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[aoluain]

NRL - I always find the finals really (even more) difficult to predict. My thinking is
straight off that the No.1 team on the ladder will at least reach the final (thats the way
its been for the last 3 or 4 years)

So I would be thinking, Raiders to beat Broncos, Storm to beat Bulldogs and Sharks
to beat Roosters. I certainly wont be betting on the Panthers to beat Warriors.


Womens Rugby World Cup

Cant believe Ireland failed to score a single point against New Zealand, we aint
that bad, 6th in world ranking, 2 spots and 10 points behind.

Yea Rugby in NZ - its their national sport!

[Timelord2067]

Argentina will try to stare down Australia in the next couple of hours, then New Zealand should comfortably win their encounter.

In the women's rugby, Australia play Canada - a team they haven't had much luck against (if at all).

NRL.

The low scoring game between the Storm and Bulldogs saw plenty of head knocks and a little bit of blood spilt. In the end, Melbourne again reserved a place in the semis. Something they've done 10 out of the last 11 years.

The Warriors take on the Link Panthers in the early game in Auckland. I'm expecting the Panthers to put in a solid performance and win easily.

[darbitmobilerecovery]

Argentina will try to stare down Australia in the next couple of hours, then New Zealand should comfortably win their encounter.

As you know i dont come here so much, but this time i have to come and comment.

What the fuck is doing the referee and the TMO? I mean how they can allow the last try from Australia, two forward pass but the last one was outrageous it was super clear in normal but even after with camera support they dont disallowed them, and with that one Australia scores a bonus point, so is a also harmfull for all the other teams.

[aoluain]

Argentina will try to stare down Australia in the next couple of hours, then New Zealand should comfortably win their encounter.

As you know i dont come here so much, but this time i have to come and comment.

What the fuck is doing the referee and the TMO? I mean how they can allow the last try from Australia, two forward pass but the last one was outrageous it was super clear in normal but even after with camera support they dont disallowed them, and with that one Australia scores a bonus point, so is a also harmfull for all the other teams.

No problem, pop i n when you can.


Australia v Argentina, yea that controversial try for Australia seems to be doing
the rounds on the media already. I read it on the Guardian...

“How was that last try given?” asks an incredulous Andrew Sparrow. “The most obvious forward pass you’ll ever see. I can see how the ref might miss it, but what was the TMO doing?” I agree Andrew, it looked forward out of the hand to me, and very forward on reception. I’m glad it didn’t have a bearing on the result.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/sep/13/rugby-championship-australia-wallabies-v-argentina-pumas-live

That comment seems to have missed the important point you make - Australia got
a losing bonus point because of the TMO's decision. Shocking really given they have
the benefit of multi angle playbacks.

I have seen this happen on a few occasions, its not good for certain bets either, bets
could be lost because of those decisions

[darxiaomi]

Australia v Argentina, yea that controversial try for Australia seems to be doing
the rounds on the media already. I read it on the Guardian...

“How was that last try given?” asks an incredulous Andrew Sparrow. “The most obvious forward pass you’ll ever see. I can see how the ref might miss it, but what was the TMO doing?” I agree Andrew, it looked forward out of the hand to me, and very forward on reception. I’m glad it didn’t have a bearing on the result.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/sep/13/rugby-championship-australia-wallabies-v-argentina-pumas-live

That comment seems to have missed the important point you make - Australia got
a losing bonus point because of the TMO's decision. Shocking really given they have
the benefit of multi angle playbacks.

I have seen this happen on a few occasions, its not good for certain bets either, bets
could be lost because of those decisions

Yeah what shock me the most is the last pass is SUPER forward because in football we have the same problem with some play because of the angle of the camera can appear is not in the same line, but in this case no matter the angle of the camera it was stragiht forward.

And as i said the MAIN problem is Australia got an extra point and that makes a concern for every team involved not only Argentina who luckily ended up winning the game.

[aoluain]

Australia v Argentina, yea that controversial try for Australia seems to be doing
the rounds on the media already. I read it on the Guardian...

“How was that last try given?” asks an incredulous Andrew Sparrow. “The most obvious forward pass you’ll ever see. I can see how the ref might miss it, but what was the TMO doing?” I agree Andrew, it looked forward out of the hand to me, and very forward on reception. I’m glad it didn’t have a bearing on the result.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/sep/13/rugby-championship-australia-wallabies-v-argentina-pumas-live

That comment seems to have missed the important point you make - Australia got
a losing bonus point because of the TMO's decision. Shocking really given they have
the benefit of multi angle playbacks.

