Aussie Corner 13/14th March

Quick look at the Super 12

Highlanders 1.22 Sharks 4.00 Margin 12.5

Initially tempted to take the Sharks on the margin. Highlanders back home which would normally suggest a comfortable win but the team this year doesn't look to have the same depth as previous years. Sharks had a good performance last week and are feeling robbed so will be up for the game. I expect a physical/confrontational battle in this game.

Hurricanes 1.11 Cats 6.00 Margin 18.5

Once again the away team on the margin has appeal. I would never back the Hurricanes as favourites against anyone but would expect them to win this game. Obviously the bookies believe they have the ability to reach the margin but if weather conditions were dodgy in the least I would be going with the Cats. If the Hurricanes put in a super performance this week I will definitely be opposing them next week.

Reds 2.50 Blues 1.50 Margin 5.5

Reds looking ordinary in games to date and the Blues inconsistent. Blues missing some key players this weekend but will be wanting to bounce back with a win before their bye week. I feel they have the squad depth to do this and the HTH price @ 1.50 has appeal.

Bulls 2.35 Brumbies 1.55 Margin 4.5

Bulls will be hard to beat a home but the Brumbies did look good in the earlier games and may benefit from the "scare" last week. Feel the line is about right in this game so won't be betting on it.

Stormers 3.00 Waratahs 1.35 Margin 7.5

Waratahs probably the most impressive team to date in the competition however the Stormers at home @ 3.00 is tempting. Usually a safer bet on the margin but I feel this game will either be very close or a Waratahs blowout so will stick with the HTH.

Bets for Weekend in order of appeal:

Blues HTH @ 1.50
Sharks 12.5 @ 1.87
Cats 18.5 @ 1.87
Stormers HTH @ 3.00

Good luck to all.

[PTDSEI]

Shock win for the sharks!

Good win for the Sharks, thought it looked good on the margin.

Sticking with the Blues HTH and taking the Cats on the Margin but have gone off the Stormers HTH as on reflection the value doesn't add up.

Good luck to all.

[2damnhype]

Also if anyone has any useful links out there for the NRl it would be much appreciated, I currently use the following:
www.nrl.com/
www.onthepunt.com.au/index.php
www.rleague.com/
and
sports.ninemsn.com.au/pag...scores.asp
for scores as the nrl site tends to get stuck.

[2damnhype]

1 result
Panthers 14 Knights 20

to play
Sat Tigers v Sharks -4
Sat Bulldogs v Eels +4
Sat Cowboys v Sea Eagles +8
Sun Dragons v Raiders +6
Sun Broncos v Warriors +4
Sun Roosters v Rabbitohs +20
All Handicaps from William Hill, are not many major differences across the board.

Love to watch the NRL, to see how the game should be played, although don't get the chance very often.

Tentative picks for this week are
Bulldogs (-4) - the Bulldogs have Leicester-style problems off the pitch, but have put some decent pre-season performances in and should have too much for an Eels side who may continue to disappoint.

Sharks (-4) - Sharks have Stuart Raper as their coach, and I really wish him all the best on his step up to thi slevel. He did very in England with Cas and Wigan, and his treatment by Wigan was shoddy. Anyway he has brought in a few players, as opposed to a whole new team in the case of the Tigers, and hopefully they want repeat last year's nightmare start.

All you Aussies out there - please rip this to shreds

2damnhype,

Both picks look good and I agree with alot of what you have said. I'll just add that the Tigers do look to be a side capable of doing well this season, at least on paper that is. If they can perform to expectations and get a relatively new look team functioning then who knows, they could be the next Penrith Panthers. The Cronulla Sharks will enjoy the greater freedom they have been given after the hiring of their new coach. It was clear with the incidents that occurred late last season, that the team was unhappy under Anderson's rule. I'll be looking to see the Shark's forwards overpowering the much slower Tigers front row, giving Kamorely a good platform to work off. I would suggest the -2 on offer at Ladbrokes, rather than -4, as this game could be quite close - please not a draw! H2H in the last 5 are in favour of the Sharks by 4.

The Bulldogs have been the most talked about team during the off-season, but for reasons other than football. These kind of off-field dramas are a common theme for the Bulldogs, and they know very well how to respond on the field. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Bulldogs team and coaching staff take on a "us vs everybody else" type of mentality. I can see the Bulldogs coming out with something to prove early on in the season.