blogging it real

The ability of blogger.com to malfunction and delete my posts on a Friday is beginning to almost feel personal.

Anyways, Take 3.

This from Graham Lowe this morning on tonight's ANZAC Test.

The English Super League is no longer a mediocre competition targeted by over-the-hill Australians and New Zealanders who can't make the NRL. The football is fast, slick, creative and tough! By ignoring some of the outstanding New Zealand talent in the competition, Anderson has done himself a disservice. And the exclusion of Ali Lauitiiti from the Kiwi lineup is nothing short of astounding. I'd rate it as something like Wayne Bennett leaving Darren Lockyer out of the Australian side. At this time New Zealand has arguably the two most damaging and creative attacking second-rowers in the world. One, Sonny Bill Williams is out injured; the other, Ali Lauitiiti can't even make the squad of 17. That's a joke.

Couldn't agree more!

The Kiwis are worth a punt at $5 at our TAB (Kangaroo's $1.15) but this is how the Aussies are betting:

Australia are tipped to trounce the Kiwis in Friday night's Test match in Brisbane. TAB Sportsbet punters have launched into the Aussies to score a runaway win, confident that they will crush the visitors by more than the 15.5-point handicap.
TAB Sportsbet has taken bets of $7000, $6500 and $6000 on Australia giving up 15.5 points start at $1.85.
Bill Hurley's Sportsbook.com.au spokesman, Larry Hawke, also reported plenty of interest in an Australian victory, saying punters were keen to back them at the handicap.
"We have Australia at $1.90 conceding 16.5 points start and the punters are happy to take that," Hawke said.

And now, da da da, this weekend's NRL games and the world-famous Bennyasena versus NZ Herald's Peter Jessup's picks.

Eels versus Tigers: Jessup and Bennyasena Eels
Panthers vs Cowboys: both Panthers
Sharks vs Broncos: Jessup Sharks Bennyasena Broncos
Raiders versus Storm: Jessup Storm Bennyasena Raiders
Knights versus Bulldogs: both Bulldogs
Sea Eagles versus Rabbits: both Sea Eagles
Roosters versus Dragons: both Roosters

To date, with four wins both in round 6, Bennyasena leads on 25/42 with Jessup trailing on 21/42.