Super Rugby Round Twelve Predictions!

Round 11 went pretty well for my picks on Superbru, with 5 out of 6 correct, including the Stormers beating the Bulls, which was one of the two 'upsets' last weekend. I didn't have the Sharks beating the Waratahs, predicted by 18%, which was a big shock based on their previous weeks' form.



Congratulations to Marco Bosman from South Africa who was one of the 4,776 people that managed a GSP in Round 11 which earned him the Yellow Cap in my 'Challenge Hutch' pool. I am of course hoping for a GSP (and the Yellow Cap!) myself this week.

Onto Round 12, and here are my Superbru predictions for this weekend's Super Rugby fixtures.

Crusaders v Sharks

Nobody can touch the Crusaders at the moment, and despite resting Richie Mo'unga, they should still have enough to beat the inconsistent Sharks. I'm going for a big margin, because if the Crusaders get away early, the Sharks might implode again. Crusaders by 23

Reds v Sunwolves

Pity the 32% of people on Superbru that picked the Sunwolves last weekend - about 60,000 people - only for them to be thumped 52-0 at home by the Highlanders. Now they are away at the Reds, fresh off a bye week. Reds by 21

Hurricanes v Rebels

Another easy one! If the Canes can beat the Chiefs by 28 points, they can surely beat the Rebels at home too. Hurricanes by 23

Highlanders v Chiefs

Having had a run of form once they moved Damian McKenzie to full-back, the Chiefs have gone off the boil again since his year-ending injury. This ought to be another home win. Highlanders by 8

Brumbies v Blues

This is a tricky one, because I don't particularly rate the Brumbies, and they are just back from a tour of SA and Argentina - Superbru Insights tells me they have travelled 29,376km in the last three weeks. I'll await team news, but I'm leaning towards the Blues. Blues by 4

Bulls v Waratahs

The Waratahs haven't won at Loftus since 2002 as far as I can see, and on the back of a home defeat to the Sharks, this one is surely beyond them. Bulls by 13

Jaguares v Stormers

This is the other tough pick of the round, with the Jaguares usually hard to beat at home, but the Stormers thumped them 35-8 in the reverse fixture at Newlands in March. Home advantage could be key - the home side has won 4 out of the 5 fixtures between the teams - but then the Stormers have won 4 out of the 5 fixtures too. The Stormers have lost to the Brumbies and the Reds this season though, and that seems like a reasonable basis on which to tip the Jaguares. Jaguares by 2

Best of luck to you all in Round 12. Which of these picks do you disagree with?