After a series of close games and upsets (for the punters) last week, this week wont be much easier. Lets have a crack:
IPPY v State High
State High will be on a "high" this week after their performance against a disappointing BBC; they played well and probably deserve to be favourites for this one. However, Ippy at home, may prove more difficult to remove then they think. I can't help thinking (reviewing in my mind) the game against TSS: if Ippy play like that they will win. Season fatigue may be their only nemesis. Ippy by 5 in a close one.
BBC v Churchie
Again Churchie played very well last week and BBC had a day they wish to forget. I think the the main point to take out of both games: Churchie, made a lot of schoolboy errors and just didn't have the cattle to match NC; whilst BBC were in a sole destroying Fursden Fields trance that said "let them win!" I think BBC will end the year on a high, they need to bring it all together for the last game. If they do, (they have the cattle, just need the will) they will win this one at home (you getting the theme here?). BBC by 10.
TGS v GT
If Fursden Fields were the nemesis of BBC, then TGS was the nemesis of all you punters last week! In a weekend of upsets, this week will be different and it will be back to "normal transmission". These two teams have been fairly inconsistent, given all the usual hype at the beginning of the season (at least from one of them). It will be the team that shows up and has that extra pizzazz will take this one. I think that will be Terrace (against my theme): Terrace by 14.
NC v TSS
You all have thought (early in the season) that TSS would waltz this season in, and perhaps they may. They have had more scares than NC, whom seem to be just a little more consistent. I hear that some say "TSS will be too big, too strong", however I disagree; this is NOT a 2017 repeat. With the number that have played Nationals and with a lot of representatives (both teams), the Nudgee boys will not be as intimidated by the scrum (and size) as perhaps they were last year.
However, they do need to concentrate on the set piece more than ever, as there needs to be a greater focus and concentration here: no line-outs where no-one jumps (like last week). The 2 will be important to drive the set-piece. Make sure that in the line-outs he takes his time and gets the call right (and everyone knows the call) and then delivers the throw; in the scrum make sure the front row is concentrating on the hit. Its a big task, but I'm sure he's up for it. Just takes "being in the moment" and concentrate for those moments.
I think more important than "being big and strong" it will be speed out wide and speed and strength at the break-down, that will be a more critical factor. And this is where I think Nudgee has the advantage. I think there are "holes" out-wide in the TSS defense, and I haven't overly impressed with the work at the breakdown (read TSS's back-row). Unlike last year, Nudgee has been able to defend the "pick and drive" by skill and physical presence; even the pick n drive experts (Churchie) weren't able to crack them! On this point, I would rather have a hard game (like Churchie) on 'stodgy" or soft ground then have the weekend off watching.
So much for all the theory (it's the execution that counts), ofc anything can happen, its schoolboy rugby, right! Oh yes back to my theme, TSS are not the best traveler's, not this year, not over time. If Nudgee pull all the elements together this could be a "blow-out" NC by 12.
Good luck to all teams playing
