Climb in at -3.5. I doubt that hcap will last. NZ have everything in their favour except the venue. Smit's 100th cap is more emotion we don't need. Kiwi have the mental edge, are playing better footy (while bending the rules better too) and we still have selections crap and corridor talk of splits.
Kiwi to win by more than 4 is a great bet, even if it hurts my heart!

Guys I know we have got into the habit of not talking too much about the handicaps until the boookmakers price up these days    but I am interested to see where the line in the Sharks v WP game is set?

Personally I am expecting Sharks +2.5 - any opinions?

My Suspected caps

Cheetahs v Leopards (Cheetahs -25.5)
Bulls v Griquas (Bulls -10.5)
Pumas v Lions (Lions -12.5)
Sharks v WP (Choice)

South, the main game is always last. Hahaha!

Proooooooooooooooooooviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiince!!!!!!!!!!

Credit to WSB - the fact that they are out first is great and their handicaps being within a few points of ours is just an indication that they have given it some thought I think. A mate and I often price up together (ahead of the bookies) and we are generally within 2-3 points of each other.

I think we are also very lucky in this country - from what I have seen in the UK the rugby handicaps come out very late. Keep it up lads and other bookies lets see you challenging these guys!

As a matter of interest mine vs WSB are as follows:

Cheetahs v Leopards (Cheetahs -27.5) (-28.5) out by 1
Bulls v Griquas (Bulls -13.5) (-14.5) out by 1
Pumas v Lions (Lions -14.5) (-12.5) out by 2
Sharks v WP (+2.5)(-1.5) out by 4

Based on that no surprises that I think WP +1.5 is the early play and I am on for 10 units.

Voltbet are the new kids on the betting block and they have NZ at 7/10 to beat the Boks. Best price I have seen!

Province +1.5 is the bet of the weekend South 

Really think they should have had the demolition of the Sharks at 3pm, would have been ideal build up to the Test 

Best bets for the CC
WSB - WP +1.5
VoltBet - Lions -11.5, Griquas +16.5
SportsBet - Cheetahs -26.5

If only I could take an acca of that

The Tri Nations preview is up http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/rugby/t … aland.html

I am not convinced that New Zealand are home and hosed here and I make the Boks a tentative call at +4.5

My main focus (surprise surprise) will be on the spreads and I fancy we could be in for some action in this one.

The Sharks v WP preview is up and Brent is sticking to his guns and going WP http://www.goodforthegame.co.za/rugby/s … eview.html

See Voltbet has the draw at 33/1 in the WP/Sharks game. Very big price compared to other bookmakers.

South (or should I say Shark?  ), Mbet also has the Sharks at evens. In fact Mbet has this as a choice game, but rather than giving 9/10 the pair, which most bookmakers would do when it's a choice game, they have both teams at evens.

Cont,

Once again, we have NO orthodox fetcher, and have three "running" loose forwards. I mean did we learn nothing from the three previous tests!!! Look at the difference Potgieter made when he came on, and how can we expect to compete with NZ when we can't compete on the ground and at least look to slow there ball down to stop there great backline running a mock!? And ask yourselves this, how would Australia have fared without Pocock's stand-out performances in the past two tests?

Moving on, let's not even get started on the backline, where we have a back three with as much form between them as my left thumb, and against the likes of

Muliaina, Jane, and Rokocoko, I can't see us winning that battle either.  And despite being happy with the selection of Hougaard at scrum-half, as I definitely think he deserves the chance, it is yet another combination that is untested and the last thing we need is a scrum-half, fly-half combo that hasn't had time to gel. Especially considering we will be expecting our whole backline, who have looked average at best this tri-nations, to be running off them.

Lastly, if we take a look at the bench, I still can't help but shake my head. Not much depth at all and some selections I can only wonder about.  On NZ side,  a very strong bench with plenty of depth in key positions as well as some players in good form looking to make a name for themselves.

