THE MONEY MAN is putting R1,000 on the Stormers to win the heavyweight clash at Newlands on Saturday.
As we head for round 11 and sit with a nice profit of R14,490 on our initial investment of R5,000 I can still hear the words of every woman I have ever dated or married: 'What have you done for me lately?'
I suspect you guys will be just as demanding and I know in any business you’re only as good as your last win.
This week offers up more opportunities and we’re going to have our fourth successful week in a row.
I have already revealed my accumulator on my Facebook page – R200 on six teams, which will pay back just over R9,000 if it comes in and I feel more confident about this one than last week's. All bets are at 9/10: Highlanders (+5.5), Blues (+8.5), Rebels (+11.5), Lions (-5.5), Stormers (-2.5), Hurricanes (-4.5). All six have to win for you to collect your bet.
A full seven games are on the menu this week:
Chiefs (-14.5) vs Force (+14.5)
Weather: Fine
Without doubt, the Force and Reds are the worst teams in the competition. When the Force beat the champion Waratahs by 12 in Sydney on 15 February people in Perth would have been clamouring for season tickets. I’ve heard rumours they’re giving them away with happy meals now. The Force have lost eight in a row since then and, barring a miracle, will lose their ninth on Friday. The only thing the Chiefs have to worry about, apart from losing Aaron Cruden to a season-ending knee injury, is the inevitable low following the high of giving the Crusaders a hiding. I doubt they will lose, but I won’t be betting on this game. I hate 14.5 handicaps, especially against a spoiler team like the Force. If you have to bet, the Chiefs should run riot in Hamilton, so give the -14.5 to the Chiefs and they should coast home by 15 or more for you to collect your bet.
Brumbies (-5.5) vs Highlanders (+5.5)
Weather: Rain predicted
The highly overrated Brumbies have won just one of their last four matches and that was against the travelling Cheetahs, who lost at home to the Reds last weekend. Now this is one I think the bookies have got wrong – the Highlanders should be slight favourites and not reasonable underdogs. The Highlanders are a better team than the Brumbies, but they will be resting their three All Blacks (Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa). This will obviously have an impact on the match, but it's hard to say to what extent. I still feel the +5.5 points the Highlanders get to start the game may be difficult to overcome, but I don't think they will lose by six or more. Because of this I will not be betting on this game – apart from my accumulator – and I advise you guys to do the same.
Crusaders (-8.5) vs Blues (+8.5)
Weather: Fine
The Crusaders have been very inconsistent this season. They were humiliated by the Chiefs last weekend in a game yours truly thought they could not lose. I think they will win this game but not by the nine or more needed for you to cover a spread. I am not betting on this game, but if you have to bet, take the Blues not to lose by nine or more. They have run teams close all year and rarely lose by double digits.
Waratahs (-11.5) vs Rebels (+11.5)
Weather: Clear skies
'Dumper' is 42-year-old Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan's nickname. His rugby pedigree is impressive – he was part of the coaching team that guided Munster to two European Cup titles, a Celtic League title, and a 15-6 win over the touring Wallabies in 2010 – and he has clearly made a difference to the culture and systems at the fledging Australian franchise. They have played a decent brand of rugby this year and you only need to look at the Sharks to know that the right coach can make all the difference. I do believe the Waratahs will win this game but not by 12 or more. You should take the points and bet on the Rebels and 'Dumper' not to lose by that margin. I am putting R250 @ 9/10.
Lions (-5.5) vs Cheetahs (+5.5)
Weather: Rain predicted
Three words: banker, banker and banker. The Lions are well coached, reasonably unaffected by injuries, at home in front of bigger crowds and up against a team that is crawling (not limping) into Ellis Park. Yes, stranger things have happened, but this is not going to be one of them. The Lions will dominate every aspect of this game. I am putting down R1,500 on them to win by six or more points. In fact, I’ve already spent the money on new hair extensions.
Stormers (-2.5) vs Bulls (+2.5)
Weather: Overcast
It would not surprise me to see Michael Buffer walk out before kickoff and bellow out his trademark 'Leeeeeeetss geeeeet reeeeeady tooooo ruuuuuuuumbleeee!' such is the anticipation of this heavyweight battle. Newlands will be rocking on Saturday night and I expect a bruising contest. It will be a game for the purists, so don't expect champagne rugby. I will be at the game and putting down R1,000 against my favourite team to lose. The R1,000 will be bet on the Stormers to win and win well and here’s why: The Stormers forwards will front up to the Bully Boys and impose themselves on the game. And when Plan A goes down the tubes, the Bulls don't have a Plan B or C. That is going to happen again against Duane, Schalk and co this weekend. PS. I've got two sets of two tickets to give away for this game. Click here to enter.
Reds (+4.5) vs Hurricanes (-4.5)
Weather: Perfect
The Reds are shocking and only won last weekend because of terrible kicking by Joe Pieterson and quality Cheetahs players being dragged off the field. I expect the Hurricanes to win well and am taking them for R500 to win by five or more points.
Good luck this week folks, and enjoy the long weekend.
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