After an excellent opening weekend, Super Rugby Pacific returns with Round 2, featuring five matches across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. With early-season form still settling, this round offers a mix of short-priced favourites and competitive handicaps. Below, we break down each fixture from a betting perspective and highlight a few potential plays.
FRIDAY
Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika – Click here to bet
The Hurricanes had a bye last weekend and will play their first match of the season this weekend. They finished fourth on the table last year after winning eight of their fourteen matches. Moana Pasifika made a brilliant start to their campaign, opening with a 26–40 win away from home against the Drua.
The last time the two sides met, the Hurricanes claimed a dominant 64–12 victory at home, while the match prior saw Moana Pasifika secure a 40–31 win. Before that result, the Hurricanes had won the previous three encounters between the teams.
The Hurricanes head into this week as heavy favourites, trading at 1.06 for the win. Moana Pasifika are at 10.00, while the draw is currently priced at 56.00.
Handicap: Hurricanes [-22.5]
Although Moana Pasifika come into this week off the back of an impressive win, the Hurricanes have named an extremely strong side, and we saw what happened the last time they hosted Pasifika. I expect a similar outcome this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Hurricanes [-22.5] at 1.91
Waratahs v Fijian Drua – Click here to bet
The Waratahs opened their season with a solid win against the Reds. Hosting the match, they delivered an impressive performance to claim a 36–12 victory. The Drua, on the other hand, did not enjoy the best start. They were at home against Moana Pasifika but fell to a 26–40 defeat.
The Waratahs have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, with the Drua winning one and the other ending in a draw. The most recent clash saw the Drua secure a 28–14 win at home, while the last time the teams met in Australia, the Waratahs edged it 29–24.
The Waratahs are favourites heading into this match, trading at 1.20 for the win, while the Drua are at 5.50. The draw is currently priced at 36.00.
Handicap: Fijian Drua [+13.5]
The Waratahs have not beaten the Drua by more than 13 points in their last three meetings. The last time they managed a bigger margin was in 2023, when they won 32–18, a 14-point victory. This fixture tends to be tightly contested, and I expect that trend to continue this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Fijian Drua [+13.5] at 1.87.
SATURDAY
Highlanders v Chiefs – Click here to bet
The Highlanders made a brilliant start to their season, edging the defending champions 25–23 at home in a nail-biting encounter. The Chiefs also began their campaign strongly, securing a 15–19 win away from home against the Blues.
The Chiefs have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning each of the last five meetings between the sides. The most recent clash saw the Highlanders hosting, but they were beaten convincingly 24–41.
The Chiefs are favourites heading into this match, trading at 1.38 for the win, while the Highlanders are at 3.40. The draw is currently priced at 29.00.
Handicap: Chiefs [-7.5]
The Chiefs showed last year how strong they are during the pool stages, finishing top of the log. They reinforced that point last weekend with an impressive away win over a quality Blues side. Considering their recent dominance in this matchup and the momentum they carry into this round, I expect a solid win from the Chiefs this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Chiefs [-7.5] at 1.93.
Western Force v Blues – Click here to bet
The Force endured a tough start to their campaign, going down 24–56 at home to the Brumbies in their opening match. The Blues also head into this weekend off the back of a home defeat, having lost 15–19 to the Chiefs.
The Blues have been dominant against the Western Force in recent years, winning each of their last five meetings. The last time the Force hosted this fixture, back in 2022, the Blues edged it 18–22, while the most recent encounter finished 40–19 in the Blues favour.
The Blues are favourites heading into this weekend, trading at 1.36 for the win, while the Force are at 3.50. The draw is currently priced at 29.00.
Handicap: Blues [-8.5]
Although the Blues are coming off a loss, it was against a strong Chiefs side. Given their recent dominance over the Force, I expect them to bounce back with a convincing win this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blues [-8.5] at 1.93.
SUNDAY
Crusaders v Brumbies – Click here to bet
The defending champions host the top Australian side this weekend. The Crusaders were hoping to begin their season with a win but fell just short against the Highlanders, losing 25–23 away from home. The Brumbies, on the other hand, made the perfect start, cruising to a 24–56 victory over the Western Force away from home. As a result, they currently sit at the top of the table on points difference.
The Crusaders have had the upper hand in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings between the sides. However, looking at the last two seasons, the contests have been tight. In 2024, the Brumbies claimed a 31–24 win at home, while last year the Crusaders edged it by just two points, with the match finishing 31–33.
Handicap: Brumbies [+11.5]
The Brumbies come into this weekend off the back of a convincing win, while the Crusaders are looking to respond after a narrow defeat. Considering how closely contested this fixture has been over the past two years, with neither result decided by more than three points, I expect the Crusaders to edge the match, but it should be another very tight encounter.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Brumbies [+11.5] at 1.91.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
