ipswich are hot off a fantastic win against Terrace at la Stade de Tennyson with their forwards running amok against a GT pack that just couldn’t compete.
State High have had 3 top line players out for the game, and have no chance of winning. And that’s why I’m tipping State High to pull out the upset of the round – my tipping is shot anyway. I need to take some risks, and this is one that could play out in my favour.
Spikhaza: IGS proudly ruined the entire forums tipping accuracy last weekend by doing a demolition job on GT who had looked promising. BSHS grinded one out against a disappointing BBC but will have no such luck this week, provided conditions aren’t as turgid as they were on Saturday. Watch for IGS to send their powerful loose forwards and centers at the BSHS defensive line. IGS by 10
RuggasXV: IGS seem to have found a bit of form after a convincing win over GT. A home crowd should see IGS net their second win of the season.
Jenkins9876: TBC
Gregory Terrace at Toowoomba Grammar
TheKing: Toowoomba have the piggies to unsettle Gregory the Gorilla’s First XV pack, and without that platform a potent Terracian backline will go to waste. If you’re watching this fixture keep an eye out for the battle between giant front rowers James McColl and Kyle Leofa from Toowoomba and Terrace respectively. The contest between Queensland I and Queensland II centres Dean Bender and Nikau Te-Rupe should be equally as exciting to watch.
Spikhaza: Certainly a tough one to tip. TGS are coming off an emphatic win against BGS but how much of those points were created by TGS? My money is on GT to bounce back, who will be disappointed after Saturday’s loss. TGS just weren’t tested enough by BGS who are quickly headed for the wooden spoon only two years out from winning the premiership. GT by 5
RuggasXV: Another difficult one to tip. TGS should have a bit of pride and confidence after a strong win over BGS. Travelling long distances has proven to be an issue for teams so far so I’m backing TGS to take the goods in a close match.
Jenkins9876: TBC (How mysterious!)
Another fantastic round, filled with plenty of competitive games. Our experts are polarised, so there should be plenty of room to catch up if you’re falling behind in the tipping stakes.
To join the GPS 2014 tipping comp, it’s not too late. 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!
