Beware of the Mighty Blackout, in the finale of the Lions tour in Auckland on Saturday morning.
This has the potential to be the “Thriller in Manila” of rugby, kids, so have an early night and ensure you are in good form for quite possibly the game of the decade.
Watch those Barrett boys, the laaitie is at the back on a debut run-on start, with a monster runner at 12 in Laumape. Funnily, this guy could be a Xhosa descendant. Those who know will tell you that Maori comes from Ma-wuri in African mythology okay, that’s a story for another day.
Warren Gatland has puffed out his half-Welsh chest and sent out the same 15 men.
Given that, emotion may carry the Lions (7/2) home, or they may run out of Welsh dragon puff, and catch a packet!
The Bones fancy the latter.
Call it the Swart Gevaar!
The All Blacks (3/10) did bloody well to stay in it, innit? No team worldwide would have taken Four Nations’ very best to the final few minutes as they did. Steve Hansen’s wit has to be given kudos, even in defeat. He never moans, especially about officiating, and, you can be sure that his boys will be well up for it.
Meanwhile, at SW19, the ultimate tennis major is chuntering along in normal service, with all the favourites doing their thing.
Even the British also-rans have decided to stick around for the weekend.
All the top seeds are looking sharp, but I must say that the Spanish bull that is Rafa Nadal looks snortingly potent.
Who knows, he may yet get a shot of Aussie Open revenge on that Swiss master, right on his beloved SW19.
Now wouldn’t that be a summer sizzler for the ages, even if Andy Murray is supposed to be the ‘home favourite.
Roger Federer, the eternal people’s champion, has lived up to his billing as the second seed.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion is chasing history. No one has won eight titles, so sentiment alone finds it difficult to look beyond the Swiss.
He is still at 22/10 to win the tournament.
The women’s draw is a pure thumb suck, kodwa ke we are in the business of making outrageous predictions, aren’t we? If you missed out last week, the Bones rattled off some cheeky Baltic senoritas to sweeten their ranking and bank account.
Either way will be refreshing. I still have a Williams in sight, but with her age, personal circumstances (perspective) and erratic form, I would have to say I have my doubts.
So wololo - take a dip at Venus Williams at 12/1 as it’s a sauce of note. Ostapenko at a lovely jubbly 14/1, Elina Svitolina at 25’s and pocket rocket Dominka Cibulkova at 40/1.
Super Rugby on Friday has Australian sides competing, so switch over to the cricket, with obligatory naps as it rains runs or Root chances at HQ.
Brumbies, Force and Tahs on straight wins, with cheeky spreads on Bulls and Stormers by die pozi, ma se kinds!