Updated playoff picks
 

With more games played, here’s how I update my view of the eventual playoffs.

From the Australasian group, the Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders are very likely to make the playoffs. There will probably be just one Australian team. It’s close between the Rebels, Brumbies and Waratahs.

In South Africa, the Stormers, Lions and Bulls are very likely to be the playoff teams. The Sharks have an outside chance to displace the Lions.

Ray

Super Rugby Week 12
 

In week 11, five of my seven favourites own. That included my favourite Sharks who were the bookmakers’ underdog, so Sharks followers cashed a value bet.

Good luck with week 12.

Ray Stefani

Super Rugby Week 13
 

Week 12 went well. There was one game that I rated even. Of the other seven, my favourite won six and tied one. My favourite Highlanders were the bookie's underdog, so Highlanders supporters cashed a value bet.

Good luck with lucky week 13.

Ray Stefani

cheers ray :)

Super Rugby Week 14
 

My favourites won 6 of 7 last week and 70% for the season. That’s pretty high accuracy. I’ve only had 70% or more right in 2 of 15 seasons. For professional sports, getting 2/3 (67%) right is good prediction.

Good luck with week 14

Cheers,

Ray Stefani

Thanx Ray for your tipping info..sure has been a big help

Super Rugby Week 15
 

For week 14, 7 of my 8 favourites won, including the Waratahs who were the bookie underdogs. The Waratahs rewarded followers with a value bet cashed. That brings my accuracy for the last 3 weeks for my favourites winning to 20 from 23.

Early in the season, I suggested that the Stormers, Lions and Bulls were likely to make the playoffs, whilst the Sharks had a chance to pass the Bulls (they had consistently higher computer ratings). In fact the Sharks have passed the Bulls. I wrote that The Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders should advance along with just one Aussie team among the Rebels, Brumbies and Waratahs. The Brumbies and Waratahs are fighting it out.

Week 15 isn’t until July. I’ll be away during July so this might be my last set of predictions for the year. If that is so, all the best to everyone!

Ray Stefani

Well done Ray
Thanks buddy

Super Rugby Semifinals
 

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry that my travelling was such that I couldn't send out the last three weeks of predictions. I last sent Round 15 where all 9 of my favourites won.

The top 4 of my computer-rated teams are the 4 semifinalists. The Hurricanes and Chiefs are paired and have nearly the same ratings. The Lions and Highlanders are paired and also have about the same ratings. The predictions come down to home advantage which is a bit higher for international matches than for domestic matches, which is why the Hurricanes are favoured by 3 in an all NZ match whilst the Lions are favoured by 5 in a SA-NZ match up.

Good luck with the two semis. These should be two great matches.

Ray Stefani

Super Rugby Final
 

We are down to the last Super Rugby match of the new alignment. Last week, both of my favourites won. Altogether, 72% of my favourites won this season. Predicted score differences and predicted score totals have been the most accurate ever. Last week, Lions supporters cashed a value bet.

The final fixture seems fair. The top Australasian team from the final table will meet the top South African team from that final table. That’s what SANZAR wanted.

Good luck with the final and with whatever else you do until next season.

Cheers,

Ray Stefani