Yes we have the home ground advantage, yes the game is now at altitude, yes this will be Smit's 100th game, BUT has so much changed in the past two weeks that we are now expecting this miraculous turnaround? Don't get me wrong, I would love a good competitive game and for SA to come out tops, but if I'm putting money down and betting with my "head", It hurts me to say, but NZ are better in EVERY single position, and although we will all be hoping for a spirited performance, I can't see it being enough and I am strongly on NZ by more than 5!

Split Forum weekend!
Currie Cup:
Best defense vs the Best Attack - one thing wins Rugby matches and that is defense I am big on the WP +1.5 at BetX It will be a smashing game and only pity is that I will be on the Train coming back from Soccer City, sad that the Boks lost, but happy I had cash on NZ
Tri Nations:
Agree with your views Muzza! And Think 8 changes is massive. Its at an awesome venue though and their will be monster support so our boys will be up for it. That AB side is the best international side in the world at present and their bench will be the difference. Got a bet down with VoltBet with the AB's at 7/10 , and the AB's -3.5 and may take a small punt of SA at HT, NZ at FT at 11/2. As I see us slowing the game down and grinding out a narrow lead until the 60 minute mark where we will see it open up and the AB's get some late tries

Wow the forum really is split this weekend - perhaps a sign that we should tread cautiously although judging by the posts at looks as though the boys are all putting their money where their mouth is - I love it!

One factor which I am taking into account with the Bok game is fatigue. I could be wrong but I just felt we were a yard off the pace in New Zealand and that players like Smit and Matfield looked very tired. A few weeks off and I am expecting a far more lively performance although having said that my handicap call is a weak one and as per preview I am looking for points, glorious points!

Yip I reckon this weekend is pretty tough with the Lions standing out as the best bet on the handicap. Could be lots of points too although I'm sure the relevant traders will be expecting much of the same. Griquas are simply a horrible team away from home and it's hard to back them even against an average Bulls team. The Cheetahs should score a lot of points against the Leopards but it's a game I'll avoid. The Sharks game has everyone licking their lips and my early feel is for the Sharks in the hope that their pack might just be too good.

The Boks game is a potential minefield of differing opinions. Early in the week I had hoped for +5 to 6 points and even fancied the Boks for a win. With -3.5 the Kiwi's I was swayed towards them. Then I thought about the time off for the Boks and if it would benefit them or make them a little rusty, so after much deliberation I feel they'll probably be better off for it and I'm firmly in the Bok camp once more. Having said that I'm not too convinced about our bench and in particular Butch James  but to be honest I'm not sold on the true potential of this AB side either and reckon they can be opposed with a fair amount of confidence.

coil wrote:

The Boks game is a potential minefield of differing opinions. Early in the week I had hoped for +5 to 6 points and even fancied the Boks for a win. With -3.5 the Kiwi's I was swayed towards them. Then I thought about the time off for the Boks and if it would benefit them or make them a little rusty, so after much deliberation I feel they'll probably be better off for it and I'm firmly in the Bok camp once more. Having said that I'm not too convinced about our bench and in particular Butch James  but to be honest I'm not sold on the true potential of this AB side either and reckon they can be opposed with a fair amount of confidence.

Coil having read that summary I reckon you should be calling a no bet in this one    Seriously though you have summed it up nicely - you really can make a case for either side.

Great to hear from you CapeSharky!

The point you make about the cheating is a good one. Refs will claim not to listen to whats happening in the media but the stats that have come out this week have been interesting and I would not be surprised to see the AB's get pinged that bit more often than usual this week and that could be all that the Boks require.

RuggaBugga, I am starting to feel lonely on WP mate - please tell me you still like them 

Still firmly in the WP camp BG
GO have wp+3 so I got some, I am quite involved here !!!

Interesting that the forum support is split on wp/sharks and hence the punting is split.
You could make a case for WP, the Sharlks, the Boks and the AB's to win this weekend which must be a bookies wet dream!

I will not be moved. WP and All Blacks weekend

Roll on Saturday!!!

