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Super Rugby 2018: Round 13 Saturday Preview

Super Rugby 2018: Crusaders v Bulls Preview

There’s a jam-packed Super Rugby fixture list in store with six games set to take place on Saturday the 12th of May. 

Rugby fans are in for a treat this Saturday with a full Super Rugby list set to provide hours of entertainment. The day’s action kicks off with a clash between the Sunwolves and Reds, while the pick of the action will see the Bulls and Sharks lock horns at Loftus.

Sunwolves v Reds
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium

05:15

To Win (80 Mins)
Sunwolves 2/1
Draw 20/1
Reds 4/10

Handicap
Sunwolves (+6.5) 9/10
Reds (-6.5) 9/10



The Sunwolves will be looking to bag their first win of the season when they play host to the dogged Reds in the day’s opener. Both of these teams enjoyed a bye week during Round 12, so they’ll head into this one rather rejuvenated.

The first and only time these sides have met was back in 2016 where the Reds ran out 35-25 victors at the Suncorp Stadium. We could well be in for a similar scoreline here as the Reds aren’t exactly an all-conquering attacking force.

Verdict: Sunwolves (+6.5) 9/10
The Sunwolves have already run the Brumbies close this year and I expect them to do the same against the Reds. As such, my money is firmly on the plus line.

Crusaders v Waratahs
AMI Stadium

07:15

To Win (80 Mins)
Crusaders 1/16
Draw 35/1
Waratahs 7/1

Handicap
Crusaders (-20.5) 9/10
Waratahs (+20.5) 9/10

The Crusaders will be looking to make it nine wins from 11 games when they take on Australian conference toppers, the Waratahs. The hosts head into this one off the back of another impressive showing as a late second-half blitz saw them down the Rebels 10-55 in Melbourne. The Waratahs, on the other hand, come into this one off a dire display as they went down 21-24 to the Blues last weekend.

When the two sides last met back in 2016, the Crusaders took the spoils running out 29-10 victors in New Zealand. The last meeting out in Australia produced a different result with the Waratahs running out 32-22 victors.

Verdict: Crusaders (-20.5) 9/10
The Crusaders will have far too much firepower for a Waratahs side that couldn’t even put a hapless Blues outfit to bed at home last week.

Highlanders v Lions
Forsyth Barr
09:35

To Win (80 Mins)
Highlanders 4/10
Draw 22/1

Lions 2/1

Handicap
Highlanders (-6.5) 9/10
Lions (+6.5) 9/10

The Lions will be looking to build on what was an impressive showing against the Hurricanes when they take on the Highlanders. The hosts head into this one off the back of a 38-12 loss to the Sharks, whilst their opponents managed to keep it within the plus handicap as they went down by just nine points to the ‘Canes in Wellington.

The Lions were dealt a massive injury blow last week with talismanic Springbok Malcolm Marx to what looks to be a long-term groin injury. His absence will be felt by the Lions who have been heavily reliant on their forward pack this term.

Verdict: Highlanders (-6.5) 9/10
I’m expecting a big response from the Highlanders against a Lions side who will be rather fatigued after what has been a gruelling tour of Australasia. 

Brumbies v Rebels
GIO Stadium
11:45

To Win (80 Mins)
Brumbies 11/20
Draw 20/1
Rebels 15/10

Handicap
Brumbies (-4.5) 9/10
Rebels (+4.5) 9/10

Saturday’s all Australian affair sees the Brumbies and Rebels square off at the GIO Stadium. The hosts head into this one in fourth place on the Australian Conference. They are only six points off their opponents, however, and a win here could see them jump into third place should the Reds falter against the Sunwolves.

Both teams head into Saturday’s clash off the back of a series of patchy results with the Brumbies losing their last three fixtures and the Rebels losing their last five. The hosts for this weekend did enjoy a much-needed bye last week, however, while the Rebels went down 10-55 to the Crusaders.

Verdict: Brumbies (-4.5) 9/10
When these two sides last met earlier in the season the Rebels ran out 33-10. My money is on the hosts getting a bit of revenge here and seeing off their local rivals on home soil.

Stormers v Chiefs
DHL Newlands
15:05

To Win (80 Mins)
Stormers 21/20
Draw 17/1
Chiefs 8/10

Handicap
Stormers (+1.5) 9/10
Chiefs (-1.5) 9/10 

The Chiefs get their tour of South Africa underway with a clash against the Stormers at DHL Newlands. These two sides have been involved in some epic encounters in recent years, and this weekend is sure to be no different with both sides sure to take a ‘ball-in-hand’ philosophy into this one.

The hosts for Saturday’s affair come into this one off the back of a great result as they downed the impressive Bulls 29-17 at Newlands last week. The Chiefs, on the other hand, head into this one off the back of a demoralizing 19-23 defeat to the Jaguares on home soil.

Verdict: Stormers 21/20
This should be a cracker of a game but a depleted Chiefs side are unlikely to be able to keep the Stormers at bay

Bulls v Sharks
Loftus Versfeld
17:15

To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls 72/100
Draw 20/1
Sharks 23/20

Handicap
Bulls (-2.5) 9/10
Sharks (+2.5) 9/10

The final game of the day pits the Bulls and Sharks up against each other in what should be a pulsating local derby. The hosts head into this one off the back of yet another impressive performance against a Kiwi side as they downed the Highlanders 38-12 in Durban last week. The Bulls experienced a rather less pleasant weekend as they went down to southern rivals, the Stormers, 29-17.

When the two sides met last, the Bulls put in an absolute masterclass down in Durban to run out 10-40 victors. This game is likely to be a lot tighter as the Sharks come into it off the back of a string of good results.

Verdict: Sharks (+2.5) 9/10
I reckon this one is going to be extremely. It’s tough to call which team will actually take the spoils so a small strike on the away plus is probably the best option. 

Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net

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