Ben Perkins Predicts Round 12
Waratahs V Force!
Force To Go Bang!
I keep coming back to James O"Connor. He is the best player of either
team. You can argue that Pocock is your man etc, but he is a negative
player. O'Connor is going to score you points! Do I want Pocock in the
team? YES Please! and Thankyou! James O'Connor is way better than
Beale. Way more reliable, and a better goal kicker. The Tah's without
Waugh and Company are just battling along now. They showed some kind
of fight last week but they were only playing the Rebels who are close
to a mirage based around de ja vue, lets face it... and they beat them
at home playing a bunch of "no" names...( Hilgen some thing?)Not a
strong form line. The
Force are well led by Sharpe. They have Pocock and Hodgson back and
that spells big trouble at the breakdown for a heavily depleted Tah
tah line up. Yes I think Cam Shepherd and James O'Connor will score
all the points, or cause all the points.
While the game is being played in NSW its the only positive I can find
besides Burgess exposing Sheehan for pace... I would be instructing
Pocock not to let Burgess get started as he can get behind Sheehan in
his sleep... Burgess is their wild card for sure. O'Connor versus
Barnes is like Perkins with no machine gun V Carter ...Total miss
match.
I am keen the Force, they played super well last week, and should only
take the many positives out of it. They should win if they let
O'Connor get hold of the ball, and call the shots... I would move him
to ten to match Barnes, and tell him to go out there and kill him. I
would also get Pocock and Hodgson and anyone over 7 stone running at
Barnes to test him out... But don't blame me that is just the way I
love teams to play... Make no mistake playing for the Brothers club
under Tony Shaw was a lot of fun! Barracking for Port Adelaide who
were the meanest team ever in AFL history... ( Once upon a time) does
generate thought patterns that you tend to go to.. Get Barnes off the
field so Halangahu comes on. He is close to useless in this grade of
rugby. Force by a knock out! ( Or on points)
Lions V Cheetahs The rematch...Last time I tipped the Lions a special
and bet according. This time I am tipping the Cheetahs and don't care.
Stormers V Crusaders
Incredible match up. Full house for sure. Both teams come off
remarkable victories. The Crusaders had to work hard to get over the
Force, and with Carter POSSIBLY back this week it gives the team a
delightful new shape... ( I am iffy about Berquist) The other huge
factor in this match is that the Stormers are coming off a group one
effort that will be hard to replicate this week. Their physicality
last week was stupendous. Can they back up and do it with Carter
running the show? The Stormers proved themselves to be the best
defenders in the game again, and I suppose that energy and adrenalin
will still be pumping...it will have to be to overcome the backline of
the Crusaders. In the forwards here at home I suppose the Stormers
will be pumped. Will Schalk Burger get yellow carded? His vicious
play last week was overlooked and disguised brilliantly. You have to
watch this bloke closely to appreciate the mayhem he causes. He thinks
nothing of falling on heads, poking eyes, and looking blond and
innocent all the while. He is gifted. Whilst I am far from sure I will
tip the Stormers, but I am not sure they can reproduce that same
ferocity in defence only a week later..it was brutal and brilliant.
Storm by 1
Sharks Eat Brumby Pie
The Sharks were humbled last week by a viciously ferocious Stormers...
and now they have to take that humility out on some body.. and along
come the Brumby rugby bums..just touring around and offered a
game.. "Come on over and bring your kit! Start about 7.30..or when
ever suits you?" "Ok say the Brumbies".. What a mistake. This is going
to be head turning! I can see players limping off the worst for
wear... I can see bowed heads behind the try line.. I can see an ice
filled plane with tourists talking of the terrible beating they took,
and constant echoing calls of "More Ice and Tremmel,and gimme yellow,
red, and blue tablets pleaseeee", from those unable to get out of
their layed ( laid?) back business class chairs.
The Sharks forwards will rip the Brumby forwards to pieces,and then
run rampant and win by about 26... and if they don't win by more than
15 then the Sharks are not who I thought they were... Willem Alberts
will get his revenge.... Don't let kids under 18 watch this match.
Rebels V Reds
Both teams look a bit unsavoury after poor efforts last week. There is
no doubt the Rebels are no good on any level, and selection wise I
would bet $8.50 in cash at even money that a lot of players would be
thinking negative things about their super coach. His selections last
week were verging on mutiny inspiring I thought. If that's not true
spill the beans on what the truth is?
The Reds have to get back to basics of holding onto the ball and
taking it to the line. There is absolutely no point on any level in
kicking it away more than say 6 times this week! They will destroy the
Rebels who look like they are dressed in a ridiculous type blue button
up vest jumper. Who ever the idiot was who thought this un frightening
get up was, well he should take a bow as it suits their dinner party
demeanour. The Rebels basically have nothing going for them to win
this match. They pick players out of position, and players suited
better to club footy or retirement home investing, and inventories.
I suppose Genia versus Phipps will be the grand stand duel. But with
the Rebels stopping to a tired walk, it will be the best spectacle of
all. Coach McKenzie should make sure the game is played at a fast pace
and that they don't give
the Rebels anything that resembles a ball. Reds by 28
