Rugby on July Day

Two tight matches,what bets are you guys taking?

CRUSADERS & BLUES 4 ME. CHEERS

My head with Lord Jim, but my heart is the other way around to have the final in cape town

Have to go with Lord Jim. Two very tight matches could both go either way. Blues at +6 looks good value as other than against the Chiefs two weeks ago the Reds have been looking vulnerable and I believe a quality side like the Blues could upset them and even if they don't win hold them to the handicap.

The Stomers / Crusaders battle what a huge clash we are in for. I am going with the Crusaders based on the fact that they have been there done that before and are looking like the solid unit that has dominated Super Rugby. The Stormers have shown on more than one occation in recent years that they are not up to the big match and I believe a class side like the Crusaders could just get the better of them but it will go down to the wire.

Double:
Blues (+6)
Crusaders (-1)

Reds to cruise past the Blues and the Crusaders to win a tight match by maybe 5 points.

Have a few multiples running onto the stormers winning the Super15, so i will be cheering them on!! And im a sharks fan!

I wonder where are all the bulls fans, have not heard from them since they lost to the sharks.
Yes, I think the Reds will win and I am hoping the Stormers find their BMT

Clintto I am a Bulls supporter, I don't understand the question they are knocked out like the Sharks, Lions and Cheetahs. We were not good enough to win this year. What should us Bulls supporters be saying? Have you heard from Sharks supporters after getting hammered by the Crusaders?

Hoping for a Stormers & Reds final

The Blues failed to beat the Reds in an earlier clash in Australia this season. I see little or no reason why this result will be reversed. The loss of Toeava & Boric during the season is likely to prove critical to the Blues. The Reds comparatively have a number of 'staatmakers' returning.

More important are the following issues :

In a tight knockout match I always start off by looking for the following :

1.) The goalkicking record.
2.) The defensive record.

Regrettably the Blues defense has been brittle all season long whilst on a number of occasions their goalkicking has been diabolical. Put another way - with 2 minutes to go in a cup final I don't think my heart could take it if either of Brett or McAllister stepped up to the plate!

I pick the Reds without hesitation.

As to the Stormers/Crusaders clash : I cannot claim to be neutral as I have a lot riding on the Crusaders. Nevertheless I do find many of the evaluations of the likely result more emotional than rational.

1.) The Stormers are at home.
2.) They boast an excellent goalkicking record.
3.) Their defense has been outstanding.

On the negative side :

1.) They have displayed no evidence of their ability to beat the real competition ( Crusaders & Reds ) this season.
2.) Newlands is NOT a fortress.

Many of the reasons advanced as to why the Crusaders CANNOT win are spurious :

1.) They arrived on Monday and, unlike the Sharks, will have had 4 full days to re-charge.
2.) They are playing at sea level so pundits who cite their defeats against the Bulls in recent years are conveniently ignoring the altitude issue which, in my opinion, is more taxing than jetlag.
3.) They have a good goalkicking record.
4.) They have a good defense.
5.) They are far superior in the set scrums.
6.) They are probably on a par with the Stormers in the lineouts.

The issues which are going to be relevant on Saturday are :

1.) They played without Carter & McCaw on the last occasion. And won.
3.) They lost three players to injury in the first 40 and ended up with a flanker on the wing! And won.
4.) The loss of Vermeulen is enormous for the Stormers and will probably impair the 'Wall Of Cape Town'.
5.) I question the tactical ability of the Stormers.
6.) The Stormers are suspect under the high ball ( as proved by the Bulls a few weeks ago ).
7.) Stormers/WP are traditionally pretty awful in wet weather despite rumours to the contrary.

In 1999 I watched in amazement as the Highlanders rather effortlessly overpowered the Stormers when I believed the home side was a 'good thing'. My assessment is that we will see another NZ win at Newlands tomorrow.

Crusaders have lost in their last 3 semi finals in South Africa and since 1999 no travelling side has won a semi on Foreign soil

Garrick if you remember in 1999 the Stormers players demanded more money before the semi and were making numerous threats. Whenever teams do that before a big they generally come short.