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Anyone else surprised to see the Tahs come up favs here? Even putting aside finals history, how on Earth is the Tahs set piece going to survive? This looks a nightmare game to me. Expect the Saders to completely dominate the scrum and lineout and fielding one of the greatest back rows in Super...

Hahaha. Thanks SFR. You never know I guess! But just in case, I wouldn't cancel your other arrangements that weekend... Yeah that 6 max rule has thrown me a bit. Didn't expect it this round and was all set for a 17-man assault to finish. I'm thinking the front row is probably the weakest...

Getting to the business end now. One game left. ARU comp is all over. Freaking pumped for the Bledisloe! Moving on. Fox comp is far from safe yet. 46 points is a handy lead with just the final to go but one player can potentially swamp that. A few very tough decisions left that could turn...

No surprises at all in the end there. Exactly as expected. Now hopefully for an actual contest.

19 years without success (including 6 to this point) after being talked up in your country as the favourite for every one of them probably plays on your mind too at this juncture. I assume the Brumbies don't quite have the same expectation of impending doom based on past similar situations...

It's mental alright. Sharks $4.60 on Betfair. Still gross unders imo (should be pushing double figures) but if you were crazy enough to like $3.30, there's value there.

Anyone live near the ground and know if it has copped a battering overnight or not? Most reports suggest there shouldn't be much if any rain left before the game but be good to hear from someone nearby.

It's also likely to become a battle between whoever gets named on the opposite wing to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) (possibly Tomane), and Kuridrani. With Speight likely to slot straight in on one wing, they have the option of either replacing Tomane directly or moving AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to outside and dropping Kuridrani.

Interesting. Seems I'm in a different camp here. I can't recall the Saders having Read, McCaw and Carter on the park at the same time all year. Dagg struggled early but has found himself at the right time. Nadolo joined in half way through and has really hit his straps. They do this every...

Sounds like preparatory buck passing. When they inevitably get swamped by the Crusaders in Christchurch, all the fans will rightfully be asking why he played a 2nd string side against the Cheetahs which ultimately cost them the home final. The answer is simple - he stuffed up. But playing...

I couldn't have a Wallaby prop within a bull's roar of a World XV now or at any stage in the last 20 years. Reckon Moore, Hooper and To'omua would be considered but probably ultimately miss for now. Izzy one of the first picked. Be great to get a few more names in contention leading into the Cup.

Reckon Fardy is in the running? I figure he might be in the 32-man squad with Hooper, To'omua and Moore (if fit), but Izzy would likely be the sole Aussie flying the flag in the starting XV right now.

Anyone seen the Sharks lineup yet? I can't find it atm. Particularly interested in the halves. Bismarck spent the whole match absolutely giving it to Reinach last week then everything cooled when McLeod came on and they saved the game. He's an exciting guy to watch Reinach but I suspect Jake...

Bench: Phipps, Beale, McCabe looked solid against the Frenchies. Presumably same again.

I assumed AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Tomane early. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and Speight later.

Really? That's exactly what I'm expecting. Simmons and Carter basically morals to start unless Carter's ankle flares up again. Skelton the impact man off the bench. Horwill could be an alternate bench option if they are concerned about the lineout with Skelton out there though.

Pretty much 100% as expected. The 3rd halfback spot was always going to be dubious. I half expected them not to even bother with one and just play Jones as the extra lock again. No surprises with the rest. Injury permitting, I assume Pek, Hanson, Horwill, Higgers, Hodgson, Burgess and Horne...

It's interesting looking at the records of the sides from this point: Sharks: 8 times in finals, 4 times in final, 0 wins Saders: 15 times in finals, 10 times in final, 7 wins Tahs: 6 times in finals, 2 times in final, 0 wins Brumbies: 7 times in finals, 6 times in final, 2 wins From a...

Looking at the match ups across the park, it's hard to split the sides. Hooper is the Tahs big trump card. He's on a different plane to Buttler. Speight is probably the man for the Brumbies again. If he has another massive game and the Brumbies manage to keep Izzy quiet, they come right into it...

Any injury news or is everyone right to go? Can't imagine the Brumbies making any changes. Tahs get Horne and Izzy back but otherwise presumably the same. Unless they bring in Potgieter to strengthen the lineout a bit.