The Oracle’s most consistent phrase this week is that’s he’s low on confidence. Keo’s told him to pack away his violin and be a punter who speaks with conviction. The two agree that the weekend’s MONEY MATCH is the Australian derby between the Brumbies and the Reds.

Hurricanes v Sharks

Oracle: Hurricanes smashed the rebels last week and Sharks smashed the Blues last week. I am getting an inkling that this 21.5 is just a bit too much and I will have a small speculative play on the Sharks. It is with no confidence though. Call: Sharks +21.5 at 0.5 units

Keo: The Hurricanes will win but the differential will be closer to 10 than the very excessive bookies’ odds. I have more confidence in the Sharks than the Oracle. 

Sunwolves v Waratahs

Oracle: The Waratahs should beat this handicap with relative ease. I have not called the Sunwolves correctly so far, and so for that reason I will keep stakes lower here and rather have a small play. Call: Waratahs -15.5 at 1 unit

Keo: The Oracle’s on the run here. He needs to be braver. The Tahs will win by 25 points plus.

Chiefs v Blues

I am blown away here, how can this one be less than double digits? It’s almost too good to be true. I cannot see the Blues staying within twenty never mind ten, but because it is a NZ derby I will go medium. Call: Chiefs -9.5 at 2.5 units

Keo: The Oracle is like a punter with stage fright. He’s not confident, he’s doubting himself and he’s not being guided by form. The Chiefs, at home, will win by 15-plus points against a Blues team that is the weakest in the NZ Conference.

Brumbies v Reds-4.5 11h45 Saturday

Oracle: The bookies have the wrong favourite here and quite frankly are thumb sucking. This is a ridiculous quote and as with all silly quotes needs to be punished. It iAsn’t quite a Super Max bet but it is my BEST BET OF THE WEEKEND. Call: Reds on the board at 15/10 for 4 units

KEO: Finally, the Oracle is talking like a punter and not a fearful suffering fan. I’m with the Oracle on this one. Invest in the Reds and in 80 minutes you’ll see the reward in cash.

Lions v Stormers

Oracle: This fixture has taken the #RubbishvRubbish tag. The Lions should have been smashed against the Crusades and the Stormers were useless against the Bulls. This handicap is spot on. This will be a one try win by the Lions. My wallet will not be stretched here by any means and this game will be kept to absolute minimum, with no confidence to speak of whatsoever. Call: Lions -7.5 at 0.25 units

KEO: Cry me a river. The Oracle’s rage is more hurt fan than informed punter but his bet is all PUNTER. Neither side is Rubbish or Useless, but neither is good enough to win the title. Home ground advantage is worth a single score to the Lions.

Jaguares v Crusaders

Oracle: The Jaguares have been reasonably poor at home and last week the Crusaders gave me nothing in confidence. I will rather go for a speculative play on the Jaguares winning on the board, which appears to be massive value! Call: Jaguares on the board at 6/1 for 0.5 units

KEO: The Crusaders to win by 15 plus points.  

Pro 14 Cheetahs v Cardiff

Oracle: Cardiff narrowly got over the line v Cheetahs in the reverse fixture. This week the bookies give them an 11.5pt start, it looks roughly accurate, but I have not been impressed with their away form and I will have a small go on the minus, very low confidence here, it just looks the right way to go. Call: Cheetahs -11.5 at 1 unit

KEO:  The Oracle is again low on confidence. Give him a violin! The Cheetahs players haven’t had a break since February, 2017. They’ll win at home but it will be by less than double digits. I say this with GREAT confidence.

Kings v Munster 

Oracle: Munster have only won two away games v Ospreys and Zebre. This is their first trip to the Republic and although they are correctly listed as favourite, I just cannot see them overcoming a two try handicap. For me the start is just too high to ignore, especially considering that the game is in George. I am expecting a full stadium of around 10,000 spectators welcoming the Kings. Call: Kings +14.5 at 2.5 units

KEO: Reality check to the Oracle. The people of George don’t give a shit about the Kings. There won’t be 10 000 people at the ground because nothing in George has ever got 10 000 people to the venue. The only big number here will be the one that Munster deliver in points differential. 

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