[brettels]

Can't remember who it was but there were a few great ITM cup cappers in here not so long ago.

Let's get this money maker happening.

First game today

Counties Manukau(+7.5) vs Wellington(-7.5)

[brettels]

wow this place is a ghost town

Manukau +7.5

[davopnz]

Really strong Welly team especially in the forwards, am leaning towards them

[the tross]

Welli -7 @1.90 for 1 unit. Don't know why, just following davo .

[brettels]

Here they are!

ITM site preview has Manukau winning by 15

[davopnz]

That's an absurd prediction!

I'm keeping an eye out for a live play. I see counties come out hard and fast but I think Welli can absorb the pressure and dominate the game as it goes on.

[brettels]

WE THINK: Counties Manukau are a team that thrives on playing at pace. It's a style that worked so well in the Championship division last year but clearly took a toll as the season wore on.

In round one we think they're going to be a serious challenge for Wellington, who need to stop the roll up front first.

Coles, Vito, Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Brad Shields certainly give the visiting forward pack an edge in terms of individual talent but they've certainly got their work cut out for them this week.

If Counties can gain dominance up front, look for the likes of Sherwin Stowers, Ahsee Tuala and Frank Halai to blow this one wide open off the back of some quick ball at the ruck.

Logic tells us that Wellington should have too much class for the home side in this one, but we can't shake the feeling that the underdogs will get up.

Counties by 15.

(itmcup.co.nz)

[brettels]

Thanks davopnz, eventually followed (for the win not the line ) with wellington. Confidence sky high watching this game right now.

[davopnz]

great way to start the season

[brettels]

great way to start the season

Definitely

On to tomorrow nights game

Canterbury 1.22 v Taranaki 4.25

11.5 line

Canterbury have had only one warm-up game, the hybrid game against the All Blacks. Taranaki has shown some impressive form in warm-up games with wins over Counties-Manukau 38-34 and Waikato 31-17 but lost to Hawke's Bay in a close one 29-31. Canterbury may be struck with injury worries but they still have depth in their squad and the only player missing from last year's squad is Telusa Veainu. Taranaki have a new look this season and that is the result of a significant loss of hard-core personnel, most notably captain Craig Clarke who has opted for the overseas experience. Joining him in that regard are long-standing lock Jason Eaton and midfield back Jayden Hayward. Alongside them Michael Bent, Brett Goodin and Scott Waldrom are other notable absentees from the side. We think Canterbury by 10

http://itmcup.co.nz/index.cfm?layout...sArticle=22998

[sweepem]

TEAMS:

Canterbury1.Paea Fa'anunu, 2.Ben Funell, 3.Nepo Laulala, 4.Matt Symons, 5.Luke Katene, 6.Luke Whitelock, 7.Matt Todd, 8.Jordan Taufua, 9.Willi Heinz, 10.Tyler Bleyendaal, 11.Milford Keresoma, 12.Rob Thompson, 13.Adam Whitelock, 14.Patrick Osborne, 15.Jamie Verran.

Replacements: 16.Marcel Cummings-Toone, 17.Sione Faletau, 18.Joel Everson, 19.Jed Brown, 20.Andy Ellis, 21.Richie Mo'unga, 22.Marty Swart.

Taranaki1.Carl Carmichael, 2.Timo Tutavaha, 3.Shane Cleaver, 4.Jarrad Hoeata, 5.James Broadhurst, 6.Kane Barrett (captain), 7.Berny Hall, 8.Blade Thomson, 9.Chris Smylie, 10.Beandein Waaka, 11.Waisaka Naholo, 12.Isaia Tuifua, 13.Andre Taylor, 14.Jackson Ormond, 15.Kurt Baker.

Replacements: 16.Rhys Marshall, 17.Sione Lea, 18.Mitchell Crosswell, 19.Doug Tietjens, 20.Jamison Gibson-Park, 21.Daniel Brooks, 22.Seta Tamanivalu.

Canterbury is usually money at home but with all their injuries the squads now look pretty much even. Taranaki + the points might be the play.

[Shazzadude]

Taranaki opened at 13.5, I'm kicking myself for not hopping on earlier because I was targeting it for a big play.

I still like +11.5, and Taranaki 1-12.

My leans on all games are:

Taranaki +11.5
Hawke's Bay -8.5
Northland +8.5
Tasman +3.5
Otago -4.5

I believe the line was meant to open at -8.5 for Otago until the late announcement of 1 cap Wallaby Beau Robinson signing on for BOP for the season.

[brettels]

Davopnz, Easysaid.

Check in and let us know your thoughts on tonights game?

[davopnz]

I would lean towards Canterbury -11.5, that is still a really powerful team.

Super level class loose trio and Super level class Halves combo. Keresoma and Osborne will do some damage when they get the ball.

I really hope we get to see Richie Mo'unga off the bench, he played for a Rival school of mine two years ago and is a real playmaker.

Marty Swart is also an excellent prospect at fullback who dominated at school level.

I see no reason to not take the over in this game though both teams will play attacking footy and the weather is beautiful here in Christchurch.

[Shazzadude]

This game reminds me a lot of round 1 Canterbury v Tasman last season-Tasman were in hot form in pre-season, Canterbury were stuck in the transition between Super 15 and the ITM cup. The bookies gave Tasman a 13.5-15.5 start (around that range) and $6 H2H and Tasman won straight up.

[davopnz]

Easy cover for Can't but lost on the over, sloppy game.

[Shazzadude]

Good call on Canterbury Davo. Canterbury should be -20 minimum for every game this season bar Wellington after that performance with a virtual B side.

[davopnz]

Osborne is an animal with ball in hand

[davopnz]

hawkes bay ml live/northland +14.5 multi

[davopnz]

Quite like Tasman +4.5 but will wait for a live play.

Tasman +12.5/Northland +14.5/Aus +12.5 @ 2.55 is a nice parlay

[davopnz]

5/5 on sides in ITM Cup so far, unfortunately Aus getting blown off the face of the earth cost me a bit

[davopnz]

like both overs today

[brettels]

North Harbour 2.35 v Counties Manukau 1.60

+4.5 -4.5

over/under 53.5


How do the ITM Cup experts see this one ?

[Shazzadude]

I think both lines are about right.

The best value pick for me this weekend is Hawke's Bay +3.5.

[sando]

Harbour are a shit team who sometimes plays outstanding Rugby out of the blue. Remember last season when they nearly pulled off unthinkable (beat Wellington in Wellingotn). Was nice secnd half fight back last week against Auckland but now maybe over-valued today. Counties definitely superior club even with injuries. Line looks not bad. Counties -1.5 1st Half looks nice to me (or full game)

[davopnz]

I like counties tonight too, think this line is way off. Last season it would have been double figures

[gimps_77]

Hitting over 5.5 tries at $1.9

[the tross]

I like counties tonight too, think this line is way off. Last season it would have been double figures

Thanks davo .stuck a unit on the -5.

[sando]

Easy money. Nice start to the season for me.

[brettels]

Well done fellas. Strong start to the year.

[the tross]

Another Thursday night special. Wish they could all be this easy.

[the tross]

Thanks for the play guys. Money for jam.

[davopnz]

[twinky99]

Great pick mate. Looking forward to today's picks

[brettels]

Today's two

Taranaki 3.5 (+9.5) v Wellington 1.30 (-9.5)

Over/Under 53.5


Waikato 1.34 (-7.5) v Otago 3.05 (+7.5)

Over/Under 47.5