Always hard making first round picks when you not too sure about teams and their from going into the tournament.
My picks are made, hope most are right
Damn straight - so I apply a strategy. Whichever of the mutton-loving, wool-muffing, ram-sucking, sheep-fücking buck-tooth hicks wins, it is a guess to educate my choices going forward. At home, logic and of course heart rule:
Crusaders v Rebels
Crusaders will want an early victory and despite their poor showing last few weeks in warm-ups, those are warms, this is a home game: my only question is margin.
Brumbies v
Reds
Brumbies struggling with psychology, Reds struggling with lamb chop addicktion. Reds smell better, ever so slightly - must be the mint sauce.
Lions v Hurricanes
Who can tell this early? The one opportunity you have to choose the lions without prejudice and you throw it away? I don't think so. Lions over these visiting weather conditions.
Blues v
Chiefs
Chiefs easily. Oh wait, didn't I say that last year and come short?
Sharks v Cheetahs
Could be a close call, actually, and this is the time the Cheetahs would choose to upset former contenders Sharks. I expect a narrow margin in favour of the home side.
BULLS v Stormers
Smart money favours the home side in this match-up. For once. FFS - we better win it! Or else I will be upset!
Waratahs v
Force
Speaking of upset, Force to take it. Waratahs will have upset stomach from swallowing too much ram jizz the night before.