The upsets just keep on coming.
The mercurial Western Force pulled off a minor miracle over the Drua in Perth on Saturday, with a 48-10 win. The Fijian boys will be starting to look at the points table in earnest.
None of our tipsters across the South managed a clean sweep as there were some knife-edge results.
Predictably, the Chiefs put 40 on Moana Pasifika on Friday to extinguish their slim play-off hopes in a 43-7 drubbing.
The Reds had a gritty 26-22 win over the Rebels in Brisbane on Friday, but it was a lot closer than expected as the Melburnians certainly put up a fight.
In an absolute thriller, the Blues outlasted the Hurricanes in Auckland to go to the top of the table with a 31-27 win, but it was a game of inches in a torrid battle.
As predicted, the Highlanders were far too strong for the Crusaders in Dunedin on Saturday and thankfully they are out of their misery — they are done for the season. Cam Miller came of age for the Landers with a command performance and 28 points to boot.
The Brumbies did enough to beat the Waratahs 29-21, consigning them to the scrapheap.
In the South, Shane from GWD is still in front but the lead is slashed to one from Richard Gumboot’s best grocer, who would now have the lead if only he’d taken the Landers.
Reece from RDR Builders stormed up the table to fifth after an impressive round.
So who wins this weekend?
The Hurricanes (13+) bounce back and will put Moana Pasifika away at the Cake Tin.
The Rebels are at home to the Chiefs (12-) and it might be closer than you think. The Chiefs should get it done though.
The Drua (12-) are back at home and It'll be hot so they should get back on the horse over the Reds but if they don’t, they are gone. No pressure!
The Brumbies host the Crusaders (12-) and unbelievably I’m tipping the Canterbury boys. They were competitive in patches against the Landers, and Scooter Barrett the captain will be back, but I’ve been wrong before.
In the big game for the “Gordie Hunter”, the Blues are at home to the mighty Landers who are three from three. It pains me to say it, but I think the Blues (12-) may just be a bit strong up front but I’d love to be proved wrong.
In the last game of the round the Tahs head to Perth to take on the Force in a nothing game — perhaps the Force (12-) at home for the upset.