I have seen this happen on a few occasions, its not good for certain bets either, bets
could be lost because of those decisions

Yeah what shock me the most is the last pass is SUPER forward because in football we have the same problem with some play because of the angle of the camera can appear is not in the same line, but in this case no matter the angle of the camera it was stragiht forward.

And as i said the MAIN problem is Australia got an extra point and that makes a concern for every team involved not only Argentina who luckily ended up winning the game.

In times like this and as I have mentioned situations have happened like this before,
I always wonder if there are ulterior motives or political pressures to these TMO decisions?

If its is so obvious for almost everyone else, how can a decision be made like that?

I won't say it'll be a walk over, but I feel the Sharks have played much better and more consistently all year.  Therefore, my picks are:

Canberra (only just)
Melbourne
Penrith
Cronulla

oooohhh what a match between the Raiders and Broncos! you were right that it
would be a close match and losing by 1 point is close!

I put a $5 cheeky bet on the Sharks @ 2.17 which was nice.


Its funny how the 3 teams I have been betting on all season* are in the semi finals!

[Timelord2067]

I am *finally* home barely an hour before kick off between the Raiders and the Sharks.

Last weekend, I managed to see three out of the four games of the weekend, but then I've had to rush about all week getting stuff done.

Holy Fk! What a game between the Raiders and the Broncos. 95 solid minutes of hard playing Rugby League.  The bay boy of the broncos lived up to his reputation by getting sent off only to come back and assist/score three tries in the last 20 minutes to bring the score to 28 - 28.  Then, after two five minutes halves, the game went into "golden point" as the scores were still even.  After a number of attempted field goals in the two five minutes halves, the Broncos manged a heart stopping field goal to win the game.  My money was on the Raiders (as it is again tonight), but I will admit, the Broncos earned their win.

Tonight, the Raiders at $1.74 Vs the Sharks $2.10
Tomorrow night, the Bulldogs $3.40 Vs Penrith $1.32

((Melbourne and Brisbane are the Two teams being favoured to make the Grand Final)).

If its is so obvious for almost everyone else, how can a decision be made like that?

The media did the rounds of that issue for about a millisecond, then concentrated on Australia's Women valiantly loosing to Canada.

Next weekend, Arch Frienemies Australia ($4.50) and New Zealand ($1.20) clash again, while the South Africa Vs Argentina game is evenly split.

Across the ditch in the NPC, Northland ($1.48) and North Harbour ($2.55) play in the early game, then, Bay of Plenty ($1.34) and Manawatu ($3.10) face off.

[aoluain]

By the sounds of it that .match between the Raiders and Broncos will go down as a classic.
For the spectators, fans and casual viewers I'm sure it was a right cracker. The Raiders will
be hurting from that especially being the top team this season and then to be beaten
in the finals, they probably see themselves are rightful Grand Finalists.

I have bets on the Raiders to win today and on ^{I'd like to say 'my old reliables'}
The Panthers, they have let me down this season but I'm taking a punt on them
for this match tomorrow.

[Timelord2067]

(Last week) The Raiders thought they won at full time with a disallowed try, then again at the 90th minute.  By the 95th minute the tension hung thick in the air while the field goal replay was analysed.


(tonight) At half time, Canberra were down 6 - 12 against the Sharks.  At full time, Canberra lost 12 - 32 in a really tough, gritty match.  Next week, the Sharks go up against the Melbourne Storm.

It'd be funny if the Grandfinal was between the Sharks and Bulldogs.

[aoluain]

Damn, that was a strange one for the Raiders ^{Too team all season} to lose that
second match on the trot, and with it my bet - sadly. Not only that I have been backing
the Sharks for the most part of the season - I am asking myself why I didnt back them
when they had great odds?

My second bet was a winner with the Panthers - with this bet the only thing I went on
was that they have been at this stage of the tournament for the last 4 seasons so
with the grand final in sight they are a different team.

[Timelord2o67]

We're down to the last four teams and only 80(+) minutes away from the 2025 NRL Grand Final.

Gone are the minor premiers Canberra.  Instead, the Storm face the Sharks on Saturday.  Then, on Sunday, the show down to eclipse last week's 95 minute block buster with a repeat of last year's Grand Final - the Brisbane Broncos take on the Penrith Panthers.

I'd love to say it's the Sharks, but I will go with the Storm to win.  Then... the Broncos are going to give it absolutely *everything* more-so than they did last year.  But, I'm going with the Panthers - will it go to 95 minutes?  It'd be the game of the century if it did.  I think it'll be "Game! Set! Bingo!" by the 60th minute with the Panthers just too good.

