2017 Prediction thread

[cashead]

Make yer predictions here, fuckers.

6 Nations
Ireland wins, but won't get the triple crown - Scotland or Wales will ambush them
England doesn't get the tier 1 test match record (fuck you, Eddie!)
Wales comes 4th
The pre-tournament discussion will be dominated by Bonus Points and how they're the devil. It will turn out that Ireland would have won regardless of whether or not there were BPs anyway, but that won't get in the way of undignified bitching from the losers.

SUPE RUGBY
Hurricanes have a disappointing defence of their title, won't even make the play-offs.
Blues will make the play-offs in their place.
Crusaders will win

Mid-year tests
England, without their best players, who are on Lions duty, will lose one of the two tests against Argentina
Australia will win all 3 of their tests, although Scotland will run them close (they also play Fiji and Italy)
Wales will get the shit knocked out of them by the Tongans and Samoans
Ireland will beat the USA comfortably, but will squeak past Japan in both tests
Scotland will beat Fiji
The Georgians will pull off an upset in Argentina
Romania will have a proper shit tour, and get duffed up by Japan and Canada
The Italians will match that, and will be on the wrong end of a hiding from the Aussies and Fijians
South Africa will win their series against France 2-1. One of these will be a blow-out. France will still win at Ellis Park (the 3rd test), going 5 from 5 at that venue.

Lions
All Blacks will win all three tests. They will beat the NZ Barbarians, although not by much, and the Maori All Blacks will beat them. At least 2, possibly 3 of the Super Rugby sides will also win their respective games.

Rugby Championships
The All Blacks will win, but lose a test match along the way. Possibly a resurgent South Africa in their home fixture.
South Africa will go 3 from 6 and finish runners up.

EOYT
All Blacks will go undefeated
The Springboks, to lose one test, but win the others.
The Wallabies to lose the Bledisloe test, but otherwise go undefeated. Cheika will finally get one over Jones, but just.
During all the hoopla, Ireland are announced as hosts of the 2023 RWC. One of the quarterfinals will take place at the Millennium Stadium because reasons.

[rowan]

6 Nations
England wins, gets the tier 1 test match record, media brags incessantly, Eddie declared Coach of the Millenium.
Italy again winless, wonder how they ever beat the Boks. Scots & French scrap for 4th.

SUPE RUGBY
Hurricanes again make the play-offs, but return to customary choker's status as Kiwis against dominate and produce the winner.
Aussies will do better.
Jaguares make play-offs.
Sunwolves, Kings, Rebels and Force again struggle, leading to changes for 2018 with 2 or 3 less teams.

Mid-year tests
England, without their best players, who are on Lions duty, will lose one of the two tests against Argentina. Agreed.
Australia will win all 3 of their tests, although Scotland will run them close (they also play Fiji and Italy). Agreed.
Wales will beat understrength & inadequately prepared Tongans and Samoans in a canter.
Ireland will beat the USA and Japan, but one of the tests against Japan will be close.
Scotland will edge an understrength and ill-prepared Fiji.
The Georgians will give Argentina a solid work-out but lose by 10 or 15.
Romania will have a proper shit tour, and get duffed up by Japan and Canada Agreed.
The Italians will lose to the Aussies by 10 or 15 but edge the understrength and ill-prepared Fijians
South Africa will win their series against France 2-1. Agreed.

Lions
All Blacks will win 2-1 in a tight struggle. The Lions will inflict their first home-defeat of the decade, however.
Hurricanes will also beat the tourists. Lions will win the rest.

Rugby Championships
The All Blacks will win, but lose a test match along the way. Possibly a resurgent Australia in their home fixture.
Australia will go 3 from 6 and finish runners up.
Argentina will pull off the now customary upsett, probably at home against SA again. An agonising home-loss will see victory over the All Blacks elude them yet again.

EOYT
No way I can predict this before I see how the regular season unfolds.

[rowan]

This probably should have gone on the General Rugby forum, to be honest. Last time I looked, the 6 Nations were definitely north of the equator . . .

[rowan]

Ah, so now it's on both forums, if anyone's confused.