Yep there you go Cane. That's why I didn't want you doing the Landers +15 bet. Gonna be a new winner this year. Canes mass faves EDIT: Landers lost only by 12 in the end but could have easily ended else so.
[MENTION=2357]Rego[/MENTION] I watched the highlights package, The Lions are an excitement machine...Could they seriously just pick 10-12 of them for the springboks and add in only complete standout players from other teams. What do you think?
Yep was talking to someone else about this the other day. I wouldn't complain at all. They've effectively gone away from what you'd call a traditional SA style of play and play more in line to what we see over here in NZ. Their set piece, especially their scrum is strong too (something that does worry me against the Canes). Definitely think the coaches help the cause, especially Ackerman. So with the right coach as well I think a Lion-esque team and style would only do wonders for the national team. Ironically this is another victory in the (Southern Hemisphere style of play, cough NZ > Northern) maybe other SA teams will pick up on it. Jantjies needs to start for SA.
Can't be bothered betting on the final. Can't think of how to make money out of the game short of a $100 bet on the Canes to cover the spread. I don't really want to lay down a big bet like that as it makes me agitated when watching the game. The other problem is that you can't multi up different bets on the same game.
I probably won't bet on the final either but will wait for things like total match points. I effectively already have money on it anyway with my preseason Canes to win the comp bet - I'm guaranteed $23 profit if they lose, $123 profit if they win.
70℅ Canes win, 30℅ Lions. If this was a regular season match it'd be more like 80/20 but the final factor (anything can happen and teams stepping up lowers it a bit). Lions are having to travel, Canes have been at home all play offs. Canes smashed them in Johannesburg a couple months back and noticeably we're in the form of our lives. Lions are too but have had tired opposition. Speaking of tired, Lions looked it in the last 15 against the Landers.
55% Canes 45% Lions Travel will be irrelevent in a grand final. But the home town crowd should give the Canes the edge. It isn't 70% 30% - Again Lions actually won a match against a top NZ franchise in NZ this year. No one else did. Let me repeat that. No other team came to our shores and beat anyone (unless the blues conspired to lose something). This is a final. Lions will play their very best. And also because this is a final look for a volatile performance from Wellington. Plenty of ghosts from the past to haunt them if they don't get off to an early lead to settle their nerves. Wellington are not a finals team.
You're forgetting the Canes beat the Lions at their home 50-17 when the Lions were playing decent rugby. Travel factor is huge, it cuts out so much prep let alone the jet lag factor. Chiefs played so badly that game. Canes have been the best performing team this play offs - haven't let a try in etc. Against the top try scoring team. Meh everyone says the Canes Choke - Wellington maybe, Canes nah - this is only our 3rd final. Lions have never been this far either. The Lions were tiring in the last 10 against the Landers don't forget.
Yep on a pure number/ statistical basis, the probability is Canes 75.2℅, Lions 24.8℅ so what I said before is justified.
The Lions have done well though... to get here they've had to beat two very good teams. Come on the canes!
Hmm both games the Saders and Landers were zonked mind you. It's like I'm sitting on gold with my tickets that I have, some scalpers are fetching triple the price of tickets. Must say I've been quite lucky to be able to get tickets for both finals, this year and last.
Sooooo happy!!!!! Lost my voice and all. Never would I expect a Canes team to not let any tries in for a whole play offs, that's insane.