I think they threw early games as they were 17th out of 17 half way through the year.  A calculated risk that so far has paid off.


... and for next year, I'll put $10 on each of these four teams to win the 2026 GF as soon as this year's GF has been played.

[aoluain]

First off I would like to say well done to the Broncos, eventhough they are a manufactured
team they have been at the bottom of the ladder for years and here they are mixing it up in
the finals again.


I kind of proud that the three teams I was backing on and off through the season are
in the "semi finals" and I think also that it could very well be a replay of last years
grand final Storm v Panthers - that sounds absolutely crazy given the absolute horrendous
first half of the year the Panthers had!

[Timelord2067]

The talk this week has been the Bledisloe Cup and Australia's encounters against the South African Springboks and before that the British and Irish Lions. Most commentators are going against Australia, but one or two are hoping the Wallabies can get the job done in the second and third matches. But alas, the stats are firmly against Australia.


As expected last night, the Melbourne Storm are into the Grand final with a reasonable win against the Sharks who are on the up-and-up. Keep them in your sights next year.

Tomorrow, I'm backing the Panthers. The Broncos will be at full strength, but they just aren't as disciplined as the Panthers are.

[aoluain]

Yes a great win by Storm, fairly consistent all season and last season, second place
on the ladder in both seasons and finalists in both seasons too.

For tomorrow its really hard to know who to back, possibly the Panthers alright,
what a season by them though, from bottom of the ladder in the first half of the season
pretty much to competing for the Grand Final.

If they get there and actually take the title it will be a remarkable feat, everyone had
them written off after a few rounds because they were abysmal!

[darxiaomi]

What a super awfull defeat for Argentina today against the Springboks, the first half was a very good one for us, in terms of the result, we were pretty close, but in the second half everything fall into pieces, a complete disaster, but well you need this kind of defeat to fix some other things.

[aoluain]

What a super awfull defeat for Argentina today against the Springboks, the first half was a very good one for us, in terms of the result, we were pretty close, but in the second half everything fall into pieces, a complete disaster, but well you need this kind of defeat to fix some other things.

Thats a pity alright, at half time it was still a competitive match but the
second half was abysmal. To only score a converted try but let 42 points pass through
is not good at all. The Pumas still have a lot of work to do!


Aussie NRL

Great win by the Broncos against the Panthers, we will have a new winner this year
for a change and a refresh!

Both Storm and Broncos have reached the Grand Final in the last few years
but I think I fancy Storm for title!

[Timelord2067]

Yes, I'm picking the Storm over the Broncos. I don't know what was wrong with the Panthers, they were on fire in the first half then turned the gas off and barely had their pilot light on. For two weeks running, the Broncos had a slow start, then came back in the second half.  I don't think the Storm will allow the Broncos to have a third win with that tactic.

In the Women's Rugby World Cup, England beat Canada 33 - 13.

[aoluain]

I would like to think this Grand Final has all the make up of a classic. Storm were finalists last
year and Broncos the year before. Both teams have to give it everything. I have a small bet
on Storm, they have been more consistent on the ladder over the last 4 years.


Yes I saw that win by England over Canada in the World Cup, ah they have a mighty team as
do Canada, the two top teams in ranking. I wasnt following it in the end. I watched the highlights
and it seemed like a great final.

[Timelord2067]

We're 15 minutes into the Grand final between the Broncos and Storm. The score is 12 - 6 in favour of Melbourne. (I've been hearing nothing but Brisbane chatter all week).

By half time, it's 22 - 12 with some thrills and spills (and a broken arm). The Broncos aren't finished yet, but they had some sloppy sets so far.

(I got back just before kickoff after having been out and about to watch Brisbane Women narrowly win against the Sydney team. The women play a slower game compared to their male counterparts, but it was a thrilling game.)

My double pick was Sydney Women and Melbourne Men, but as it turned out Melbourne with possession of the ball on the fifth tackle, ran disjointedly then did an abstract pass which was caught by a Broncos player on the 80th minute thus giving them the game 24 - 22 and the Grand final.

[aoluain]

Good win by the Broncos - finally!

It looks like the last 10 minutes were a real nail bighter, it was close all the way really
but that last pass from Storm to be intercepted mid foeld by the Broncos, it looked
like Storm were out of ideas at that stage.

There goes our bets on Storm too!

That was an interesting season to say the least, happy that at least the Panthers
were not in the final and some other team took the title.

No work tomorrow in Brisbane !!