The pick of the Melbourne round

Last year the Reds defence screwed up badly against the Highlanders and Crusaders early in SRTT. I think they’ll be more competitive this year

I agree the Canes selections have been confusing. But I don’t think their form is bad as some have claimed

The big thing for the Canes is finishing off the chances that they create. Off the top of my head they botched about 4 fairly easy try scoring opportunities on Saturday alone and this has been a frequent issue for the Canes throughout the season. If they can get it right and execute better then they could quite easily put teams to the sword.

Selections are the other issue, Holland needs to select his best side and stick with it. Too much roatation has prevented this side from building any real momentum in their campaign.

If they can sort things out against the Australian teams then they will be a real threat come the playoffs.

For the sake of the comp the Reds have to win this

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

For the sake of the comp the Reds have to win this

No thanks. The Canes won this one fairly comfortably last year so hoping for the same result.

And thus the comp is proven a joke.

@mariner4life why? It just means the Aussie teams need to up their game. Only way of doing that is playing Kiwi teams.

Personally I don't think the Aussies have enough talent for 5 teams which is probably a big reason why they never quite reach the heights of NZ teams.

Because if the best team in Aus can't beat the 4th best team in NZ (who aren't exactly playing well)

Then this comp as a sporting contest is a joke and almost completely worthless. Viewers on both sides of the Tasman will shut off in droves if this turns out to be as one sided as last year.

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

For the sake of the comp the Reds have to win this

The Aussies need to win games. It's a bit dramatic to say this particular game needs to be won by the Reds

@Duluth said in Hurricanes v Reds:

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

For the sake of the comp the Reds have to win this

The Aussies need to win games. It's a bit dramatic to say this particular game needs to be won by the Reds

I stand by my reasoning

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

I stand by my reasoning

One win will make almost no difference. Sadly Aussie teams are just not strong enough overall

@mariner4life it's not our problem that Aussie teams are lacking behind, that's their issue.

I won't be surprised at all if no Aussie team qualifies for the semi finals.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

@mariner4life it's not our problem that Aussie teams are lacking behind, that's their issue.

I won't be surprised at all if no Aussie team qualifies for the semi finals.

Sorry, just reading back to find where i said it's anyone's fault

If ypur prediction co.es true say goodbye to Super Rugby

And probably NZ rugby as we know it as well

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

@mariner4life it's not our problem that Aussie teams are lacking behind, that's their issue.

I won't be surprised at all if no Aussie team qualifies for the semi finals.

If there is a must win game then one Aussie team beating the Crusaders or Blues is the result they need. To show they can beat the best. Not the 4th or 5th teams. And no hidings.

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

If ypur prediction co.es true say goodbye to Super Rugby
And probably NZ rugby as we know it as well

Aust has got at least 2 too many teams. Its an issue that won't be overcome by a few wins against the weaker NZ teams. I don't think there is an answer to this issue

@mariner4life The level of NZ franchise rugby is arguably the highest globably so to suggest that it's curtains for this competition just because the Australian teams can't quite make the grade is a little dramatic.

Aussie rugby have had these issues for years and yet here we are. It's up to them to rise to the challenge and find ways of improving so they can match it with New Zealand sides on a regular basis.

@Duluth said in Hurricanes v Reds:
> The pick of the Melbourne round

Last year the Reds defence screwed up badly against the Highlanders and Crusaders early in SRTT. I think they’ll be more competitive this year

I agree the Canes selections have been confusing. But I don’t think their form is bad as some have claimed

So is this a Canes home game. Or who gets the home game as I assume it should be three home and three away

@Duluth Brumbies to beat the Highlanders? Suspect they will be favourites.

@Winger yes, originally this was scheduled at the Cake Tin.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

@mariner4life The level of NZ franchise rugby is arguably the highest globably so to suggest that it's curtains for this competition just because the Australian teams can't quite make the grade is a little dramatic.

Aussie rugby have had these issues for years and yet here we are. It's up to them to rise to the challenge and find ways of improving so they can match it with New Zealand sides on a regular basis.

Exactly, it's up to the Aussie sides to work hard to improve their overall standards.

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Reds:

Because if the best team in Aus can't beat the 4th best team in NZ (who aren't exactly playing well)

Then this comp as a sporting contest is a joke and almost completely worthless. Viewers on both sides of the Tasman will shut off in droves if this turns out to be as one sided as last year.

Only trouble with that argument Mariner is the 3 botom teams from Aus can't beat the top 2, so doesn't that make alternative comp a joke?