Tahs’ disaster cannot be contemplated

It’s a contemporary marketing campaign and there’s new blood rising on the park and in The Roar’s tipping panel.

Roar skilled Ben Pobjie takes over from Tony Harper, who completed lifeless final in 2024 and was duly relegated, whereas Nick Wasiliev is the incumbent champion panellist.

The motion begins Friday afternoon so get your ideas in under, and whilst you’re in fantasy mode, additionally take into account becoming a member of The Roar league within the Tremendous Rugby official fantasy recreation.

We’d wish to shoutout Roar reader Bourkos for getting on the ball with the league, serving as our league’s Chairman – be at liberty to enroll along with your Roar identify included!

You becoming a member of our Fantasy league proper right here.

The opening spherical begins on Friday afternoon in New Zealand with the Crusaders internet hosting the Hurricanes at 5.05pm AEDT, adopted by the Waratahs’ season debut towards Highlanders at 7.35pm. On Saturday, the Brumbies journey to play Fijian Drua at 2.35pm, the Blues host the Chiefs at 5.05pm and Western Pressure welcome Moana Pasifika to Perth within the 7.35pm recreation.

Take it away, new boy.

Ben Pobjie

Crusaders, Waratahs, Drua, Chiefs, Pressure

Crusaders vs Hurricanes: The best worry for the brand new Tremendous Rugby season is that it is going to be extra of the identical – each for Australian nationwide pleasure and a contest that wants unpredictability like a desert wanderer wants water. That stated, I’ve to go for the Crusaders right here, if solely from muscle reminiscence.

Waratahs vs Highlanders: Going for the boys in blue, just because they must win. They HAVE to. After all of the speak, all of the hype, all of the bullish forecasts and myriad star recruits, the disaster of a defeat at residence first-up can’t be contemplated. 

(Photograph by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Pictures)

Drua vs Brumbies: The Brumbies as all the time carry the burden of expectation and have a troublesome project first up in Fiji. Count on the Drua to return out all weapons blazing, and the ACT’s most interesting to not fairly be on the tempo but.

Blues v Chiefs: An ineffable sense tells me there’s an upset brewing, and final yr’s champions could be a tad gradual off the mark this season. It could possibly be wishful considering, however I really feel the Blues are weak, and Damian McKenzie has some extent to show. However then, doesn’t he all the time?

Pressure vs Moana: The journey to Perth and a Pressure facet itching to point out their mettle will likely be an excessive amount of for the long-suffering Moana. Or will they? The Pressure have a lot of expertise letting followers down, so the tip will not be given with any nice confidence.

Nick Wasiliev

Hurricanes, Waratahs, Drua, Blues, Pressure

Alrighty, right here we go once more. Defending champion on deck, and terrified! The Crusaders’ beginning facet appears fairly formidable, however ought to they lose anybody else, boy it’s grim. Having 14 gamers injured is a tough technique to begin the season, and even with the Canes having some sidelined, their depth continues to be fairly stable. Given the primary spherical normally has some early casualties, I’m going with the guests.

God, the 2 darkish horses dealing with off – I’m undecided the place to start. The Highlanders shocked lots of people final yr and are the extra settled facet, however the Tahs have choices popping out of in all places. Going with the prediction that Dan McKellar begins off with a win – however by a slim margin. 

Selecting the Drua towards the Brumbies damage me. This could give us a great indication as to the depth on show in Canberra. If the backups depart Suva with any kind of win, be careful! With so many Wallabies out, in hostile territory, the Drua ought to creep over the road.

The Blues set the usual final yr, and even with just a few gamers lacking, they nonetheless look good. Gained’t be the flogging like final yr’s last was, however they need to win.

I’m going the Pressure – however not with a number of confidence. They seemed very undercooked within the trials, and with Harry Hoopert and Harry Johnson-Holmes out for the season, their stable ahead depth is already being examined. Moana Pasifika has some good choices, particularly Ardie Savea. I reckon it’ll come all the way down to lower than a transformed strive – hope the Sea of Blue come out of their droves to get them residence. 

Christy Doran

Crusaders, Waratahs, Drua, Blues, Pressure

Incredible, one other yr of tipping and I’m undecided my hairline is trying ahead to it. 

There was nothing in it final yr and the strengthening of Australia’s lists will make it even tougher for tippers in 2025. The primary spherical of the competitors showcases that, as a result of you may make a powerful argument about each staff this weekend.

The Crusaders value me each tip final yr and so they may effectively first-up once more, however the absence of Jordie Barrett and Brett Cameron has me tipping the house facet to start out the comp. Plus, their ahead pack has All Blacks littered throughout it, beginning with the front-row.

The Waratahs will take a great month to search out their ft given the huge turnover of gamers, however there’s sufficient Take a look at mixtures to assume they need to be too robust for the Highlanders.

Even when the Brumbies had one or two extra of their Take a look at stars I used to be leaning to the Drua. Sure, they’re lacking a few regulars themselves, however they should financial institution an early win at residence – and they need to. The Brumbies have a brutal opening month.

(Photograph by Joe Allison/Getty Pictures)

If the Chiefs are inside a strive at half-time they could over run the Blues given they’ve bought some critical firepower to carry off the bench, however I’ll go together with the house facet.

The Pressure have already misplaced a few key males, however they’re a troublesome project for visiting groups and it’s important they beat Moana Pasifika. Their ahead pack, for now, is in considerably higher form than it was this time final yr.

Hamish Bidwell

Crusaders, Waratahs, Brumbies, Blues, Moana Pasifika

It could be good for the Hurricanes to win, however it’s important for the Crusaders after their struggles in 2024. On that foundation I merely see the end result mattering extra to them than it does the guests.

I don’t actually have a powerful feeling both means however, truthfully, if the Waratahs can’t beat this Highlanders’ facet then they’ll by no means beat anybody.

It’s by no means simple to play in Fiji, however I again the Brumbies to prevail in a detailed one.

I think the Blues will win by a lot. They need to do, given the expertise at their disposal and the best way they buried the Chiefs in final yr’s last.

If Moana Pasifika are going to fireplace a shot this season, it’ll be within the early rounds. They’re placing an inexpensive staff this week and will likely be buoyed by the presence of Ardie Savea.