There are just 4 Super Rugby matches taking place this weekend and we take a look at them from a betting angle.
Let’s start as always with a look at the latest Outright Betting where the Chiefs have cemented their spot as Tournament favourites and are currently priced at 7/4. The Crusaders are 2nd in the betting at 9/4, you can get 27/10 the Blues and 6/1 and better the balance.
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FRIDAY
Crusaders v Moana Pasifika – Click here to bet
The Crusaders currently sit 4th on the table with 4 wins and 2 losses in their opening 6 games. They were given some cheek away to the Reds last week before emerging as 25-12 winners and their last home game was a 35-17 win over the Brumbies.
Moana Pasifika are rock bottom of the table with just 2 bonus points to show from their opening 6 games. They played the Highlanders in Auckland last week going down 17-45 and the week before that they were beaten 59-0 by the Hurricanes also in Auckland.
Handicap: Crusaders -30.5
The only question in this match is by how far the Crusaders win and looking at the team they have selected I think they are going to run up a big score.
Suggested Bet: Over 47.5 points at 5/6
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Reds v Brumbies – Click here to bet
The Reds are currently 8th on the log with just 2 wins in their opening 6 matches. Last week they were well backed against the Crusaders on the handicap, but went down 12-25 at home. The week before that they were beaten 40-34 by the Rebels in Melbourne.
The Brumbies are currently 3rd on the log with 5 wins and a loss in their opening 6 matches. Last week they were given plenty of headaches by the Waratahs in Canberra before emerging 40-36 winners and the week before that a weakened Brumbies side had gone down by 18 points away to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Handicap: Reds +3.5
The home team has tended to dominate fixtures between these sides in recent years, but there is seldom much in it and I think we are in for another titanic struggle and a close finish.
Suggested Bet: Tri Bet, any other result at 13/10 (for this bet to arrive either team can win the game, but not by more than 6 points)
SATURDAY
Highlanders v Hurricanes – Click here to bet
The Highlanders are currently sitting 6th on the log with 3 wins and 3 losses in their opening 6 matches. Their 3 wins have come in successive weeks, beating the Force, Drua and Moana Pasifika.
The Hurricanes are currently 2nd on the log with 5 wins and 1 defeat in their opening 6 matches. They looked like cruising to a comfortable victory at home to the Force last week, but in the end had to withstand a late challenge to win 45-42 and their last game on the road was against Moana Pasifika in Auckland where they won 59-0.
Handicap: Highlanders +7.5
The Hurricanes won this fixture 22-21 last season and they have won their last 4 in a row against the Highlanders. I expect the Hurricanes to make it 5 wins in a row, but I think they are going to be made to fight for the win.
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Hurricanes under 12.5 points at 5/2
Rebels v Blues – Click here to bet
The Rebels are currently 9th on the log with 2 wins and 4 defeats in their opening 6 matches. Last week they lost 38-28 to the Drua on the road and before that they pulled off a minor upset at home to the Reds winning 40-34.
The Blues are currently 5th on the log with 3 wins and 3 defeats in their opening 6 matches. They were on the wrong end of a 7 point defeat in a low scoring encounter away to the Chiefs last week and they made fairly heavy weather of beating the Force 30-17 the week before.
Handicap: Rebels +14.5
The Blues have been a bit expensive to follow this season, but I am expecting them to put the hammer down against the Rebels, but rather than take the handicap I am going to back the Blues to score 34 points or more.
Suggested Bet: Blues, over 33.5 points at 17/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