Only game I'm not betting on is the Cheetahs/Leopards game, but taking the Cheetahs on Sportspicks. Bets down for me in the other games:

Lions -11.5 at Voltbet 5 units
Lions -12.5 at Voltbet 10 units
Griquas +16.5 at Voltbet 5 units
Boks +4.5 at Victor Chandler 5 units
WP +1.5 at WSB 5 units
Draw Sharks/WP at 33/1 at Voltbet 0.5 units

Already had my bet down when I saw GO has WP at +3. Not going to invest further and hopefully the +1.5 would be enough. Sharkpaw, lets hope the Sharks win by one and we'll all be happy.

Anjoy the weekend's rugby guys and RB, enjoy the test. Should be a great game!

I'm loving this weeks Rugga thread. Also going with the Sharks and the Bulls and no idea in the other 2 though gone for Lions and Leopards on sportspicks

Loving the opposing views, Bookies dream w-end!!

As with a few guys, I'm strongly on the following.
1) NZ -3.5
2) Lions -13.5
3) Sharks -1.5

Bit undecided with the other games, so going with the above and including a few multiples with Bulls and cheetahs.

Def feel Sharks can do the business as WP looked v average last weekend, and I think Sharks pack will give them a hard time up front and hopefully get the backs going on the front foot. Go you good things!!

NZ -3.5 is still the bet for me although I do like the look of the Bok side a little more than past weeks. Going to the game so if the bet doesn't arrive, the Bokks better win. I will be pissed if they lose by 1 or 2 points
With the boys on Lions -14.5
Think Griquas, even though not great travellers, can push Bulls and taken Griquas +.
Not sure about Cheetahs vs Leopards but if pushed Leopards +.
Province with my heart so no bet!

And for good measure another 2 units high on total points at 60

WSB set the overs/unders line at 58.5 - I will take 5 units on the overs there as well.

No need to punt the other games I am so involved in this one.

See Potgieter out for Bulls - a bit of a concern that for minus backers

In my wisdom I decided to add some excitement to my evening by following Brent in the spreads. But I only went for the total shirts bet. Not looking very rosy!! This is my very first spread bet and I might never return!

Brent I presume we get nothing for a penalty try...?

Must say I was very confident in this one but ended up taking a big klap and gave back everything I won on the Lions last week   

Couch, sorry mate you picked the wrong game although the good news is that a penalty try counts as 8 and it ended on 86 so only a small loss on that particular bet.

What really puzzled me for the Lions is they did not contest the breakdown, they just stood back and let the Pumas dominate posession. At 13-0 up I really though a big payday was on the way.

R Tommy it is tough to get text commentary and following www.15.co.za on twitter is about the best as they update on Twitter

Heart has won the battle today, taken the profit + a further 2 units from yesterdays womens rugby onto Boks - 6 units Boks +4.5 @ 9/10.

Hope it's a cracker, and 1st score SA Penalty would be very welcome!

Just 2 spice it up a bit, 5 units sell on 1st SA try, less than 34 minutes!!

Start with a bang boyz!!!!!!!

1 down, 1st try @ 25 minutes!!!

4 bets to go, GO BOKKKKKKKKKKE!!!!!!!!

Must be a bit brave 2nite, could close the spreads for a huge profit, but should hang in there? Points looking good, will hang in there.

Woodcock for wing, hehe!!!!!

Just can't help but rub it in a bit.

Sharks you beauties!!! Absolutely dominant in every aspect of the game, what a brilliant end to the weekend betting, but obviously a bit disappointing about the Boks.

To all the Sharks followers/backers, nice one!!! 

Well done to the Sharks backers, did not watch the game as I was in transit from FNB Stadium but saw the highlights and no complaints with the result. Better side won and I got a PK in the Sportspicks this weekend

That Dagg try saved my punting weekend and was worth about 70 units to me! Gave a lot back due to the WP result but the bet of the weekend for me was the SA at HT, NZ at FT at 11/2. Stuck 5 units on and it paid 27.5 units That was the difference and the reason I am slighly in the black with the TN and CC this weekend.

The Boks did well and I feel for Smitty, it was such a great atmosphere and awesome 79 minutes of Rugby until the Dagg Try.

Note to self: The next time the forum is split down the middle, the best bet may be a no bet!!!