Take on the Tipster

Editor

As one nine-week shindig draws to a close, others are either on the home straight or just warming up if one is watching the north.

As one nine-week shindig draws to a close, others are either on the home straight or just warming up if one is watching the Northern Hemisphere.

Despite its longevity, the Tri-Nations tournament has largely been a very good watch and even after the trophy was claimed by the Boks, the other two players cannot let up this Saturday.

It will be one final big effort in order to avoid finishing at the foot of the 2009 standings.

Elsewhere and the Guinness Premiership has once again been attempting to attract bigger audiences, with Saracens playing at Twickenham and Wembley Stadium in consecutive rounds. It seems to be working though as the side from Watford sit just behind leaders Wasps.

The Magners League meanwhile has thrown up its fair share of upsets that has left Glasgow and Edinburgh setting the early regular-season pace. The Scottish duo will of course be looking to follow up the latter's second-place finish of 2008/09.

Big-name teams such as the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues are surprisingly two of the strugglers after losing to Ulster and Munster respectively last week, so it should be interesting to see how the star-studded men from Swansea respond against European champions Leinster, who are boosted by the return of some British & Irish Lions.

But enough of past form…what can we expect from the Tipster this week?

Let's take a look at what our anonymous man has for us then as Planet Rugby once again teams up with Sky Bet to pick out the best betting options on offer.

Banker of the week

Events taking place in Durban this Saturday could be vital to Currie Cup play-off matters.

Should the Cheetahs fall to the Sharks without so much as a bonus-point in their pockets then glasses will surely be raised in Pretoria, with the Blue Bulls now playing catch-up.

And that I feel should be the case as even if John Plumtree's starting XV cannot put their visitors away, then he can call on a bench of Du Plessis, Smit, Daniel, Pienaar and Jacobs.

Take the Sharks (-8) to beat the Cheetahs!

Worth a punt

New Zealand have chopped and changed ahead of this Saturday's final 2009 Tri-Nations fixture, but will it prove to be their undoing?

My opinion on playing two number tens alongside each other will never change, as those who have witnessed the Stephen Jones/Jonny Wilkinson or Jonny Wilkinson/Charlie Hodgson axis will no doubt agree.

Isaia Toeava's immediate impact off the bench last week is not something that a contact hungry Stephen Donald could even muster in 50 minutes of action at Waikato Stadium so it will be interesting to see how Dan Carter goes with specialist centres this time around.

However, this Australian team under Robbie Deans can definitely sneak matters in Wellington and they will be refreshed to strike should the Kiwis be off their game…

Get on the Wallabies by 1-5 points!

Hail Mary

A plethora of game to choose from so I've opted for eight that could result in a hefty return.

Cardiff Blues, Glasgow, Ulster, New Zealand, Saracens, London Irish, Wasps, Sharks

Stake – £5.00 = £BIG Return!

Anything take your fancy?